5/13/10 to 5/19/10

After eight short days, we departed Bocas & headed back to Portobello to await delivery of our batteries. The 130-mile overnight passage, one of our worst to date, was wrought with constant thunderstorms, 10 -12 ft short period seas & head winds with gusts to 32 knots.

Arriving in Portobello late in afternoon of the 13th, our spirits were lifted when our friends on Salida & Baros greeted us & wished Kathy a happy birthday! We spent that evening with Liz & Craig enjoying a delicious home cooked meal & appreciating the company of good friends.

While waiting for our batteries to arrive, we toured the ruins of Fort San Fernando, enjoyed a night out with our fellow cruisers, Kathy got a great hair cut (courtesy of Pam on TishaBaby) & we took part in Panama’s 2010 Census (we don’t quite understand the reason for this.)

Fort San Fernando

Dinner at ‘The Pedestal’ (The crews of TishaBaby, Damiana, Salida, Jolly Witch, Baros, Dixsea)

Our batteries arrived on the 15th as scheduled, and with the help of a nice, young, muscular local, Fred successfully transferred the 520 lbs. of batteries from the taxi to Makai.

Another Successful Boat Project

With the battery installation completed, we headed back to Kuna Yala to meet friends, Mike & Linda (S/V Casa del Mar) who were passing through the islands on their way to Colon.