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July, 2009
San Blas,
Panama
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7/1 |
It is July....already. We were awaken by thunder
and lightning at 5 a.m. which continued until around 8 a.m.
We decided it was safe enough to turn on the HF radio at 8:30 when Sonny was
net controller on the Panama Net. After the sky brightened up, around 2 p.m. we dinghied over to the
Kuna village of Nargana, which is about a 5 mile trip. Marc and Pati (S/V
Alpha Wave) and Jan (S/V Slip Away) also went.
Marc and Pati were wanting to get a gecko for their boat to help
control critters than find their way aboard. When we arrived to
the town, we began asking the local kids if they could get us a gecko.
Before we left, for a donation to the kids, they had four geckos they
were proudly moving aboard Alpha Wave.
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7/2 |
There is a 4th of July Party on the East Coco Banderas, so when the
weather cleared, we moved on over to the Cocos.
During the night,
another storm passed by with so much lightning, we have already had our fireworks
show. Hopefully, that is all for a while. |
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7/3 |
This morning on the nets, Tom on S/V Eclipse, asked if anyone felt
their boat move at 1:50 a.m. in the morning. He said his
rigging shook and his boat quivered, and he thought it was an
earthquake. Then, other people started saying they felt the same.
We had heard the epicenter of the earthquake was at Porvenir, which is
a small island here in San Blas, where the Port Captain and
Immigration offices are.
We did not feel anything. Right now, we are about 20
miles from Porvenir.
This morning, the boat that was anchored in our "favorite" anchorage
here left....so we pulled up our anchor and moved on over.
Four more boats arrived for tomorrow's celebration.
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7/4 |
We are proud to be Americans...even with of all the problems we are
experiencing in our home country. When you are in other
countries, it makes you very proud to be an American.
God Bless the USA
There are 13 boats in the anchorage here, we all went ashore at 3:30
p.m. for our 4th of July Celebration. Everyone is bringing
their meat to grill, a dish to share, our own plates and drinks.
Oh, also your oven grate, to line up on the fire for a grill.
And, thankfully, we did not have fireworks or lightning tonight. |
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7/5/09 |
Just another normal day in paradise. Yes, we have to wash clothes by
hand in a five gallon bucket, and to dispose of our trash (plastic and
paper) we go to a nearby island to burn it.
The local Indians will take it for $1 a small bag, but they just
throw it in the sea. So, we would rather dispose of it
ourselves.
Breeze and Debbie on S/V Blue Sky invited us over for dinner
tonight and to play music. What a great evening! Marc (a
percussionist) and Pati (S/V Alpha Wave), Phillip, Michael, and Tyler
(S/V Wandering Star), and Blue Sky's guest's Dave and Linda (a
guitarist) from San Francisco were all there.
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7/7/09 |
2 Year Anniversary wishes to Gentry and Jennifer
Susan and Meg (S/V Wooden Shoe) arrived in the anchorage today.
We put on our snorkel gear and swam over to greet them.
Also, there is a new Texas boat in the anchorage, Jimmy on S/V
Bluewater Cat.
We invited them over for fried fish for dinner this evening.
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7/8 |
We discovered this morning that our starting batteries are no longer
good. They are the two original batteries we installed five
years ago. So. we took them out and are just using one battery
bank (which is 6 Trojan T-105's). We plan to increase our house
battery bank and no longer have separate starting batteries.
Serappio, one of the local veggie boats saw the two batteries on our
deck and gladly accepted them as a "regalo".
This afternoon, six boats of cruisers met on the island to clean it
up. There were plastic bottles, trash, and litter all over
this beautiful island.
We played Mexican train dominoes tonight, after a squall passed
through, with Jimmy, on catamaran Bluewater Cat, and Susan and Meg on
S/V Wooden Shoe |
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7/9 |
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This morning, we pulled up anchor and returned to the West Lemmons.
It is a protected anchorage, with few boats. It has a
shallow entrance and sand bar you have to cross to get out to the
"North 40", our favorite spot. It is not as pretty as the other
locations, but great protection for a storms, which we have
frequently. |
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7/10 |
It is a lazy, gray, overcast day with rain on and off. Kay
read John Grisham's book, "The Client" and Sonny read "Playing for
Pizza" by the same author. We read a lot of his books and we
just received these two from Jimmy a few nights ago.
