29 October 2016 | Georgia, USA
29 October 2016 | Georgia, USA
08 October 2016 | Brunswick, Georgia, USA
07 October 2016 | Hotel on West Side of Hwy I-95, Brunswick, GA, USA
07 October 2016 | Brunswick, Georgia, USA
06 October 2016 | Brunswick, Georgia, USA
05 October 2016 | Brunswick, Georgia, USA
04 October 2016 | Photo off Outer Banks near Cape Lookout, North Carolina.
27 September 2016 | Piankatank River, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA
22 September 2016 | Current Position - Sassafras River, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA
16 September 2016 | Orient, Long Island, New York, USA
11 September 2016 | Ebenecook Harbor near Boothbay Harbor, Maine, USA
07 September 2016 | Penobscot Bay, Maine, USA
05 September 2016 | Penobscot Bay, Maine, USA
04 September 2016 | North Haven, Vinalhaven, Maine, USA
28 August 2016 | Castine, Maine, USA
27 August 2016 | Belfast, Maine, USA
12 August 2016 | Mount Washington, New Hampshire, USA
06 August 2016 | Canada/USA Border Crossing
04 August 2016 | La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada
Crystal Cylinders
13 November 2013 | Red Frog Marina, Bastimentos island, Bocas del Toro, Panama
Vicki – Air 26C, Rain/Showers/Thunder, Cloud 8/8, Surf > 1meter, Wind 5 kn
The sad truth about sailing is that weather windows don’t grow on trees. While Maynard and PHK worked their magic going through seismic for a week, those delicious flat seas and gentle breezes were coming to an end. We are not too disappointed as we have fallen in love with Panama and are finding it hard to leave. The HSVC (High Seas Vagabond Community) make friends easily. We are always stopping to say hi to new found friends in town and on Bastimentos Island where Red Frog Marina is located. There’s not much not to like. Even the Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli visited the Red Frog Beach bar and a villa this week. He waved to us as we sat having sundowners on Vanish when he and his entourage departed late in the day.
We’ve learned that fresh produce arrives in Bocas Town on Tuesdays and Thursdays around 10 am, and that there are only one or two stores in town whose fresh and cold foods can be trusted. I found out yesterday after chatting to a dejected backpacker in town who was suffering an ear infection and hundreds of sand flea bites after staying at the sad looking Palmar Tent Lodge near Red Frog Beach that as the Bocas Town doctors are currently on strike, it’s best to be treated by Dr Dan, the local vet. This story was backed up by another friend who told us that you can get your dog treated and get an x-ray of your broken bones all at the same time with dear Dr. Dan. Two for the price of one. I know for sure that this wouldn’t happen in Australia…...well at least I don’t think so.
As one of our readers (trm_tqoe) pointed out, we’re on a great adventure and we never know what’s around the corner for us. The Panamanian lifestyle is relaxed, quiet and inexpensive and the weather is always fascinating with storms, rain, and sunshine and the cruising is world class with no risk or hurricanes. The fact that there are so many ex-pats living in Panama is not all to do with dodging tax codes in western countries or criminal activity. People are friendly, life is easy and it is terribly tempting to sign a cheque and buy a piece of property. Up until now, we’ve snorkeled and paddle boarded in calm conditions yet this week with windier conditions, the surf is pumping so we’re now enjoying the body surfing. I take my hat off to surf photographers taking pictures in the impact zone as I took on about 10 pounds of sand in my togs capturing the Photo Gallery shots for Eric and friends but it was a great deal of fun. When and IF we leave is yet to be determined. There's not much time left and pretty soon we'll have to make up our minds.