Panama, San Blas Islands, Holandes Cays – Eastern Holandes, anchored northwest of Banedup Cay – Meeting up with friends

Humans are a sociable animal. Even us dogs enjoy comradely.

It turns out that friends were hanging about in the San Blas Islands before going through the Panama Canal. (This is a very popular cruiser activity) They only had a few days left, so the humans had a small window to catch up with them. So off we went to meet them in the group of islands know as the Holandes Cays or Maoqui-Kaimou.

Our friends Jane and Russel of the sailing vessel ‘T-ab’ had been to the Holandes Cays this season and last season, so they chose the spot to meet up. A tiny sandy island half way to the popular anchorage, locally known as, the ‘Swimming Pool’. A lovely quiet spot. We were told by our friends to avoid the ‘Swimming Pool’ this season. A local enterprising Kuna had taken charge of the closest island, BBQ Island (Turtle Island), and begun charging cruising boats to come ashore. There is always someone willing to pay, but it could get expensive with my exercise regime. Despite this, there still seemed to be a few boats anchored up in there.

We were very happy with our little sandy island. Here we had dinner aboard our friends’ boat, went snorkelling and had a beach BBQ.

Of course it was not all fun for my humans. Remember what I told you about cruising? It is fixing your boat in exotic locations. The humans were checking on the hydraulic fluid levels on the auto-helm when they found the compartment was flooded. Further investigation revealed that both the rudder stock and rudder stuffing box had worked loose. They were leaking badly and needed attending to. Again we needed to ‘rip’ everything out of the master cabin to get access. Perhaps the humans need to store those sheets of marine plywood, Formica and fibreglass boards somewhere other than under the bed mattresses.   Like where? Hopefully that is sorted for a while.

Another ‘Mr Fixit’ job done and the humans can enjoy themselves again. Well….they do have a fuel filter replacement job to do as well. The rough ride here stirred up a lot of sediment on the bottom of the old fuel tank. ‘Why don’t we clean that tank’ I hear you ask? If you saw where it is seated, and how much stuff is fitted onto its boxed in top, you would not ‘go there’ either.   Do note: These repairs are not even from the ‘ever growing’ list of other jobs still to be done. Just a little ‘reality check’ for all those who think the cruising life is all sun shine and sandy beaches.

But we would not have it any other way. And it is great to share the experience and adventure with like-minded people. Jane and Russel have only a couple more days so we are off to another anchorage to take in the sights and sounds.