12^th February 2012

Left Isla Tigre, for Western Holandes Cays. Anchored off Miriadiadup island in 20m of water. Annie, Paul and I went snorkelling – saw a spotted (blue spots) eagle ray – big, big, big –amongst other things. Annie and I got bitten by sand flies while Paul was enjoying himself swimming over sea grass. Didn’t fancy that myself.

13th February. Sailed back to Porvenir, checked out – a long process – well there was a big queue. Met Camelot at the checkout, and we all sailed on together for Portobello. We could not make it in the light so went into Turtle Bay. Anchored at first but really rolly and very crowded with Karacool and us! However – good news- there was an unfinished marina there so Camelot, and us, went in there for the night. Even more good news – first night is free. Everyone came on board in the evening for drinks and an impromptu supper. All carbohydrate though, no-one has any fresh produce left.

Unfinished Turtle Bay Marina:

14^th February. Sailed to Portobello. Another windy anchorage. Old fort here and at one time a third of the world’s gold passed through this port. Very run down now.  Originally there were 4 forts protecting the bay,two remain the others are overgrown with vegetation. 

The old restored customhouse in the background.  The gold was stored and valued here before being shipped to Spain etc.

They have a black Christ in the church and big celebration concerning it during August.

Not sure if you can see but the church roof supports were all bowed:

Gunnar, Vebekka, Julia and Oscar’s knee having a fried fish lunch.  I made Paul eat lunch on board since we were going to eat out in the evening.  However, felt very uncomfortable when we saw man with big shot gun sitting outside very small supermarket and so we stayed on board for supper.  Unfortunately the steak I got out of the freezer was off so Paul had corned beef instead.  A bad food day for Paul.

Local transport is all brightly painted.