Month: November 2019

FLEET UPDATE 2019-11-24

• HAPPY THANKSGIVING
  
• KICK OF DATES, TIMES & RSVPS
• NICARAGUA
  
• PICTURE OF THE WEEK (RUNNER UP)
  
• COSTA RICA
• PET's AND SUCH - PANAMA
• LAS PERLAS, PANAMA
• VISTA MAR MARINA HAUL OUT, PANAMA
  
• PICTURE OF THE WEEK
  
• Passage from Marina Puesta del Sol Nicaragua to Marina
  Papagayo, Costa Rica 
• Official Panama Posse  Sponsors, Partners and
  Ambassadors

1) Dear 124 Vessels - 
wishing you all a

• Very Happy Thanksgiving
• Bountiful Turkey Week 
• Black Friday
  

to all in the Panama Posse -please take some
pictures to share !

                             ,+*^^*+___+++_
                       ,*^^^^              )
                    _+*                     ^**+_
                  +^       _ _++*+_+++_,         )
      _+^^*+_    (     ,+*^ ^          \+_        )
     {       )  (    ,(    ,_+--+--,      ^)      ^\
    { (@)    } f   ,(  ,+-^ __*_*_  ^^\_   ^\       )
   {:;-/    (_+*-+^^^^^+*+*<_ _++_)_    )    )      /
  ( /  (    (        ,___    ^*+_+* )   <    <      \
   U _/     )    *--<  ) ^\-----++__)   )    )       )
    (      )  _(^)^^))  )  )\^^^^^))^*+/    /       /
  (      /  (_))_^)) )  )  ))^^^^^))^^^)__/     +^^
 (     ,/    (^))^))  )  ) ))^^^^^^^))^^)       _)
  *+__+*       (_))^)  ) ) ))^^^^^^))^^^^^)____*^
  \             \_)^)_)) ))^^^^^^^^^^))^^^^)
   (_             ^\__^^^^^^^^^^^^))^^^^^^^)
     ^\___            ^\__^^^^^^))^^^^^^^^)\\           
          ^^^^^\uuu/^^\uuu/^^^^\^\^\^\^\^\^\^\          
             ___) >____) >___   ^\_\_\_\_\_\_\)         
            ^^^//\\_^^//\\_^       ^(\_\_\_\)
              ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^
The gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys. The 
gobble is one of the principal vocalizations of the male wild turkey and
 is used primarily in the spring to let hens know he is in the area. "

"Reflecting on last years Panama Posse Hawaiian dug
out turkey at Vista Mar Marina Panama
- do not use drift wood to smoke a turkey it
overpowers the flavor of the meat ..."

2) Dates & RSVP's for the 2019-2020
KICK OF EVENT at one of the top marinas in the Pacific

PLEASE RSVP by replying to this email if you plan to be
there 

Thu
Dec 5th, 2019 @  13:00  Route planning &
Navigation 

Fri
Dec 6th, 2019 
@  13:00 
Communications, 
Weather, Safety 

Fri
Dec 6th, 2019
@ 17:30  the official Panama Posse Kick off
Party

Sat
Dec 7th, 2019 
@ 13:00
  Satellite Charts / OpenCPN / Good
Nautical

Sat
Dec 7th, 2019 
Evening 
- the official Panama Posse organized Pot Luck
Dinner
with SHOOTING OFF using expired SAFETY FLARES

Sun 
Dec
8th, 2019 
@ 13:00
  Provisioning &
What to see and do - Recap & Q&A
list of RSVP's sofar
Carinthia, Seaglub, Half Moon, Angelique of
Vancouver , Raven, Namahana, Bonzer, Namahana, Stand Down,
Jo, Angelique 11, Sirena, Knot Right, Firefly, Dances with
Winds, Volare, Due West , Sky Pond, Luna, Bonzer, Gargoyle,
Chimera , Bella Sirena, Double Deuce

SPONSORS CONFIRMED to be in attendance   

ULLMAN SAILSADVERTISING-PARTNERSSAFE- ESTEEM ( via video link )
MARINA VALLARTA

OUR PANAMA POSSE HEAD QUARTERS and
you can also anchor out !

3) Nicaragua

Nicaragua, especially the area around Puesta Del
Sol, is our favorite place in the world. We have been
there 5 years in a row to visit our friends who own a surf
camp and have fallen in love with the area and it's people.
We spent 3 months in Puesta del Sol last year on our
sailboat and we will be back again for January and February
this coming year.

About the Marina, arrive during the daylight hours. The
entrance to the estuary has plenty of water and no bar but
the channel is narrow and winding with many sand bars. The
Chanel markers may have drifted off course a bit. Call on
the radio as you approach. The owner Robert will likely be
the one to hail you back. It's a pretty sleepy operation so
if you don't hear back just keep calling and head on into
the dock. Juanita is the hotel manager and she is
amazing. She will help with check in. Check in is very easy
as the officials come to the Marina. Just a heads up, we did
have a young navy official ask for "possible five dollars?"
... It was the only time we have gotten a shake down. We
gave him five dollars as a Christmas present. We had friends
who had fresh brownies made when they arrived and gave those
to the officials, and others who offered a Coca Cola. I
don't think the officials get paid very much and overall the
country is so welcoming but people are really quite poor. I
just wanted you to know ahead of time, maybe it won't happen
but I would hate for your first impression to be
unexpectedly tainted.