Then, we played
farkle in the cockpit, but Sonny won both games. |
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7/11 |
Our friends, Rich and Jan (S/V Slip Away) came to the anchorage today.
We went out in the dinghy to help guide them over the shallow bar.
We were at their boat this afternoon, planning Sonny and Rich's
upcoming trip to Panama City. The girls are going to stay on the
boats while they are gone.
Rich made some delicious popcorn tonight. Sonny was
eating some, and got very quiet. He had lost a large filling in
one of his teeth, and the remaining tooth was razor sharp.
When he goes to Panama City on Monday, hopefully he will be able to
get in to see a dentist. Until then, we are improvising.
He chews a piece of bubble gum to get the sugar out, then sticks the
gum on the sharp edge of his tooth. |
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7/12 |
We left for Carti around 11 a.m. The wind is, of course,
on our nose. We anchored and the wind is blowing through
the anchorage, with no reef or protection. So, it was a rolly
night. Sonny and Rich will be leaving in the morning for Panama
City at 7 a.m. and return the next afternoon.
A rough, rolly night....not much sleeping. |
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7/13 |
This morning, Sonny and Rich were ready to go at 7 a.m.....only to
find....no launcha or ride to Panama City. He called them,
only 30 more minutes, over and over. Finally, at 8:30 a.m.
we decided to just cancel and go to the West Lemmons to anchor in a
calm, protected anchorage and try again maņana. We arrived at
the West Lemmons and thought we were in heaven. It just is not
fun having your home bouncing around constantly. |
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7/14 |
This morning, Alberto was "supposed" to be at our boats to pick the
guys up at 6:30 a.m. He arrived at 7:50 a.m. after several
calls checking on his "whereabouts". It is Central
America, for sure. He transported the guys to Carti
(8 miles) in his launcha to catch the 4x4 ride into the City. They
arrived, Sonny visited the dentist for a new filling and the guys are on a shopping
spree.
Jan and I are busy cleaning, washing clothes, and working on our
websites. We keep in contact with each other on the VHF radio.
Neither of us put our dinghies down today. |
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7/15 |
This is the first time I have been on Valentina by myself, without
Sonny. And I sure have a new appreciation for single-handers,
and know that is definitely something I am not interested in. The
sun came up and I was thankful I had made it though the night, without
a storm.
But, the clouds started getting darker and darker to my southeast.
Then, about 7 a.m. Tom and S/V Eclipse made a general announcement
on the VHF and reported 25 knot winds in the swimming pool, east of
me, headed this way. He said it was a small cell though. So, I just
made sure everything was secured and I was ready for it.
Then, about 15 minutes later, it hit us. When the wind got up to 30
knots, I started the engine, so I could motor into it or in case I
started dragging anchor. The wind got harder and harder. It was also
raining so hard, I could hardly see our buddy boat anchored nearby, or
the reefs surrounding me. So, I put it in forward and motored slowly.
I saw 40, 48, 49 knots of wind on our wind indicator. That high of
wind did not last long, but it sure took my breath when I saw it.
Whew!
The anchor held perfectly, thankfully, but our front awning was
torn and flopping everywhere. We had some wind that hit us on the side
and tore the material. ; (
Then, by 8 a.m. the storm had passed but was still raining and
lightning in the near distance.
That was a real chocosauna.....and the worst wind we have been in
since we have been out here.
So, other than the awning, I made it fine. When the wind slowed to
30 knots, it felt like it had stopped. It was weird. But, I am good, I
have a lot of faith in Valentina and am a little stronger from it.
Sonny got picked up by the 4x4 at noon today at his hotel. So, he
arrived back at Carti by 3 p.m. Then, they had to get a launcha to
bring them to the West Lemmons, about 8 miles away. So he got home by
4 today.
We ate dinner and played music on S/V Blue Sky tonight, along with
Rich and Jan (S/V Slip Away).
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7/16 |
This morning, Sonny and Rich went to the nearby island but burn our
paper and plastics, then we pulled up anchor and headed to Porvenir.
The wind was blowing 25+ knots and the waves were 6-8' on the beam.
