In the Pacific
SY Ghost
Tim and Clare Hagon
Fri 31 Jan 2014 13:52
What an amazing piece of engineering the canal is. We picked up our advisor at about 1600hrs then made our way to the Gatun locks where we "nested" with 2 other boats. After we were safely joined at the hip the catamaran took control of the steering and both monohulls stood by with hard astern when needed.
It took about 2 hrs to get through the 3 chambers of the first lock, followed by a short sprint to the anchorage where our advisor left us for the next morning. At 0600 we motored through the Gatun lake, where we saw crocodiles and a manatee. The wildlife is spectacular as jungle and trees surround this man made lake for the 30 miles we had to motor to the next locks.
Two locks later and at about 1400 we cam underneath the bridge of the Americas which signified our entrance into the Pacific - quite a moment!
From here we are off to the Islas Perlas for a bit of cruising before our windless trip to the Galapagos.