Our first stop was Portobello, one of the classic towns of the Pirate era. This town was ransacked more than a 100 times in the space of a few hundred years and every pirate worth his salt had tried to take this town. 2 old forts protected the town that used to be the largest in the New World at the time. Millions in gold flowed through this town on its way to Europe. But it was ransacked so much that it is no longer a great town. But walking the forts was interesting. Many cannons still exist and have been strategically placed as if they are still protecting the town. Many long-term cruisers hangout here and have created small businesses to cater for the passing cruisers. Unfortunately the area is now somewhat of a sailboat graveyard as Hurricane Otto that passed through here several months ago caused 19 boats to either go aground or sink. Some are still left on the mud flats or masts stick out of the water where they sunk. There is a variety of very cheap and good restaurants ashore, several small tiendas and bakeries and a bus to Colon if we need it. Eating out is much cheaper that Colon, costing about $20 for the 2 of us, 2 drinks apiece. And it usually comes with free wifi, such a bonus. We were able to get petrol here and were not surprised when we had to go to the “Green House”, ask for gasoline, and then the gallon water bottles are bought out, already premeasured. Shades of Indonesia.