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Exody - Days 13/14- San Blas Bliss



By nightfall on Thursday 22nd most of the 15 World ARC boats were there with us at the Swimming Pool anchorage, with two just around the corner behind adjacent 'bug' island and another two still at their landfall anchorage to the west. A barbecue ashore was organised for Friday 23rd and we had a great afternoon on the well groomed Barbecue Island, looked after by three Kunas who sold us cold beers, coconut water or coke, lit the barbecue and also kindly boiled up the large spider crab we had just bought from a local family who visited us in their ulu (long dug out boat/canoe. The charge of $2US a head to land on the island was not grudged in any way! We barbecued another portion of our dorado catch.

On the way in we were invited by Sarah and Luc on board the phenomenom that is Makena for a prelunch smoothie. Three generations of family accommodated over three 'storeys' of 62 foot, 30+ ton boat which of course as a catamaran does not tilt. Storage and space in abundance that we monohullers can only dream of!

The evening and following morning brought much discussion amongst the fleet as to where next in our very limited time here. We opted for the small anchorage to the west end of the Coco Banderos Cays where we are now surrounded on three sides by picture postcard islets and on the fourth by a reef. Only one other cruising boat so very peaceful. We have swum and snorkelled a bit and tackled a few more boat jobs. Another local ulu has been around, incredibly narrow at about 18 inches- we have not yet worked out quite how they get in and out of it to dive for fish, let alone how it stayed upright when they flew their multicoloured gaff rigged sail to head for the next fishing ground (no outboard)!

Tomorrow Sunday 25th we are back into the World ARC programme and briefing at Chichime Cays - a 15 mile broad reach away. We just need to work out what to make for the pot luck lunch from our dwindling fresh supplies - apple crumble has been suggested as the grany smiths have kept well!

Peter

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