There is nothing better than sharing Companion with our kids …. Our Christmas was made very merry with the arrival of Emily, Kyle and the added bonus of Bryce!
Arriving in the afternoon of Christmas Eve the kids got settled in - heading down the causeway for what we had hoped was to be a feast on sea bass - come to find out - after the 2 mile walk that the restaurant was closed - so off to an Italian pasta feast!! Flexibility!! But nonetheless delicious!
Back on Companion it was a quiet night for them as they had traveled for almost 20 hours and were ready to sleep…with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads!
Christmas Day morning.
Stockings full and little gifts under our Christmas tree … a delightful relaxed wake up call!
The Newlyweds First Christmas
Christmas dinner was extended to our dear Dutch friends - Ben and Nannie - they crossed the Canal on the 22nd after over 7 years in the Caribbean … lucky us to have them on board Companion for our “traditional” turkey dinner with stuffing and all the fixins’! (Love that pressure cooker!)
Our plan was to sail on the 26th to the Las Perlas Islands - a lovely 34 nm sail - spinnaker launched for the first time for Em and Kyle.
Kyle at the helm
Bryce and Dale rig her up and let her loose!
To say the least - Em loved the sight!
Of course as we are cruising along - spinnaker full - the fishing reel takes off - Bryce grabbed the pole - exclaimed “Fish ON! A big one - see that tail!” Well the proof is in the photo.
With all of Bryce’s might - he reeled that fish - remember it is a BIG one - all of a sudden the reel was pulled OFF the pole - the tip of the pole broke - Em jumped in to help him hold the rod - Bryce kept reeling - to no avail - the line snapped - oh so sad - but really what would we have done with an 80 pounder or better? I’m sure we would have figured out something! Oh well - the story is in the photo …. there are more fish in the sea!
With all of Bryce's strength!
Spinnaker is still full - gotta get her down - winds picked up - just a little chaos - but everything under control! Just had time to catch our breath - Kyle says - “look at that “water blow!” - Whale - no not just one - look at ‘em!” Sure enough - whales spotted - then out of nowhere - actually behind the boat comes and I am not exaggerating - 24 or more spotted dolphins - what a sight! What a gift! They played at the bow of Companion for at least 30 minutes - such a treat to be a witness to the grace and fluidity of this mammal
Approaching the Las Perlas (the Pearles)- at low tide - the white sand beaches exposed - we were excited to get anchored so the kids could go explore the island! Perfect spot to swim, play, read and chill ….
Dale instantly sits in his spot - book in hand …
Em ready to see the sights!
Kyle and Bryce find their balance!
Another member of the Companion Embroidery Guild!
Lunchtime!
We filled our days … and they were going to quickly as far as I was concerned …
Sailing back to Panama City for a couple of days just to “tour” … the seas were relatively calm …. We all love sitting in those front row seats watching the waves roll by … of course the fishing pole was set … waiting patiently … this time the fishermen (all of them) brought in a nice size fish - delectable lunch of tuna steaks!!
Anchoring in the Las Brisas Bay required an additional little bit of commotion - the dinghy dock was destroyed and a make shift pulley system to get cruisers to land was rigged up - to say the least Dale and I really looked like and acted like we had never been in one before …
“Hold on and stay still ... this thing could go over any second now!” I call this trust!
We did finally get to have the sea bass feast - it was well worth waiting for … a whole fish, salad and plantains or fries for $8 ….
Can’t beat that! Probably one of the best fish dinners we have ever had … (except for the crappie dinners in Kentucky!)
Em loved her dinner!
You three made our week merry!
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