Covered in blue

Taping the waterline for easy painting...no ladders, so we had to improvise.

With the boat out of the water our week has been busy. Filled with the usual ups and downs of doing boat work that exist in a country where the primary language is not your own and the marine stores that have the parts you need are several thousands of miles away we've been doing well.

Prop needing some love

Prop all cleaned up and painted looking for speed to win in the rally!

There have been a few surprises. The boat yard doesn't allow us to stay on board. So we had to get a little room in the nearby town. We need something with a way to cook and a refrigerator. As we are coming off a the holidays, it seems rooms were hard to come by. We ended up finding a place that was an authentic experience. It was tired by many standards, mosquito nets covering the open air vents to the outside were in disrepair. The kitchenette while meeting our requirements for cooking and refrigeration lacked lights and any place to set things down. The sink and the top of the refrigerator were the only 'flat' surfaces. The floors were rustic, tiled but definitely not worthy of a 5 second rule.

In the bedroom, there were two spartan beds and two windows that looked out at brick walls not more than 2' away. The queen sized mattress top was set on top of a full size mattress frame. Such that if you got too close to the edges you'd likely just roll off. The small table in the room was made with wood sticks (round not flat) such that again, there was not really a flat surface to set anything down. It was quiet, the air conditioner worked and the shower was warm. No complaints, just perhaps a bit more 'hostel'-like then what we'd normally find. The best thing about this place was the cat, named Garfield. A very sweet cat, he came to our door every morning in hopes of some bacon and whatever attention we would give him.

Our kitchenette, with the basics as long as you are cooking top ramen and not anything fancy. Also sporting our new Okisollo sun protection shirt!

Our authentic room came with 'Garfield'. He was a very kind kitty and he liked hanging out with us.

There were 2 mini-supers (small grocery stores) a short walking distance away. There was also a Chinese restaurant. After long days working in the heat and humidity, some tasty Chinese noodles were exactly what we needed. I think we went there three times this week.

Our haulout took a few extra days, so we switched rooms mid-week. For only $50 more a night we found ourselves on the 10th floor of a condo with a 3 bedroom apartment with a view of the ocean. It was a dramatic contrast to the humble abode earlier in the week.

Dan covered in blue, completed the sanding job. It was a tough and we are so glad it is done!

Our upgraded room with a view, even if only for 2 nights -- it was fabulous!

Freshly painted. Ready to Launch!

Thursday was launch day. As per usual Blair luck, the morning was calm and about 1 hour before launch we had a squall roll through with wind and rain. The process to get Okisollo back on the 'CROC' launcher took about an hour, then we quickly crawled underneath the boat to paint the last 4 sections that needed paint before going back in the water. Soaking wet, covered in blue paint and mud from the yard, we launched with out a hitch and are now VERY happily back in the water. We have our own bed, our own galley and the gentle movement of a boat in a marina.

Shelter from the storm, crawling under the bottom of the boat to paint the last 4 feet...

Loading up Okisollo to go back in the water before the rain squall.

Rain squall forthcoming.....

Today, we rented a car, bought 30# of meat, went to the organic food store to buy all the good stuff we won't be able to get for another year and then had our last visit to the Panama "ace hardware" equivalent. Dan scrubbed the exterior of the boat. I tackled the interior. There was blue paint residue EVERYWHERE. Tonight, we ended the day with a magnificent dinner to celebrate our 33rd anniversary. Life is good in Panama. Onward.

Happy Anniversary to us! Onward!