Raisng the anchor at 5.30 am at Cabo Passado we head around the reef as the Ecuadorian sun rises red. There is Lanakai, Iwa, Windsong and us. No wind.

We are headed south, a few miles from the "Waiting Room", a spot located 00 deg 35.8' S, 080 deg 26.8' W, outside the river entrance. This is where we will meet the pilot, who will come out in a panga, along with the health inspector, wearing a mask on account of swine flu (but no one else wears a mask!) - and he (the pilot, not the health inspector) will guide us in. Four boats go in together at high tide, with only a few feet to spare under the keel., and then we will anchor at Puerto Amistad. At low tide you can watch the channel dry out enough to paddle in. The scary bit - I'm told by Bill of the yacht Lanakai, is that the pilot has you steer straight for the beach where surf is breaking, and then, at the moment you will drive up onto the beach you make a sharp left turn!!

Adios for now, we are getting close!

Joe