Just another day in paradise

´How would you like it to spend another day here,´ Féderico asked. Who wouldn´t, just another day in paradise...

The fifth on January, around noon, we left Cartagena. A day later then scheduled, since the wind was too strong. Even the fifth, the wind was still too strong. A rough sea, 36 hours of sailing to the San Blas Islands. Within the first five minutes at sea the first person started to vomit. It was like a domino effect, one by one each of us followed. I stayed ´ok´ for about three hours, then it hit me... (Even the captain got sick, which never happens to him.)

During the night it was impossible to sleep, my bed (the coach on deck) was used by the people sailing during the night, sitting, trying to stay calm, not vomit constantly. Then a huge wave came aboard, soaked, like I just took a dive in the ocean. The girl next to me was taken by the wave, in just a split second. Ending up on her but, drenged in water, not realizing what had just happened to her.

36 hours later, past midnight we arrived, complete darkness, clear stars, Isla Holandés. Just imagining what it would be like here the next morning. Impossible to imagine... The San Blas Islands, we were there, being described as the most pure, best islands around. Inhabited by Kuna Indians, who still live in quite a traditional way, are open to visitors and preserve the islands well. According to many boatsmen, these islands are the best they experienced, in 15-25 years of saling/navigation. And I was there, in the complete darkness, trying to imagine what it would be like, waking up.

Around six I woke up, to be the first, the first to enjoy the magic of the islands. A little indian cabin, palm trees, five small islands within sight, the rising sun. A magical moment. (these first three pictures are from Holandés) We took it easy, the captain told us we would take more time, since it was a hard trip to recover. We didn´t mind, how could we! Visiting the island, swimming, snorkling, relaxing, great food, catching up some sleep. Awesome.

The next morning we left the Isla Holandés, setting out for Povenir, for our ´official´ entry to Panama at the customs office. We had a lunch stop at the Isla Limon, there were quite some boats here and on one of the islands there was a miniature resort for some rich, spoiled tourist. Well, who would blame them, I couldn´t. The place simply looked magnificent, a great beach, comfort, silence, another paradise. Having lunch, snorking amongst star fish (zeesterren) and enjoying the sunshine. After lunch we continued to Povenir where the customs formalities were amazingly simple (stamped without even seeing us). Here we spend the night.

The next morning we first walked into the village, seeing how the people live here. Playing a bit of football with some indian kids, and also experiencing the difference between the people living on the islands from the ones living in the village.

After the visit we went to Chichimay, the favorite place of our captain. Once we arrived there it was clear why, another paradise. Even more amazingly looking then the other places. Yes, life is hard, I bet all of you are feeling sorry for me that I had to be in this place... Having to eat fresh octopus, trying some lobster which the indian fishermen just caught, walking on the beaches, the bleu, emerald, azur waters, palm trees, clear nights with bright stars.

Our five day trip was already extended to a six day trip at the moment that the captain offered us a deal which was impossible to decline, one additional day for 20$ more. Just another day in paradise. The San Blas Islands, an unforgetable experience. The first 36 hours were like hell, but sometimes you need to go through hell to get to paradise.