Are you in for some surprises. I took a bunch of photos. Did the same last
year and sent them back along with a lot of stuff to post but somehow,
somebody was too busy doing whatever else to deal with it. So I took more
this year. It's all different. The yacht club is all built up but they
just tore down the bar to build a new one. Hector was too busy stealing
fish off of hooks, eating the handouts fromthe dumbies on the ship's and
ended up going after some folks so they did away with him. Pictures of that
monster still posted above the cash register in the Seamans Club. Lots of
new buildings, complete ATT sat phone service, clubs, stores, swimming pool,
gym etc. etc. etc. Everything except Scuba as they have no pressure chamber
available sothat's out. I'll get those photos developed and a copy put on
disc and then post them somewhere or send them direct.

This time I picked up 25 Burgees from DGYC. I had two before. One ended up
on the wall at Port Townsend Rigging and one in a yacht club that gave me a
week free just to get it! Now I'm well prepared.

My third trip there in a little over a year. Great place, but as you say
only for the first few weeks. Can't get basics like tennies, bootlaces,
etc. etc. etc. still and the Pinoy's that run everything only order in Sizes
S and M with a few of the rest in short supply.

Still has that vicious surge just inside the entrance too! Whipped out
60,000 tons around and at one point I felt like I was steering a surfboard!

OK I'll get that done in Virginia and get them posted.

Looks like a month and a bit there and then back to the good ole Pacific NW.
I'll be in and out all the islands for quite a while between ships. It's
been a long two years and it's good to have a place to go to where you know
everyone. Did contact my friends in Norfolk though and the weekends will be
spent back on the tugs. Little more preparation for the next license jump.
That will get me away from the limitations of near coastal and set up for
crossings and, as I've found out, 100 ton limited to the coast are (not to
downgrade it but to make a practical statement) available for whistling so
it makes sense to jump the tonnage and get the 'oceans' version. That opens
up a lot of delivery work plus some worthwhile charter skippering not to
mention the commercial side of things. Big difference out here when you can
go from local tourist guide or taxi boat to the working world of the
industry. Oh well . . .more on that and on the boat refit later as time
goes on. I should be around through the summer and into October before the
next freighter voyages start up.

Side note - I remember someone asked about my old radar unit but it went
tit's up so I didn't bother trying to send it but I am taking out the Edson
wheel steering this year and going back to tiller steering. That unit
complete with engine controls and compass binnacle will be available if
anyone is interested. Also have a lot of duplicate charts now and
continually pick up more if anyone has a need I'll be able to get at them
in a month or so plus whatI can find locally.

Old Salt!!!!!!!!! Looked in the mirror lately?

Cheers

Michael




"Joe" wrote in message
om...
"Michael" wrote in message
...
Seemed like it some days. Swung on the hook for seven weeks in Diego G.
awaiting a back haul. Life on a tropical atoll seems great . . until it
includes 90 hour work weeks. But the paycheck looked great! Not as bad
as
the MSC unrep ships though. That is real institutionalized living.
Funny
thing on the last of those I sailed on, the "Shasta" we took aboard
frozen
stores one day and included were boxes of meat originally consigned to
the
California Penal System and overstamped "Rejected."

M.


Dont feel bad, I spent 168 days strait on Deigo. Its a blast the
first 14 day then it get kinda old. Did you hear of Hector? In fact I
was on the first US Navy boat to be in deigo garica since WW11. I took
my 50 footer in ahead of the ship and set up a temp bouy system to
bring the ship in. We were there when the Iran hostage deal started.
No Yacht club, just a small seebees base and they were still
dynamiting the coral reefs to make concrete for the landing strips, it
was something seeming them take those big dozers out into the surf
were the whole things except a air intakes were underwater and pushing
up the coral onto the beach. It was a shame, the reefs there have to
be the best in the world. Swimming the reefs was like swimming in the
best tropical fish aquarium on earth the variety of fish was amazing.
After the first 168 day we got took a R&R trip to mariutius off the
cost of africa, last island on earth were the dodo bird lived, they
sold hash on the streets there for about 5 bucks a pound, talk about a
stoned crew.

Did you see any coconut crabs? Miniature horses? Did you make it to
the plantation? Do they still have the fishing barge ancored out? We
would catch 40 pounds red snappers all day long if we wanted. Is it
still under B.I.O.T
police? Infact if you go to the other Mikes sailinglinks site you can
see a picture of me on the landing at Deigo in the back ground you
will see a pristine beach, thats were they put the YC today I think.
I'd love to see the place again, but it sounds like they have turned
it into another club med. Talk about a tropical paradise. Anyhow
welcome back you salty dog.

Joe



"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
"What a disappointment today. Some months of waiting, travel half
way
round
the world, finally get off this bucket and take a taxi to Barnes and
Noble .
.. . AH HAH! Lats and Atts is in stock.

not many people get excited reading about scooter trash.

done some prison time, have ya dude?