This is our second summer in the San Blas islands. Life is good when conditions are mild with just a slight breeze off the mountains to cool us off and sleep comfortably. You can feel that you are in the tropic sun once that breeze goes away. Most memorable are the sunsets during this season.
The easterly tradewinds are down this time of year, so the weather is often driven from local land effects and the occasional Pacific ocean storm that crosses the narrow isthmus of Panama to crash down on us. We've experienced a few intense storms, including a chocasana (high winds off the mountains) and way too much lightning (cringe).
Of the few boats that remain here after the rest take-off to their summer homes or Canal transits to the Pacific, I regret to report that many boats have been hit directly or indirectly already this year (approx. 8). We can empathize and can only hope for those of us who have been through it that lightning doesn't strike twice. The saying seems to ring true for this area that it isn't a matter of if as a matter of when...
When cruising, each season brings the opportunity to meet new friends to share in the fun for yoga, potlucks, swimming & sunsets. This yoga group enjoyed their exercise and "girl time" off of the boat (don't laugh - you try living w/ your partner 24/7 in close quarters).
We had a wonderful dinner with Marie & JP on their custom power catamaran Domino, with their son James & Sika visiting. Along with lobster salad, this dog snapper catch-of-the-day was converted into sashimi and sushi rolls. Since we always try to experiment with ingredients, the latest discovery (thanks to James) was that fresh picked basil leaves add a clean, fresh taste to rolls. Yummm!
