I am writing this on Litha in Panama. Between now and the last writing, these things have occurred with Litha:
Feb. - Mar. 09 - Sailed from La Paz to San Carlos, Mexico; put in dry dock.
Sept. 09 - weathered Hurricane Jimena in San Carlos.
Nov. 09 - sailed back to La Paz
Jan. 2010 - sailed to Zihuatanejo, Huatulco; no problem in Tejuantepec; arrived in Quetzal, Guatemala
Feb. '10 - Papagayo: mainsail shredded in 30k winds and 15' seas; arrived Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
The new mainsail arrived on Feb. 15 and we left on Feb. 17 for Panama. Just a note to other cruisers: Puntarenas is no cruising port. It is a shallow estuary that requires careful maneuvering. Checking into customs, etc. is 3 days. Use Koki (Jorge on Ch. 16) for this. Getting fuel is a chore. Use Koki for that also.
We've had a pleasant sail to Puerto Armuelles where we are anchored at the old banana pier. Thanks for fans, freezer, watermaker, and the new sail that performed beautifully. We just won't go into the details.
Quetzal, Puntarenas, and now Pto. Armuelles are all industrial harbors. This has not been a pleasure cruise so far.
Man, is it hot! The thermometer has read between 85 and 95 at various times on the day and night. The humidity is like a pitcher of water. I feel like a wet, greasy rag.
