Quarantine, enjoying our marina, Aeeshah’s hauled and a new home.

PHOTO ALBUM LINK—>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/bnbfky9SxuLwjSBN9

Quarantine for 14 days

Once we arrived at Catamaran Marina we were in quarantine for 14 days. No, all the time previously spent on the boat on our own sailing from Belize, in Livingston and traveling up river did not count as quarantine. The health team that arrived to check us were in full hazmat suits, masks and shields. They checked our documents and took our temperatures – no Convid 19 test, they sprayed everything we had touched with disinfectant. These folks visited twice while we were quarantined on Aeeshah, but not at the end, which didn’t really make sense to me….but we got our clearance in our passport and that’s what counted.

What did we do? How did we pass the time?

We took ages having breakfast, looking at the news, facebook posts and such. We did what chores we could aboard with what we had aboard. John changed oil on the outboard, water maker and the main engine. We cleaned, scrubbed decks, cockpit and covers.

We chatted with friends who visited the dock, and caught up on the Catamaran news. Our friend Gillian took Chico out in the morning and evening so he was not stuck below 24/14. Basically we did what we could to pass the time comfortably.

Foods galore

Since the whole convid 19 measures has reduced the chances for eating out to basically none, many restaurants, charitable organizations and enterprising individuals have started whole new lines of foods that can be ordered online and delivered to your boat. Even during quarantine we were able to access a few of these.

There is now a young Guatamalan lady who bakes sour dough breads of different varieties. These loaves are amazing and arrive warm fresh from the oven.

Then there is the weekly pie-a-ramdia, this is run by the local charity Casa Guatemala – https://casa-guatemala.org They offer, on Fridays, 3 types of amazing 9 inch meat pies, quiches and a large variety of fresh fruit pies. These pies are the best ever!

Then there are the weekly baked goods from Diego and Cici – lemon cake, carrot cake, empanadas, foccia bread to name a few, and they are at Catamaran.

And of course Catamaran’s kitchen was and is open, they even delivered a full meals on a tray to us when we were in quarantine. Oh just so many wonderful foods on offer, everyone is bound to gain weight.

Out and about again

Finally our day of freedom arrived, it was a bit of a dull day, over cast, but we were up at 6:00 and walking around the island. It was quite strange to be on land after just under a month aboard Aeeshah, but wonderful to stretch our legs at last.

Walks/exercise/enjoying nature

I have taken to walking around the island of Catamaran and across the little bridge up to the tennis court around down past Kevin’s cassa and back around. 6 circuits takes about 45 minutes, at a fast pace. Trying to get my exercise in to get some fitness back after the months in Belize where we couldn’t walk far and now here where it’s limited due to restrictions.

The walks are simply lovely, almost like walking through a botanical garden. The grounds of Catamaran are quite amazing.

There are orchids blooming, hanging from the trees which shade the pathways, a large variety of trees, climbing vines, flowering shrubs, to name just a few delights.

The birds are singing and flying all around you, even humming birds taking nectar from the flowers. Jesus lizards scatter as you walk the outside trails, I love the way they run on their long, skinny, hind legs and a close up view shows how handsome they are, blue eyed with red nostrils.

Yes, the walks have been very enjoyable even if somewhat hot.

Where we venture ashore

Any movement off the boat requires wearing your mask and taking your hand sanitizer. We venture into Fronteras to the big new supermarket La Torre just once a week as we try to limit our contact with folks. The way there takes us down a canal passed what is best described as the commercial district where all sorts of wares are loaded onto local boats.

There could be tree trunks, sacks of cement, animals absolutely anything being loaded. We manouver past sometimes with difficulty and then tie up in the official La Torre dinghy parking lot.

Venturing into La Torre one must use the hand sanitize, have your temperature taken and only take the specially cleaned trollies for shopping. Of note is the fact that children are not allowed inside AND even spouses have to stay distanced. Normally one can buy anything you need there and so we no longer buy from the market or on the street. Hopefully one day we can again.

Aeeshah’s plans

Our overall plan is to have Aeeshah’s needed updates and structural changes done at Ram Marina during these months of continued lock down. Guatemala is not opening in the foreseeable future.

So the 1st step was to fine a place to live, as the major work will render the boat uninhabitable. Fortunately due to Convid 19 a number of places were available to rent as folks cannot travel to and visit the Rio. We looked at two and decided on the first one.

Our new home

The place we chose and moved into a week ago is simply lovely. Just 8 minutes away from Catamaran and 10 from Ram where the boat is now located – it’s convenient. Chico is secure as it is over the river and just attached to the shore and the housekeeper’s place by a bridge.

So Chico is unable to access the land. It is open and breezy, simple and modern, with all the conveniences we need to be comfortable.

As mentioned a housekeeper is part of the deal, but this is the norm here. I personally am finding this difficult to navigate, being used to doing everything myself. Katerine, the housekeeper, her little girl Katerine, and hubby Adel are quite lovely, and I’m sure in a few weeks I will become reliant on her help.

We had worked at Catamaran, for several weeks getting Aeeshah ready to be hauled. Everything and I mean everything, inside and out on deck had to be stripped and stored away.

Off to Ram to haul Aeeshah

Finally we were off to Ram where Aeeshah was stripped of her mast and hauled. The whole removing the mast operation came first.

Wow, what an operation,

first a fellow went up the mast and attached the strap for the lift, next using the big crane after all the stays were undone the mast was carefully lifted,

laid on the dock and taken to the mast yard.

We even had friends, Sabrina and Tom come along to watch the process

Hauling Aeeshah was a simple haul, no mast and she’s now so much lighter.

Aeeshah had her own awaiting a crew of men who will be recovering her worn decks and worn cockpit with new gelcoat. The rigger Tom is presently making the new rig. The Ram crew will paint the mast and boom, (once John removes all the working parts). The welder and fabricated are modifying the rudder as the present one’s stock is too short for safety. Those are the major works that are already underway or will soon be proceeding. We estimated maybe 3 months….

At our new place

Our new place is wonderful. The evening sunsets just lovely to watch. The sounds of the river, jungle and Katerine’s chickens are the sounds one hears. There are the fishermen to watch as they net with their children helping.

The afternoons do get a bit warm, but you have the option of a dip in the river. Having a full fridge, freezer, a washer dryer and such is a treat. John will be at Ram most days, I will be here getting on with sewing projects and my other interests. All is good!