Good Bye San Blas Islands

David and I sailed this morning to Provineer where we obtained our zarpe (international departure papers) from the Port Captain. After much debate about on our summer plans we decided to return to Cartagena Colombia for the summer. Originally we were going to sail to Colon to do a haul out, bottom job and survey then continue on to Bocas del Toro for the summer.

But almost all of the cruisers that we talked to who hauled out in Colon were not happy with their experience at the only boat yard there, plus it's expensive as it's the only yard on this side of Panama. And to contrast almost everyone we talked to that hauled out in Cartagena had great experiences and the fees are much more affordable. Add to that our dear friends Dan and Jaime on s/v Nereia just arrived in Cartagena. They left Kemah Texas six months before us to go cruising, we caught up with them in St. Petersburg but it's been four years since we saw them last. As we cruised the Western Caribbean they have been cruising the Eastern Caribbean. We're excited to see them again soon.

So after obtaining our zarpe and some diesel this morning we raised anchor and sailed 17 miles East to Nabadup. We'll stay here a day or two then continue East along the San Blas Islands until we find a convenient jumping off point. Currently the weather for the 24 to 30 hour crossing doesn't look good so we'll continue to wait in the islands until a comfortable weather window opens up.