Monday, 15th March 2010
We are now in Costa Rica. After cruising in the San Blas Islands we finally transited the Panama Canal on the 26th February which is always a fascinating trip. The first trip with guests coming to Costa Rica was cancelled so this gave us a bit of time to stop off along the way up the Panama coast. We had a few extra days in Panama City doing maintenance and victualling for the forthcoming trips and then headed out to Las Perlas to see our long time friend Gerda who lives a “Robinson Crusoe” life on San Jose Island. Her partner Dieter passed away last year at age of 82 and she is now all alone out there at 72 years old and lives an amazing life. She was very happy to see us and we helped take her boat out the water which was a big relief for her as she could not do it alone.
We then moved on to various other islands, Cebaco, Medida, Afuera, Montuosa and Coiba. Generally we were doing the usual maintenance work on the boat and working away on the job list while still taking a couple of hours each day for a hike in the jungle or some spectacular diving. It is always good to give the crew a bit of R&R which gives them the inspiration for future trips. Needless to say we all had a memorable trip and it is a place we would like to bring some guest back to one day. It is very unspoilt but changing fast.
We arrive in Golfito yesterday and cleared in to Costa Rica amidst mounds of paperwork which took hours and hours but finally done and everyone now downloading emails again.
We will be in CR until the first week in April and then head for San Diego, at which time we will post another report once we are on the move again.
Everyone on board is well
Phil
