February 10
After morning errands, picked up anchor and headed towards Las Perlas. The Pearl Islands is a group of 200 or more islands and islets (many tiny and uninhabited) lying about 30 miles (48 km) off the Pacific coast of Panama in the Gulf of Panama.

Full main and strong winds so reefed. Pleasant sail. We caught 2 tuna! After Todd filleted the fish, one was put in the freezer and the other for dinner tonight. We arrived in Las Perlas and headed towards Mogo Mogo. Anchored between Mogo Mogo/Chapera. Took dinghy to Mogo Mogo and got 3 cold beers and 1 cold water. Pretty idyllic location - one store, a covered shed with hammocks. Todd and John swam/snorkled some but didn’t see anything. Walrus, another rally boat, arrived – met Nigel and Dave. Back to boat. Dinner was grilled tuna, rice, pickled onions, roasted potatoes and zucchini. Nice breeze tonight.

Feb. 10 Photos

February 11
Comfortable night anchored in between Mogo Mogo/Chapera islands. Breakfast – frittata and Clark’s bread that he brought back from Paris. Guys cleaned the hulls and snorkled/swam. Todd went up the mast to install Pelican’s masthead sensor – wind instruments still didn’t work. By 1pm, sailed towards Contadora, the most notable island in Las Perlas known for its resorts. Arrived by 2:30pm, anchored, then took water taxi to land for skippers briefing. After, we all went to Villa Condesa Del Mar for the rally prizegiving and dinner. We won the most decorated boat while in La Playita – a Panama mola decorated bag. Nice dinner buffet and drinks. Went to bonfire after then back to boat via water taxi by 8:30pm.

Feb. 11 Photos