09:30:82N 78:36.96W The start of the Panama Canal adventure

Babe!
Paul & Trish Ducker
Sat 16 Feb 2013 17:16
We've had a great time in the San Blas islands including:
a) Renting a beachside restaurant (well hut really) for 10 (Babe, DCT,
Wolfhound) whilst the local Kuna Indians cooked the 12 x lobsters we bought
in the morning (which only cost $5 each! [photo's attached]
b) Celebrating Steve's (Amelie) birthday on the beach on an island at the
west of Coyo Holandes with plenty of wine & Rum [picky of view from Babe
attached]
c) BBQ and 9 bottles of wine on Amelie joined by Dreams Come True later
d) Joining the locals in Porvenir on Fiesta day
e) Swimming with Dolphins whilst anchored in Porvenir (well sort of, they
were swimming around me whilst I was trying to get closer, heard them
squeaking near me, but no contact).
f) Exploring a proper deserted island [photo attached] complete with an air
conditioned hut [photo]

We could have could have spent months there, but have a schedule to meet, so
we left San Blas on Monday for an overnight sail to Shelter Bay marina at
the start of the Panama Canal, approaching at circa 6am to be surrounded by
gigantic tankers and cargo & passenger ships. Of course one decides to make
a direct collision for us. 10 minutes to spare and I'm on the radio advising
'were a sailing yacht and your on a collision course with us, what are your
intentions' to get back a 'hold will get back to you' (no doubt whilst the
guy wakes up and gets his head together), anyway further minute and he
eventually recognises he needs to turn and does so, passing us within 400
feet - which ain't that far for a 900 odd foot cargo ship!

Entrance into the start of the area leading up to the canal area is very
impressive, for which we are currently tucked in the shelter bay marina on
the right ready to go through today (Saturday)....

So we leave here at 11am local time (16:00 UK)
Meet with our pilot at around 13:00 (18:00) UK)
Hope to go through the first set of locks circa 15:00 (20:00 UK)
Stay in the lake in the middle of Panama over night
Continue the remaining 7-8 miles tomorrow morning, getting through circa
15:00 and anchoring in the bay near Panama city

For those that are interested I believe you may be able to see us on web cam
(www.pancanal.com) - we're the yacht with the pink flamingo!

OK give you all an update when we're on the other side

Luv
Paul & Trish



, rondevuing

he's going to hit us, what are his intentions -

The photo's of the place just don't do it justice

09:30:82N 78:36.96

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