Two Fish Guest Report

Well it’s been an experience and a half traveling on Two Fish. Jason and Gail have been great hosts and we are enjoying our time together, both onboard and ashore. Our adventure started at the Toronto airport.  We ran into Bert, who saw our foul weather coats and asked if we were destined for the ARC rally like him. Turns out he is from the same town as Jackie in Cape Breton and even knows who her Dad is! What’s yer faders name?
St Lucia was beautiful with its lush tropical mountains, balmy breezes, and friendly people. We spent a few days prepping the boat and shoved off at noon for the start of the ” race ” to Santa Marta Colombia. The start was 35 cruising sailboats beating to windward in the opposite direction to our destination, all in all an exciting start. This leg gave us following seas and winds from 15 to 35 knots. We quickly fell into our routine of 2 hour watches with 6 off and scheduled on-board cleaning duties. Jackie and I ran our watches together as we found it more enjoyable to have company, either in the helm chair or snoozing in the cockpit, especially during our 6 to 10 pm and 2 to 6 am night watches. Skies were clear the whole time with blue skies by day and a blanket of stars at night from horizon to horizon. The North Star reminded us of home, although it was much lower in the sky. Two Fish performed well and we were able to finish ahead of the other two PDQ/ Antares in the fleet. Pretty sure this was a result of Jason’s many sail changes; when there is nothing to do, change out a sail!
The approach to Santa Marta, Colombia was spectacular with impressive mountains and cliffs dipping into the ocean and a spirited sea with 35 knots of breeze. The marina is surrounded by mountains and is quite modern and very peaceful ( peaceful as in calm water, maybe not the salsa bands that usually shut down around 5 am ). There is definitely a large social and economical gap here between the have and have-nots. Although everyone seems happy and content with a devotion to Family.
Our plan is to shove off soon and head for the San Blas Islands for a week or so. I am told they are amazing with rich culture and world class diving. From there our next stop is Colon Panama where Jackie and I will sadly depart the good ship Two Fish and make our way to Panama City for a few days of sight seeing and then make our way back to Florida for the rest of the season. This trip has given us some destination ideas for the next cruise aboard our beloved sailboat Cheemaun. Thanks Jason and Gail for this opportunity!!
Btw…that port forward cabin sure is quiet!!
Jackie and James Power ( the two new crew fish aboard Two Fish)

Cheemaun