Our First Blog

After having referred all our friends to the blogs of our cruising companions for quite a while, we decided that it is time to set up our own blog.
We are about ready to set off on our three week journey across the Pacific. We did all the important preparations: the whole family had their 6 month check-up and cleaning at the local dentist in Bucerias. No cavities!! We did a big Costco Run to provision for five boats. This was very interesting as everyone provisions so differently, for some toiletpaper is more essential others prefer beer & rum. I noticed that Bravado either has the most people on board or are the biggest eaters of the bunch. Someone had arranged a small U-haul from a friendly carpet cleaner, and he brought all our supplies back to the Marina. When we unloaded the van at the head of the dock, immediately a group of Mexican teenagers gathered around us who wanted to buy our stuff. We had to explain in our best Spanish that we were not setting up a shop there. After we stored all our kilos of flour, rice, pasta, peanut butter, toothpaste, etc. it was time to go to Carnes del Mundo and get some meat that will stay well for a long time even without a freezer. We have a freezer on board, that will chill but doesn't freeze. Just in case, I also stocked up on spam....! A couple of days ago I bought fruits and vegetables from the local market. Did you know that cabbage and onion are the longest lasting vegetables? Then it was time for the Mante family to go to the hairdresser. Ewout, Hein and Eltjo now are just a couple of millimeters short of a crew cut. Between thumb and index finger, Judith pointed out 1.5 inch, saying that was how much she wanted cut off. However something got lost in translation, as the hairdresser thought that that was how much she wanted to be left. This very short hair is nice and cool in the heat here, and no other haircut will be needed for a long time! Jet didn't take part in this family activity as she is still growing her hair for Locks for Love. Our crew member Gerbrand (married to Ewout's sister) arrived a week ago and he worked very hard with Ewout to get Bravado ready. We are so loaded with fuel, water, supplies and people that there is hardly any waterline left!! Now that everything is that we could think of is done, there is only one more thing that we need: WIND. That essential ingredient is totally lacking. It looks like we are either going to drift and make it a four (or more) week crossing or use our precious cheap Mexican fuel. Of course there is a third option which is waiting for wind.....and reprovisioning!

Meanwhile the rest of the crew is busy with the following activities:
Jet likes to make necklaces with matching earrings and has been quite succesful in setting up a little business here in the Marina. By now, the women on all different docks are wearing her creations. With her income she bought an Amazon Kindle 2 and loaded 70 books on it for the crossing. If she should get seasick the Kindle can switch over to voice and will read to her.
Hein's favorite subject in school is Greek Mythology, which of course has the least practical use for cruising, that's probably what makes it fun. Hein's hobby is fishing. He has a fishing rod and caught three fish in the past year. Judith and Ewout were too squeamish to skin them, so we threw them back in the water, which was a little challenge as well, because fish have sharp teeth and bite! Now Gerbrand has brought some more serious fishing gear aboard and will help Hein catch our meals at sea.
Eltjo is somewhat accident prone at the moment. There are lots of boys in the Marina who all play together. Some on skooters, some on skateboards and some on rollerblades (Eltjo). They have chosen the steepest 'hill' around and like to go down it with the most speed possible. Eltjo, being one of the youngest, needs to prove that he can compete with the others. This cost him a huge scab on his nose and just as that was healed up, he came home with an enormous swollen black eye and two open knees. Luckily he heals fast.

Ewout is doing taxes, Gerbrand is exploring Puerto Vallarta and Judith is trying to find room to store the last batch of vegetables. We will keep you posted.