Feb 4
We had a wonderful few days in Panama, and celebrated Sam's 9th birthday with cake and many well wishes and "Happy Birthday" songs from the boat crews. We enjoyed another trip to the old town section and had a wonderful dinner there with the Brizo family (their two daughters and Sam and Sarah are having a ball on the rally - finding little starfish and crabs etc. and creating their own "touch tank" while we were in Panama), and I did another grocery run that was much more successful than the first one. We also got the kill switch for the engine fixed (a new solenoid) and the vang, and we've ordered the part that should allow us to use our whisker pole for the Pacific crossing but it won't be here before the Galapagos leg. Brizo's owner is going back to the States while we're in the Galapagos and hopefully the part will be delivered to him and he'll be able to bring it to us. It's a huge favor as getting it any other way would likely not happen!
But now it's time to cruise in the islands, so last night we left and moored at Taboga - an island about 7 miles from the La Playita anchorage - not nearly as rolly as La Playita - there is a lot of traffic wake while at anchor there. Then this morning we left to head to Isla Bayoneta. Along the way we caught a MahiMahi (smaller than the last but probably about 27 inches or so). We also saw our first turtle. There was a bird standing on its back, and as I got closer I saw it was a turtle so called everyone up on deck and turned around so we could get a closer look. The turtle was gracious enough to stay at the surface long enough that we all got a really good look. When we anchored we went to shore and in the shallow water saw a large ray - tail about 4 feet long and span across the ray was about 3 feet or so. So today was a busy day. Now we are safely anchored at Isla Bayoneta and looking forward to exploring the beaches tomorrow!
Pauline