09:32.68N 78:54.06W

 

 

We arrived in the San Blas islands on Friday afternoon, spending the whole day under spinnaker to get there before dusk as the entrances to these idyllic islands are treacherous, with reefs everywhere.

 

Our trip down from St Lucia was a mixture of everything, from trade wind sailing to full on 35-40 knots off the Columbian coast. The waves we saw on one night were the biggest I’ve ever seen and the boat speed record now stands at 19.5 knots which we achieved with just a triple reefed mainsail, little more than a handkerchief! 

 

We were joined by dolphins for one sunset, leaping out of the waves in front of us and following us for a good half an hour pulling full somersaults in front of the boat. Just spectacular!

 

The Islands are inhabited by the Kunas, a “pygmy” tribe who have managed to avoid civilization and seem to be very happy not having electricity, phones or just about any of the trappings of modern life. They are incredibly generous and paddle around in dug-out canoes selling molas, a tapestry type covering that the women make and lobsters for a very good price. We are gradually making our way westward to clear customs at an island called Porvenir, where there is one customs officer at a small airstrip. Should be a long day!

 

We have to be at the entrance of the Panama canal by the 25th so that we can be measured for our transit through on the 28th.