Hi Folks,

Time to leave Panama City and Head for the Galapagos Isles, for which we slipped anchor at circa 5:30pm yesterday (Sunday) after a week of adventure and frolics…

Got to know Panama city a little better, tracking down the nightlife. On the first excursion found Hooters, the Londoner Pub, and LaBar with the Scottish crew from Stiana and one or two others – what a night, thought I could drink but no competition for the Scots. Still local wild life was interesting although no survey data to report on that evening. So not to be deterred Neilius and I did a proper investigation last Thursday resulting in exploring a variety of clubs, including an amazing local bar / club, full of friendly locals more than keen to chat and dance (my natural charm me thinks). Also had a small stage were a group of 4 beefcake guys got up, ripped their clothes off and proceeded to rub shaving foam into their ‘bits’, then assisted by fit female club revellers from the audience! (and no it wasn’t a gay bar, the women outnumbered the guys by at least 2:1 and no I didn’t get up). Panama price survey completed ranging from $100 to $500, price reflected in quality (apparently)!

During the week we decided to trip down to the Las Perlas Isles for a couple of days on advice from a number of fellow owners. Ended motoring down (no wind) and anchoring off a gorgeous bay on a large beautiful private island, complete with a spectacular hillside resort (photos added) with lots of wildlife including loads of full size roaming parrots. With 9 other yachts and no one staying at the resort we dominated the place, making full use of the infinity pool and restaurant (table for 30 please – a big ask when the resort was basically empty).

So in terms of other antics we went to a Panamanian restaurant in the old town, which as I think I said is next to the poorest area, so in the evening there are generally 2 armed police at every main road corner, fingers on trigger ready! Decided not to stroll around other than using ATM between the restaurant and Police station next door. On entering the restaurant they had a Panamanian band bashing on drums whilst 2 guys dressed as devil dragons danced whilst clicking castanets – very authentic??? Well until they invited me to join them!!

Hiring a Taxi is also a flippin Joke. Every time into town to a similar location initial price ranged from $8 to $20 dollars – ‘aving a laugh’ was my normal reply and it generally worked.

So after getting our new boat boy to tirelessly clean and prep the boat (picky of Neilius included – he’s the one with the hair), we spent the majority of Saturday provisioning (food & drink shopping) as its likely to be the last place we can get such a selection of stuff for the next 5-6 months. So ended up with 4 trolley loads and a $1,250 bill (um now did I buy enough wine??) – no worries the supermarket staff did all the packing and even took the 4 trollies across the entirety of the shopping centre and down escalators (photo) to find us a couple of taxi’s, even bartering on our behalf – great adventure.

Umm Tish asked me to include my story of when I pulled up to Spent in the tender, fully dressed to go out and mistakenly mixed up the throttle direction causing the tender disappearing from under my legs and me scrambling up the side of the yacht, but not after going in the sea up to my knees, whilst the tender waltzed off in circles drifting away! Had people in stitches!

OK after first night of making excellent progress towards Galapagos  (averaging 10-12 kts in strong winds and big sea’s) we’re now stuck in ‘the doldrums’, just above the equator with the engine idling hoping we don’t have to motor for the next 5-6 days (fuel being at a premium from now-on) – time to make-up some on-boat party games me thinks for which we’ve (er maybe I’ve) downloaded a few episodes of Bonzai, so should help to keep us entertained? Also have Wii sing thingy on board, so hoping to attract a few singing seals in Galapagos??

So update again soon, take care and love to all,

Paul & Trish

xx