Once in Porvenir, we visited Ricardo for immigration for $20, then
Alexis, the Port Captain. We stocked up on some supplies at the
nearby island and headed downwind to Nonomulu, an island near the
Carti airport. It is a little rolly anchorage, but much better than
Carti this time of year.
Once anchored, we had four new batteries in our cockpit, along with a
new propane tank and groceries from Panama City we need to put away before our
guests arrive in the morning.
So, we emptied our garage, the quarter berth to get to the existing
batteries. Sonny placed two of the batteries in there,
then the other two were in the lazarette under the cockpit.
Finally, at 8 p.m. we had the batteries in their place (not connected)
and the propane tank put away. |
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7/17 |
At 6 a.m. we lowered the dinghy and motored to the concrete dock near
the airport. It was very rough and rolly, so we had to
pull the dinghy to the shallow shore.
It is 6:35 a.m. and Robert and
Jayne are arriving on a small plane at this tiny airport.
It is so good to see them and excited to have them on board Valentina.
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They are currently in culture shock as it is so different here, but
are so excited to begin their new adventure. |
We loaded the bags on the boat and headed to a calmer anchorage.
We arrived at the East Lemmons at 11 a.m. and Jayne immediately jumped
in the water.
The local Kuna women came by immediately trying to sell their
molas. We gave this lady some eyeglasses for the intricate
detail hand-sewing on the molas.
We opened our bags of goodies we had ordered from the US, a bag
full of
things Robert and Jayne shopped for us and some Pat and Jim shipped to
us. Pat had sent several new bathing suits and tank tops
for me.....it was like Christmas, and I had been a very good girl.
Thankfully, I
will be wearing a new bathing suit every day of the week.
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After lunch, we snorkeled to the nearby island from the boat and
snorkeled around. It was their first time to snorkel; they
were so excited and both did very good. |
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We traded Linny some lobsters for some material for
a sail. After snorkeling, we returned to the boat to eat some lobster alfredo and salad. |
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We all slept very well.
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7/18 |
Sonny made oatmeal for everyone, then Sonny, Robert and Jayne headed
for the reef to snorkel while Kay sorted through drawers on the boat,
getting rid of the old bathing suits and making room for the new.
 Then, they went to the wreck on Dog Island to snorkel the wreck.
They saw squid swimming in the water.
It is so much fun with Robert and Jayne, as it is their first time to
the Caribbean, the beautiful crystal clear blue water, first time
snorkeling and they are so excited seeing everything under the water. |
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7/19 |
We went snorkeling today out by the reef. It was a little
rough, the water a little cloudy from all of the recent wind, but a
good snorkeling day.
Jayne followed Sonny through an opening and
over a reef, when all of a sudden, a wave crested, and Jayne brushed
the coral with her arm and ankle. So, we are doctoring her
wounds and ready to get back in the beautiful water soon.
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Lisa, the master mola maker of San Blas, came by the boat today and
Robert and Jayne bought some beautiful molas from her.
I bought the crab mola Lisa is
holding. |
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7/20 |
We took a day off from snorkeling today. Letting wounds heal.
Breeze on Blue Sky announced a volleyball game was scheduled for the
island at 2:30 p.m. So we all headed to the island and had
fun playing volleyball. Others that participated were S/V Renegade,
S/V Beau Solis, S/V Alpha Wave, S/V Hooligan, and also Leni, LoriBeth, and Valentina,
some of the local Kuna Indians on the island.
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After the game, we walked up to the Kuna's hut and Jayne bought
some more molas and held the little baby. |
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We had a lot of lightning tonight and a boat dragged near us.
It was too close to us during the night, but the wind calmed and all
is well now. Happy Birthday to our son-in-law....Billy Dixon.
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7/21 |
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We left after the morning nets and sailed to the swimming pool.
The water is so crystal clear blue here, it does look like water
in a swimming pool. |
After a lunch of spaghetti, we all took naps,
and ready to hit the water. We snorkeled from the boat to a nearby
reef. It is called "Barracuda Reef" and rightfully so.
We saw so many barracudas. There was a lot of colorful
coral and reef fish.\\
Fun times at Potluck Island |
Western Hollandaise,
San Blas |
Happy Birthday to our son, Garrett.
