San Blasted

Welcome to the San Blas, torrential rain big squalls from all over the place and few good anchorages. We arrived on daylight but had to hang around 3 hours out the front for the rain to clear. Was funny on the way I saw some rain squalls on the radar at night and I was trying to chase them to give the boat a much needed wash, there was no need at all. 

We arrived at Porvenir Island where we thought you can check in with authorities but you can only get a visa there and not the rest of the permits ect so we have to sail further east 40nm to a town on mainland called Linton, we will next week. 

Had a look on the next island there is a little local village, friendly Kuna people living a simple life. Managed to get a couple of very basic supplies and a SIM card that seems to work every known again but internet is very limited. 

Porvenir anchorage is pretty exposed to the swells that come in and the next morning a big squall came through with plenty of rain that hit with force.  First the boat next to us dragged a little then a large 55ft steel motor sailer behind dragged straight onto the reef, well his stern was but his bow still into the wind. We started our engine, fired everything up and then the wind dropped a touch and I went over in the dinghy to lend a hand to the older French couple, a hell of a lot of boat to look after with 2 when it all goes pear shaped. Anyway we managed to pull it off with the anchor and then the engine and all seemed ok. I quickly jumped in my dinghy as the sight of the other boat dragging with his 6ft bow sprit he was motoring with anchor down and was swinging from side to side out of control and twice came Very close to us, time for us to get the hell out of there!! Again outside waiting for a couple of hours for the weather to slightly clear and then we made our way into East Lemon Keys Where we are now. 

Today the weather is better so far this morning but the last 2 were much the same, not a lot to do as you can't leave the boat for long. Went to try and get a fish at a couple of spots yesterday but only saw very small fish but lots of nice coral. Locals have been coming by in there dug outs selling lobster they call longastinas "baby lobster" and that's what they are, slightly smaller than big shrimp, big shame. 

Thought maybe Julie could stay on anchor here if I get called back to work but with this weather there's no way so we are trying to come up with a new plan. 

This place would be paradise in good weather, maybe next month but not now. 

I'm trying to find some patience, but it's hard:)