There is a laundry room at the hotel that takes US quarters
but most of the machines were pretty tired. I ended up using
the sink and bucket washing, but there is a wonderful patio
just outside the laundry room with lines to hang dry all
your laundry.

As for renting a car I think there is one in town available
for rent. It's called the Tortuga cause it's a little green
mini car that's available right in the village. Otherwise
you have to get to Chinendega to rent a car. Another option
would be to be to contact my friend Chinto who offers
personalized tours right from town near the marina. I can
connect you through Facebook.

Aserradores, the town next to the marina, is such a
special place if you can get connected with the community a
little bit. There is a free women's workout class run by my
friend Drew (Chinto's fiancée) on Monday Wednesday and
Friday afternoons at 3 I think. It's right next to Badaboom
Hostel on the main road as you walk out of the marina gate.
Next to Badaboom is a house that Tanya served Fritanga BBQ
most evenings (so freaking good, and cheap). Up the road is
Pablo's who rents motor bikes with surf racks. He also
serves really good traditional breakfast and smoothies.
Nearby there are a bunch of great surf breaks... "The boom"
on the beach right near the marina palapa and pool. You can
dinghy or hire a panga to "the point" at the mouth of the
harbor or around the corner to "the island" or "the tree".
If you have a bike or car there is Apposentillo beach. If
you spend some time walking along Apposentillo Beach
you will likely run into some friendly expats who live on
the beach. Just up the road is Nahualapa Bay with
nice peeling waves. Stop for a michelada in the hammocks at
Tapas and Surf. If you want amazing pizza head up the hill
to Al Cielo. If you go right out of the marina gate, ask for
Bodhi at the tienda across from the school. He can arrange
horse back rides and surfboard rentals and panga trips. A
veggie truck will deliver fresh veggies straight to the
marina. Just ask Juanita to tell the security guard to flag
the truck in. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays I think, usually
around noon. On Sundays there are usually community soccer
and baseball games. They are a hoot. A trip to Chinendega
is worth it for the amazing baseball games in the
stadium and the Flor de Caña rum distillery tour. Also
fairly close by is Leon with the beautiful
cathedral that you can got to the top of. Also an awesome
french bakery and at barefoot hostal you can sign up to go
sledding down Cerro negro volcano. The pools at the marina
are lovely. If you walk out to the beach palapas and pool,
there is a security guard who has a fridge with cold beers
and sodas for sale, bring your own snacks and enjoy a lovely
sunset. Being bug spray for the walk back through the
mangroves. The estuary in Puesta del Sol is calm even during
papagayos and the estuary is super fun for wakeboarding off
your dinghy or paddle boarding.

Nearby there is a moderate/ strenuous hike to the rim of Volcan
Consigueña where you can view the crater lake. It's
beautiful but can be hot. It was a fun outing and when we
did it we also stopped at a hot spring, and a restaurant
with a whole fried fish lunch. It's a very traditional meal
in Nicaragua. Yum.

Also the colonial city of Leon is a nearby hub. The
plaza is neat and the Cathedral is beautiful. Great pictures
from the roof that you can access. There is a French Bakery
and I believe Cerro Negro brewery is in Leon as well. And
the restaurant at big foot hostel had great food as I
remember. My friend Chinto would be a great guide to take
you to all the gems in the City.

Farther afield, would require some over night trips...

Granada is a colonial city on lake Managua.
Beautiful and colorful architecture. Lots of cute shops and
restaurants.

From there I think you can take a ferry to Omotepe
which is an island made of two volcanoes in the middle of
the lake. There are a number of eco hostals on the Island as
I understand.

And San Juan del Sur is a cool surf town that you
definitely don't have to go surf to see. You can anchor
there as well as check out of the country from there but as
the papagayo winds pipe up it can be pretty uncomfortable. 

San Juan del Sur

Rowan, Victoria & Crew

TALIESIN ROSE

4) PICTURE OF THE WEEK RUNNER UP

Sunset two nights ago in the La Cruz
anchorage...untouched

Mike & Jacquie

ANGELIQUE OF VANCOUVER

5) Costa Rica

We really loved it because there were so
many cool places to anchor for free. We only ever used a
marina to do a bit of boat work and check in is free, only
cost was transportation to airport for customs, check out
was $25 I think.

Some of our favorite spots were...
Playa Cocos for easy check in and
provisioning and for family to visit. The pizza at Z Bar
is really yummy and the gelateria across the street has
the best lemon sorbet I have ever had.

Playa Samara for the howler monkeys,
iguanas and  a gazillion hermit crabs on the little
island, the lovely Long Beach Walk to town, the ginger
lemonade at Gusto Beach, and the craft beer at the weird
garage pub.

Bahia Ballena for the amazing Farmers
market at 7am on Saturday in the old yacht club and the
bus to Montezuma with the awesome waterfall hike.

Isla Tortuga for the cool island
hike, the people watching, and the rum drink in a coconut

Isla jesusita for a very calm
anchorage and the tiny glamping lodge that you can dinghy
to, super friendly folks, drinks and food on a beautiful
deck

Isla San Lucas for the free access to
the old prison, soooo creepy, and the beach combing at low
tide is insane for colored glass.

Dominical for amazing treehouse Fuego
Brewery.

Drake's bay for hiking and cute
little beach town and access to Osa Peninsula rainforest.

Terrible anchorages at Pilon and Matapalo
but worth it for some of the best longboard surfing in the
world. We anchored outside the swell line and paddled in
for long cruisy lefts and right point breaks.

Puerto Jimenez calm anchorage and
cute non touristic beach town.

