Veggie Boat

Our weather data started showing a very good looking opportunity to travel north. It is a little sooner than we had planned to leave, but at this time of year the opportunities can be somewhat rare. For the past week or so, there have been several boats stuck in Providencia waiting to go north or south according to the circumstances of each. We remember last December, while we were in Providencia, when several boats were forced to stay there for several weeks. So with that in mind, we started working our way toward Porvenir to clear out of Panama and to stage our departure.

On the short sail from the Eastern Holandes to the Eastern Lemmon Cays, we heard on the radio that the 'Veggie Boat' was making the rounds in the Lemmon Cays. This was welcomed as great news as the 'Veggie Boat' had not been around recently and most people were now resorting to canned goods. This was to be our first (and only) 'Veggie Boat' experience. We arrived in time and after waiting patiently we got our chance. People buy a lot and he visits every boat so it takes a long time to make the rounds. The wait was worth it because the quality and selection was the best we have seen in Central America. They have obviously figured out what cruising boats want. We bought a wide selection.

On the subject of food, we do eat well on Ariel. Linda has become very expert at provisioning and planning a varied menu. This is very challenging as she needs to buy for several weeks in advance, often at stores with a much limited selection.

The Eastern Lemmons was much more crowded than we were expecting, but we found a nice spot and enjoyed a wonderful evening. The next day after a couple showers passed our area we went on to Porvenir, cleared out and got our Zarpe from the Port Captain and cleared with Immigrations. We did not stay in Porvenir as it was very rough in the anchorage. We moved on to Chichime. These cays are very far out on the bank and a good departure point. We are between a couple of cays that are lightly inhabited, each with three or four little homes. Like most cays there is no electric power and the only lights at night are from the anchored boats. We have been visited by several of the local residents wanting to sell fish or their handmade items. We weren't interested in buying anything.

This is a great location for our final nights in the San Blas.