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Ayama - CHILLING IN THE SAN BLAS



As we approached the West Holandes Cays we had an escort of dolphins. They are so playful and fascinating to watch as they dive and leap around the bow. I love them. We arrived in the afternoon which made it easier to see the reefs as we came in from the east. The charts are NOT reliable so Per was in the bow giving directions between the reefs. A few of the Arc boats were anchored in the Swimming Pool anchorage and we joined them. Having dropped the anchor Stefan dived down to check it out and it was well dug into the sand.

Per and I had a swim off Ayama but even though we are behind the reef there is a strong current and it was hard to swim to the bow but a quick float back to the stern. Stefan put a buoy and a rope off the stern so I felt safer. I had visions of me disappearing off to the mainland!

After tidying up Ayama Kristofer and Svanfridur joined us for a sundowner and bar-b-q. A lovely spontaneous social. We all slept like logs.

Thursday At the 9am roll call everybody agreed a bar-b-q on Turtle Island was a good idea. The Kuna Indians are very welcoming but do charge a nominal fee to go onto the islands if there is a resident family . This seems to create a relaxed welcoming attitude and they don't mind photos being taken or visitors wandering around their island.

The owner of Turtle Island is running a thriving bar, fresh coconut milk and bar-b-q area. Eric tends the fire and Edie uses a B and Q ladder to pick coconuts! We all had a peaceful afternoon catching up with everyone. Another good night's sleep apart from a brief shower in the night so hatches had to be closed.

Friday We left and motorsailed to Coco Bandero. Stefan couldn't resist a quick recce over the the little desert island in the dinghy. He came back for us and we had a snorkel round it. Not the best reef but still plenty of interesting colourful little fish, various corals and Per and I saw a small shark, probably a young reef shark. We then visited Tiadup where Rosalinda and Roberto live with their extended family. They were very welcoming and Stefan bought a headband for his panama hat. Rosalinda sewed it on for him in exchange for a pair of reading glasses. They had a selection of molas and Per and I couldn’t resist buying one. Dolphins swam past the island and then had a feeding frenzy with fish leaping in the air trying to escape. There was a tiny hummingbird in a palm tree. We took Roberto’s phone back to Ayama to charge. Kristofer and Svanfridur joined us for supper under a clear starlit sky. An idyllic place.

Saturday An early start as we are off for a midday rendezvous at Chichime. Stefan and I took the dinghy over to return Roberto’s phone and pick up our mola. 8 am we are on our way motorsailing in pleasant calm seas.

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