We skipped it but friends went way up into
the golfo dulce and found an amazing botanical farm that
you can take self guided tours of. There is also a beach
where the monkeys will come to visit looking for banana
handouts.

Golfito we loved anchoring in front
of Banana Bay. The only cost for using the dinghy dock,
garbage and shower was having a drink at the bar every now
and again. Golfito is sooo calm and protected. We also
love the Mercadito Soda on the main road. Casa Roland will
let you swim at the pool if you get drinks and lunch. The
beach palapas across the water are fun to dinghy over and
have a drink and simple meal.

We had no problems with security. We made
sure to lock up the boat and dinghy whenever we were out
and did not leave the boat unattended at night. Ticos we
met were helpful and welcoming.

A lot of folks get turned off by Costa Rica because of the
expense (compare to Mexico and El Salvador) and the
tourists but  we loved it.

Rowan, Victoria & Crew

TALIESIN ROSE

6) PET's AND SUCH - PANAMA

We are stoked to be a part of the Counter Posse this
year!

As many people are traveling back from the
states after the summer, a couple folks asked me to
write up our experience bringing our pet cat from and
back to Panama with us. Thought it might be good
information for some folks in the fleet.

I am relaying our experience mostly from
memory so be sure to double check online to make sure
that the regulations have not changed or for your
specific travel plans.

Leaving Panama for the USA.

1. Before you purchase your ticket, make
sure that the airline you choose does not have any
restrictions that would preclude your pet from being
eligible. We flew Delta from PTY to SFO. There are some
breeds that are ineligible to fly, and the cat must
weigh less that 17 lbs and the carrier must be somewhat
rigid and fit under the seat. Be sure to reserve a space
for your pet. They limit the number of pets in the cabin
The cost for most airlines seems to be around $130 USD.

2. Ten days before you travel take your
pet to the vet to get a health check up, update any
vaccines and get a health certificate and a form for
international travel.

3. You must get this paperwork approved
and stamped by the appropriate authorities in Panama
City. You will need to provide the stamped originals at
the airport. You can also pay a fee and have the Vet do
this process for you. The cost is upward of $75 USD.

4. Arrive early on your day of travel,
present documentation and bon voyage! The entrance
requirements into the USA were minimal. Just a current
health certificate and proof of vaccination.

Traveling into Panama from the USA

THIS PROCESS IS VERY INVOLVED, TIME
CONSUMING, AND (depending on how much you love your pet)
PRICEY.

1. READ the information on this website to
get an idea of the process ahead of you...

https://www.choosepanama.com/checklist-for-bringing-your-dogs--cats-to-panama-from-the-us.html
2. Before you
purchase your ticket, make sure that the airline you
choose does not have any restrictions that would
preclude your pet from being eligible. We flew Copa from
SFO to PTY. There are some breeds that are ineligible to
fly, and the cat must weigh less that 17 lbs and the
carrier must be somewhat rigid and fit under the seat.
Be sure to reserve a space for your pet. They limit the
number of pets in the cabin The cost for most airlines
seems to be around $130 USD.

3. Ten days before
you travel take your pet to the vet to get a health
check up, update any vaccines and get a health
certificate and a USDA form for international travel.
Make sure you inform your vet that you are traveling
to Panama 

4.
Send your Health Certificate, Proof of Vaccination,
and International Travel Documents overnight to the
nearest USDA veterinarian. Include payment and return
envelope. Or travel in person. In California the USDA
office is in Sacramento. Check online for your nearest
USDA Veterinarian Office, not all USDA facilities have
Veterinarian Services. Have the forms mailed back to
you and be sure that the raised USDA seal has been
applied to the originals.

5.
Mail the Original Documents with payment and return
envelope to the Nearest Panamanian Consulate or the
Consulate in Washington DC. Have them returned to you
at least three days before you travel to Panama.

6. Three days before you arrive in Panama,
fill out the form from the Panamanian Ministry of Health
to apply for home quarentine. Scan the filled out form
and Scan the entire packet of original stamped papers
you have now acquired from the Vet, USDA and Panamanian
Consulate. And attach them in an email to the Panamanian
Ministry of health notifying them that you are importing
a pet into the country via plane. 

7. Arrive early to check in and present
the original paperwork to the airline agent. When you
arrive at Tocumen Airport you must plan to arrive
between 8am and 5pm when the Airport Veterinarian is on
duty or plan to wait in the baggage claim area until
they arrive. Pay fees for Veterinarian examination and
home quarentine. The home quarentine is 6 weeks you must
keep your pet indoors/away from other animals for the
entire time. 

8. Get your pet back to your Panamanian
home and take a nap!

It's way easier to import a pet to most
other central American countries, or better yet, have
someone petsit while you are away.

Good luck!

Or I guess now I'm the

Crazy cat lady who refused to leave her 14
year old fur baby behind.

Rowan, Victoria & Crew

TALIESIN ROSE

7) Las Perlas, Panama 

Hola Posse. As
promised some color on our recent 3 night trip to Las
Perlas from Vista Mar.

1st
Night secured a mooring ball in front of hotel at San
Jose. Tried calling on vhf to pay for ball-no answer.
Good secure ball . Used lots if extra scope. Very
rough rolly night but safe spot.

