October 19
We had a full day journey from La Palma back to La Chunga. We have 3 boats following us. We left with a strong current going out of the river and were doing 8-10 knots. After getting out to the ocean, we set the anchor to wait for the incoming tide. It became very hot while we waited so we jumped in for a swim. All the kids went too. We had a pretty strong current, so we'd jump in off the bow and catch a rope off the back swim step. Even Vitality was doing it in her life jacket. She was catching the rope and pulling in nicely! The tide was steadily increasing the current and by the end of the swim I was only able to break even with the front of the boat, not able to swim ahead at all.
It was a good refresh, and then we were off for quite a journey. We planned to follow our prior track coming in and were going to be in great shape. First we came across a fishing net. We sent the dinghy ahead to depth sound with the boat hook and set a new track. As we found our way around the first one, we headed back to the channel to continue on. Shortly thereafter, we came across another fishing net right on our starboard side. We turned, warned the other boats, and set the dinghy off again. We made it almost to the black flag indicating its end, but were coming on a sandbar and had to turn around. So we headed to find the other end of the net. It turned in toward shore and we followed it getting more and more shallow. We draw 4 feet; some of the other boats draw 2 meters (closer to 7 feet). The depths were nearing 8-10 feet. We proceeded slowly with the dinghy with Loyal and Cassidy in front. Turns out the net was tied to a panga (fishing boat). We all rounded the panga with a very close distance since we were steadily losing depth as we went. I got a video as the boats behind us were all rounding this little panga. Must have made them wonder just a little why we all came so close. They obviously don't draw what we do. They wave you around the nets if they see you, but there's not always enough water where they suggest. We could finally make our way to the mouth of the river over the final mud flats. Once in the river it's plenty deep. We have our prior course over the mud flats and one set by Eyoni (another boat we met in Panama City), but obviously the nets prohibited using them. Many other boats like having a prior course and go almost exactly off of them. We now have a crazy course that someone can follow weaving and bobbing through all the fishing gear out there.
Once we all anchored off the dock to the village we got some nice rain and collected about 15 gallons of fresh clean stuff (the kids played in our prior fresh water collection). A panga passed shortly after our arrival and some people were waving as they went. Shortly after, 3 village kids arrived at the dock. Courage picked them up and the kids went up to play on the trampolines.
Not so long after that, the Peace Corp volunteer and 3 of his friends came out and we picked them up. They hadn't eaten, so we made a little dinner and chatted. It was nice. They found Grandmother's iPad. It was taken by an early teen who paddled out on a dug out and took it when no one was here. We speculate whether he came out to steal or it was opportunistic, but think he came during the dance display when no one was here. We are happy to have it back and glad they took it seriously and found it. Feeling bad for the kid, but they will probably never do that again. The Peace Corp guy used it as an example, telling them it will end their tourism immediately if word gets out that you cannot trust the community and things will be stolen. The other boat that was here was missing their Internet stick. We heard it showed up also, but they weren't sure where it was last time we were here. Hopefully we can pick that up also. I don't think theft is a big issue, but appears to be something they need to address. They don't have electricity for the most part, the iPad was dead, no computers, so an Internet stick is useless. Seems a bit odd, but Cassidy was showing off her iPad quite a bit to the kids and they were impressed. She never lets go of it, so is unlikely to lose it!!
They plan to put on a nice welcome back for us tomorrow morning and thank us for bringing friends/tourists to their village so asked that we all come in together rather than stagger in. In the afternoon we asked if we could have the "full show" that they do for their cruise ships (24 passengers). They teach about dances, jagwa (painting/tattoos), canista (basket weaving), tagwa (carving of palm nuts), etc. While I think that we experienced most of it, it'll be a great summary and I'm sure we'll learn more.
The concrete for the basketball court had not arrived on schedule when we were here last. Well, it finally arrived. It is staged along the path to the village and everyone helps carry it as they can. They have another push tomorrow morning also to get the concrete to a better storage area in the village. They may do the pour on Monday. If we are here, maybe we can help them?? Maybe we'd hinder them, you never know! See how it all works out.
We may take Charles, the Peace Corp guy here, with us when we leave. He needs to get to Panama City to visit his brother who's coming. He can go by hiking, bus, etc. or by boat via the Perlas Islands. We shall see how schedules mesh, but it could be a fun journey across.
Definitely back in mosquito territory. Netting is up, but still killed about 5 mosquitoes on the boat. I made a new net for Integrity's bed today since he lost his last one, so the kids all have netting over their beds as well as the netting over the doors and windows. They are double protected and doing well. Our bed isn't as easy to net over, so we are just hoping for the best and planning on a few bites. Valiant is also getting some molars and not enjoying that process so much, but we had a cold watermelon today, which he loved!
Off to bed before another fun day tomorrow.
Shannon
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