Today we sailed to Panama Canal, Atlantic side entrance.   This took a big part of the day as we had light winds and motor sailed most of the way.  After getting inside the breakwater we made a hard right turn for Shelter Bay marina.

We took off out of the Holandes Cays and sailed to the other San Blas islands, Porvenir, Wichubhuala, Nalunega and Ogop Piriadup area.  Here we tried to anchor only to have our anchor fowled by a tee shirt on the bottom.  Giving up on that location we moved closer to Porvenir and used the dinghy to visit the other islands.  Here we visited the with the local Kunas most of which spoke spanish enough to communicate with me.  Walking around we found a small boy selling yes... warm bread.  We each had one slice of the warm homemade bread, only to wish later we had bought more.

Today was a general recovery day with a bit of Fourth of July party mixed in!  In prime USA fasion all of the US crew invaded one of the local islands.  Here there was a coconut harvest shack and a table built by the Kuna.  Our pot luck fourth of July dinner took place here.  Saving the Kuna from the fate of the US citizens mother nature took over and the afternoon rains started.

Today we arrived the San Blas Islands. The original idea was to make the passage directly to the Panama Canal, BUT about 100 miles out we hit the north side of a region where the trade winds die and the sea breeze / land breeze effect of south america takes over. While you do not get a true sea breeze or land breeze 100 miles off shore the trade winds die and you enter an area where daily showers rush down from the mountins on the main land and then stall out over the ocean. So... left turn and keep those sails filled.... hmmm look... San Blas Islands ahead!

Passage notes:

Day 1: We departed Salinas as planned around noon. Seas 5-6 feet with 25 knots of east to north east wind. Boat and crew fine. First day feelings by everyone on board. Late in the evening we passed the southern point of the DR 25 miles or so to our west. The weather forecast was was seas 5-7 with 18 to 20 knots of wind today.

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Today we are waiting on weather still.  We decided to head off for Santo Domingo, as we had no car public bus was the only method we could use.  The bus ride from Salinas is easy and quick, first jump a bus to Bani, then from there jump a bus to Santo Domingo.  The first leg will cost you $0.80 USD and the second leg just under $3.00 each.

 In Santo Domingo we had lunch and explored the local area.  After exhausting our selves we headed back.  Minor drama on the way home... a truck got stuck in the power lines in front of the bus... so we got dropped off early and nearly could not find the next bus station.... minor drama!