What a difference a day makes!
11 March 2017 | San Blas Islands
Mark
Although it was blowing a bit yesterday morning, we went ashore to the only island we had not visited to walk around and swim. Lynda thought there might be good snorkeling on the far side of the island as the couple from one of the other boats had spent quite a bit of time over there the day before. The island was beautiful white sandy beaches with tall palms - really beautiful and well kept. The water was a challenge. It seemed t break onto the shore from all angles. At the point, waves came from both sides and erupted in great fountains of water. We picked what seemed like the calmest spot to enter with our snorkel gear. Each of us got thrown up towards the beach then dragged out again before we managed to get our fins and masks on and swim. But we all made it and laughed at each other doing it. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to see. On the side facing the boat, it was much calmer and we all washed up with the Camp-Mor soap before returning to the boat and rinsing off in fresh water. By then the wind had dropped noticeably so we pulled anchor and headed for Los Grullos - two beautiful islands with great snorkeling but less than perfect protection. We sailed, all up, at 6-7 kts in 10-15 kts of wind off the stern quarter. Very comfortable and smooth. By the time we reached Los Grullos (about 1:30) it was clear that the anchorage would be fine. We anchored without difficulty (but in deep water - I had forgotten how steep to the island was.) Soon we were snorkeling in crystal clear water over lots of coral and fish. This is what San Blas snorkeling should be! At one point it looked like there was a bed of turtle grass, but when we swam there we found millions of billions of fingerlings so dense that when viewed from above, they made the bottom look green when it was actually white sand. We swam through them and they parted and rejoined as we did. I think the only time I have seen more fish like that was on our honeymoon on Virgin Gorda. As we were picking up to return to the boat, we saw a very nice fiberglass 'panga' headed towards us with two young Guna aboard. They beached the boat and immediately began showing us her molas. Several were quite good. As we went through them, her husband taught us the Guna words for 'No' and 'Maybe' There were quite a few 'Maybe'. Deb ended up buying two molas and a Guna flag (the design is new this year, replacing the 'Revolution' flag we had.) Lynda got two molas and a hat which is perfect on her. We had to get back to the boat for money, and after we paid them, they cast off and drifted as he failed to get his outboard going. After a bit, I took dink out to see what the problem was. Turns out he had the choke still out. I pushed it in and gave it full throttle and it started on the second pull. It had been flooded. Off they went. Later as we were preparing for dinner, back they came, paddling. The engine had died and wouldn't start. It was a new engine (3-4 mos old he said) and everything looked fine. I tried and tried, but it wouldn't start. Every now and then, it would give a cough and a sputter, but then died. As we were trying to decide what to do for them, a friend (whom he obviously had called to meet hem at our boat) showed up to tow him home. I'm guessing he must have had bad gas - probably water in it as the engine was new and looked so good. For dinner we had filet mignon on the Bar-b-q with zucchini and salad (thanks to the veggie boat!) I had marinated the steaks in papaya and rum hoping the papaya would help tenderize them (Adolph's is mainly papain which comes from papaya.) It seemed to work. All in all a much better day!