And so to Panama

JT is now at Shelter Bay Marina at the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal

 

 From Montego Bay in Jamaica we had a vigorous sail south through various reefs and shallow banks to the Colombian island of Providencia.  [See Jacktar`s web diary]

We dinghied ashore to find the agent to arreange our inward clearance.

 

 And to get supplies.

 

Providencia is a beautiful small island rarely visited by tourists, so was a delightful stopover.

Our anchorage was very sheltered.

We walked across a floating bridge to a nearby island.

Louis-Eduardo was the agent`s rep.

We hired a "mule" to tour the island.

And found our way to a lovely beach for lunch.

The setting was idyllic.

The Princess was thirsty.

Lunch stop.

If  Kevin Rudd can do it ----

So was the skipper.

Then we sailed firther south to another Colombian island, San Andres.

Somewhat disconcerting to find this beside the narrow entry channel.

Again we went ashore to meet our agent at the rough local "marina".

San Andres is a popular tourist destination for Central and South American tourists.

JT at anchor off the marina

where we again dinghied ashore for supplies

San Andres tourists

On leaving San Andres, we had another vigorous sail south to Panama.

It was an overnight sail and we achieved our very first 24 hr sail of over 200 nm averaging 8.7 kts.

Conditions were just right.

Shelter Bay marina is a lovely facility somewhat removed from the city of Colon, parts of which are not safe for gringos.

So for the moment we are happy to relax and gather our thoughts before transitting the canal.

Arriving at Providencia. The blog publisher still does funny things.