 
2nd
Night between Chapera and Mogo Mogo (TV SHOW
survivor island).
Nice spot.sand but good holding. Got down to 9ft at
low tide. No roll but strong tidal currents. Lots of
scope

3rd
night. Sabago. Anchored amongst local boats. Good hard
bottom and calm spot. Plenty of water.
Flagged down nice well groomed local young man in
passenger panga.Brought us ashore for fair local
lunch. Picked us up later for ride to Contadora for
excellent meal at German place called Geralds. He
thenbrought us 50 gallons of diesel in am. Name is
Jaime(Jimmy)
+507-6450-7184. Highly
recommend.

No fuel at private fuel dock
on west side of Contadora despite what Navionics
says.

Hope
this helps. 

Chris & Anne

DESTINATION8) VISTA MAR MARINA HAUL OUT, PANAMA

Dad's Dreams
is in Vista Mar Marina on the hard. We're
veraciously attacking the blisters in our bottom. A
total bottom "tear off", new gelcoat, and antifoul
paint is in progress. Hoping to be back in the water
within a month and out visiting the Las Perlas
(where we left off last season with Xenia) before
crossing the Canal and heading to San Blas islands.

During last
Wednesday's potluck we heard there are 3 other boats
in the marina with the same intention. Should be a
fun season. 

We did hear of
one boat struck by lightning just recently while out
at Isla Contadora (Las Perlas).
He is back in the marina doing repairs.

A new mechanic
Olie, has taken roots here in the marina and comes
highly recommended. He also has a few small
apartment type rooms for rent only 15 min beach walk
from the marina. Very convenient if you want off the
boat for a few days or even a week.

Good luck and
fair winds to all heading this way.  Miss you
guys!!!

Rick & Brenda

DAD'S DREAM

9) PICTURE OF THE WEEK -
and passage notes from Marina Puesta del Sol
Nicaragua to Marina Papagayo, Costa Rica

the always majestic view of Cabo Santa
Elena

We left Marina Puesta del Sol, Nicaragua on high slack
tide at around 0400 on Thursday the 14th headed for
Marina Papagayo. It was a quick 26 or so hour trip
sailing / motor sailing. Ever since a (probably
innocent) encounter we had with a panga in the bay of
Tehuantepec we have been a little nervous when we see
a panga tracking parallel to us for an extended period
of time and about 15 nm northwest of Corrinto we had
just that. This panga about 1/2 mile out of our
starboard quarter for about 1-1/2 hours as we were
sailing, tracking our same speed. I decided to kick
our speed up a notch and start the motor. We were now
doing about 7 knots for another 45 minutes and he was
still there. Finally as we approached Corrinto, I saw
two or three more pangas from Corrinto join him and
they all stopped at a 4th panga that was already on
station with fishing gear....whew!  As we passed
Corrinto we watched a large thunderhead form off of
our port side. It grew and grew until it resembled
something I have only seen drawings of in weather
books. It had a half-doughnut at the bottom with a gap
then, fingers of clouds curling over the doughnut and
above that a dark, nasty looking, billowing monster.
Finally, all of the moisture being kept in the updraft
came pouring down and completely obscured the
shoreline. We skirted the edge and only got a few
raindrops but as the monster passed astern we had an
amazing lightning show for a couple of hours as night
fell. If not for the panga paranoia, we may have ended
up on the wrong end of the "Chubasco" as Nicaraguans
apparently call them. November is the transition from
the wet to the dry seasons so this was the tail end of
the big storm cells. On the entire Nicaraguan
coastline we only saw one long line and it was well,
unlike the Guatemala long line mine field but saw many
turtles and tons of dolphins! There was a very mild
Papagayo blowing north of the Santa Rosa peninsula and
we swung into Bahia Santa Elena for a quick look just
after daybreak.  This is a stunning, completely
undeveloped bay almost entirely surrounded by steep,
lush hillsides. As we continued around the peninsula
and rounded the south side on the approach to Marina
Papagayo it was blowing a steady 25 knots and gusting
higher. We are glad we poked our head into the Bay as
the Papagayos are blowing for the next week and it
would be very difficult to get back that direction
right now. We are now tucked in a marina slip in Bahia
Culebra and planning a few days of land trips to
explore northern Costa Rica!

Bob and Joan

GREEN FLASH

10) As always we want to thank all of our

Official Panama Posse  Sponsors, Partners and
Ambassadors

• Marina Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta –
  Mexico 
• Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Barra de
  Navidad – Mexico 
• Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico 
• La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco –
  Mexico 
• Marina Chiapas – Mexico 
• Marina Bahia del Sol – El
  Salvador 
• La Palma Moorings – Bahia del
  Sol, El Salvador 
• Marina Puesta del Sol – Nicaragua 
• Marina Papagayo – Costa Rica 
• Marina Pez Vela – Costa Rica 
• Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica 
• Golfito Marina Village – Costa
  Rica *
• Vista Mar Marina – Panama 
• Shelter Bay Marina – Panama 
• Red Frog Marina – Panama 

Discounts by marinas
offered to the active Panama Posse roster are at
subject to availability a.m.o. »

• ULLMAN SAILS PUERTO VALLARTA 

Official Panama Canal Agent

• Centenario & Co.S.A.
  Eric Galvez – Panama

Official Panama Posse Ambassadors

• Jaime Figueroa Navarro
  – Panama
• Bill & Jean – El Salvador Rally, El
  Salvador
• Ralph Hewitt – Nicaragua

Panama Posse Partners

• Vicente’s Moorings –
  Acapulco – Mexico
• Luis Sanchez Tours –
  Chiapas – Mexico
• Discover Tours
  Chiapas – Mexico
• Park Avenue Villas –
  San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua
• Coconutz – Annual
  Papagayo Victory Party – Playa
  Cocos – Costa Rica
• Abernathy – Chandlery
  – Panama
• Advertising Partners
  – Las Vegas

