A Good Long Day.
21 February 2011 | San Blas Islands, Panama
Mark
I was up and making coffee by 6:00. Around 6:50 I saw Dave & Lisa's plane approaching so I jumped in dink and headed over to the airport, arriving just as they stepped out of the plane. The pilot unloaded the luggage (small crew) and handed it to them (including our new folding props and other goodies they brought for us!) and we dinghied back to the boat. After coffee and breakfast, Lisa decided she needed a nap before facing more of the day so she snoozed in the hammock while Deb, Dave & I went in search of water. Federico had water in 5 (or 6) gallon jugs and loaded 8 of them into the dinghy. While Deb & Dave explored the island, I took them back to the boat and poured them into the tank without ever waking Lisa. I returned and Federico had another 4 jugs filled. That brought our tanks right to Full so we were all set. Total cost $15.00. Back at the boat, Lisa still needed more nap and Deb decided she needed one too so Dave & I had a beer (home brew) and just hung out for a bit. By noon everyone was refreshed. We had lunch (chicken bread a sort of empanada Dave had bought in town very good) and then loaded the dinghy for our trip up Rio Diablo. I had watched a couple ulu's go through the entrance, so I was fairly confident of our route. The outboard only grounded out briefly and we were across the delta and on our way. The river was as magical as before. We past all the little fincas the Kuna had established, past the grave sights with the plastic chairs for visiting with the dead, and past wondrous birds and plants. We continued up past where the water pipe emerges from the hillside to bring water to the islands (4 PVC). Above there the water got thin and we stopped in a shady place for wine and home made pita bread. We then drifted slowly back down the river passing several Kuna families on their way up river. At a sandy beach, we stopped for a swim in the nice fresh water not even brackish a bit. The water was cool and refeshing but the bottom was hot! The bottom was silt and I don't think it could be radiant heating as the deeper areas were actually hotter. It must be geothermal. Very weird and fun. After a nice swim, we resumed our journey down river and made it back to the boat uneventfully. It was still only 3:30 so we decided we had time to move. We weighed anchor and motorsailed the short distance back to Garnirguinnitdup, this time anchoring in the shallower circle of sand that we had last year. Perfect set first try and we are sitting over beautiful sandy bottom in crystal clear water of about 12'. Mojitos in the cockpit and conch fritters for dinner before and early bed. What a great day!