s/v Nine of Cups Bahia Pina, Panama to Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador July 2008

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After topping off the diesel tanks in La Palma, we headed down the river and into Golfo de San Miguel. We anchored the night in a lovely, calm anchorage at Punta Garachine. We left very early the next morning (0200) and headed to Bahia Pina, close to Colombian Border and the Darien Gap.We arrived with sunrise and were anchored by 0900. The preferred anchorage near the Tropical Star Resort was "full" with fishing and naval vessels so we anchored across the bay which was rolly and unsettled. The following morning, the naval vessels had left and after a quick reconnoiter by "Hello World", we moved to the calmer anchorage near the Tropical Star. We were not, however, allowed onto the resort grounds and only the captain was allowed ashore to pay for diesel to top off our tanks.

Early morning arrival into Bahia Pina, but there are no pineapples here, we' re told.

We never turned anyone away. They always offered something that we liked and we were supporting the local economy!. We bought jewelry and the mask to the left from these young girls and then David decided he'd like a locally  handcarved paddle which they gladly sold to him right from their own cayuga. One evening a group of fellows from the Panamian naval vessel "Alcon" stopped by to chat and had a beer with us. Luis, a lieutenant in the Panamanian Navy offered to act as our guide to the village of Puerto Pina the next day and we took him up on his offer.

Every day a new group of vendors appeared and offered us a great assortment of wares.

This gives new meaning to "at home" shopping.

We hadn't seen how to approach the town since the beach looked rather ominous with large rollers. A hidden river entrance took us inland and gave us quite a rapids ride following heavy rains. We ended up turning around and tying up at a small dock about a mile away from town. The walk in was quite pleasant and shaded.

A welcome sign confirmed we were in the right place in the heart of the Darien.

The local cantina was pretty empty so early in the day.

Main Street, Puerto Pina...Luis hides from the camera.

Dugout canoes in everyone's yard...this is the transportation of choice here.

A typical back street in town.

Colorful parasol, cute kid...nice photo.

It didn't take us long to find a cold beer!

A shy girl peeks at us.

Or this one either!

No, we didn't need the bird guide for this one.

The river was home to lots of birds including the egret above.

Night heron during the day.

Colorful parumas, the wraparound skirts worn by the women, hang on the line.

Colorful view of local boats.

The foliage was lush and beautiful.

We had a lovely escort on our departure.

Moonrise in Bahia Pina.

Within an hour, we had two small tuna aboard, cleaned and ready for the fridge.

We crossed the Equator for the 5th time in Nine of Cups.

David had the fishing line out within minutes of our departure.

We left Panama behind and began a new adventure in Ecuador. We arrived before dawn in time for the high tide and Tripp Martin at Puerto Amistad was on hand with the local pilot to escort us across the bar at the entrance to the Rio Chone. "Hello World" moored and the crew returned to Germany for a couple of months. We anchored in the Rio Chone off the lovely little town of Bahia de Caraquez.for a month or two to finish replacing fuel tanks, make some repairs and prepare for heading on.

We arrived around 0530 in Bahia after a rather lumpy motor-sail of 77 hours.

David pays tribute to Neptune as we cross the Equator with a tot of rum.

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