We Traded Our MAINSAIL For...What?! [Making Our Way Ep 120]

Join Mike and Taylor as they embark on an exciting chapter of their sailing journey from Seattle to the beautiful San Blas Islands after leaving via in the marina for a couple months. After transiting the Panama Canal, they are now venturing out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Approaching a New Chapter and a New Ocean

Having set up their brand new main sail from Southeast Asia, they approach the breakwater and officially enter the Atlantic Ocean. Their first destination in the Atlantic is the San Blas Archipelago in Panama.

Anchoring in Linton Bay

This journey is broken up into two legs with a halfway spot in Linton Bay, where it’s their first time on anchor in 2 months and it feels great to be back out on the hook.

Celebrating Taylor’s Birthday

The crew makes the jump to San Blas Islands this morning, coinciding with celebrating Taylor’s birthday. Though she’s not feeling too well due to the bouncy ride in the boat, they push on and test out sailing under their new main sail.

A Challenging But Rewarding Arrival

After arriving in the San Blas Islands, they face some challenges as their refrigerator is not functioning properly. The couple decides to rely on help from fellow cruisers, leading them on a hunt for parts that prove difficult in this remote location.

Refrigerator Repairs and Celebrations

Taylor’s birthday provides an additional motivation for Mike to fix the refrigerator. Through trial and error, and with borrowed equipment, he successfully repairs the unit, and they’re able to save much of their perishable food.

Exploring and Enjoying the Islands

Once settled, Mike and Taylor take advantage of the stunning beauty of the islands, going for swims in the crystal-clear water, exploring hidden lakes within the jungles, and enjoying their first Caribbean-inspired meal cooked by Taylor, featuring lobsters obtained through a unique trade with local Gunan people.

A Lesson in Local Tradition

The locals here, the indigenous Gunan people, get around mainly in hand-carved canoes and Mike gets an idea to potentially trade with them. They exchange their old main sail for three spiny lobsters.

Celebrating With Lobster Feast

The lobsters are then grilled, paired with plantains on the verge of going bad, and a sauce made using coconut, ginger, lime, garlic, and cilantro. This lobster feast not only tastes fantastic but also feels like they’re truly embracing their ‘Making Our Way’ ethos.

Sharing the Bounty of San Blas

This act symbolizes more than just a simple exchange; it also represents an opportunity for connection with the locals and the community. The culture here is one that shares everything, so their old sail becomes a useful addition to many lives in this special place.

Conclusion

This episode marks not just an adventure on the seas but also a lesson in respect, tradition, and cultural exchange as Mike and Taylor interact with local Gunan people. Through these encounters, they truly feel that they are ‘Making Their Way’ through unfamiliar and exotic lands.

When you think of the Caribbean, the first thing that probably comes to mind is turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. The San Blas Islands in Panama definitely fulfill this image. We’ve had such an incredible time here already. This truly feels like a magical place.

Trade Deal

The unique trade deal in the San Blas Islands between Mike, Taylor, and local Gunan people shows the harmony between different cultures and highlights the value of shared traditions.

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Stay Tuned for More

The adventure doesn’t stop here. As the skies clear and they settle into their new home in the San Blas Islands, there are many more stories to come from Mike and Taylor’s ‘Making Our Way’ journey.

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