After 2 months in the San Blas Islands we sailed with a decent wind to mainland Panama. After spending so much time away from civilisation (the last car we saw was in Cartagena…) we’ll have to adjust and then start organising: we have to arrange a transit through the canal, get spare parts, repair things, etc. in order to prepare for the Pacific!
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2012
05
Nov
2012
04
Nov
Sailing again
Today, for the first time since we’ve arrived in Panama, we sailed again, i.e., that kind of sailing with sails hoisted and wind to fill them The trip was not very long though, but including the difficulties we had in the morning with our chain fouled at the bottom and the two anchering manoeuvres at Isla Porvenir (the first spot was too tight) it was… Continue reading »
2012
02
Nov
Chichime Cays
The rain stopped, the sun is out again, and we moved to another anchorage a few miles further to the West. We didn’t like the actual anchorage here since is was filled already with 17 (!) other yachts so we simply dropped anchor south of the bigger island of the Chichime Cays. We don’t like to imagine what it’s like in high season in these… Continue reading »
2012
01
Nov
Sox on the beach
The last three days it’s been pouring down, the grey and dark weather reminds us of typical all saints day weather in Austria (fortunately it’s warmer). Rainy weather on the boat is annoying, because when being confined inside it would make sense to work on the computer or do jobs on the sewing machine, but without sun the solar panels don’t charge the batteries so… Continue reading »
2012
29
Oct
Cruising?
The dry weather only lasted for a short while, today it’s been pouring down again. In the afternoon a huge bow emerged from the grey clouds and soon after a cruise ship anchored behind us. Apparently there’s lots around in the San Blas during dry season, but it’s the first one we spotted here. Soon after their arrival Kuna canoes paddled to the beach to… Continue reading »
2012
27
Oct
Western Holandes Cays
The weather turned beautiful again yesterday. It’s not just back to normal, which used to mean nice, sunny mornings but then rainy and squally afternoons, no, it’s really beautiful now. It seems Hurricane Sandy sucked away all the humid air and disposed of it further north. After almost a week in Nargana we are now at the outer San Blas Islands again. We wanted to… Continue reading »
2012
25
Oct
Hurricane Sandy
Even though we are well below the hurricane belt, the weather here is still massively affected by Hurricane Sandy. It’s been rainy for days and gusty southerly winds rattle Pitufa violently, but our anchorage at Nargana protects us well from both southerly windwaves and the high northerly swell. So we really should not complain about minor comfort issues such as splashy dinghy rides while massive… Continue reading »
2012
25
Oct
Two new articles in Ocean7
The Austrian sailing magazine Ocean7 has published our articles on the Caribbean coast of Colombia and on cruising with cats on board in the current 06/12 issue. Birgit Hackl, Christian Feldbauer: Kolumbien — Land der Kontraste, OCEAN7 06 (November/Dezember) 2012. Birgit Hackl, Christian Feldbauer: Mit Leeloo um die Welt, OCEAN7 06 (November/Dezember) 2012. download PDF (in German only)
2012
24
Oct
River excursion and jungle hike
The last two days have been rainy and windy, presumably thanks to Hurricane Sandy that passed north of us, but the anchorage here in Nargana is well protected from the high swell outside. We enjoy the possibility to browse through the mini-mini-markets and have met new friends here (www.bettiedelmar.blogspot.com). Before the weather turned nasty we used the opportunity to take the dinghy up the nearby… Continue reading »
2012
23
Oct
Photos of the San Blas Islands
Uploading the new photo gallery took several attempts and a lot of patience over the last two days. Finally, here it is:
2012
21
Oct
Nargana
After a wonderful week of relaxing and snorkeling at Coco Banderos, we moved to the nearby town of Nargana to buy some fresh veggies, some other groceries and gasoline. And of course, after a really long time, to connect to the internet again (hopefully tomorrow at the school. If the connection is good enough, we’ll upload a new picture gallery.) Nargana is a bigger Kuna… Continue reading »
2012
13
Oct
Wonderful Coco Banderos
Yesterday we finally managed to move to another anchorage. The rainy weather the last few days wasn’t encouraging reef navigation. We are glad we used the sunny spell as we are now anchored in the prettiest place we have been so far here in Kuna Yala. We are the only boat here, swaying gently in a deep blue canal surrounded by 3 little islets and… Continue reading »
2012
07
Oct
Invasion
We’re still in Cayo Holandes enjoying the snorkeling again after a few rainy and stormy days. The anchorage was quiet all week long, but Friday evening suddenly a fleet of powerboats invaded. They had all their lights on (of course also the flashy underwater lights), played loud music and had parties going on with white dressed crew members as waiters. We sat slightly jittery in… Continue reading »
2012
02
Oct
Holandes Cays
Yesterday we moved to one of the most popular anchorages in the San Blas islands: the Holandes Cays. A wide, deep entrance, protection from all sides by islets and reefs, a beautiful setting and clear water–no wonder this place is full with boats in the high season. Fortunately now is low season and so there are only around 10 other boats in our neighbourhood. We… Continue reading »
2012
30
Sep
Isla Puyadas
We’re anchored in front of a tiny island a few miles north of Isla Tigre. We wanted to anchor at Niadup at the Devil Cays, but when we were approaching a thunderstorm came up and the charts were again horribly inaccurate, so we didn’t dare entering. Today was almost no swell, so we have it smooth here at Isla Puyadas as well (unless another thunderstorm… Continue reading »