I have left Panama after spending almost six months exploring the country, meeting many new people and rejoining others that I have met along the way. I had a wonderful time and was sad to leave but it was time to move on into new adventures and experiences. The San Blas islands have to be the most rewarding and beautiful experience that one could ever have. The islands and all of the experiences associated with them were priceless. Many cruisers as well as myself ask, as we make plans to leave; Why are we leaving? I can truly say I don't have a good answer to that question other than there is still a big world out there to explore.
I met this wonderful family while cruising in Costa Rica. Paul, Marisol and their two children Jason and Zeb. We continued to meet up by chance in Panama and decided to cruise together around San Blas and we agreed to sail together when we left Panama.
Thirteen days ago we set sail from Panama on a course that brought us to the island paradise of Roatan. It took us 10 days to arrive in Roatan, stopping at two locations along the way. The first leg took us two and a half days to reach the Colombian island of Providencia. A very small island far out in the Caribbean Sea with a population of 5,000. The people were wonderfully pleasant and helpful and the island had very little if any litter in the streets. Something that is very rare in Central America. We spent three days there exploring the island and the beaches before pulling anchor for our next stop at Vivorillo Cays. This was little more than a long stretch of reef where we anchored to protect us from the waves. It took us one and a half days to reach this location and then the following day we pushed off to Roatan taking us another day and a half. This is where I am now with plans to remain here for three weeks and then off again.
OK, that is enough background and I am sure I have bored most of you by know. Don't give up to soon. The photos will now begin.
I stayed in an anchorage in Portobelo while waiting for Paul and Marisol to prepare their boat for departure to Roatan. There was not much to do there other than a daily visit to Captain Jacks. This is a watering hole for cruisers and backpackers waiting for a boat to Cartegena, Columbia.
If you are inclined to take a bus to Colon, this is one of the chicken buses that will take you. You have to admit that this is excellent work with several strokes of a paint brush. The problem is that they don't spend the same amount of time on the engine and brakes.
The seas were as calm as a swimming pool without anyone in the water. Here we were treated to a show by Dolphins. They swam along side the boat for thirty minutes. The water was crystal clear.
This is one of the hills around Providencia. The locals call it Morgan's ass. Captain Morgan, a famous pirate had a fort on this island.
The first job to do when you arrive in a new country is to check in with Immigration and Customs. Here we are off to the offices about a miles walk in the heat and humidity. This is Jason and Zeb.
This is a map of the island.
Yet again, another wonderful sunset while achored in Providencia.
I almost forgot. This is one fish I caught along the route. It is a Barracuda. You can judge the size with my foot in the photo. I have been told the the fish tastes good but it could poison you and one could die. There are places in areas where they eat reef fish and toxins from the reefs make it into there blood stream and it is passed onto those that eat it. Not all are poisonous. You cut a small piece of the fish off and lay it on the ground near ants. If the ants come over to it and eat it, it is safe for us to eat. If the ants run off, it is poisonous. I also caught a Mahi Mahi but lost it because I had to drag set too high. A squall came over a few minutes after I lost the fish and the winds increased to 35 kts in a few seconds so it was good that I lost the fish when I did since I had to hang on and control the boat from getting over powered in the winds.
Here is a cute creature.
I can't tell you the name of these trees but don't you wish you had on in your back yard.
People on the island get around on motor cycles. Young and old alike are riding around like Hells Angles. You have to look out for them. They will run your butt over in a New York second if you don't.
This is a beach we found while exploring the Island. The kids had a great time and the adults were happy to find a Tiki bar where we ordered a rum drink. We knew we were now in the real Caribbean when hearing the phrase "Jah mann" from most people.
This is an abandoned island along a reef where we anchored following our second leg of our route. Not much to look at but we could relax and get a good nights rest before pushing off again. What most of you don't know is how I am able to sail 24 hours a day for sometimes up to 5 days without sleep. I am sailing alone so there is no one else to take the helm while I sleep. My routine is to sleep for 20 minutes, wake up with an alarm, check the radar and other instruments, check the boat and go back to sleep for another 20 minutes and start the process over again. I can't tell you how or why but it works and the night passes quickly.
We found a nice marina where we stopped after reaching Roatan. It is a resort with room for boats and a few bungalows and rooms available for people coming from land. We stayed here for a week and then moved on to the west end of the island to pick up a mooring when the costs are much less.
Dolce Vita enjoying the rest.
Our first tour on the island was to take ATVs up through the trees over the hills to the north side of the island. The views at the top were great and riding on the ATV was fun. I thought I was racing at the track in Indianapolis.
Here are some photos I took along the way.
This is a private island. How would you like to own this? All you need to do is smuggle illegal drugs.
I didn't join them in the romp through the mud. They had a great time while there oldest son and I watched and remained clean.
Since we have been here for only a few days there is not much to share. I will add more photos and experiences on my next blog after we leave here for Mexico. As always we continue to meet wonderful people along the way. There were two couples from Kansas City and Chicago here on vacation that I met and enjoyed each others company around the pool and at breakfast.
That it for now. As you can see in the photos and stories, I am still having fun in paradise .
Until next time, be safe out there.
