We waited outside (Kokomo and Sound Effect) at the bar entrance to the San Blas estuary Thursday morning for a quide to enter. After hailing the marina (on the radio) they offered to send out help and we agreed as this bar has been known to be treacherous. It went quite easy but still glad to have the help to negotiate the large swells and shallow areas as the sand bars shift regularly.
Once tied up to the marina we got squared away and Kokomo anchored in the Estuary as they are on econo February. We chose the stability of the Marina for work on the furling mechanism.
However all work was put on temporary hold when we were informed that Feb 3 is the biggest holiday in San Blas day. The day is to bless the fishing fleet. The full size statue of St Blas is paraded through the town with costumed dancers and a band with people dressed in native Indian costumes with religous symbols on the costumes. We followed the parade from the church at the town squared to the waterside blessing.
We then prepared for the nights activities when everyone gathered in the town square for live entertainment followed by a spectacular fire works display. We ate in town off the square.. then watched the fireworks off a tower built for the day in the square. There were thousands of people and we all got too close and were eventually showered in sparks and ash