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7/22 |
This morning, we dinghied around the anchorage meeting people we did
not know. There was a boat "Bocanon" with the hailing port
of Austin, TX so we had to meet them. They are Herb and
Margo and have been out cruising a while. Herb does magic
shows and we arranged for him to come to Valentina to do a magic show
for us. We also had invited Brian of S/V Molly to come to the show.
"Herbini" has been doing magic tricks since he was 12 years old and is
an excellent magician. We could not figure out how he did his
magic tricks.
Then, Bill, Johanna, and Gram invited us to their boat "Visions of
Johanna" for the evening. Their boat is a custom built,
61' beauty. They told us they have the waypoints for a location
at the reef where there are caves you can swim through, so we are all
going there tomorrow at 1 p.m. |
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7/23 |
Juliana, the veggie boat, came through the anchorage today. We
bought some cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and carrots.
At 1 p.m. Sonny
and I went with S/V Visions of Johanna and S/V Slip Away to the reef
while Robert and Jayne relaxed on the boat.
The caves were pretty awesome. You can snorkel on top through
the opening and dive down below to see the caverns. The water
was very clear.
Sonny got a trigger fish and a permit. When he was
cleaning them, he threw the parts overboard and immediately, a nurse
shark appeared, along with a barracuda and a trigger fish.
Robert and Jayne had gotten a couple of conch shells while
snorkeling, so we froze them, one at a time, and Robert began the task
of trying to convince the critter to leave his home. It
was an ordeal, but with persistance and a lot of shaking, and stinky,
stinky slime, the shells are critter free and at home on their deck.
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7/24 |
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This morning, we pulled up our anchor from the beautiful swimming pool
and headed to one of our favorites, beautiful East Coco Banderas. |
After lunch, we
all snorkeled around the island and back to the boat. It
was about a 3 hour snorkel and we were all pooped. We saw
a lot of fish and a huge puffer fish.
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7/25 |
We went to Nargana today, as Robert and Jayne fly out early in the
morning to return home. We ate at Nali's Restaurant and walked around
and handed out candy to the kids and reading glasses to the elderly
ones.
While we were walking around the island, we
went to Sammy and Mimi's house. He was getting ready to
play a softball game. They have different local teams that
compete on Saturday afternoon, and Sammy was the pitcher.
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He is
73 years old, and is very competitive. |
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They dedicated the ballgame to Robert and asked him to throw the
first pitch. He did very good, got it over the plate, and
all they ask in return....is a souvenir from the States. |
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7/26 |
Robert and Jayne were all packed, even all the conch shells Robert had
cleaned. We headed to the tiny airport for their flight.
The plane took off with grace and headed to Panama City. We sure did
enjoy our visit with them. They were so excited and fun to be
with and we enjoyed the beauty of the islands together.
After their flight left, we headed Valentina to Green Island.
Nargana is not a fun island to anchor near. The water is
not clean and the island has a huge generator that runs constantly.
The quietness of the islands were calling us.
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7/27 |
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Sandy and Cheri (S/V Namaste) came to Green Island today.
We have two packages to deliver
to them. One is from Tony (Andiamo) and the other is a mola
Lisa had designed for them.
Cruisers are always helping each
other. |
We had "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" on Namaste, along with a piece
of pecan pie. We were all stuffed...but it sure was
delicious and good to finally get together. |
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7/28 |
This morning, we decided to go back to Nargana (about 5 miles away) to
top off our gas and diesel, before heading east and on to Colombia.
We have a monitor on our diesel tank and it showed almost full, but it
sometimes get stuck. We actually needed 35 gallons of
diesel...so it was not full.
We also ate at Nali's restaurant, but, believe it or not, we were
too full to get ice cream.
We came back to Green Island for a few days before heading down
island towards Cartagena.
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Our friends from Kemah, Jay and Barb on S/V
Jupiter's Smile just arrived in San Blas and are headed to Green
Island for a reunion. When we left Kemah, almost four years
ago, they woke up at 4 a.m. to take pictures of our departure
through the Boardwalk. They left shortly after we did, but
our paths have not crossed until now. |
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Top of Page
or
Let's go to August in Panama |
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"What is the difference in a
sunset on a million dollar yacht and and sunset on a 20' sailboat?
Nothing, we all pay the same
price." |
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