Since arriving in San Blas on Thursday the fleet have been enjoying many of the beautiful islands within the San Blas archipelago. With secluded anchorages, white sandy beaches, coconut palms and crystal clear waters, San Blas is an idyllic cruising ground. Jean from A Plus2 commented: "We crossed the finish line and arrived next to paradise".
Yet there is a serious side to the area and care must be taken while navigating in San Blas. Coral reefs fringe most islands and there are number of wrecks visible in the area - a stark reminder for all skippers to be vigilant in these waters.
Today the fleet came together for a World ARC Rendezvous on the island of Chichime, an especially pretty island with two safe anchorages, deep beaches and inhabited by just four families of Kuna's who run a small restaurant ashore.
As crews arrived by dinghy to the beach marked with World ARC flags, they were offered a fresh coconut with an optional generous nip of rum. Before lunch Event Manager Paul Tetlow welcomed the fleet to San Blas and presented our hosts for the day, Humberto and his family, a World ARC framed poster signed by the entire fleet.
Lunch was provided by the yachts in what is known to cruisers as a pot luck - a shared lunch where each yacht brings one dish ashore, and as was evidenced today there are certainly some good cooks within the fleet.
Following lunch, a group of Kuna Indians provided indigenous music and dance which entertained the fleet. It was an authentic display of the traditional Kuna Yala culture and costume with dancers dressed in bright clothing adorned in more brightly coloured appliqued fabrics known as molas. With gentle swinging dance moves and light pan pipe music many crews commented that the performance was very calming, peaceful and enjoyable.
The crews have several more days to enjoy San Blas before meeting up at Shelter Bay Marina on the mainland to prepare for the Panama Canal transit.