Dinner in Las Aves

Two days of a strong frontal system and bird watching left all aboard ready for a new front porch view. Around the corner from the mangrove aviary was another protected bay with a local fishing boat and onshore fish camp. 
Picking up anchor and a quick relocation left us closer to the possibility of fresh fish and a new beach to explore.

These colorful Venezuelan fishing and trade boats are very familiar to Don and I. Frequenting the Caribbean island chain and the coasts of Colombia and Eastern Panama, they bring dry goods, fresh produce, excellent coffee and fuel as well as fresh fish. In our experience local fishermen are always friendly and willing to trade for rum or other supplies, happy to meet people from foreign places and talk story.

Quick with a wave and a smile at our approach these hard-working fishermen pulled in their nets full of baitfish for tomorrow's workday and headed over for a chat.

As we hadn't seen any lobster on the reefs, we inquired as to possibilities. 

Two huge and colorful parrotfish were displayed and even though we were assured they were excellent fare, we had to say no. 
Too beautiful underwater to eat as far as I was concerned.

However the fishermen promised that lobster was possible and they eagerly returned later in the day to negotiate.

After some haggling and struggling to remember our rusty Spanish, a paper and pencil helped to determine the exchange rate for Venezuelan dollars and a deal was made.

A little rum, a few cigarettes and some cash provided the crew with a mouth watering meal as well as a delightful cultural exchange. 

Dinner is served!!!

Shore exploration was next on our list. 

On this desolate island these fishermen live and camp for three months at a time, returning to Caracus on the mainland for a month and then back out again. 

Living a hard yet simple life, surrounded by nature's bounty, friendly, cheerful, and always ready for a rum, the fishermen Don and I have been lucky enough to encounter never disappoint.