FRONTERAS, GUATEMALA 5/31 - 6/5/2018

The week of 5/31 to 6/5 began with a bunch of us from the marina going zip-lining again. We went to the same place, but on a different course, which thankfully did not have the obstacles.

The rest of the week was spent getting Starship ready to be left for four months. This included, finishing up the waxing; changing the gear lube in both engines; changing the oil/oil filters in both engines and the generator (I didn't change the fuel filters); decommissioning the toilets; adding fuel additives to both the diesel and outboard fuel tanks; emptying, filling and treating the potable water tanks; closing seacocks; turning off the propane tanks; emptying/cleaning the refrigerators/freezers; bringing inside, everything that is normally kept outside; putting all the mattresses and cushions on edge; setting off a bug "bomb": and to hopefully prevent any mold from developing, I also wiped down all the interior surfaces with a vinegar/water mixture, as well as left the dehumidifier running. I then walked through the boat with three other cruisers, who will be staying at the marina all summer. They will check on things weekly. Plus, run both engines and the generator, as well as check the battery fluid once a month. 

On June 5th I began the 30 hour trip to France, which included a dingy ride to shore; a four hour taxi ride; crossing the Guatemalan/Honduran border; arriving at the airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras; flying from San Pedro Sula to San Salvador, El Salvador; flying from San Salvador to Madrid, Spain; flying from Madrid to Marseille, France; and then riding up to Aix-en-Provence with Delana. Amazingly all went well.

This is a view from one of the zip-line towers. About half of the lines are in the open like this, while the other half are in the jungle.

The resort with the zip-line is primarily a cattle ranch. It looks like there's plenty of grass, but the cattle still seem pretty skinny.

After zip-lining we kayaked for an hour or so down a small river that emptied into the Rio Dulce. Where there was a bar/restaurant that had hot springs and cold beer. From there a launch picked us up and took us back to the resort for lunch.

We kayaked past this dismasted sailboat.

These cattle were along the river.

This little river is also used by the locals to get to the Rio Dulce, where they can get almost anywhere.

This is one of the homes we floated past.

Another one.

And another

On the morning of June 4th, I and everyone else in the marina, woke up to volcanic ash on their boats. The day before, Volcano Fuego, which is 150 miles southwest of us, had erupted. The last I heard, there were 110 dead and over 200 still missing.

More ash.

Photos of Fronteras, on my way to buy a dehumidifier, which I left running on the boat.

I've seen as many as eight people riding in a single tuk tuk.

Compared to other places we've been to, the street food here seems to be more diversified and with larger portions.