Well, we never thought we’d say it, but we are back at Balboa Yacht Club. We were having such a good time in Las Perlas, too. The four of us walked over to the north end of the Isla Contradora on Wednesday afternoon to use the internet cafe and check out the local bars and restaurants. While Dallas and Wes were on the computer, Tiff and I strolled into the local crafts store and purchased a handmade bracelet and a big, floppy hat, respectively. After chatting with a cruising couple from San Francisco aboard the sailing vessel Ecos, we made our way to the resort for happy hour. Some local workers were clearing a tree from the pool area, and Dallas thought it very strange to be watching someone else engage in the kind of work that he would typically be doing. Also odd was the fact that as soon as a small (10-person) plane landed on the runway across from the hotel, the rest of the guests at the pool bar suddenly got up from their chairs and walked over to jump on the plane in their wet clothes. I guess they make day trips from the city on a regular basis.

Anyway, we decided to head somewhere else and eventually settled on Gerald’s, a German restaurant. There we had the pleasure to meet Tony, a Panamanian with great insight into matters both foreign and domestic. He told us of his experiences assisting with several Survivor TV series including the American series, the German, and the French. He gave us the inside scoop, stating that while the Americans were serious about the isolating the contestants from civilization, the European contestants would venture into the village at night to get drunk and eat restaurant food!

Tony also informed us that despite the difficult historical relations between Panama and the U.S., he did not believe that any anti-American sentiment currently existed among the Panamanian people. On the contrary, he said that they were grateful for the wealth obtained as a result of the creation of the Canal and pointed to Colon as an example of what happened when the Americans (and their money) left the country in 1999.

After a couple of hours of great conversation with Tony, we quickly made our way back to the boat. We managed to beat the rain thanks to some islanders who let us catch a ride in the bed of their truck. The boat became very hot that night as a result of having all of the hatches closed, and at one point in the night I got up to see if there was any wind outside in which to cool off, but there wasn’t. I don’t remember checking on the dinghy at this point, but I’m sorry to say that in the morning, it was gone! We have wavered between believing it to have been stolen versus it getting dragged away in the current, but since the outboard engine was not on it (thankfully) and other boats nearby still have their dinghies, it seems likely that it was the latter.

Rather than dwelling on how unfortunate this was, we turned on the engines, quickly cruised around looking for it, and decided to motor back to Panama City to get a new one. Upon arrival, Wes got in touch with his contact for marine supplies and received a quick response, so just like that, we now have a new dinghy!

We had a cool rain shower en route to Balboa

The Panama City Skyline

The new dinghy