Off to the Races (click on photo to enlarge)

Orville, a local from The Big Bamboo Bar took us on an outing for the day in his pickup truck. We ended up at a horse race at Southwest Beach. This was amazing! A filly & a stallion raced about a mile along the beach & bets were being taken ranging to the equivalent of $5,000!! We were wanting to get in on the action, but were only willing to part with 10,000 pesos (about $5.00) After being ridiculed by the locals, we got another Canadian to bet against & as it turned out, he ended up buying the beers!

Orville took us to a church fundraiser/sailboat race. The fund raiser was for the Baptist Church which was destroyed in a hurricane. The religions on the island are either Catholic (from the Spanish influence) or Baptist (The Puritan/Brit influence). The languages spoken are English, Spanish & Creole. As it turned out, the big boat race was cancelled due to extreme wind conditions, but the coconut & model boats went out.

We rented a "mule" (a jeep with a golf cart motor) to tour around the island along with 2 other couples. Had a great day seeeing the sites.

Islas Providencia & Santa Catalina, Columbia

After a 48 hour, not so perfect, but not so terrible sail from Panama, we arrived to Providencia, a Columbian owned island, about 130 miles east of Nicaragua. What an absolute gem this place is - renown for its hospitality & fabulous scuba diving. Very little tourism except for mainland Columbians. Looking forward to spending some time here.

Portobello, Panama

Waiting for a ""weather window" in Portobello, which is an historic area with many forts and a a real treasure...."Cap't Jacks"!! We met Jack a couple of years ago as he finished his 5 year solo circumnavigation. I remember asking him what he wanted to do for an encore & he said he'd like to open up a bar & guess what....we found it!!

Panamarina

Pana-Marina is set amidst the mangroves. This is where we came to get boat repairs done & discovered a little bit of Europe in the middle of Panama. It's run by a French couple, Jean Paul & Sophie. Excellent French cuisine & great ambience. Quelle difference de Kuna Yala!

A FAREWELL TO THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS

We have never seen the likes of such a place and will be hard pressed to see such again: beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear water, sandy palm covered islands, no lights, no noise, kind accepting locals, cheap and safe. It is sad to go. We will miss our many new friends. But more horizons to explore.