Sailing companions’ Jane and Russell from s/v T-ab recommended this stop. As usual, with most anchorages not listed on any guides, they got the recommendation from someone else (Richard and Jen from s/v Our Rose).
*Check the pin on the chart for anchoring details
It was at this anchorage we said out final goodbye to s/v T-ab as they head for the Panama Canal. Before they left we managed to fit in some last minute sail repairs.
T-ab recommended we check out the island of Miriadiadup for excellently crafted Molar (see end of blog for details). But we got distracted exploring the beach and wonderful reefs in the area.
It was the neighbouring French boat that distracted the humans. The crew aboard came back from snorkeling the reef each day with a bucket full of fish. You know what my humans are like. But I must warn you. You are not supposed to take anything from the islands. You are expected to purchase or trade for these goods from the Kuna themselves. The humans were very restraint and left lots of lobsters well enough alone.
If you like seeing big schools of fish, the cut through the reef to the west of the islands is the best. Someone has kindly attached a line and buoy to the reef edge. But be warned, the current is very strong sometimes. My humans came back exhausted after playing in that channel. They are just getting old!
For me, the best part of this anchorage is the beach. A lovely long stretch of white powdered sand backed by palm trees. All the islands here seem to be plucked off a picture post card.
Remarkably, the humans managed to get an internet signal out here. Mind you, it was intermittent. But you cannot complain too much when you are out in the middle of nowhere. Although broken up a bit, they did manage to SKYPE family back in England. It was Joseph’s birthday. But $5 credit did not last long.
Unfortunately the humans are restless and we are moving anchorages today. They do not like the steep slope that the anchor is hooked into here. The two lovely sandy flats either side of us are taken up by boats already anchored there. They have decided to drag me over to one of the most popular anchorages in the San Blas, the ‘Hot Tub’ in the eastern Holandes Cays. They want to go see what all the hype is about and they heard they have a good internet signal over there.
Onward and upward!
MOLAR
A traditional fabric and stitching craft practiced by the Kuna Indians. They layer different colours of fabric on top of each other and make cut outs in different patterns. All the edges of these cut outs are beautifully stitched down. The patterns are complimented by delicate coloured stitching. Traditional patterns are geometric and symbolic, but bird, fish, animal and even boats have been introduced into the patterns.
