LAS PLAYITAS ANCHORAGE

February 15 - March 2, 2012

We have been in Las Playitas for almost two weeks.  John and Karin left on Monday February 20th for their return to "Auburn Angle" in Marathon, Fl.  It was a wonderful time with them and we would have taken them onto the Marquesa Islands.  It's not easy to have four people living on a small boat but we made it work.  Thank you John and Karin!

Las Playitas (8-54.5' N x 79-31.5' W) is just outside of a marina by the same name.  It is on a peninsula that is joined by a causeway called Amador.  Las Playitas is on the North side and there is another anchorage called Las Brisas on the South side.  During the dry season (December to May) the North side is preferred and during the wet season (May to December) the South side is the better one.  The Las Playitas anchorage is very "rolly" from all the traffic that is entering or exiting the Canal.  Additionally, there are several launch boats that go out to the anchored ships carrying passengers and supplies.  They have no mercy in cutting back on their throttle and seem to take a devilish delight in rocking the yachts at anchor.  Nevertheless, for $35 per week, we have dinghy access to the Las Playitas Marina where we can get water, fuel and taxi cabs into Panama City.  There is free WiFi not too far from the marina and we walk there almost every evening.  During our last week here we found out that we could have our phones charged up with a Simm card and internet access for less that $10.  Additionally, we got 100 minutes to the States for $1.99.

The last few week have been very busy with shopping, shopping, shopping.  Panama City is a great place to shop.  It's like being in the States.  They have almost everthing one could ask for.  It will be the last place where we will find this kind of food for a long time.  We have supplied the boat with at least a four month surplus.  This will take us to Papeete, Tahiti.  All we need are fresh vegetables in the Galapagos and Marquesas.  We will catch fish along the way and buy meat after we enter ports.

It has been necessary to have a French Agency in Papeete post a bond for our entry into the Marquesas. Additionally, we had to find a cheap medical/evacuation insurance policy:  DAN insurance solved this.  The French will allow 90 days in a six month period for tourists.  We would like to stay longer and try to haul out and go back to the States for the Typhoon season rather that sailing to New Zealand this year.  We'll have to see what can be done.

The Galapagos present no special difficulties.  An agent is needed and now boats can only anchor in a few designated places.  We will do this and take a tour boat along with the rest of the visiting tourists.  The cruising world has changed during the last thirty plus years and not for the better in many cases.

Tomorrow March 2nd we sail from Las Playitas for the Galapagos Is:  850 nm.  We will stop at Contadora (8-37.2' N x 79-02.1') in the Perlas Islands for an evening to rest.  I figure it will take 10-14 days to get to the Galapagos as the winds become very light or non-existent near the equator.  We do not carry enough fuel to motor so we'll take what comes along.  All this means that there will be no blog for several weeks.