If I were to pitch the movie version of the last few months at Shelter Bay Marina it would be Dante’s nine circles of hell meets a tropical version of Groundhog Day. Like Bill Murray, it seemed that each day we would wake up and repeat the day before; saying hello to the regular cast of characters, taking Lucy for a walk through the jungle in search of monkeys and sloths, working on boat jobs, jumping in the pool to cool off, checking on the repair of our dagger boards, joining friends for happy hour, rinse and repeat.

The long and winding road to Shelter Bay

And just when we thought our endless boat work-related stay was coming to an end we were plunged into a deeper level of hell (see Dagger post).

Attempt #387 trying to fit dagger boards

Why oh why were we on this endless loop? Were the sailing gods, Dante and Harold Ramis all trying to tell us to reexamine our lives? Thankfully this is a feel good movie and after feeling frustrated and tortured enough, we cued the inspirational music, stopped feeling sorry for ourselves and made the best of a rough time.

Eddie

Chris’s catch of the day

Leticia, Eugene “cheese”, and Roxana knew our drink orders by heart.

Margaret and David from S/V Heart and Soul

Carlos and Erica from S/V Plan B

The happiest couple ever, Charlotte and James from M/V Pegasus

Boat kid and all around daredevil Ivan

Pierrick

Cooks in the kitchen

Pete Rose? no it is Pete and Rose

Fun with Scott, Evan & Lambrini

Eddie and Lucy, Panama Pals

El Salvador mini reunion

monkey

“Cheese” ringing the daily happy hour bell

Friendly Security guard

Mike and Holly

fly bird fly

Scott enjoying another fine meal in the restaurant with us.

flower

Yes, that is Captain Pete at the sewing wheel

Thrilled to see a familiar face in Charlotte.

Lucy’s pal Othello

Mama and baby sloth -slow lane experts

Posing at Fort San Lorenzo

We met a lot of new friends, old friends caught up to us for reunions and the dagger boards were FINALLY fixed!  And our happy ending had us leaving the docks along with buddy boats R&R Kedger and Apsaras and with friends Holly and Mike from Wanuskewin joining us on Neko to start our 2nd year of cruising.

Adios suckers

We definitely were thankful to be on the move again and hosted Thanksgiving on Neko with 8 others.  Between us all we were able to create the traditional dishes and it felt like the real deal apart from the fact we were floating on a boat and it was 90 degrees.

Just like the pilgrims

It’s not wine, but it’s Clos

Traditional Thanksgiving engine room check

Dave, Melissa, Holly, Rose, Rob, Chad, Patty and Mike joined us for Thanksgiving

Thankful cruisers

Yes, oh so thankful to be cruising again…

Finally back in the water

Happiest of hours

Holly and Mike driving Ms. Lucy

Ready to launch

Peter kiting in Isla Grande

Coconut hunter

Exploring Linton

Crazy Captains

Mike attempting to barefoot ski behind dinghy

Happy Mike and Rose

Heading to Turtle Cay

Turtle Cay dinner

Delicious Thai food at Capt. Jacks in Portobello, Panama. Who knew??

Arriving at R&R for cocktail hour. Dogs welcome 😉

Drinks on R&R

Playa Blanca anchorage

Now these are the kind of days we want to repeat.

Sundowners, the perfect ending to the day