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Celebrate - Log Day 10 - Isla Linton



After a somewhat rolly night anchored outside Chichime, Celebrate put to sea for a short 40 mile run to Isla Linton. Charlie and Cathy had been to this anchorage 4 years previous, and were interested in seeing if the old research station was still there, as well as a unique French country restaurant accessible via short river and mangrove tunnel.

As with many of the good anchorages along the Panamanian coast, it was already filled with yachts, many of which had clearly been there for some time. Celebrate anchored in 40 feet, outside the main group, after the first attempt at anchoring inside was unsuccessful. The old research station was close to being taken over by the jungle, and the monkeys that they had seen in a past visit were nowhere to be seen.

The run through the mangroves for dinner was truly unique. Armed with multiple flashlights, a handheld GPS and lots of bug repellent, Charlie piloted Celebrates tender through the entrance of the river – so shallow that the outboard had to be raised, and then slowly down the river and into the mangroves. The sides slowly closed in until we were literally moving through a tunnel of thick mangroves. Flat, quiet and a little spooky, the effect was completed by a bat flying by our heads and skimming the water in front of us.

Eventually, our route through the jungle opened to a mooring area with a number of yachts on mooring balls, and a haul-out that appeared to have been constructed only a short time ago. A short walk brought us to the little French restaurant that Charlie and Cathy remembered.

What a great evening! The French management served us well, and eventually the place filled with local cruisers, some of whom introduced themselves and told us their stories. We witnessed a unique method for bug control in the restaurant: along the inside of the roof was a large plastic pipe with holes along its length, connected to a hood over a small barbecue, which was filled with smoky-burning coconut husks. The smoke went up the pipe, out the holes, and gently provided a little smoke in the eating area, driving the bugs away.

It was dark when we returned to Celebrate's tender for the return trip through the mangroves, and no moon meant that while the stars were beautiful, it was impossible to see anything without our flashlights. With one light on the GPS and the other on the way forward, we slowly made out way back, carefully following our outgoing GPS track, and safely back to Celebrate.

Andy




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