The World ARC fleet joined back together yesterday evening on the Panamanian island of Contadora, in the Las Perlas Islands. The fleet transitted through the canal in three smaller groups and so this was the first opportunity in a couple of weeks to see everyone together. The crews came ashore for drinks at the beachside bar at the Hotel Romantica, on the south side of the island, to share stories about their Canal transits, exploring Panama city and sailing around in the Las Perlas Islands.
It is a short programme on this small island – just sufficient to get together and have a bit more fun before sailing off to Galapagos on Friday. This morning there was the World ARC Hash House Harrier trail around the island, leading 46 of the World ARC crews on foot to explore the interior of the island. It was a great way for a mix of abilities to participate together. The skipper’s briefing for Galapagos also takes place this afternoon before a BBQ back on the beach with a short prize giving for the competitive side of Leg 1, from Saint Lucia to Panama.
The fleet will then be on their way on tomorrow. The winds look good for the first day or two but the Doldrum belt looks quite broad and a fair amount of motoring is expected. But maybe that will mean crews can spend more time planning what activities they’ll do to pay respect to Neptune on crossing the equator.