The Destination Or The Journey?
Log 4 - Tony and Bea
The Orton/Bagnall family’s journey from the Bahamas to Panama, came with challenges and sleepless nights, but also the excitement of discovery. They reflect on the rewards of their adventure, culminating in a perfect moment on a tropical beach - reminding us that the true paradise often lies in the journey itself.
Yesterday, as a family, we were walking down a track, surfboards under our arms. As we walked, the kids spotted sloths hanging in the trees above. Once we emerged from the rainforest, we were greeted by a white sand beach, crystal-clear warm blue water, and the perfect small waves for the kids to practice their surfing. We laid our towels down under the shade of a palm tree. The kids were already in the surf, and we looked at each other with smiles and, at the same time, said, "We have made it - this is paradise." Meanwhile, our floating home, Ikigai, was safely anchored on the other side of the island in a calm anchorage surrounded by lush green bush and mangroves.
What did it take to reach this one moment? To get to this one island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago off the coast of Panama?
Nineteen days earlier, we left another paradise - Johnson Cay in the Ragged Islands, Bahamas. We sailed over 1,100 miles, spent seven nights at sea, and sailed for 12 days, anchoring in six different locations before arriving at Red Frog Beach in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Along the way, we travelled along and explored the northern coast of Jamaica. Security and safety were concerns, and we had to constantly watch our backs.
During the passage, with only the two of us taking turns on the night watch, most nights we managed only one to three hours of sleep due to weather, sail changes, shipping traffic, and dodging various debris. The entire trip was extremely hard work, but at the same time, it was exciting and deeply rewarding because as a family, we experienced new places and sights along the way. The satisfaction of seeing all our planning come together for this trip has strengthened us as a family unit, pushing us all to embrace the unknown.
What we have learned from this adventure so far is to enjoy the planning and hard work, embrace the pain and sleepless nights, and, as a family, celebrate the achievements. Sitting on Red Frog Beach was one small moment when we got to smell the roses of our journey, but I really think the true satisfaction - our paradise - is in how we got here.