Anam Cara -Updates on our sailing family: July 2005

Anam Cara - Guest Tips/Expectations
Captains Don and Sandi Allen
Permanent crew: Dogs - Pebbles, Buddha, and cat -Totem
(We hope you have no pet allergies!!!)

Welcome guests. Don and I have decided to write this to explain the cruising lifestyle, to help you know what to expect and to have a clear line of communication with you so there are no surprises.

We are thrilled to have you as guests and can’t wait to share the boat with you!
What we offer is a great time on the boat including:
Seafood - if we can catch it!
Learning the basics of sailing
Snorkeling in beautiful clear waters.
Lots of fun in the sun.

We’d like to let you know that our boat is a 34’ Columbia Sloop we have sleeping for 7 but it is still a small boat. Think of it as a medium size RV on the water or a small step up from camping. It won’t be a cruise ship or luxury liner by any means! We expect you to help us out and to work along side us, though we promise it won’t be hard work.

We have three big boat rules/guidelines. They are as follows:
1. We can have a firm pick up date and departure date but location maybe subject to change OR a firm pick up and drop off location but with dates subject to change slightly. We will not force ourselves, our boat, or our guests into poor weather conditions to meet an airline schedule in the unlikely event that we are pressed for time, but we will take all precautions to ensure a safe and timely arrival/departure.
2. We are on a fixed income, we won’t be staying at marinas the majority of the time and if we do we are not likely to eat out or go bar-hopping…besides nothing beats a night out “on the hook“. If you wish to do so PLEASE feel free and do not feel insulted if we elect not to go with you.
3. Because we are on a fixed income we will be charging a small fee of $300 per individual/$500 per couple per week. This will help us pay for fees such as:
Port Fees - official fees, harbor fees, entry fees - IE. $300 to enter Bahamian waters. BRIBERY!!
Mooring fees - some places do not allow anchoring and fees for a mooring are typically $20-$25 per night.
Fuel- we can only guess what the per gallon price will be….$3.00 - $5.00
Food/drink - Typically 2-3 times the US cost due to shipping.
Garbage Disposal

Water - Yes, we will often have to pay for our water. This includes all freshwater on the boat, so showers are limited!

We truly look forward to having you come down and experience this once-in-a-lifetime adventure with us. Our purpose for this fee is not an attempt to make money but simply cover our costs and ensure a great time is had by all. We hope you can appreciate our request and if you think it unreasonable we suggest you research chartering a 34’ boat in the Caribbean for a week (typically $1800-3000).

WELCOME ABOARD

As our guest, we’d like to provide you with a list of items you’ll need when messing about in a boat all day.
Please bring:
Proper clothing (we recommend at least one light colored long sleeve shirt as the sun gets intense after a couple days)
White soled shoes and an old pair of shoes for walking the reefs in the water.
Sunglasses
Bathing suits - Don and I agree, the skimpier the better. Smaller suit = less tan lines and a better view!!
Hat
Sun block
If you are prone to motion sickness bring whatever works for you.
Towels
Passports
ANY medications you need on constant basis.
Special/Favorite foods because we can’t promise that you’ll be able to get it in the islands!
Please - one soft sided bag per person as there is limited space.
If you feel you need to bring a gift we suggest:
Recent newspapers/magazines ESPECIALLY if they include Notre Dame Football highlights.
Fresh fruit/good food - if allowed through the airport (chocolate is always good)
Used paperbacks, good CD’s or recent DVD’s
Please no knick-knacks, heavy or large objects as we have little extra space.

Families including kids, babies, and all they entail are welcome. We want to see everyone, not just the “grown-ups” but please bring any special needs that children have (baby food/special snacks, small lifejackets, swimming floats, etc…)

Football (aka, standing on the hot sand, planning a play, then running for a few seconds, and then doing it all over again and again and again.)

Fun in the Sun

Frisbee anyone?

After working so hard, we deserved a break. Tami, helping me relax.

Hello VINO! Thanks for the bottle... sorry, I couldn't wait to taste it!!

Good-bye to friends!

Good-bye to the office....

"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget." -G. Randolf
We can't say it any better. We are blessed to have such great friends. Thank you. We WILL be taking you with us, in our hearts, whether you like it or not. (Or, whether you come visit us or not.) With love, the Allens