Panama Update & Canal Transit


Ok, so I am behind in keeping our progress up-to-date!   My last entry was the Las Perlas page, in January.  Soon after our return to Balboa from the Perlas islands we met Pino Esposito, a member of the Balboa Yacht Club with a Catalina 38.  We have become good friends, and although he was unable to come with us on the transit, he has been to stay for a week while we were on the Caribbean side of Panama.  A top orthopedic surgeon, , he is Italian, but has been living in Panama for many years. 

Before transiting, Pino took us for a day sail on his boat, Second Wind, to the island of Taboga.  Here are some pictures:

         



We transited the Canal on January 23, 2003.  We were fortunate enough to have a delightful "Adviser" called Frank, who was very professional, calm and did not seem to mind the fact that we made a party of the event!!   Our line "handlers" were all cruisers, two young couples and David, a single-hander with a trimaran.  Everyone came aboard at 06.15, and the journey was completed by about 17.00 the same day.  For the actual lock transits we were rafted to a catamaran.   The only mishap we had was a large wave made by a tug pushing a freighter the other way, rounding a bend, sent water pouring through our open hatches, straight onto the bed!!  The mattress and bedding was awash, luckily with fresh but rather muddy water!!  Oh well, these things happen, and we managed to drag everything on deck to dry out during the remainder of the voyage.

  
               Rafted to the catamaran, Frank on right                                             Our "line handlers"                        


  
                Rafting to tug, Dave giving instructions!                                             David and Dave


  
               Cruise ship and yacht in front                                                       Big freighter behind!


Once on the Caribbean side, our Adviser Frank directed us towards the anchorage known as "the Flats" and we said our goodbyes and he climbed aboard a Canal tender.

We continued to the Panama Canal Yacht Club, but there was no room for us, and we therefore anchored off the docks, launched the dinghy, and bade farewell to our wonderful helpers!  The likelihood of seeing them again is remote, David is continuing his trip to the South Pacific, Randy and Liza were heading back to the West Coast of the US, and Jason and Nicole on "Baggywrinkle" - well, they are taking their time about cruising, with no plans!! As it should be!!

The following day we prepared the boat for a longer sea voyage.  We had received very favourable weather faxes, and thought this was a good window for making the trip up the Colombian coast to the ABC islands, even though it meant missing the San Blas Islands, which everyone has recommended.

On January 25, 2003 we set out for Aruba ...