Food, food, food

 I hope everyone had a great Christmas, ours was very different this year.  Now Christmas is behind us I can safely say there were no disasters, possibly because we had so many last year we are finally being given some down time.
On Christmas eve we visited a beach on one of the islands, there are not a lot of beaches here, but the snorkeling is good, the water very calm and the breeze's wonderfully cooling.  In the evening the people who have been bringing us food, once again invited us to their house.  The one tiny problem we had was that our dinghy seat had broken that day, and as the water around the other side of the island was rough we were worried about traveling there with all of us precariously balanced around a rather uncomfortable metal seat frame, so instead we sent Edi and Scoop with our apologizes.  This wonderful family were not taking no for an answer and sent a boat to pick us up.

They have the loveliest vacation home set on the end of one of the smaller islands, with the boat dock on one side and sea views all around.  The house had a Polynesian feel about it, and was open on both sides letting the breezes blow constantly through the house. In the garden there was a large circular eating area under a palm fringed roof, with tables and chairs, and we all sat around the table for drinks and lively conversation, before going into the house where we were served lobster and popcorn, an unusual but thoroughly delicious appetizer. After a few more drinks we returned to the tables in the garden where the staff served us a flavorful Hungarian Goulash.
Nicholas and his family were so gracious to spend their Christmas eve with us, rarely do you meet people who are so kind and giving.  One of their son's, Jose, turned out to be a chef which explained the delicious food they had been sending us.

                 Nicholas and Espranza

On Christmas Eve they sent us half of a freshly caught 30lb grouper.  The fish was beautifully prepared and ready for the oven, we ate it yesterday for our Christmas lunch, I had planned on serving roast beef for the guys, and crab cakes for Danni, Niki and me, but the grouper looked so good I decided to serve it instead.  I made some coconut rice, pureed yucca, carrots, sauteed squash, and white asparagus, with chocolate covered marzipan fruits for desert.  A very different, non traditional Christmas lunch, but wonderful all the same.
Nicholas sent his boat over this morning with corn fritters for us to have with our breakfast, like all the food Nicholas has sent us the fritters were delicious, and thoroughly enjoyed by all of us.  He and his family came by later to take us all snorkeling off one of the other islands.

Everyone leaving for the snorkeling trip

When everyone returned to Daisy from their snorkeling trip they all came aboard for drinks, I had no food left on board to serve as snacks, an unusual situation for me who normally has a full pantry, but feeding 6 people for the last 6 days has thoroughly depleted my stocks.  I did have rum punch served with the last of the ice, and lemonade.

We have to leave here either later today or tomorrow, we are almost out of drinking water, our food supplies are running very low, and we want to see more of Cartagena before Edi, Niki and Scoop leave on Wednesday.