11) Please reply to this email with
any updates - your vessel location -
contenders for picture of the week - your favorite
song for our list -
and we'll include it in the next Fleet Update

The Panama Posse transfer of knowledge and learning
process operates under the gestalt theory
We will not tell you what to do, when or how - we want
you to to figure that out. YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia

12) opt-out from the Fleet Updates
simply reply with "REMOVE"

by panamaposse

FLEET UPDATE 2019-11-24

• HAPPY THANKSGIVING
  
• KICK OF DATES, TIMES & RSVPS
• NICARAGUA
  
• PICTURE OF THE WEEK (RUNNER UP)
  
• COSTA RICA
• PET's AND SUCH - PANAMA
• LAS PERLAS, PANAMA
• VISTA MAR MARINA HAUL OUT, PANAMA
  
• PICTURE OF THE WEEK
  
• Passage from Marina Puesta del Sol Nicaragua to Marina Papagayo, Costa Rica 
• Official Panama Posse  Sponsors, Partners and Ambassadors

1) Dear 124 Vessels - 
wishing you all a

• Very Happy Thanksgiving
• Bountiful Turkey Week 
• Black Friday
  

to all in the Panama Posse -please take some pictures to share !

                             ,+*^^*+___+++_
                       ,*^^^^              )
                    _+*                     ^**+_
                  +^       _ _++*+_+++_,         )
      _+^^*+_    (     ,+*^ ^          \+_        )
     {       )  (    ,(    ,_+--+--,      ^)      ^\
    { (@)    } f   ,(  ,+-^ __*_*_  ^^\_   ^\       )
   {:;-/    (_+*-+^^^^^+*+*<_ _++_)_    )    )      /
  ( /  (    (        ,___    ^*+_+* )   <    <      \
   U _/     )    *--<  ) ^\-----++__)   )    )       )
    (      )  _(^)^^))  )  )\^^^^^))^*+/    /       /
  (      /  (_))_^)) )  )  ))^^^^^))^^^)__/     +^^
 (     ,/    (^))^))  )  ) ))^^^^^^^))^^)       _)
  *+__+*       (_))^)  ) ) ))^^^^^^))^^^^^)____*^
  \             \_)^)_)) ))^^^^^^^^^^))^^^^)
   (_             ^\__^^^^^^^^^^^^))^^^^^^^)
     ^\___            ^\__^^^^^^))^^^^^^^^)\\           
          ^^^^^\uuu/^^\uuu/^^^^\^\^\^\^\^\^\^\          
             ___) >____) >___   ^\_\_\_\_\_\_\)         
            ^^^//\\_^^//\\_^       ^(\_\_\_\)
              ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^
The gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys. The 
gobble is one of the principal vocalizations of the male wild turkey and
 is used primarily in the spring to let hens know he is in the area. "

"Reflecting on last years Panama Posse Hawaiian dug out turkey at Vista Mar Marina Panama
- do not use drift wood to smoke a turkey it overpowers the flavor of the meat ..."

2) Dates & RSVP's for the 2019-2020 KICK OF EVENT at one of the top marinas in the Pacific

PLEASE RSVP by replying to this email if you plan to be there 

Thu Dec 5th, 2019 @  13:00  Route planning & Navigation 

Fri Dec 6th, 2019  @  13:00  Communications,  Weather, Safety 

Fri Dec 6th, 2019 @ 17:30  the official Panama Posse Kick off Party

Sat Dec 7th, 2019  @ 13:00   Satellite Charts / OpenCPN / Good Nautical

Sat Dec 7th, 2019  Evening  - the official Panama Posse organized Pot Luck Dinner with SHOOTING OFF using expired SAFETY FLARES Sun  Dec 8th, 2019  @ 13:00   Provisioning & What to see and do - Recap & Q&A
list of RSVP's sofar
Carinthia, Seaglub, Half Moon, Angelique of Vancouver , Raven, Namahana, Bonzer, Namahana, Stand Down, Jo, Angelique 11, Sirena, Knot Right, Firefly, Dances with Winds, Volare, Due West , Sky Pond, Luna, Bonzer, Gargoyle, Chimera , Bella Sirena, Double Deuce

SPONSORS CONFIRMED to be in attendance   

ULLMAN SAILSADVERTISING-PARTNERSSAFE- ESTEEM ( via video link )
MARINA VALLARTA

OUR PANAMA POSSE HEAD QUARTERS and you can also anchor out !

3) Nicaragua

Nicaragua, especially the area around Puesta Del Sol, is our favorite place in the world. We have been there 5 years in a row to visit our friends who own a surf camp and have fallen in love with the area and it's people. We spent 3 months in Puesta del Sol last year on our sailboat and we will be back again for January and February this coming year.

About the Marina, arrive during the daylight hours. The entrance to the estuary has plenty of water and no bar but the channel is narrow and winding with many sand bars. The Chanel markers may have drifted off course a bit. Call on the radio as you approach. The owner Robert will likely be the one to hail you back. It's a pretty sleepy operation so if you don't hear back just keep calling and head on into the dock. Juanita is the hotel manager and she is amazing. She will help with check in. Check in is very easy as the officials come to the Marina. Just a heads up, we did have a young navy official ask for "possible five dollars?" ... It was the only time we have gotten a shake down. We gave him five dollars as a Christmas present. We had friends who had fresh brownies made when they arrived and gave those to the officials, and others who offered a Coca Cola. I don't think the officials get paid very much and overall the country is so welcoming but people are really quite poor. I just wanted you to know ahead of time, maybe it won't happen but I would hate for your first impression to be unexpectedly tainted.

