We anchored in Matanchen Bay, which is just south of San Blas. We didn’t stay very long because this place is notorious for no-see-ums and mosquitos. We spent an amazing day going on a jungle tour up the Rio Tovaro and doing a little bit of exploring San Blas.
Depart Isla Isabel Dec 12 at 0600 – Arrive Matanchen Bay Dec 12 at 1419Matanchen Bay is a large bay near San Blas, and we anchored far out to try to avoid the mosquitos and no-see-ums.
Logbook – December 12, 2013 (Isla Isabel to Matanchen Bay)
Closed up the boat to keep the no-see-ums out. So hot! Flashbacks of summer.
Steve/T/Kyle – Shore excursion to arrange our jungle tour
This blue footed fellow was nagged by our fishing line and had to hang out with us while he dried outI think we need to get updated charts (this shows us anchored on land). Spoiler alert – a year later we were navigating with satellite imagery.
Logbook – December 13, 2013 (Matanchen Bay)
Daily Notes
No-see-ums so far so good
Jungle tour – Steve kept apologizing b/c it wasn’t as good as last year
We saw birds, crocs. turtles, iguanas. Croc sanctuary was sad. The boys like the possums
La Tovaro Springs – restaurant & rope swings! Boys (including Tim) loved the rope swing
Fast panga trip back, caught the bus to San Blas to the plaza
Fresh veggies at the market (asparagus, green beans, and mushrooms!) Beers and ice cream
“Ruins” up on the hill – 18th and 19th century Spanish church & fort
Taxis back. Mmmmm sautéed mushrooms
An early morning departure for the jungle tourAdvertising everywhereThe road between the beach and the river (where we picked up the jungle tour) is lined with palapas selling banana and coconut breadThank you for your visit, have a happy tripAll aboard the panga, ready for the tourWe stopped at a crocodile “refuge” but it was really quite sad, like a small zooBaby crocsThis kitty really wanted to eat the possums in the cage next doorThe possums kept the boys entertainedCarolina really wanted some ham, but these guys were a little on the lean sideRope swing!!!After the jungle tour we caught a bus into San BlasTim and Steve wanted to go get a beer, and I suggested they take the kids to get ice cream too, while the rest of us hit the market. What good fortune that they found a bar right net to an ice cream shop.RelaxingHeading to the 18th/19th century Spanish ruins on the hillThis way to the ruinsThe old church of San BlasThere’s only about a 40 ft drop on the other side of that windowEveryone do the “Exodus Pose”What’s left of an old Spanish fortA photo shoot in progressA hurricane in 2002 destroyed some of the fort so they have recreated some of it. Looks pretty cheesy.
[…] went on ahead of us to Chacala, but Lady Carolina, True Blue V, and Exodus headed to Matanchen Bay near San Blas in order to go on the Tovaro River jungle tour. Lady Carolina had done the tour the […]
Gresham Family Exodus 
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[…] made a stop in Matanchen Bay with the main goal of going on a jungle tour up the Rio Tovaro. This area was legendary for […]
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[…] went on ahead of us to Chacala, but Lady Carolina, True Blue V, and Exodus headed to Matanchen Bay near San Blas in order to go on the Tovaro River jungle tour. Lady Carolina had done the tour the […]
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