On the day we board the ship we take a short taxi ride to the
Intercontinental Hotel where the transfer point has been set up. Although we had planned to explore the
Multiplaza (large shopping center) across the street, we learn we can catch the early bus to the ship. So we have lunch and watch part of an NFL playoff game with a young couple from Atlanta. We help them cheer the Falcons on.
Before long, we gather our carry on baggage and board the bus for the ship. Our guide has a bachelor's degree in Botany and points out the many different trees, plants and differing ecology as we near the coast. He is currently finishing a PhD in Tourism, working on an universal green hotel rating system.
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| Our guide pointing out sights along the way |
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| Living fence posts keep livestock away from roads |
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YES! We made it to the port. Since the ship is only carrying a little over 100 passengers, the check-in process is mercifully easy as compared to the large cruise ships with thousands of passengers. Soon we are walking down the gangplank to the waiting tender that takes us to the
Star Flyer Clipper Ship.
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| Peter on gangplank |
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| Excitement builds to board ship |
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Soon we get our first clear view of the ship and are climbing aboard. We are greeted by a Welcome Aboard party in the bar area.
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| Star Flyer at anchor in Puerto Caldera |
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| Welcome Aboard munchies and drinks |
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| The main bar |
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We find our cabin, unpack and explore the ship before the ship weighs anchor.
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| Peter unpacking in our cabin |
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| Cabin porthole |
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| Dinning Room |
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| Ship's bell on main deck |
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| Yes - this really is a true sailing ship |
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| Wow - those masts are really tall |
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As the ship gets underway, we catch the sunset as we leave port bound for Nicaragua.
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| Peter catching the sunset |
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| Red sails at night - Sailor's delight |
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The next day dawns bright and clear. It's our only sea day and we enjoy smooth sailing all the way to San Juan del Sur. We are intrigued by the different feel of the ship as the sails are hoisted and fill with wind. It's a much different sensation than under motor power. It's exhilarating!
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| Clear sailing and calm seas |
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| We're at almost full sail |
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| Sun shades surround the two pools |
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We enjoy watching the crew working with the sails. We now better understand stories of the Yankee Clippers that some of Peter's New England relatives captained in the 1800's.
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| Crew preparing a sail for rigging |
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Wow - a stiff breeze comes up in the afternoon
and we're booking those nautical miles |
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| A crew member climbs down from masts |
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Later in the afternoon, the winds abate and the passengers are invited to climb up to a lower crows nest.
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| Klaus climbs up |
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| A fellow passenger is almost to the top |
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| He made it just fine |
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Peter climbs up also with the camera for bird's eye view shots of the decks below.
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| View of fore deck from crows nest |
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The deck sure looks small
down below |
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| Nadine and I watch from below. |
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As sunset approaches, the mast climbers return to the main deck and our thoughts turn towards dinner.
Ahhh... now many of the seafaring stories and movies make more sense. We now completely understand the "romance of the sea." (Although, we're glad to be in fair weather with relatively calm seas.)
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