What a crossing. We were tight on our schedule to get to Panama and flight on the 2nd, so we cast off to winds in the 25-30 knot range, yes and gusting 43 at times. But Laros is built for this and she took it 8n her stride. An interesting 200 miles passage, lively seas and an exhilarating experience. We could not believe the change of colour, blue to brown mud, in the water at the mouth of the Baranqullia river, so sudden we did not have time to take pics.
And on to one of the unspoilt locations of the Caribbean. The architypal desert island -you can almost imagine the discs piling up. The Kuna Indians are native to the San Blas Archipelago and travel around the islands and visiting yachts in dug out canoes, most but not all with the ubiquitous Yamaha Enduro outboard. The anchorages are well sheltered and the sand is golden. Snorkeling on the many reefs is very good, almost the best in the Caribbean, and the water around the islands and reefs is a palette of vivid blues. Swimming is just glorious. Needless to say the old girl got her bottom scrubbed (that's Laros, and wiped, actually, since the Copper Coat is working marvellously. Long may the days of hauling out to antifoul cease). We met so many new faces we actually felt in a social whirl. A preponderance of Canadian, Aus and NZ boats beginning to gather. I guess we are approaching peak hour for crossing Atlantic to Pacific. We spent Australia Day (26th) with Phil and Fay on Jigsaw - now that's an interesting cat (Oram 48c). San Blas islands are blessed with little in the way of infrastructure, save the inevitable mobile cell towers. Our water supply (no water maker in operation yet - awaiting generator) lasted with flugal use, though our tonic supply became perilously low. As we had entered Panama here, we had yet to buy a new SIM card. No tels, no Internet. How good is that? I guess mixed blessings nowadays. Especially when you are awaiting the call to the maternity unit! We survived, and no call. Our spontaneous itinerary took us to Porto Bello about 18 miles from the Canal north entrance where we anchored, and enjoyed a well deserved restaurant cooked meal at Captain Jacks with Phil and Fay, well what other name could it be? Next up, Shelter Bay Marina at Colon, unfortunately on the west side of the channel and out in the wilds of the old US Fort SHERMAN, back from the days of US control. A great base from which to sort ourselves out, and Deb to fly to Sydney.
And on to one of the unspoilt locations of the Caribbean. The architypal desert island -you can almost imagine the discs piling up. The Kuna Indians are native to the San Blas Archipelago and travel around the islands and visiting yachts in dug out canoes, most but not all with the ubiquitous Yamaha Enduro outboard. The anchorages are well sheltered and the sand is golden. Snorkeling on the many reefs is very good, almost the best in the Caribbean, and the water around the islands and reefs is a palette of vivid blues. Swimming is just glorious. Needless to say the old girl got her bottom scrubbed (that's Laros, and wiped, actually, since the Copper Coat is working marvellously. Long may the days of hauling out to antifoul cease). We met so many new faces we actually felt in a social whirl. A preponderance of Canadian, Aus and NZ boats beginning to gather. I guess we are approaching peak hour for crossing Atlantic to Pacific. We spent Australia Day (26th) with Phil and Fay on Jigsaw - now that's an interesting cat (Oram 48c). San Blas islands are blessed with little in the way of infrastructure, save the inevitable mobile cell towers. Our water supply (no water maker in operation yet - awaiting generator) lasted with flugal use, though our tonic supply became perilously low. As we had entered Panama here, we had yet to buy a new SIM card. No tels, no Internet. How good is that? I guess mixed blessings nowadays. Especially when you are awaiting the call to the maternity unit! We survived, and no call. Our spontaneous itinerary took us to Porto Bello about 18 miles from the Canal north entrance where we anchored, and enjoyed a well deserved restaurant cooked meal at Captain Jacks with Phil and Fay, well what other name could it be? Next up, Shelter Bay Marina at Colon, unfortunately on the west side of the channel and out in the wilds of the old US Fort SHERMAN, back from the days of US control. A great base from which to sort ourselves out, and Deb to fly to Sydney.
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