Cat Grants Rare Interview
Our quiet ship's cat granted a rare
interview for this year's newsletter.
Having turned 3 this year, Jelly lay
cross-pawed, comfortably
handling all inquiries. Her greatest
moment of the year: "Learning to
climb up an down the steep ladder
to get off the boat in the
boatyard!". Her most trying
experience: "Having the Kunas
pick her up and then say she was
really fat." Her take on visiting new
countries: "I like to try the various
foods. The sardines in Ecuador
are especially purr-fect."
Our quiet ship's cat granted a rare
interview for this year's newsletter.
Having turned 3 this year, Jelly lay
cross-pawed, comfortably
handling all inquiries. Her greatest
moment of the year: "Learning to
climb up an down the steep ladder
to get off the boat in the
boatyard!". Her most trying
experience: "Having the Kunas
pick her up and then say she was
really fat." Her take on visiting new
countries: "I like to try the various
foods. The sardines in Ecuador
are especially purr-fect."
Mariposa, Mariposa
The name Panama was derived from
the indigenous words for "land of many
fish and butterflies". While anchored in
the beautiful Rio Chagres, we were
dazzled by the color and sheer number
of butterflies.
The name Panama was derived from
the indigenous words for "land of many
fish and butterflies". While anchored in
the beautiful Rio Chagres, we were
dazzled by the color and sheer number
of butterflies.
Kuna Yala
Panama's San Blas Islands
Kuna Yala (Land of the Kunas) is
an independent territory in the
islands off Panama and is inhabited
by the Kunas, an indigenous
people. Living much the same way
their ancestors lived centuries ago in
thatched huts without benefit of
modern amenities, the women dress
colorfully wearing beads on their
legs and arms and gold rings in their
noses. Though friendly, they fiercely
guard their culture and ways,
allowing "waga" (foreigners) to visit
but never stay.
Panama's San Blas Islands
Kuna Yala (Land of the Kunas) is
an independent territory in the
islands off Panama and is inhabited
by the Kunas, an indigenous
people. Living much the same way
their ancestors lived centuries ago in
thatched huts without benefit of
modern amenities, the women dress
colorfully wearing beads on their
legs and arms and gold rings in their
noses. Though friendly, they fiercely
guard their culture and ways,
allowing "waga" (foreigners) to visit
but never stay.
Desert Islands Beckon
Though cities and villages are great to
visit, the allure of desert islands,
pristine beaches and palm trees
swaying gently in the breeze are a
pleasant change from civilization... and
there are lots more of them out there,
just waiting to be explored.
Though cities and villages are great to
visit, the allure of desert islands,
pristine beaches and palm trees
swaying gently in the breeze are a
pleasant change from civilization... and
there are lots more of them out there,
just waiting to be explored.
Climbing to New Heights
During a 10-day inland tour of
Ecuador, the crew managed to
climb to the second refuge hut
on Mt. Chimborazo, Ecuador's
highest peak. The hut, at
16,000 feet above sea level, is
the highest this crew has ever
been on land and, incidently, the
furthest point from the center of
the earth.
During a 10-day inland tour of
Ecuador, the crew managed to
climb to the second refuge hut
on Mt. Chimborazo, Ecuador's
highest peak. The hut, at
16,000 feet above sea level, is
the highest this crew has ever
been on land and, incidently, the
furthest point from the center of
the earth.
View Beyond Boots
Riding on top of an Ecuadorian
railroad car crisscrossing its way down
El Nariz del Diablo (the Devil's Nose),
provided an unsurpassed view of the
valley below... even the train tracks
were out of sight. The 45 degree
declination is considered one of the
steepest in the world. Needless to say,
we held on tight.
Riding on top of an Ecuadorian
railroad car crisscrossing its way down
El Nariz del Diablo (the Devil's Nose),
provided an unsurpassed view of the
valley below... even the train tracks
were out of sight. The 45 degree
declination is considered one of the
steepest in the world. Needless to say,
we held on tight.
Where in the world is Nine
of Cups?
To see our exact location, visit our
home page (www.nineofcups.com)
and click on "Where are we?". Our
call sign is "AA1ZL".
Contact us by email at:
nineofcups1@yahoo.com
of Cups?
To see our exact location, visit our
home page (www.nineofcups.com)
and click on "Where are we?". Our
call sign is "AA1ZL".
Contact us by email at:
nineofcups1@yahoo.com
| Merry Christmas and Happy New 2004! Marcie, david and Jelly |