There is a laundry room at the hotel that takes US quarters but most of the machines were pretty tired. I ended up using the sink and bucket washing, but there is a wonderful patio just outside the laundry room with lines to hang dry all your laundry.

As for renting a car I think there is one in town available for rent. It's called the Tortuga cause it's a little green mini car that's available right in the village. Otherwise you have to get to Chinendega to rent a car. Another option would be to be to contact my friend Chinto who offers personalized tours right from town near the marina. I can connect you through Facebook.

Aserradores, the town next to the marina, is such a special place if you can get connected with the community a little bit. There is a free women's workout class run by my friend Drew (Chinto's fiancée) on Monday Wednesday and Friday afternoons at 3 I think. It's right next to Badaboom Hostel on the main road as you walk out of the marina gate. Next to Badaboom is a house that Tanya served Fritanga BBQ most evenings (so freaking good, and cheap). Up the road is Pablo's who rents motor bikes with surf racks. He also serves really good traditional breakfast and smoothies. Nearby there are a bunch of great surf breaks... "The boom" on the beach right near the marina palapa and pool. You can dinghy or hire a panga to "the point" at the mouth of the harbor or around the corner to "the island" or "the tree". If you have a bike or car there is Apposentillo beach. If you spend some time walking along Apposentillo Beach you will likely run into some friendly expats who live on the beach. Just up the road is Nahualapa Bay with nice peeling waves. Stop for a michelada in the hammocks at Tapas and Surf. If you want amazing pizza head up the hill to Al Cielo. If you go right out of the marina gate, ask for Bodhi at the tienda across from the school. He can arrange horse back rides and surfboard rentals and panga trips. A veggie truck will deliver fresh veggies straight to the marina. Just ask Juanita to tell the security guard to flag the truck in. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays I think, usually around noon. On Sundays there are usually community soccer and baseball games. They are a hoot. A trip to Chinendega is worth it for the amazing baseball games in the stadium and the Flor de Caña rum distillery tour. Also fairly close by is Leon with the beautiful cathedral that you can got to the top of. Also an awesome french bakery and at barefoot hostal you can sign up to go sledding down Cerro negro volcano. The pools at the marina are lovely. If you walk out to the beach palapas and pool, there is a security guard who has a fridge with cold beers and sodas for sale, bring your own snacks and enjoy a lovely sunset. Being bug spray for the walk back through the mangroves. The estuary in Puesta del Sol is calm even during papagayos and the estuary is super fun for wakeboarding off your dinghy or paddle boarding.

Nearby there is a moderate/ strenuous hike to the rim of Volcan Consigueña where you can view the crater lake. It's beautiful but can be hot. It was a fun outing and when we did it we also stopped at a hot spring, and a restaurant with a whole fried fish lunch. It's a very traditional meal in Nicaragua. Yum.

Also the colonial city of Leon is a nearby hub. The plaza is neat and the Cathedral is beautiful. Great pictures from the roof that you can access. There is a French Bakery and I believe Cerro Negro brewery is in Leon as well. And the restaurant at big foot hostel had great food as I remember. My friend Chinto would be a great guide to take you to all the gems in the City.

Farther afield, would require some over night trips...

Granada is a colonial city on lake Managua. Beautiful and colorful architecture. Lots of cute shops and restaurants.

From there I think you can take a ferry to Omotepe which is an island made of two volcanoes in the middle of the lake. There are a number of eco hostals on the Island as I understand.

And San Juan del Sur is a cool surf town that you definitely don't have to go surf to see. You can anchor there as well as check out of the country from there but as the papagayo winds pipe up it can be pretty uncomfortable. 
San Juan del Sur

Rowan, Victoria & Crew

TALIESIN ROSE

4) PICTURE OF THE WEEK RUNNER UP

Sunset two nights ago in the La Cruz anchorage...untouched

Mike & Jacquie

ANGELIQUE OF VANCOUVER

5) Costa Rica

We really loved it because there were so many cool places to anchor for free. We only ever used a marina to do a bit of boat work and check in is free, only cost was transportation to airport for customs, check out was $25 I think.

Some of our favorite spots were...
Playa Cocos for easy check in and provisioning and for family to visit. The pizza at Z Bar is really yummy and the gelateria across the street has the best lemon sorbet I have ever had.
Playa Samara for the howler monkeys, iguanas and  a gazillion hermit crabs on the little island, the lovely Long Beach Walk to town, the ginger lemonade at Gusto Beach, and the craft beer at the weird garage pub.
Bahia Ballena for the amazing Farmers market at 7am on Saturday in the old yacht club and the bus to Montezuma with the awesome waterfall hike.
Isla Tortuga for the cool island hike, the people watching, and the rum drink in a coconut
Isla jesusita for a very calm anchorage and the tiny glamping lodge that you can dinghy to, super friendly folks, drinks and food on a beautiful deck
Isla San Lucas for the free access to the old prison, soooo creepy, and the beach combing at low tide is insane for colored glass.
Dominical for amazing treehouse Fuego Brewery.
Drake's bay for hiking and cute little beach town and access to Osa Peninsula rainforest.
Terrible anchorages at Pilon and Matapalo but worth it for some of the best longboard surfing in the world. We anchored outside the swell line and paddled in for long cruisy lefts and right point breaks.
Puerto Jimenez calm anchorage and cute non touristic beach town.
We skipped it but friends went way up into the golfo dulce and found an amazing botanical farm that you can take self guided tours of. There is also a beach where the monkeys will come to visit looking for banana handouts.
Golfito we loved anchoring in front of Banana Bay. The only cost for using the dinghy dock, garbage and shower was having a drink at the bar every now and again. Golfito is sooo calm and protected. We also love the Mercadito Soda on the main road. Casa Roland will let you swim at the pool if you get drinks and lunch. The beach palapas across the water are fun to dinghy over and have a drink and simple meal.
We had no problems with security. We made sure to lock up the boat and dinghy whenever we were out and did not leave the boat unattended at night. Ticos we met were helpful and welcoming.
A lot of folks get turned off by Costa Rica because of the expense (compare to Mexico and El Salvador) and the tourists but  we loved it.
Rowan, Victoria & Crew

