PEARL ISLANDS I

Composed Feb 9th

Our first destination with the World Arc to Contadora Island of Las Perlas Islands was interesting and short. A lot of history surrounding the Pearl Islands from the Spanish all the way to Liz Taylor owning the famous pearl necklace that the Pearl Islands were named after. We were only anchored off the tiny island of Contadora for a couple nights, just enough to get a feel for the island and help ease my stomach to the rocking of the boat. 

We had a few group activities with the other boats in the fleet. Since it was my first point of contact with the fleet, it was really fun meeting people that we will be travelling around the world with. It is definitely a different mode of travel than I am used to, just trying to take it all in and still take in the true cultures of the places we anchor . . . not just the "yachting scene". My mind is also pretty blown away by some of the other boats in the fleet, they are truly more yachts than boats and just stunning. Literally, floating luxury apartments with nicer amenities than my own home, it is really just mind blowing, and fun to have enjoy a cocktail on ;)  Not that Zoe isn't a looker herself!

In light of minds being blown. I think the entire World Arc fleet had their mind blown at our Rendezvous dinner our last night on the island of Contadora. The organizers had told us there would be "entertainment", I was thinking a local ukelele player or some of the kids from the island singing a song. Instead we were graced with NINA! and her backup dancers with fireworks. It was possibly one of the most hilarious things I have ever witnessed. This poor girl claims to have won American Idol in Brazil but can't keep a note if her life depended on it. Although our ears were a bit sore from her singing and a few hairs burned from rogue fireworks, it was one of the most entertaining evenings I have had on a sleepy island. Well, since Shannon danced on stage with those rockstar ladies on Nusa Lembongan ;) HA! Kelsey and Pau were interviewed by Panamanian press and the hotel owner claimed it was the "largest party the island has had in 10 years". I would attach youtube link, but I think it would crash the internet service here. If you ever want a laugh, youtube Nina, it's worth the laugh! Oh Nina, quite a Bon Voyage for the World Arc fleet. Now, onto the Galapagos, hopefully Darwin and his finches will hold as much entertainment for us!