[p]pjr4728
[s]
pos: 09 22.129n 079 56.694w
sp: 0.0
h: 0m
w: overcast
d: 16/03/20 10.00 GMT-0500
Arrived in the less-idyllic Shelter Bay quarantine anchorage, after a 90nm overnight passage from San Blas. Actually it wasn't too bad and the 2 weeks passed quickly as we were brought provisions, sim cards, water etc by dinghy via the incredibly friendly marina manager Juanjo, his sidekick Eddie and volunteers Andre and Magnus. Once in the marina, we were incredibly lucky to enjoy this aptly named shelter...It is remote from any built up areas anyway,but further controls had been put in place by Juanjo to ensure it remained a Covid-free oasis. We were also lucky however that Juanjo had sweettalked the commander at the nearby Aeronavale base, who conducted patrols in the area, to take a 'relaxed' view of the strict lockdown beng imposed elsewhere in Panama (men and women allowed out of their homes for only 2 hours on alternate days) to the marina visitors, and this allowed us to roam freely at any time within the marina and on a limited part of the coast and old naval base. Loads of attention and walks for Mili, so she was happy, an even happier when we purchased an air-conditioning unit from a fellow cruiser to cool the cabin. Dad enjoyed the walks too, often with Thomas, a Swiss friend we had first met in Curacao, or Susie and her 2 dogs. Oterwise it was back to the obligatory boat chores during the day for him. Sue meanwhile had volunteered to serve in the marina grocery store, haveing fun times (in air-conditioned comfort!) with fellow volunteers Lindsey and Corrina. Evenings were often 'social-anti-social', often with a speaker set up on the dock. Fortunately stocks of 'spicy cola' were able to be sustained (by most), given the official ban on alcohol sales and consumption.
On 28 May, after over 10 weeks including quarantine, we finally departed Shelter Bay to transit the Panama Canal, with fellow cruisers from the boats Spacegrazer and Moira,with whom we would raft up through the locks.

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