Sailing Brahminy: SAN BLAS ISLANDS

The Comarca de San Blas or Kuna Yala is not too much changed since the Spanish Conquista arrived here hundreds of years ago. The Kuna people once lived in the mountains on the mainland. After pressure from other tribes and probably in large part because of the Spanish invaders, the majority of the Kuna moved to the coast and the offshore islands of the San Blas. There are still some communities of Kunas inland in Panama and over the border in Columbia. After suffering violent attacks from outsiders, the Kuna rebelled in 1925 and killed many Panamanian people living on the islands. Only the intervention of the US military prevented a retribution by the Panamanian army. In 1938 Panama granted the Kuna autonomous rule of the San Blas. The islanders main income has traditionally been copra from the planted coconut trees on the small sandy islands. Thre are only a few islands that we saw with native vegetation and mangrove forests intact. That makes these islands look like the classic Robinson Crusoe islands with towering coconut palms and crystal clear water. The anchorages were stunning and the snorkelling is some of the best ive seen. We saw eagle rays at almost every spot we snorkelled and good fish life. Things are changing as tourim sweeps through this area with several newer buildings on some of the islands but overall they are deserted. We loved the western Hollandes islands or Wasildup and the Naguargandup Keys. Coco Bandero was amazing as well but busy with other yachts.

We sailed between these beautiful islands for 1 week - a perfect place to recover from the Caribbean Sea crossing. Our days consisted of snorkelling, reading, island exploration, coconut drinkning and lobster eating - it was tough! We negotiated lobster prices from the local fisherman and were able to feast on this local fare a few times. Dan bought a live critically endangered Hawksbill turtle from the fisherman one day which was undoubtedly headed for the dinner table. We were able to release her back into the environment - it was such a highlight and you can see the smiles of joy in the photos.

Our new and dear friends Sasha, Jenny and Marco who we have spent many nights of enjoyment with! They saved us in the San Blas by exchanging our foreign currency into US dollars so that we could pay for immigration! Thanks Guys XOX