09.28.5400 N 78.42.7700 W

We hope the New Year is treating you as well as it is us. Things are going really well here and we have been enjoying every minute of our time in this among these incredible islands. 

We have had Kerrie and Chris (2 of Denise’s friends) on board with us for the last week or so. They had an interesting trip trying to get out to us but in the end it all went smoothly. They were dropped off by water taxi at our anchorage behind Cambombia island. Upon their arrival we upped anchor  and headed back to the Hollandase cays where we sought some refuge from the impending strong winds. We found a  lovely, sheltered anchorage and from there, explored the nearby islands and reefs. They just left us this morning, although I think they could have happily stayed on for a few more weeks. We had such a fantastic time with them and were sad to see them leave.  

We were lucky enough to be invited to have lunch with an indigenous family on one of the inhabited islands which consisted of half a lobster and a pile of rice, washed down with coconut water. It was really interesting to wander around the ‘’ village’’ and get an idea of how the Guna people live. We found their way of life to be incredibly basic, their daily routine involving fishing in the morning, eating fish and then retiring to their hammocks during the hottest part of the day. This way of life has become very attractive to us so have been practicing it ever since. The local people live in very basic huts, fashioned from thick sugarcane-like grass, bound together with twine and topped with a palm leaf roof. These structures seemed really dry, fairly sturdy and provide good shelter from the hot sun. Overall, a very simple life goes on in these parts and the life expectancy here is so long that western doctors have been frequenting the place to determine why. There you have it! Fishing, eating fish, and relaxing on a sandy island in the shade of a coconut tree is the best thing for your health. 

Unfortunately, if we were to continue the Guna way of life, our poor boat would feel neglected and cease to preform, so it’s time to get back to our routine of maintenance whilst continuing our adventures. Our plan now that our guests have been seen off with stomachs full of rum and conch/lobster linguine, is to continue to the west and find an island called Porvenir where we will obtain our cruising permits, provision and clear customs. After that, we plan to spend a few more weeks among the palm islands while working through the job list and gearing up for the canal.