Tag Archives: san blas islands

Island Communication Device

Lemon Cays, Panama

We woke to a delightful sunrise. Amazing way to greet the day!  Banedup is our next destination, which is part of the Eastern Lemon Cays.

Sunrise in the San Blas Islands.

Sunrise in the San Blas Islands.

Our last stop with Wayne is the Eastern Lemon Cays. There are well over a dozen islands that make up this set of islands. This is one of the most popular anchorages so there were a lot of boats already here, jockeying for the best anchor spot. The crowds takes away from the idyllic state, but not much you can do if you want to see these islands. We anchored near Banedup which is inhabited island that looks like 3 separate islands as they are joined together by sand bars that bridge two of the 3 islands together.

1 of 3 islands that are called Banedup

1 of 3 islands that are called Banedup.

Banedup was calling us, so after we swam on the anchor, enjoyed seeing another beautiful spotted eagle ray, we went to check it out up close and personal. This middle island has a make shift bar with several local Kuna selling molas, jewelry, and shells.

Dock at Banedup's second island.

Dock at Banedup’s second island.

The island does have actual bathrooms with doors, but this is a standard bathroom on the San Blas islands:

Fun images of the Banedup:

Beautiful resting spot under a shady palm tree.

Beautiful resting spot under a shady palm tree.

Local decoration - alligator skull.

Local decoration – alligator skull.

Wayne standing on a sand bar that connects the Banedup islands.

Wayne standing on a sand bar that connects the Banedup islands.

After a few beers, we decided to mosey over to the third island which had an actual structure for their bar. As we pulled up, we were greeted by some friends Toby and Sam on “Sweet Chariot” (we met them in Santa Marta). We scored by getting to the veggie boat before they went around to the cruisers! We purchased 20 small potatoes, a large papaya, 6 oranges, 6 limes, 1 cucumber, 1 pineapple for $9.50.

Veggie boat: brings fresh fruit and veggies to the cruisers and islanders.

Veggie boat: brings fresh fruit and veggies to the cruisers and islanders.

Everyone has their version of an iPhone

Would you trade your iPhone for this island phone?

Would you trade your iPhone for this island phone?

It was great catching up and sharing stories with our friends.

Wayne, Toby, Sam, Matt and I at Banedup, Eastern Lemon Cays.

Wayne, Toby, Sam, Matt and I at Banedup, Eastern Lemon Cays.

Fishing with a net for dinner.

Fishing with a net for dinner.

Local panga driver, 2 sheets to the wind....

Local panga driver, 2 sheets to the wind….

Local Kuna ladies on Banedup.

Local Kuna ladies on Banedup.

Swimming with the Rays

This anchorage is so beautiful that we decided to stay an additional day before moving onward. Matt and I would probably stay here for a week or more, but we need to get Wayne back to the Eastern Lemon Cays to catch his flight back to the states.  Cruising allows us to stay or leave on a whim.

We enjoyed a lazy morning, with Matt working on a few small projects. By mid-afternoon we were hot, so Matt and I hopped on the SUPs and wandered around the reef. We saw our spotted ray again and another sting ray. Much different perspective from above water than in the water, but breathtaking none the less. Matt is so much better SUPing than I am, but I did my best to keep up with him while on my knees. He dutifully stood the entire way and didn’t get his toes wet. Good exercise! Afterward, I hopped into the water with the hopes of seeing more rays, but I got side tracked with the huge sand dollars.

More sea treasures - check out this huge sand dollar.

More sea treasures – check out this huge sand dollar.

Wayne decided he wanted more sugar cookies, so I baked up a batch of ducks, fish, hearts and stars. I love to bake and having guests gives me a good excuse. We have already gone through a batch of brownies, one batch of sugar cookies, and half a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Nice pulled pork pizza for dinner, and out to the bow with a drink, our bean bags and the sunset.

Matt and Wayne enjoying sun downers on the lido deck.

Matt and Wayne enjoying sun downers on the lido deck.

Cruising allows you to change your neighbors and your view at a moments notice:

Morning sun coming in through a starboard hatch.

Morning sun coming in through a starboard hatch.

Cruising gives you access to countless sunsets that take your breath away:

Beautiful sunset.

Beautiful sunset.

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