We got an early start this morning, raised anchor at 0700 and motored to Porvenir in order to clear customs and immigration. This is the only island in the area with an airstrip. The runway seems to cover most of the island and is very short regardless! Amazingly there is scheduled service to the airport each day but the airport is temporarily closed while they are making repairs to the sand runway and control tower. This is by far the smallest airport any of us has ever seen!
We are currently underway to a town called Portobello. It was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502 and served as one of the main tran-shipment points for gold between Central America and Spain. We plan to spend the night at anchor and try to get ashore (remember that our dinghy motor is not currently working!) so that we can dine in one of the small restaurants in the village. We have been told that they serve very good, fresh seafood meals. A few other Rally boats will likely be there also, all of us with the intention of continuing on to Shelter Bay tomorrow, at the entrance to the Canal.
Tomorrow should be a very easy sail, the distance being only about 20 nm. So far everyone is still feeling fine...
BRIZO Crew