PORTOBELO

Portobelo is a lovely anchorage. Run down now but very important in its heyday as a gold and silver trading post, hence the bucaneers Henry Morgan and Francis Drake. The latter is buried at sea having died of fever. Ref. to Drake`s Drum by Henry Newbolt. `Cap`n art thou sleeping thar below`. Wonderful buses running to Colon but do not go there unless you wish to be mugged or killed! Note our new crew member, the parrot Dylan Thomas. He has joined the monkety Coco and Bob the dragon. Dylan eat your heart out. We are now awaiting transit of Panama Canal on Sunday 27th Jan. Look up www. PanCanal.com and click on webcam. Our transit is 0100 Mon 28th thruogh Gatun locks and 1700 on 29th Jan in Mirafloras locks.

SAN BLAS ISLANDS

San Blas Islands the home of the Kuna Indians. We visited their village and were entertained at their home. We also visited their cemetery through a jungle trail. Bodies are buried in hammocks to swing for eternity. Note the insect inhabitants. Fruit, fish and coconuts were brought to the boats for minimal cost. Lobsters at 50 pence each! Magazines go down a treat.

BONAIRE

Bonaire is one of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) (Netherlands Antilles) off the coast of Venezuela. African slaves worked the salt pans in 18th century and lived in these small houses. Bonaire has reputedly the best dive sites in the world. It was also more sophisticated than we had expected.

MR JANUARY

Mr January has gone native and `Rasta`. Can be found sipping rum punches at beach bar at any time of the day or night!

TOBAGO CAYS

The Tobago Cays, in the Grenadines, consist of palm tree islets and reefs ideal for snorkling in clear turquoise water. This is what we came for!

DOMINICA

Dominica was well worth visiting. Thick rain forests and relatively poor. People very friendly and they are trying hard to encourage tourism. Boat boys very helpful bringing fruit and bread etc to boats. Also provide night security. Rowed up the Indian River by Ravioli and visited the Carib Indians.

CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

Family joined us in Antigua just before Christmas. We celebrated with them on Shirley Heights with a steel band and barbecue. Christmas Day in Nelson`s Dockyard with champagne and more steel bands. Christmas lunch followed with other Rally boats in the Copper and Lumber Store. New Year was celebrated in Bequia with dinner on the beach with other Ralliers followed by fireworks.

CARIBBEAN UPDATE

We have sailed down Caribbean chain calling at Dominica, Bequia and Tobago Cays. Now in Union Island to clear Grenadines for Bonaire in Netherlands Antilles off coast of Venezuela. Passage should take 4 days. Photos to follow when we have better internet access. Look out for Mr January 2008. He has really gone native!!!