I’ve noticed some marked differences in living on a boat. The most notable is where the boat is tied up. One type of living is when the boat is at a dock or marina, while the other type is when the boat is at anchor or ‘on the hook’. Each has its distinct flavor and in reality, seems like a totally different life. Here is a typical day of each.
Life at the Dock
8am Get up to listen to the net if you’re not already up. Channel 22A on the VHF radio is a neighborhood chat of cruisers. We learn about today’s weather, which boats are coming and going, who has something to trade for ‘coconuts’ (talking of money would be business and is not allowed in a foreign country), where the music is for the evening, how to get anything done by local suppliers, and anything else that you would like to ask ‘the fleet’.
9:30 Coffee social at the club house, talking to other cruisers, buy tamales, rent DVD’s
10:30 E-mail, Work on the boat.
1:30 Walk or bicycle to a small restaurant for ‘plata corrida’ or special of the day which includes an entre, salad, rice and maybe desert for $4.50.
2:30 Work on the boat.
5:00 Kayak ride for Jill.
7:00 E-mail. Go for a walk on the malecón which is a wide sidewalk along the beach, or get a bite to eat, or listen to music.
10:00 Bed time or watch a movie.
Life on the Hook (Anchor)
Note: Times not listed because there aren’t any specific times for anything
Wake up with the first sign of light and make a cup of herbal tea. Take this to the cockpit and watch the sun rise appreciating the lack of sound and being in the center of the natural world.
Go for a meander in the kayak.
Make lunch.
Go diving, canyon walking, beach walking, shallow water walking.
Read or work on the computer or cook a meal, or organize an area of the boat, read a book. Maybe talk with the folks of another boat.
Eat a snack. Clean up the boat.
Watch the sun set.
Watch a movie.
Watch the stars.
Go to bed.
Living on the same boat with totally different life styles. To me it’s amazing.
