More in the San Blas
Pearl of Persia
Andrew Lock
Sun 27 Jan 2013 13:57
us just reading, swimming, snorkelling and eating. The furious seas that
got us here seem a million years ago, and we sit on deck looking out towards
the reef, and the big seas beyond it, remembering being tossed around like a
cork.
We keep moving from island to island every couple of days, drinking in the
total beauty and remoteness of this place. It truly is a privilege to be
here, knowing that the only way is by having your own boat. No big cruise
liners or commercial boats. Just other sailing vessels, with two or three
people on board, doing exactly as we are. Most days we have locals coming up
to the boat in their canoes, selling mainly fish, lobster, or coconuts.
Thanks to Andrews amazing cooking ability, we have feasted on many a
lobster meal since we got here. You sometimes get families on their canoes
coming up with large empty water containers, and ask for them to be filled
with fresh water. The only water they have on these islands is very
brackish and not very nice to drink. Having a water maker on board means we
can spare drinking water to give away. You never feel harassed or
threatened. Just very friendly and gentle people.
Going ashore is a daily activity by either swimming, or taking the dingy.
It's upsetting to see the rubbish that is washed up on the windward side of
the islands. And it's mainly plastic water bottles. I guess looking out
beyond the reef, there is a 1000 miles of open ocean, and any plastic bottle
or indeed other plastic garbage, comes up towards land. I have included a
photo of just bottles that have been piled up onto one rock by the local
kids.
