Isla Parida, February 3rd to 8th

We left Isla Secas as we wanted to explore another island. We headed for Isla Parida, part of a national park. Turns out, according to a resident caretaker, that the boat taking the fees hasn't been seen for weeks. Ensenada Varadero doesn't have nice clear water at all. The entire bay is about 20' deep at high tide, and there's a few streams running into it. We miss that clear water, as it's not nearly as inviting for swimming here. However, Northerlies have come up and this is a good place to be as it is very protected. We wouldn't want to be in the Secas for this. We get some strong gusts of wind, but not fetch (waves).
We've met Daniel, the caretaker for the resort being built of Isla Paridita. He speaks perfect English as he was coached by a Canadian school teacher a few years back. He reads dictionaries in his spare time. He offered to bring us back some supplies from Boca Chica. What a great guy. We also traded with a boatload of fishermen, one evening: 3/4 bottle of rum for a huge filleted and skinned dorado (mahi mahi). We have enough fish for 11 meals! the freezer is full again! We ate some the next night...fabulous! On the main island is a caretaker family with 3 kids. We went to visit them at their "home" See the photos below! The kids were really sweet. We gave the boys a little dinky car each and the girl a little stuffed bunny. They were ecstatic! We want to develop some photos and bring them back as they were so keen to see each photo after it was taken. There is a large water pipe spilling lots of clean water on shore. Carol, from Nuage, did all her laundry that way. I did some...still lots for the locals in Boca Chica to do!



Sunset in Ensenada Varadero in Isla Parida.













From Isla Parida. This is the view from the property where the caretakers, below, have their home.












The family, and house. Very friendly and very poor! The house, behind them, must be all of 9' by 12'.












The three boys, with "Lucky" our dinghy! Just terrific kids!













Home made car...there was another a little smaller. The wheels are fish floats.













Each time we took a photo, they wanted to see themselves. Here, Carol and Dave are sharing some of their shots with them. We want to get some prints made and return to give them copies.

















What is it about Fortuitous and birds? This pelican thought he'd drop in!

We ushered him into the water. But, he then hopped up on the dinghy and had to be shooed away.

Wash day on the beach...the washing environment is great...but still not a fun job! Especially by hand/foot in buckets! When was the last time any of you did that?








The Kristina K. We traded the rum for the dorado with these fishermen anchored beside us.












This is the entire family, on the beach, during our wash day. Dad works for the new resort being built on the smaller island across the bay.