S/V Papillon

For better or worse the crew of Papillon will not see Cartagena, Columbia this passage. According to our Special S information source a landing agent is required to process customs etc. As our deadline to transit the canal is rigid we cannot afford any delays here. It could take several days we understand. We are presently about 35Nm off Barranquilla, yet another place we are told not to linger. We have just lowered the mainsail and are now genoa alone as Papillon wasd being overpowered in strong dead down wind conditions and large waves. The ride is much improved and AUTO is now happier. Well true to his reputation John delivered a fine tuna this AM and dinner was grilled tuna steaks and scalloped potatoes, washed down with misc red wine from the Carib. Of note are the colder night time temperatures with crew wearing extra sweaters thru the night. Water temperature has dropped to low 27’s. A walk around the deck inevitable finds a flying fish stranded in the trampolines. This e mail was interrupted for one hour as an unidentified vessel maintained collision course with us. Everyone up. The vessel finally detoured around our stern. Nervous moments. The final picture, looking astern as Papillon surfs down yet again another massive wave.