Monthly Archives: January 2018

Sea Treasures

Holandes Cays, Panama

We enjoyed a lazy morning, reading, blogging, and breakfast. We thought we would try to circle back to Ogopsibudup where we caught a glimpse of internet before going to our next anchorage. However, wifi alluded us, so we moved onward and stayed within the Holandes Cays.

We motored 9 miles to the Holandes Cays, which is a set of 21 mostly uninhabited islands broken into 3 groups: Western, Eastern, and Central Holandes Cays. These are a favorite stop for cruisers as it lies behind a 7-mile protected barrier reef. The Guna refer to these islands as the “Kaimou” and the Columbian traders refer to the Holandes Cays as “Mauqui.”

Our destination is the most popular anchorage in San Blas, the swimming pool anchorage which is located between Banedup and BBQ island in the Eastern Holandes Cays.

Four other boats were already at this anchorage when we arrived, but the bay is large enough for everyone. The spot we picked gave us an unobstructed view of the reef from the bow and an island view from the stern. We jumped in the pretty water, checked the anchor, and snorkeled over to the reef.

The sea floor was covered in huge sand dollars, both live and dead. We picked a few as souvenirs and moved on toward the reef where we were greeted by a majestic spotted eagle ray that had a 6’ wing span. He was so beautiful gliding through the water! There were several coral heads, a few fish, and even some new coral head growing among the grass. On the way back, I found a beautiful sea biscuit and Matt pointed out a really thick stingray with a stubbed tail. He had some girth! We hovered and watched him glide by not even giving us a second glance.

Sea Treasures

Sea Treasures

As we were drying off on the sugar scoops, another dugout arrived selling more molas. This master mola marker’s name was “Venancio” and his molas were extremely elaborate and intricate, but since I had bought one yesterday, I just admired.

BBQ island got its name from the many barbeques cruisers have on the island. We thought we’d check it out, so we hopped in Sweetie, pulled her up on the beach, and started walking toward the make-shift bonfire. A local and his son approached us and informed us that there is a $3 per person charge for tourists. Hmmm. We did not bring any money, considering we came over in our swimsuits, so turned around and left. I can appreciate his entrepreneurial spirit, but $3 per person seems a bit unreasonable to walk around a very tiny island. They had a few hammocks, a hut (which is where they live, we assume), and a few make shift tables.

BBQ Island

BBQ Island

We checked out another nearby island to see if it could work as an impromptu substitute for bbq island.  Sweetie was left ashore and we started walking around, but before we got too far, we were immediately attacked by no-seeums. Poor Matt, his body is littered with bug bites, guess he is much sweeter than Wayne and I.

Back to the boat for pork chops and baked potatoes.

Lots of Islands Visited:

  • Holandes Cay
  • BBQ Island
  • Banedup
Master Mola Maker, Lisa

Green Island, Panama

We had a lazy start, might be because rum was involved or because we were lulled to sleep by two pretty large thunderstorms. After we stowed the secondary anchor and cleaned up the boat, we headed to Green Island also known as Kanlildup.

Bauhaus guide photo of Green Island in the background.

Bauhaus guide photo of Green Island in the background.

The wind did not cooperate, as we headed toward Green Island and continued to be on our nose. With our fuel tanks less than ¼ tank full, we are doing our best to conserve our diesel. But, having the wind on our nose and lots of shoals on either side of us makes it challenging to tack safely under sail. So, we motor on…

As a side note, Matt and I had wanted to fill our fuel tanks in Santa Marta, but Columbia only sold 5% bio-diesel. We could have put an additive in to make the bio-diesel burn better, but we did not want to mix fuels. So we left leave Santa Marta with our tanks less than half full.

Along the way, we pass many islands that look very inviting….after all there are 382 islands in the San Blas chain.

No name island, one of the 382 in the San Blas chain.

No name island, one of the 382 in the San Blas chain.

Sailing (or in our case motoring) from Columbia, heading west, the islands start to become more populated with other cruisers. The Eastern San Blas islands were very desolate, remote, and not considered tourist destinations. However, as we head up the chain, we start spotting other boats and cruisers. In fact, we passed our first sail boat on the way to Green Island.

Green island’s popularity has grown over the years because it offers cruisers a nice protected bay with great snorkeling, and it is close to Rio Diablo. It’s covered with palm trees, large and small, creating a dense space of greenery.

Approaching Green Island

Approaching Green Island

Entering the anchorage, we quickly found several boats anchored around other small islands. Luckily, none are near Green Island so we have it to ourselves, for today. Not long after we anchored, a small dugout approached us with a woman, man, and small child. So, the “boat boys” begin.

To our surprise, this was the famous master mola maker and infamous transvestite, Lisa from Rio Sidra. We had read about her in our cruising guide and several cruisers had posted about her handy work. She took out each of her molas, one by one, explaining the design and intricacies of her work. She travels 4 hours from her main island to come sell her goods to tourists. As tourists don’t visit her island.  She shares the profits with her village and other mola makers.

Lisa showing off one of her favorite molas.

Lisa showing off one of her favorite molas.

