08.54.0000 N  79.31.0000 W

We said our farewells to Steve after a lovely dinner out in Panama city the evening before he flew back to Colorado. We had a few nice days with him in Panama city. We were really happy that we were finally able to go and eat at one of our favorite Asian fusion restaurants after a failed attempt earlier in the week where the power went out in the city just as we were about to order. An interesting evening that turned out to be.......

Anyway its been all action stations for us as we wanted to get all provisioned up for the next 8 months in a few days so we can get out of the city as soon as possible. We attacked it like a bull in a china shop and began the ordeal at Pricemart - a discount bulk members supermarket type place. We filled up 5 trollies full (just think of the logistics for 2 people) and headed to the check out. The lady nearly refused Nicks card as he didn't have ID but I think after 
 seeing
how much she had already put through the till she just let him off with a warning. 

2 taxis, 20 odd trips up and down a steep ramp to the dinghy dock, 4 dinghy trips, 3 hours of unloading into the aft starboard cabin later we were finally able to sit down and look at the mountain of food we had bought! And that wasn't all of it! There were a few things we couldn't get so we headed off the next day to another supermarket to see if we could pick up the other bits. Over the week we also visited numerous chandleries and DIY stores, as well as electronics places, booze shops, surf shops, cheap Chinese shops, Asian supermarkets, a massive fruit and veg market as well as a final Pricemart shop for meat and cheese. 

A couple of days ago  we headed around the corner to La Playita (where we have been anchored) to Balboa yacht club where they have moorings you can get for an expensive fee. I did 4 hours of laundry (on my birthday) and we have been able to fill up w
 ith
fuel and water. 

Finally we are ready to leave!!!!! 

We will head to Las Pearlas again for a night or two to clean the bottom of the boat - as it has to be spotless for the Galapagos. 

Laters Panama city!!!! 


This e-mail was delivered via satellite phone using GMN's XGate software. Please be kind and keep your replies short.