[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O2BMjcmlP60/UT0OqlfjYbI/AAAAAAAATdQ/TvTE3M9V_3M/s144-c/P3041812.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage13PanamaBoarderColombiaPacificToBoarderColombiaCaribbean#5853851215433261490″ caption=”My watch dog for this night – heavily armed!” type=”image” alt=”P3041812.JPG” ]

Pos: here
Loc: Gajuala
Acc: tent

No paddling tomorrow

I can’t remember when I had a relaxing day off at the beach – I think it was only once at the beginning since x-mas. Days off at the beach are very different to days off in a city, especially when there is no internet. There are not many chores to do today, and I really could only sleep, eat, read and walk a bit around. Good for body and soul. Usually, on a day off in the city the body is relaxed, but not your mind. And on paddling days, the mind is relaxed, but not your body. On a day off on a beach, both are!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W1Ajlta0Q2w/UT0O0x5mb9I/AAAAAAAATdg/ed3EENxBKtg/s144-c/P3041814.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage13PanamaBoarderColombiaPacificToBoarderColombiaCaribbean#5853851390562430930″ caption=”My second camp at Guajala, more in the shade and in the wind” type=”image” alt=”P3041814.JPG” ]

On my walk around the beach, I noticed a shady wide open horizontal spot inside the forest, which was obviously used already previously as a camp site by locals. My old spot at the lagoon was in the sunshine, and it also couldn’t catch so much of the good breeze blowing today. Despite I was covering my tent with my black blanket for better shade, the sweat was running down all yesterday afternoon, all night and morning.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IEsZ_ZiueAI/UT0MWhuisqI/AAAAAAAATcA/e2kX7RyhvM8/s144-c/P3021788.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage13PanamaBoarderColombiaPacificToBoarderColombiaCaribbean#5853848671801750178″ caption=”The two fishing boats anchoring off my beach at Gajuala” type=”image” alt=”P3021788.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tPhXHEfBkjY/UT0OH8fiiAI/AAAAAAAATdA/PcbwUWI0w34/s144-c/P3031809.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage13PanamaBoarderColombiaPacificToBoarderColombiaCaribbean#5853850620311799810″ caption=”The fishermen came to shore for a chat and fresh water” type=”image” alt=”P3031809.JPG” ]

I decided to move, quickly packed my bags with the most heavy stuff, and carried my self standing tent those 100 m further along into the shady breezy spot. A good decision! The kayak was carried by two of the fishermen who did just come to shore with two small boats. Thanks!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2bhOKvHobgI/UT0OzypjlXI/AAAAAAAATdY/jOLyPhbwL8Y/s144-c/P3041813.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage13PanamaBoarderColombiaPacificToBoarderColombiaCaribbean#5853851373583701362″ caption=”The fresh water puddles where I could shower and filter my drinking water” type=”image” alt=”P3041813.JPG” ]

The fishermen were also walking to the sweet water source I found a bit up another beach, as my lagoon didn’t show any sign of having a sweet water river behind it. I took a wash, and knew I’d have enough fresh water close by, in case I need to stay longer! My water filter would come to action, as this was rather a line of puddles than a stream. But it seems that the fishermen use it as their only source of sweet water. Today, the guys obviously also went only for a shower with small buckets and with piece of soap in there. I was asking them if they have a house and families somewhere in a village nearby, but they are only living on their boats. We were chatting a bit in my broken Spanish and body language, and they were polite and friendly. It actually feels like they are now my bodyguards in this bay, having noticed my “VIP” status by the visit of the Aeronaval guys yesterday… 🙂

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NF96SNGjgiQ/UT0PWVEs1LI/AAAAAAAATdo/YvoZ-5LC2-c/s144-c/P3041816.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage13PanamaBoarderColombiaPacificToBoarderColombiaCaribbean#5853851966939911346″ caption=”Hermit crabs of all sizes” type=”image” alt=”P3041816.JPG” ]

My planned climb around the rocky base of the island connected with my beach on low tide got stuck at the sea side on a steep cliff. I climbed back, heavily under equipped with flip flops on my feet and my beach skirt which at some point I had to stuff into my tiny under wear to climb safely. Good I was out of sight from the fisher men’s boats at that point…

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_15IduIpPvI/UT0PfLItLlI/AAAAAAAATdw/wo7PQenWA1U/s144-c/P3041817.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage13PanamaBoarderColombiaPacificToBoarderColombiaCaribbean#5853852118891179602″ caption=”The salt water lagoon behind my tent site” type=”image” alt=”P3041817.JPG” ]

I watched a few herons at the lagoon, and crabs in shells and without were everywhere around. I saw a foot print line of a cat-like animal, but that was it…actually, even the sea here has no algae or sea weed, so the rock puddles are not too interesting. The water is just too warm!