A traditional mola is several layers of fabric, between 3 to 7 and very intricate. A “fake” or non-traditional mola uses applique. I purchased a mermaid 5 layer mola and quickly turned it into a pillow

My new mola turned into a pillow.

My new mola turned into a pillow.

Two-Palm Island Picnic

Ustupu to Mono Island

We got up fairly early as we wanted to make a stop at Ustupu on the way to Mono Island AND we had to pull up the second anchor. It took us an hour to pull up the second anchor. It is useful to have two anchors and gives you peace of mind when you use, it, but it can be a pain in the A$$ setting it and pulling it up. We had a muddy bottom, so we turned on the wash down pump to wash off the secondary anchor and our main anchor chain before it went into the locker. It was a slow process purging the mud from the chain, but worth the effort. Almost 2 hours later we were on our way.

Ustupu is the most populated community in Guna Yala. As we neared the village we encountered a tremendous amount of trash in the water, shoes, bottles, bags, etc… Perplexed, we anchored in the little bay across from the police station where locals were loading two large boats were loading trash. Maybe pieces were coming from there?

Image of Ustupu as we come into the bay.

Image of Ustupu as we come into the bay.

Ustupu from the bay.

Ustupu from the bay.

Just across the bay is a sacred islet where they have buried the great Nele Kantule, a very important spiritualist.  He lived from 1868-1944 and was a famous chief and medicine man of the Kuna indigenous tribe of Panama and Columbia.

Nele Kantule, medicine man

Nele Kantule, medicine man

Nele Kantule Burial Site on a private island

Nele Kantule Burial Site on a private island

We were certainly a curiosity for the locals as many dug outs came close to Sugar Shack to say “hola.” Matt made an excellent migas style breakfast and we scampered ashore. We had high hopes of finding somewhere to dump our trash, but until we were certain they had a way to dispose of it we left it on the boat. Ashore, everyone was equally welcoming, very friendly, and a few shook our hands.

The two-story building found as you approach the island is the official administrative building of Ustupu which houseschief’s secretary, Panamanian police, and administrative offices. Evidently, there is a fairly busy airport and a few shops/huts selling local wares.

Official administrative building of Ustupu.

Official administrative building of Ustupu.

A monument was constructed honoring Nele Kantule on Ustup.

Nele Kantule monument on Ustupu

Nele Kantule monument on Ustupu

We passed by several restaurants, a few stores, a church, school, and many communities of huts.

Nice road on Ustupu, Bridge connecting villates, Xmas tree made out of plastic bottles, dugout, church

Nice road on Ustupu, Bridge connecting villates, Xmas tree made out of plastic bottles, dugout, church

After a quick exploration, we headed back to the boat. It was clear they don’t get many visitors and we stuck out like a sore thumb. Some children anticipated our next turn and met us on the road which was fun.

Unfortunately, we witnessed several Gunas dumping their trash directly into the ocean. They boys had to shuffle me along as I gasped in horror. I know I don’t understand their culture or traditions and I need to learn that it is not my place to judge. Thank goodness, we did not bring our trash to shore.

MONO ISLAND:
Mono island is a mangrove line bay, quiet and protected. As we approached this little island, we saw for the first time on this trip, another cruising boat through the inlet. That’s ok, this bay is big enough for the two of us. Matt at the helm, was watching our chart and depth gauge, while Wayne and I were at the bow watching for shallow spots and coral heads. We maneuvered around a few tricky spots and found a place to anchor away from our neighbors.

Mono Island, I did not have an image from this island so this is from the Bauhaus book.

Mono Island, I did not have an image from this island so this is from the Bauhaus book.

After we got situated, we packed a picnic, hopped into the dinghy and headed over to what we affectionately called “Two Palm Island.” Its real name is Sutedup and it is about a mile away from Mono Island.

Sutedup island which we renamed, 2-Pam island.

Sutedup island which we renamed, 2-Pam island.

The island looked picturesque and we were soon giddy with excitement to have a picnic on our new private island. We pulled Sweetie up on shore and were faced with a lot of trash. It was heartbreaking to see this small piece of paradise covered in plastic bottles, shoes, and debris.

Noooooo...trash filled Sutedup island.

Noooooo…trash filled Sutedup island.

Matt proclaimed this “the island of the wayward flip-flops.”  Yet, we only collected shoes from half of the island – so sad.

Shoes collected from half of the island.

Shoes collected from half of the island.

Determined to make the best of it, we cleared a spot, put out our towel, turned on the music and opened a bottle of rose!

My boys!

My boys!

Yep, Wayne is having a good time.

Yep, Wayne is having a good time.

Rose on our own private island - does it get any better?

Rose on our own private island – does it get any better?

Beer holder - local style

Beer holder – local style

You can choose to look past the trash and see the beauty in anything:

View without the trash.

View without the trash.

As the sun was setting, we hopped back in Sweetie and headed to the boat for some dinner. We didn’t go ashore on Mono Island, but we read it has footpaths that can be explored between the mangroves.

Picture of Sugar Shack, a bit over exposed and far away, but cool none the less.

Picture of Sugar Shack, a bit over exposed and far away, but cool none the less.