Shelter Bay Marina offered a convenient opportunity to rest up and clean up after our passage across the Caribbean Sea, but Panama has a lot to offer for cruisers. With our goal of staying in the San Blas islands in mind, we hopped our way back east.
Our first stop was in the small town of Portobelo, situated at the mouth of three rivers and surrounded by families of howler monkeys. Further east was Linton Island, a well protected but crowded anchorage tucked away behind the large uninhabited island. One last hop east, and we were in Cayos Chichime, San Blas!
A Panamanian local rows his dugout canoe across the anchorage
This friendly bird - and four of its accomplices - made Stardust their home during our stay in Portobelo
Vitalia 2 - originally Orange 2 and record holder for the world's fastest catamaran - sits at anchor nearby
This golden silk orb-weaver, big as my hand, sits on its yellow web
A tight, but peaceful anchorage by Linton Island
A shy monkey checks me out as I explore the uninhabited Isla Lintón
Moving on to the San Blas. Here, the wrecked 'Ferry San Blas' lies near Chichime
Enjoying a peaceful sunset on a 40-foot wide sand island near the anchorage
A stunning blood moon rising above the horizon an hour after sunset
