9:22N 79:57W

 

After a few weeks land touring in Panama and Costa Rica we returned to Bandit and headed for Shelter Bay Marina, Colon.  Colon is one of the world’s worst cities as far as gang related crime goes – tourists are warned to keep out and anchoring anywhere near is inviting disaster.  So Shelter Bay Marina it was.  Naturally, as these guys have a monopoly they charge like wounded bulls so we opted for a 15 day stay which works out cheaper than for a short term.  It was wonderful to be in a marina and being able to step ashore. That is a luxury cruising sailors the world over appreciate.  Having endless running water, good showers, a fantastic pool, good bar with $1 beers and $2 rums and a free shuttle to the supermarket are added extras.  We met cruisers we’d met all over the place including some from theGreek Islands and others from the US east coast.  Everyone was frantic as they prepared their yachts for the canal transit and the Pacific crossing. 

 

Each day we’d take the bus to Colon to provision and each day we’d head back laden with full bags, backpacks etc.  Colon was not a place to linger and my attempts to visit the fresh fruit and vege market were thwarted.  “Muy peligrosso” (very dangerous) I was firmly told by the taxi driver.  So stale, refrigerated produce it was.

 

We enjoyed our days which always started with an early morning jungle walk spotting monkeys, birds and other wildlife (including some strange specimens) and finished with happy hour at the bar.