The weather system is still looming behind us, so we decide to move on while the sun is still shining, enabling us to divine the presence of the barely submerged reefs.
Cayos Chichime on a glorious day
Camelot at Isla Achu Tupu Pipi, Chichime Cays.
Our destination is Cayos Chichime, a half hour away.
It basically consists of a one-mile wide barrier reef and two primary islands, Achu Tupu Pipi and Ach Tupu Dummar.
Because of the reefs patches, the anchorage is very well protected and incredibly picturesque. In heavy Trade winds the seas crash on the barrier reef, but the anchorage stays smooth.
The stunning view from our bow.
The Incredibly clear waters of Chichime.
View from the “back porch”
After settling in, I barely have time to shoot some pictures before the weather system moves in. It rains heavily on and off with howling winds for much of the next five days. But we still had a chance to step here and there, to take a dinghy circumnavigation of the tiny island, to attempt some snorkeling and to socialize with our neighbors.
Running around Achu Tupu Dummar Island
Palm Trees are incredibly resilient!
There’s a pretty international crowd; we have a number of French boats, Colombians, Spanish, maybe another couple of Americans. But above all, there are Italians! Five Italian sailboats, and three of them are flying the Venetian flag. I confess, one of them is Camelot. Despite being born in the U.S.A. I grew up in Veneto, Italy and my family is Italian. The capital of Veneto is Venice, so I had Tom raise the flag depicting Saint Mark’s Lion.
At least four people so far have asked us if these three boats belong to the same Yacht Club, since we’re displaying the same flag… Makes for a great conversation starter!
The Venetian Flag with St Mark’s Lion .
Christmas is fast approaching and we’re all away from our families, so the cruisers are making plans to gather and celebrate. Since Italian celebrations are legendary, and since our new Italian friends are really nice people, we all agree to meet here in this very same bay on Christmas Eve, for a feast to remember.
In the meantime, since there’s ten more days before then, we all scatter in different directions.
My favorite dinghy driver. Emphasys on the “dinghy” part…
Visitors arriving from another Island
Rush Hour!
The Kuna cover great distances with their dugout canoes
Another colorful Ulu passing by…
And this is the inside of Achu Tupu Pipi Island
Tom was needed to hold up the Palm Tree…
A view to make you envious…
SAILING CAMELOT 
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