Winding Down
29 November 2012 | Portobelo, Panama
Sun/Cloud/Showers/repeat, Air Temp 83F, Water temp 80.5F, Wind NE@8-15
Kuna Woman Selling Molas
Well, yesterday we left the San Blas Islands, or Kuna Yala, as the local Kuna indians refer to it. We are on our way back to Shelter Bay Marina where we'll leave the boat for a while.
But first, back to our days in Kuna Yala. We left Giagar Lagoon after two nights. We explored a small river up a few miles, landing and following a path to a small banana plantation, then retreated back to the boat. With the water tanks full, and going from three computers aboard to one, we decided that we had had enough rain, so headed offshore to the Cayos Hollandes where we found few cruising boats.
Two days ago the computer we have been using for navigation finally died. It deserved to be released from duty, having been on board for the last six of its ten years, so we weren't too surprised. But leaving a port open during a rainstorm killed the second. Two days in a bag with some rice seems to have cured it, so we're back in good shape.
Arriving in the Holandase Cays, we anchored in the "The Swimming Pool" where we shared the beautiful anchorage with just three other boats anchored about half a mile away. For two days we explored, went snorkeling and just relaxed. Then, time to head back to El Porvenir to get our Zarpe, permission to move to another port, for Colon. Lots of stamps, forms filled out, and $15.70 lighter, and we were cleared. So we just headed to the nearby West Lemons and anchored for the night, preparing for our 55 mile trip. A check in the morning with Chris Parker confirmed our plan.
A fresh 15-20 knot NE breeze made ideal conditions. By mid-afternoon we were anchoring in Portobelo amidst about 100 other cruisers. This is about double the number we saw here three weeks ago. I'm not sure what attracts boats here. There are a few bars and stores ashore, but that's about all. From here we're just a short 20 mile hop back to Shelter Bay where we'll leave the boat. Plans are to fly to Cartagena, Colombia for a few days, then home to PEI for Christmas, and to BC skiing. Then back in late January.