TALIESIN ROSE

6) PET's AND SUCH - PANAMA

We are stoked to be a part of the Counter Posse this year!
As many people are traveling back from the states after the summer, a couple folks asked me to write up our experience bringing our pet cat from and back to Panama with us. Thought it might be good information for some folks in the fleet.
I am relaying our experience mostly from memory so be sure to double check online to make sure that the regulations have not changed or for your specific travel plans.
Leaving Panama for the USA.
1. Before you purchase your ticket, make sure that the airline you choose does not have any restrictions that would preclude your pet from being eligible. We flew Delta from PTY to SFO. There are some breeds that are ineligible to fly, and the cat must weigh less that 17 lbs and the carrier must be somewhat rigid and fit under the seat. Be sure to reserve a space for your pet. They limit the number of pets in the cabin The cost for most airlines seems to be around $130 USD.
2. Ten days before you travel take your pet to the vet to get a health check up, update any vaccines and get a health certificate and a form for international travel.
3. You must get this paperwork approved and stamped by the appropriate authorities in Panama City. You will need to provide the stamped originals at the airport. You can also pay a fee and have the Vet do this process for you. The cost is upward of $75 USD.
4. Arrive early on your day of travel, present documentation and bon voyage! The entrance requirements into the USA were minimal. Just a current health certificate and proof of vaccination.
Traveling into Panama from the USA
THIS PROCESS IS VERY INVOLVED, TIME CONSUMING, AND (depending on how much you love your pet) PRICEY.
1. READ the information on this website to get an idea of the process ahead of you...
https://www.choosepanama.com/checklist-for-bringing-your-dogs--cats-to-panama-from-the-us.html
2. Before you purchase your ticket, make sure that the airline you choose does not have any restrictions that would preclude your pet from being eligible. We flew Copa from SFO to PTY. There are some breeds that are ineligible to fly, and the cat must weigh less that 17 lbs and the carrier must be somewhat rigid and fit under the seat. Be sure to reserve a space for your pet. They limit the number of pets in the cabin The cost for most airlines seems to be around $130 USD.

3. Ten days before you travel take your pet to the vet to get a health check up, update any vaccines and get a health certificate and a USDA form for international travel. Make sure you inform your vet that you are traveling to Panama 
4. Send your Health Certificate, Proof of Vaccination, and International Travel Documents overnight to the nearest USDA veterinarian. Include payment and return envelope. Or travel in person. In California the USDA office is in Sacramento. Check online for your nearest USDA Veterinarian Office, not all USDA facilities have Veterinarian Services. Have the forms mailed back to you and be sure that the raised USDA seal has been applied to the originals.
5. Mail the Original Documents with payment and return envelope to the Nearest Panamanian Consulate or the Consulate in Washington DC. Have them returned to you at least three days before you travel to Panama.
6. Three days before you arrive in Panama, fill out the form from the Panamanian Ministry of Health to apply for home quarentine. Scan the filled out form and Scan the entire packet of original stamped papers you have now acquired from the Vet, USDA and Panamanian Consulate. And attach them in an email to the Panamanian Ministry of health notifying them that you are importing a pet into the country via plane. 
7. Arrive early to check in and present the original paperwork to the airline agent. When you arrive at Tocumen Airport you must plan to arrive between 8am and 5pm when the Airport Veterinarian is on duty or plan to wait in the baggage claim area until they arrive. Pay fees for Veterinarian examination and home quarentine. The home quarentine is 6 weeks you must keep your pet indoors/away from other animals for the entire time. 
8. Get your pet back to your Panamanian home and take a nap!
It's way easier to import a pet to most other central American countries, or better yet, have someone petsit while you are away.
Good luck!

Or I guess now I'm the
Crazy cat lady who refused to leave her 14 year old fur baby behind.

Rowan, Victoria & Crew

TALIESIN ROSE

7) Las Perlas, Panama 

Hola Posse. As promised some color on our recent 3 night trip to Las Perlas from Vista Mar.

1st Night secured a mooring ball in front of hotel at San Jose. Tried calling on vhf to pay for ball-no answer. Good secure ball . Used lots if extra scope. Very rough rolly night but safe spot.

  2nd Night between Chapera and Mogo Mogo (TV SHOW survivor island).
Nice spot.sand but good holding. Got down to 9ft at low tide. No roll but strong tidal currents. Lots of scope

3rd night. Sabago. Anchored amongst local boats. Good hard bottom and calm spot. Plenty of water.
Flagged down nice well groomed local young man in passenger panga.Brought us ashore for fair local lunch. Picked us up later for ride to Contadora for excellent meal at German place called Geralds. He thenbrought us 50 gallons of diesel in am. Name is Jaime(Jimmy)
+507-6450-7184. Highly recommend.

