Notes from Underway - Islas

Notes from Underway - Islas Perlas, Panama

Lots of anchoring choices here in the E Gulf of Panama. Now in a beautiful, protected anchorage on the SW side of Isla Espiritu Santo, hard by the E side of Isla del Rey. Heavy jungle on larger islands & islets, many rocky reefs & submerged rocks, & strong currents remind us of the San Juans/Gulf Islands of the Pac NW. Hotter & muggier here, tho, esp. when the wind stops. So far Panama's December weather is the perfect temp. for cruising, much cooler than expected, but the general squirrely weather patterns w/ sudden heavy rain squalls reducing visibility to zero; threatenting clouds that suddenly dissipate; & hot sun changing to heavy overcast in a matter of minutes, w/ not-so-accurate charts, keep us on our toes here.

Upcoming projects to ring in the New Year: laundry, done via 5-gal. bucket; makin' H2O & recharging boat's batteries via Yanmar & Honda generator; swimmin' laps 'round The Fox in the still-cool sea; beach exploration; & cleaning the 2 triggerfish GB caught this a.m. Not a bad start. All's well.

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