We received from our agent in the Galapagos Islands, our "Autografo," the necessary permit for Dream Caper and its crew to anchor in the Galapagos for up to 45 days. With this "Autografo"we will now be able to obtain from the Port Captain our "Zarpe," the authorization for Dream Caper to exit from Bahia de Caraquez to the Galapagos. So it looks like the administrative requirements are getting resolved nicely, in time for our planned department on Wednesday. Carlos, marine manager/bar pilot at Puerto Amistad Yacht Club where we are moored and whose last day of employment was yesterday, will be on another exiting boat when we depart the estuary into the Pacific Ocean at high tide. We will follow him closely because the passage through the shallows, reefs, rocks and breaking waves is a bit tricky but since we are a catamaran and only draw 4 ½ feet, we have a lot of leeway.

We have been busy saying our goodbyes to many cruiser friends who have decided to settle here in Bahia and others who are heading a different direction than us. During our 6 years of cruising, lots of our cruiser friends have stopped and "swallowed the anchor," got off the boat and settled on land. The most have been this year. Many chose Panama in the highlands (Boquete) and Panama City, Ecuador in the Bahia de Caraquez area, Mexico, and some have returned to their homes in the USA. Different geographic locations appeal to different people. We guess that we will be doing the same after 3 years in the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. Steve hopes it will be longer but we shall see.

But for now, we are doing last minute internet chores and small boat projects to get Dream Caper ready.