Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
In-port
I came into my role as an Apprentice expecting some surprises, but I can’t say that taking a spin in a gyrocopter was on my 59° North bingo card.
Yesterday was filled with cleaning, passage prep, taking inventory, and a wee bit of time in the pool here at Marina Flamingo. As I was brushing my teeth before bed, Alex and Adam called me up on deck to tell me I should go flying with JC and Teresita the following morning, just as they had done right before I arrived. JC and Teresita are joining us for the passage to the Galapagos, and live just down the road from Playa Flamingo.
I was hesitant, only because I signed on to be of use, not to (literally) fly away and leave Alex and Adam to fend for themselves whilst provisioning. They assured me that it was “just grocery shopping” (an understatement) and asked me “when else are you going to have the chance to fly in a gyrocopter?” (a more valid point).
Two other crew members on this trip, Jeremy and Gayle, joined as well. I was with JC, who flew me up and down the coast, pointing out beaches, islands, the surrounding towns, and estuaries. As a map nerd, it was so awesome to get a bird’s eye view of this landscape. I wish I could share more photos.
Most of all, I was shocked at how smooth the ride was for such a small machine! Perhaps JC is just a pro pilot.
We all enjoyed a lovely coffee on the beach in Tamarindo, after which I was dropped off at Falken to resume my actual duties. These are duties that I feel lucky to have, though— I’m certainly embracing the current Falken sauna. It helps that Adam keeps our water bottles full of ice—an in-port luxury.
I’m so excited to meet the rest of the crew. While the time in the marina and in the sky has been lovely, I’m ready to set sail!
Yesterday was filled with cleaning, passage prep, taking inventory, and a wee bit of time in the pool here at Marina Flamingo. As I was brushing my teeth before bed, Alex and Adam called me up on deck to tell me I should go flying with JC and Teresita the following morning, just as they had done right before I arrived. JC and Teresita are joining us for the passage to the Galapagos, and live just down the road from Playa Flamingo.
I was hesitant, only because I signed on to be of use, not to (literally) fly away and leave Alex and Adam to fend for themselves whilst provisioning. They assured me that it was “just grocery shopping” (an understatement) and asked me “when else are you going to have the chance to fly in a gyrocopter?” (a more valid point).
Two other crew members on this trip, Jeremy and Gayle, joined as well. I was with JC, who flew me up and down the coast, pointing out beaches, islands, the surrounding towns, and estuaries. As a map nerd, it was so awesome to get a bird’s eye view of this landscape. I wish I could share more photos.
Most of all, I was shocked at how smooth the ride was for such a small machine! Perhaps JC is just a pro pilot.
We all enjoyed a lovely coffee on the beach in Tamarindo, after which I was dropped off at Falken to resume my actual duties. These are duties that I feel lucky to have, though— I’m certainly embracing the current Falken sauna. It helps that Adam keeps our water bottles full of ice—an in-port luxury.
I’m so excited to meet the rest of the crew. While the time in the marina and in the sky has been lovely, I’m ready to set sail!
Zoe (Apprentice)
View more passage logs
Dolphin party!
Kate was about to yank the spinnaker’s sock down when I spotted a stampede of fins heading straight for us. ”Dolphins!”, I yelled back to the cockpit excitedly. Post dinner dish duty was halted down below for the show.
The pool is open!
We stopped the boat, got the ladder down and put out a line with a fender behind the boat. I love swimming in the middle of the ocean, and a bit scary when you realize its more than 4000+ m deep! Love it!
Big Pink Sail Day
I had a most fashionable pointed striped hat at dinner, and out of the depths of a cupboard a cake was created, after 14 days at sea. A group of people I had never met two weeks ago made me feel very special today.