Sunday 9 February 2025

Fast sail to Providencia arriving early Saturday. Went ashore in blustery conditions at 1430 for appointment with clearance agent. Not much there except five super mercados (markets) and two restaurants - people gotta eat. About five thousand on island. Damage still extensive from hurricane Iota in 2020. Even trails not cleared to passable.

Dinner of fish at one restaurant. Other had pizza.

Aussie mates, not seen for a couple of months, arrived today from Grand Cayman. Everyone over for snacks and celebratory beer, wine and spirits in generous dosages. Mellowness prevailed.

Monday

Wanting to visit San Andres (seventy eight thousand) and learning that a full clearance including full cost would be required for both (162 USD each boat), friends decided to continue past Providencia (population five thousand). Although allowed to stay until tomorrow morning, they remained aboard respective boats. US Anthem crew, desirous of spreading love to entirety of island ate pizza.

Tuesday

Everyone away on beam reach in brisk conditions - them to San Andres and us to Bocas del Toro.

Wednesday

Beam-on two plus meter sea and strong wind made for lively passage, heavily reefed to slow for arrival after daylight Thursday. Generator fuel flow required cajolery followed by threats, but finally allowed topping up battery and water. Expect to replace hoses and clamps in Shelter Bay along with, unfortunately, a plethora of other projects. Boat work is almost, just about, nearly, beginning to seem like work.

Thursday

Wind went aft and died overnight, so last bit required use of fifteen thousand hour stinkpot. Waves eased somewhat, but roll escalated without stabilizing sails. Arrrrrrgh! (pirate lingo)

Sent notice of arrival to Panama with all requested information. Received reply with bank data and email address to send proof of payment for cruising permit without saying how much. Secondary source indicates $185 (Bolivar tied at par with USD). Assume they won't shoot if we wait.

Arrived Bocas Town 0800. Now cooling heels aboard for official's arrival at 1300. Meantime Jan cleaning ten lobsters bought for $30 from guy in canoe. Rest of crew trying to dry and cool after soaking from panga wake incurred while dinking ashore to arrange clearance.

Friday

Grueling ten minute walk to airport following yesterday's inspection (pre-arrival data transmission waste of effort) for immigration stamp led inexorably to stop by Tequila Republic where obliged to force down multiple eponymous beverages and dine on Mexican fare. This activity engendered return to boat for naps until bedtime began just before sunset which preceded subsequent sleep-in.

Awaiting wind for overnight sail of 150 nm to Shelter Bay where fifteen year odyssey on hiatus for perhaps two months of spirited partying and relentless boat work before returning north.

Jack & Jan