Golfito;Windfall on a mooring ball

Our view of the bay from the clubhouse deck...pretty nice, Eh?

    After spending 3 wonderful days in Puerto Jimeniz, we motored 8 miles across the bay where we are finally in Golfito located in Golfo Dulce (Sweet Bay). Golfito is located on a beautiful, large, and very protected bay surrounded by tropical forests. We are on a mooring ball at Land Sea, www.marinaservices-yachtdelivery.com   a wonderful small "marina" that has a LOT to offer cruisers. It's ran by Tim and Katie, Ex- cruisers who are friendly and very helpful.  The "marina" and "Clubhouse" (where beer and sodas are sold on t the honor system) is basically a large dingy dock with only one slip, several moorings, a floating house (where Windfall is currently tied along side), and a wonderful clubhouse with a large deck overlooking the bay. Mooring balls are for rent for $8.00/day, Pet sitting  is available, internet, TV room, and some of the nicest showers we've ever seen! Gas grills and all the amenities are free to for the cruisers to use on the deck.

    It's defiantly going to be a great place to spend our time while in Costa Rica. Tim will even check on our boats while we are traveling around Costa Rica with SOMF.
    We stopped at the fueldock before mooring Windfall....$955 for 191 gallons of diesel and 6 gallons of gasoline...OUCH! 

Dockwise loading boats for transport

    We're among lots of friends who were in El Salvador with us, Varuna, Royal Albatross, Sunnyside Up, and of course our good friends Jerry and Lauren aboard SOMF.  Several boats here are awaiting "Dockwise" a transport drydock ship for boats not wanting to sail to far off locations, Dockwise will be here Sunday to begin loading boats aboard. Royal Albatross is being dropped off in Florida, and others are on another drydock ship bound for Vancouver, Canada. It will be interesting to watch as the huge Dockwise ship lowers itself into the water and the boats motor onto the deck where divers will secure the boats to the deck. After the boats are secure, Dockwise will slowly raise it's deck (along with all the boats) above water and set off for distant locations to drop the boats off to the awaiting owners....oh, and cost is about $12,000 for a 40' sailboat from here, through the canal, and to South Florida...just in case you are interested.
    Today, Jerry, Lauren, Nancy, and I went to the Port Captain to check in (as a courtesy) ...he could see we had all the proper papers and asked how long we'd be in Gofito...."Uhh, about 60 days," we replied. "Ok, I don't need to see your papers till you check out." We left his office and walked around the street corner to one of the local markets to buy provisions for the week.
    A botanical garden is located  8 miles outside of town to make an easy day trip to visit. Sloths, Scarlett Macaw parrots, and Toucans are rumored to be seen just outside of town, so it looks like a bike trip is in order for the crews of Windfall and SOMF.
    So, for now, it looks like we're settled into a very comfortable, secure, in a beautiful Costa Rica paradise and looking forward to our car trip with SOMF to explore inland Costa Rica, volcanoes,  and maybe a river raft trip!
    Come meet us at the clubhouse for cocktails and coldies!