Aug.25 Goodbye Ty!

We had a great conch fritter feast aboard Soggy Paws (SP) before Ty left. We bought 8 big conchs, and 4 HUGE crabs for $25. A feast for 7 of us. Ty was tan and quite relaxed when he boarded the commuter flight for Panama City. We were asked to move Infini, as our mast was an obstacle for the once a day flight. We thought we were clear, but I guess we didn't factor in a chance for pilot error.
We had a wonderful dinghy trip up the Rio Diablo with SP yesterday. A great jungle river...no pollution!...the Kuna's have burial grounds along it, and small areas where they harvest bananas, yucca, or corn. The wildlife watching is great. We had to portage over shallow areas, and go around logs/trees in the way. We cooled off floating down a short area of shallow rapids...and found a 90' vine to swing out on Tarzan style. All was great until the vine broke on Ty's second turn! It brought back memories of the Weeki Wachi.

We moved to Cangombia, or Canbombia, depending on which chart you're looking at, in the Eastern Naguargandup Cays, N09º28.5 W078º42.7 Just another island in paradise.

Aug. 22 W. Coco Bandero

N09º31.1 W078º38.8
We motored the 6 miles to W. Coco Bandero Cays, following Soggy Paws; cloudy skies, in light intermittent rain. The black rain squalls have been missing us- we could use a heavy downpour to fill the tanks. This is another group of scenic islands, with towering palm trees, white sand beaches and crystal clear water. We hope the weather clears to explore the wrecks and reefs in the area...many within swimming distance from the boat. Yesterday Ty put scuba gear on to scrape the barnacles and scrub the bottom of Infini with a brush. We've been keeping up with the water line growth...but any time spent in marinas and harbors is hard on boat bottoms. We've had a few afternoon volleyball games while at the Swimming Pool--the net is strung between two very tall palms. A big danger is falling coconuts...one fell directly on a straw hat...thank goodness it wasn't on the owner's head at the time!

Aug.19 E. Holandes, San Blas

N09º35.3 W078º40.4
We're anchored in what the cruisers call the "swimming pool" here in the Eastern Holandes Islands. The water (10ft) is so clear you can see the fish swim by, and 'barbecue island' as the gathering place is a popular hang out for cruisers. We snorkeled "the caves" yesterday (a series of rock ledges, or grottos which communicate with each other). I never seem to tire of swimming among the many incredible things to see...different corals, anenomes, tropical fish, etc. Ty & Michael went to a wreck to try to shoot some dinner. No luck yet. Soggy Paws has been to these places and led us and another dinghy using their hand held GPS.
The names of the islands are a tongue twister. Banedup, Ukupsuit Tupu, Miriadiadup, Nuinudup, Uchutupu Pippi, and 300+ more!
We've spent a night at the East and West Lemons, only 8miles from here. Short day hops to the next group or reef area to explore. We'll be slowly working our way to Nargana, where Ty flies out next week.

Aug. 12 San Blas Islands, Kuna Yala, Panama

N09,35.247 W078,52.925
Our first anchorage in the San Blas Islands of Kuna Yala is Chichime. We've been visited by the local Kuna Indians coming out in their ulu's, one selling lobster, another mola's, and even fresh fruit and veggies this am. We were visited by master mola maker 'Venancio'--his work is collected worldwide. He will 'sign' (sew) his name on if you ask.
We previously spent two nights at Isla Linton, meeting up with our friends on Soggy Paws who are picking up their daughter & her boyfriend...and hopefully joining us back here in the San Blas. Ty met the sloths. I'll have to post pictures when we get internet. The bilge hose has been changed, the rode to the Danforth anchor has been switched out....it's time to get the dinghy in and go snorkeling. This is really a picturesque area with many small islands, some with grass huts, white sandy beaches, and palm trees. Over 340 to explore!

Aug. 7

Hurray!! Ty arrived 2am to our hotel with no hassles. We went to the Panama Canal Miraflores Locks & Museum---well worth the visit. Tomorrow we´ll celebrate our anniversary by taking the 0715 train back to Colon and Infini, and getting ready to leave for quiter places.

Aug. 2

We've been officially slothed....we visited 'Summer Place', a beautiful home close to the dinghy dock in town, owned by Roger & Bennie. (Ex cruisers)
They've got 3 spoiled sloths now living with them (from infants) as 'pets', the youngest just a year old. They are the strangest creatures, only because they're so foreign to me! They don't shed, don't smell, are potty trained, move very slowly, don't make a lot of noise, and like to hug! What can be better than that? We'll post some pictures when we get internet access.
We took a day road trip to Panama City with Owen & Betty from 'Hiatus'...they keep a car in Puerto Lindo. The 2½ hr. drive is an adventure in itself. It is always so nice to go to a big city with someone who knows the lay of the land. We got a case of Perkins oil filters...M's a happy camper!
We're heading toward Colon; will keep the boat a few nights at the PCYC (Panama Canal Yacht Club) while we meet Ty in the city.

July 28 Linton still

Listening to the constant but light rain fall on deck; we're safely in our cocoon. We've had to re anchor a few times, as ours was dragging in the soft mud bottom. We had our closest encounter ever--skimming past our neighbors bow sprit. I don't ever want to repeat that! Perhaps we need even more scope for the 40 ft. depths?! And to top it off our windlass wires fused and shorted the windlass to the UP function (the foot switch never worked so hard!)...thank goodness that waited till we were on our last attempt to anchor. M changed the wires out pronto; foot switch is back in service....Thank You very much!
Michael & Kirk went out trolling on Salsa, and caught a nice jack that became sushi; and in the fridge for a few meals. Yum!
We hand fed two of the tall thin spider monkeys on the island; they're so comical walking upright with their tail curled high over their heads.
We thought we might get farther east before heading back to pick Tyson up on Aug. 7, but the seas have been up, and easterlies don't make it fun. We're on vacation, with plans in jello, so hang out in this neck of the woods it is! Great for 'bonding' and going over those Spanish lessons! Sure wish it would sink in!

July 22 Linton

What a beautiful place to be. We dinghied to Panamarina, (N09º36.86 W79º36.67) through a mangrove tunnel; very cool. Boats are stored in rows on moorings. The French couple tending for the owners who are away for a few months are very helpful. They have a washer/dryer; internet (we didn't do too well--the ethernet connection didn't let us get to many sites, and it's VERY slow), and a restaurant that serves a variety of dishes.
We've enjoyed the company of Kirk, a solo sailor going around the world on his 30' Alberg, 'Salsa'. (www.sailingsalsa.com) We've also dinghied over to Isla Grande, (N09º37.6 W079º33.9) a beautiful island that only comes to life when the rich Panamanian's come for holiday or the weekends. We've not had much luck fishing...but we know this is a popular area to catch some big ones. The water is clear...we've yet to go snorkeling, but we swim by the boat every day. The rain is unpredictable--thunder & clouds roll in, then it can be clear the next minute. Always small projects to work on---and of course reading; the book exchanges are wonderful.