09:30.79N 78:36.97W

We decided that San Blas really is a sunshine and desert island paradise so we set out to visit as many islands as possible. Having spent our first night at East Hollandaise we went on as reported to Chicheme for a rendezvous with our fellow yachts [most turned up and we had a good BBQ lunch with each yacht contributing food  - we bought local beer - it transpires that these particular Kuna Indians have decided to rip of World ARC and they attempted to double charge for some things - more fool them as WARC will now seek another island for this party. We were luckily not affected and bugged out to our next stop of East lemon cays where we anchored snorkelled and dined ashore on lobster with savoury rice.

Then we were obliged to check in with immigration, Kuna tax payment, army authorisation to enter the country we had already been in for 3 days, and finally pay a cruising tax and get a “Zarpe”. A Zarpe is a kind of licence to travel  by yacht in the Panamanian waters. So having been relived of about $300 US dollars we were legal.

 Negotiations continued for some time  Bureaucracy gone crazy all handwritten about 6 permits!

 - so we shot back East to a glorious anchorage called Cayos Coco Banderos.

This was literally a desert island protected by a coral reef - what a place to spend the night.

 This is truly desert island discs - Vicky in background in paradise.

 Tricia stranded.

After a calm  night - eating steak and salad aboard - it’s a tough trip this! we cruised on to probably the most beautiful place any of us had visited. The island of Salardup - see next blog.