Shelter Bay Marina, 11/06/2017.

How good was Bocas del Toro, or more specifically Bastimentos? Well I booked us in for 3 days on the Marina and we stayed for 9!
We were moored on the main walkway with power and water, and a step ladder that the Red Frog Beach Marina supplied.  Security there is excellent with locked gate entry and exit. Power was good due to private generators and solar array, never less than 240 volts and totally reliable. The WiFi was free, so we couldn't really complain about the weakness of the signal could we? Beautiful jungle, beautiful beaches and good restaurants with reasonable pricing too. Luxury villas and condos available to buy or rent. Bring a big cheque book with you!
Eventually though we had to get to this Marina, otherwise no Canal transit and so no return to Oz. The leg to here was 135 miles, in a straight line. As the strongest wind seen was 6 knots, and on the nose, it was a straight line motor for 22 hours, boring, but necessary. No lightning around us this time, but plenty visible on shore, no rain either.
On approaching the Marina we were called on the radio by the dock master and told to keep to starboard of a small channel marker and were then assigned a berth based on our shore power plug type. Great not to have to change the plug again till we get to Tahiti in September, woo hoo.
We arrived on the 9th and contacted the agent who then sent a couple to the boat from Panama, about 3 hours by car, to gather up paperwork and leave us both a mobile phone and an invoice.
The boat measurer for the Canal Company was due yesterday, but didn't turn up. Some unknown problem, so he was to come this morning instead. However this is the wet season, and so it rains, heavily. Guess what, no measurer again. Tomorrow morning is the latest promise, we'll see what happens.
On site here we have power and water included in the Marina fees, $10 for unlimited Wi Fi per week, a restaurant, a small hotel, a gym, chandlery, swimming pool, and a small grocery shop. Across the road is a boatyard with hard standing area. All in all a good stopover, but not for too long I hope.

The generator is giving trouble again. It starts, sometimes, and then stops for no apparent reason. There is supposed to be an electrician coming with the agent to check it for me. I have done as many obvious checks as I can, but as its not a mechanical problem, I'm stumped.

It's more or less stopped raining so I'm getting off the boat now. All is well on board, Jamie and Michael have stood their last night watch and had their last sail on board and only have the transit left to do.


Latest news 3 hours later.
We have just been measured for the transit. This means when the agent has paid the fee we should go through 3 days later, maybe the 15th as I originally asked. That gives me 4 days in Panama City area.