Encouraged by Al I nearly jumped ship to take a small touristic break this morning. With a few days to wait for the recalibrated diesel injectors I investigated options for a mini adventure. After dismissing various flight options and any places that are already on our future itinerary, I came up with the idea of heading to Isla Grande, a short bus ride from Colon. Undecided from the previous night I decided to sleep on my decision.

We were already booked on the marina bus to Colon at 8am Saturday from where it should be straight forward to get to the bus station safely by taxi. The marina bus doesn’t run on Sunday!

I was thwarted in my last minute booking of accommodation on Airbnb by the various security mechanisms that have emerged around Airbnb and card payments. Security codes being texted to my normal phone number are of no use when I am using a local SIM card. I complete my full address several times and send a passport photo to verify my identity which apparently was not clear enough to be read. Frustrated I decide not to rush things now for the sake of it. I am unsure of the accommodation as there are no reviews / no exact address and unsure of how to get there as the bus schedule is very sketchy. I decide to give myself more time and spend the weekend at Shelter Bay.

I am in my third week now and whilst the accommodation / location is very pleasant I am longing to break the routine and head out to sea. I know Al is probably even more frustrated in that regard.

We companionably go on our shopping trip replenishing our stores. The return journey is very squashed as we have been sent an alternative, smaller mini-bus.

Al spends the afternoon bird watching and I cool down in the gym.