| September 6, 2003 We spent 24 memorable days cruising the remote Pacific side of Panama, truly a cruiser�s paradise, before arriving at the Balboa Yacht Club on Wednesday, September 3. With so many islands and navigable rivers, one could cruise a long time in Panama. When we turned the corner around the northern point of Isla Parida on Sunday, August 10 - our first day in Panama - and saw off in the distance Isla Gamez with its jungle setting and crystal clear turquoise waters, palm trees, and white sand beach, we knew we had �finally arrived.� Isla Gamez was a gem of an island - the first island on this cruise to remind us of the South Pacific. We spent 3 lovely days anchored off Isla Gamez. Except for Sunday when a few small powerboats came out from David (40 miles away) to enjoy the afternoon, we had the small island all to ourselves. It was here that we did our first trading for fruit with a man who paddled out in his dugout canoe from Isla Parida. As supplies were very difficult to acquire by most locals who lived along the remote Pacific side of Panama, trading with cruising boats was quite common. Many were subsistence farmers with little money. This man needed milk for his children and also some school supplies, and so that is what we traded for some bananas. Plus, we felt good being able to help his children as he never asked for anything for himself, only for his children. Also, it was at this anchorage that the down switch of our anchor windlass suddenly stopped working. Luckily, upon isolating the problem, it ended up being a quick fix. After 14 years, the salt water had corroded the contacts. At the suggestion of a fellow cruiser, we moved 2 miles down to the southern anchorage off Isla Parida on Wednesday afternoon. This ended up being a mistake as the southerly swells caused this anchorage to be somewhat rolly. On top of that, a drenching rainstorm pounded the area that evening, complete with lightning and thunder. In the morning, we motored to the Islas Secas, 20 miles away, and anchored off Isla Cavada in beautiful clear turquoise water. It was a lovely anchorage. Unfortunately, an oncoming storm caused the wind to shift to the north for part of our first night. As this anchorage was exposed to the north, the 20 to 25 knot northerly winds and the resulting seas made for a few uncomfortable hours. The next evening the wind once again shifted back to the north for part of the night. After two days we decided to move on, as we were ready for a more protected anchorage. Originally we had planned to head next to the Islas Contreras, as all these small island groups lay �like stepping stones� along our path. The only good anchorage was a northerly exposed anchorage at Isla Brincanco. So, we continued on to Bahia Honda, 30 miles away, first motoring and then motorsailing. We anchored late Saturday afternoon, August 23, in the rain. |
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| Isla Gamez |