Shooting stars ... distant lightning ... bioluminescence ... flashing strobes on fishing pangas ...
We had our own magnificent 'festival of lights' last night, heralding the holiday season :-) Lightning flared over the towering volcanic peaks of Guatemala, illuminating the entire sky. Stars fell. Humble fishing boats (that didn't show up on radar) signaled their whereabouts with erratic strobe lights. Dolphins dashed around the boat, creating meteors of bioluminescence in the water, while staccato bursts of the neon-greenish light suggested schools of fish and other mysterious sea creatures. At one point we scared up a flock of seabirds, whose white bellies glowed red in our port bow light as thy took flight. It was magical, enchanting, and I literally squealed with joy and surprise at every new spark of light above and beyond.
Today those small birds (Petrel of some sort? Although they look like undersized Boobie birds, so we have started calling them 'A-cups') kept us company - and amused - for quite a while. They gathered in small flocks - 3, 4 or 5- and swung towards the boat, poised to land .. their raspy chirps chiding each other as if to say 'You go first!' - 'No, you!' - 'No, YOU!' ... only to abort at the very last instant. I paid keen attention to their antics, as God talks to me through the birds (yes, yes I know - you think I've lost the plot, who cares) I will explain more, once I have internet and am not sucking up all the sailmail minutes. Just sayin', we had a beautiful day at sea today: sunshine, dolphins, and plenty of fish!
We caught more Mahi than we can possibly eat - and after taking two & releasing two more, we reeled in our lines. Tonight Sharon is doing her magic with the fillets :-) Last night was my turn: stuffed the cleaned fish with julienned ginger, carrots and onions, and a dab of mayo, sealed in an envelope of foil schmeared with butter, and steamed on the barbie 20-30 min. Oooh la la! 
Life onboard is good - we're standing watches, eating well, got the a/c on right now; we are off El Salvador and HOPING to get to Puesta del Sol Nicaragua tomorrow (Mon) by nightfall - if not we'll standoff til dawn. Stay tuned. LOVE YOU MUCH xoxo Mom / Betsy
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