No fuel at private fuel dock on west side of Contadora despite what Navionics says.

Hope this helps.  Chris & Anne

DESTINATION8) VISTA MAR MARINA HAUL OUT, PANAMA

Dad's Dreams is in Vista Mar Marina on the hard. We're veraciously attacking the blisters in our bottom. A total bottom "tear off", new gelcoat, and antifoul paint is in progress. Hoping to be back in the water within a month and out visiting the Las Perlas
(where we left off last season with Xenia) before crossing the Canal and heading to San Blas islands.

During last Wednesday's potluck we heard there are 3 other boats in the marina with the same intention. Should be a fun season. 

We did hear of one boat struck by lightning just recently while out at Isla Contadora (Las Perlas).
He is back in the marina doing repairs.

A new mechanic Olie, has taken roots here in the marina and comes highly recommended. He also has a few small apartment type rooms for rent only 15 min beach walk from the marina. Very convenient if you want off the boat for a few days or even a week.
Good luck and fair winds to all heading this way.  Miss you guys!!! Rick & Brenda

DAD'S DREAM

9) PICTURE OF THE WEEK -
and passage notes from Marina Puesta del Sol Nicaragua to Marina Papagayo, Costa Rica

the always majestic view of Cabo Santa Elena

We left Marina Puesta del Sol, Nicaragua on high slack tide at around 0400 on Thursday the 14th headed for Marina Papagayo. It was a quick 26 or so hour trip sailing / motor sailing. Ever since a (probably innocent) encounter we had with a panga in the bay of Tehuantepec we have been a little nervous when we see a panga tracking parallel to us for an extended period of time and about 15 nm northwest of Corrinto we had just that. This panga about 1/2 mile out of our starboard quarter for about 1-1/2 hours as we were sailing, tracking our same speed. I decided to kick our speed up a notch and start the motor. We were now doing about 7 knots for another 45 minutes and he was still there. Finally as we approached Corrinto, I saw two or three more pangas from Corrinto join him and they all stopped at a 4th panga that was already on station with fishing gear....whew!  As we passed Corrinto we watched a large thunderhead form off of our port side. It grew and grew until it resembled something I have only seen drawings of in weather books. It had a half-doughnut at the bottom with a gap then, fingers of clouds curling over the doughnut and above that a dark, nasty looking, billowing monster. Finally, all of the moisture being kept in the updraft came pouring down and completely obscured the shoreline. We skirted the edge and only got a few raindrops but as the monster passed astern we had an amazing lightning show for a couple of hours as night fell. If not for the panga paranoia, we may have ended up on the wrong end of the "Chubasco" as Nicaraguans apparently call them. November is the transition from the wet to the dry seasons so this was the tail end of the big storm cells. On the entire Nicaraguan coastline we only saw one long line and it was well, unlike the Guatemala long line mine field but saw many turtles and tons of dolphins! There was a very mild Papagayo blowing north of the Santa Rosa peninsula and we swung into Bahia Santa Elena for a quick look just after daybreak.  This is a stunning, completely undeveloped bay almost entirely surrounded by steep, lush hillsides. As we continued around the peninsula and rounded the south side on the approach to Marina Papagayo it was blowing a steady 25 knots and gusting higher. We are glad we poked our head into the Bay as the Papagayos are blowing for the next week and it would be very difficult to get back that direction right now. We are now tucked in a marina slip in Bahia Culebra and planning a few days of land trips to explore northern Costa Rica!

Bob and Joan

GREEN FLASH

10) As always we want to thank all of our

Official Panama Posse  Sponsors, Partners and Ambassadors

• Marina Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta – Mexico 
• Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Barra de Navidad – Mexico 
• Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico 
• La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco – Mexico 
• Marina Chiapas – Mexico 
• Marina Bahia del Sol – El Salvador 
• La Palma Moorings – Bahia del Sol, El Salvador 
• Marina Puesta del Sol – Nicaragua 
• Marina Papagayo – Costa Rica 
• Marina Pez Vela – Costa Rica 
• Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica 
• Golfito Marina Village – Costa Rica *
• Vista Mar Marina – Panama 
• Shelter Bay Marina – Panama 
• Red Frog Marina – Panama 

Discounts by marinas offered to the active Panama Posse roster are at subject to availability a.m.o. »

• ULLMAN SAILS PUERTO VALLARTA 

Official Panama Canal Agent

• Centenario & Co.S.A. Eric Galvez – Panama

Official Panama Posse Ambassadors

• Jaime Figueroa Navarro – Panama
• Bill & Jean – El Salvador Rally, El Salvador
• Ralph Hewitt – Nicaragua

Panama Posse Partners

• Vicente’s Moorings – Acapulco – Mexico
• Luis Sanchez Tours – Chiapas – Mexico
• Discover Tours Chiapas – Mexico
• Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua
• Coconutz – Annual Papagayo Victory Party – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica
• Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama
• Advertising Partners – Las Vegas

11) Please reply to this email with any updates - your vessel location -
contenders for picture of the week - your favorite song for our list -
and we'll include it in the next Fleet Update

The Panama Posse transfer of knowledge and learning process operates under the gestalt theory
We will not tell you what to do, when or how - we want you to to figure that out. YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia

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