Blogs from Panama Canal, Panamá, Panama, Central America Caribbean - page 9

Advertisement


It can all be summed up quite simply: The Pacifico Project is a go! February has been an incredibly long month of Panama-mania, but we've finally made our way through the canal and we're now sitting happily on an southwest-facing anchorage making final preparations and provisioning for the next few long months of crossing the world's largest body of water, the Pacific Ocean! It seems strange to say it since I've been traveling for over 2 months now, but it really feels like this adventure is FINALLY BEGINNING! I've hitchhiked a new ride on "Aries Tor", a 34-foot sloop from Toronto, owned by a guy named Rob who seems to have always dreamed of sailing around the world, and one day just decided to start. He bought the boat a few months ago and sailed it ... read more
Curious Shipment
The Approach
The Night Shift

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal February 27th 2008

Hello everyone, Finally, after 2 months of floating around in the Caribbean, I will be passing through the Panama Canal from Saturday, March 1 / Sunday, March 2 and entering the Pacific Ocean! If you are so inclined, you may be able to see us passing through the locks via the web cam. This travelblog entry will give you the details below: APPEARANCE: See photo attached. Please note the brown sail cover and forward sail bag, and yellow dinghy (inflatable boat) strapped to the deck. We will be detaching the solar panels for the canal, so you wont see those. We will have 6 people aboard. Boat name is "Aries Tor". We will most likely be rafted (tied up to) 2 other boats as we lock through. We are heading SOUTH. Currently, 5-6 sailboats lock through ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal February 22nd 2008

Today, Monday we began our cruise through the Panama Canal. Pilot was taken on board at around 0630 in the morning and we began our approach to the canal at around 0830. Normally when a pilot is taken on board, the captain still has command of the vessel but this is the only time and place in the world where when a pilot is taken on board, the captain of the ship relinquishes full command to him. Just a few facts about the building of the canal. The Spanish began to think of the idea back in the 16th century but due to lack of technology, it was abandoned. The next were the French in 1881 but abandoned in 1888 due to various problems. In 1903 the French sold their interest to the USA who then ... read more
Moving Locks
Two Men In A Boat
The Gap

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal February 15th 2008

Another day, another family, another roast pig……the sound of a thousand tiny balls, bearing…..thoughtlessly efficient design…..back on board….and so much less…..than last time! Life in Cuba, the people, the country, can be described in many, many ways, but I can tell you one thing for nothing…it is NEVER boring! nunca aburrido! Not that I get bored easily, as you know, I mean, I spent time staring out, just above the horizon, I could have done the hare krishna thing, I’m easily amused, but here, you know who wept! It is a constantly moving feast, altho’ that’s probably not the most appropriate saying as the food is the only low point, crikey, I could kill for a pizza. Not that I’m fading away! But I thought I’d shed the pelt here, you know, exercise, plain food, fruit….but ... read more
waiting in the car with Elsa
Elasa, yo, Tash
the new washing machine

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal February 15th 2008

Sorry, once again technology baffled me and I have to do this again to get the pics up. Enjoy... read more
C
C
C

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal February 14th 2008

Riots in Panama City As some of you may have heard, on Feb 13th, a construction worker was shot and killed during a demonstration in Panama City. The union to which this worker belonged became outraged at the act and promptly turned violent. Riots began and several roads were closed, bonfires burned in the middle of streets, stones were thrown at cars and buildings and property was damaged. Police fired tear gas into the crowds to control them, but I think it backfired. Apparently they became more angry. I am not quite sure why the demonstrator was shot in the first place - it appears it was a peaceful demonstration demanding a raise in wages for construction workers, safer equipment and shorter work hours - all reasonable demands, I think. We are not very close ... read more
Sean and Luigi
Luigi the Harpy Eagle
Luigi's cry

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal February 13th 2008

We spent 3 weeks in Shelter Bay Marina on the Colon end of the canal. It is a new facility and has the usual teething problems but otherwise a very pleasant place to hang out and haul out, which we did to do the regular bottom, but also to add keel coolers for the new Frigoboat freezer/refrigeration systems and as a treat a couple of Oceanled underwater lights. Also on the worklist was a Duogen water/wind generator to help with fuel conservation in the Pacific. We left Shelter Bay on the 31st of January, late in the afternoon to meet our advisor for the passage through the first locks. 5:30 turned into 7PM as we discovered we were to go thru with 7 boats from the World ARC plus another catamaran. Our advisor "Jose" spoke ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal February 9th 2008

Birds of the Avocado Tree I might have mentioned in my last entry that I have a huge avocado tree outside my bedroom window. I must say, it is an incredible source of entertainment and excitement during my time off (among other things, of course!) I have seen so many beautiful birds in that tree. I have also taken to waiting quietly with my camera until a bird comes close enough to get a good photo. My rate of success with good shots is low, (bird-brains have more to them than meets the eye) but I do manage to get some good photos. I have embedded a few of my favorites. Our little, angry collared aracari still flies into the window at about 9 in the morning. I have decided that he is trying to impress ... read more
Blue-crowned motmot (Motmotus motmota conexus)
Never smile at a crocodile!
Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal February 7th 2008

Hi folks, I'm going to try this again... read more
Curacou
Curacou
Curacou

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal January 30th 2008

So here we are in Sunny and warm Panama getting ready to transit the canal tomorrow. For those online you may be able to see us on the Panama Canal webcam on Friday about noon MST going through Miraflores locks. After a month comig down from Cartegna, the Columbian islands, Rosarios, with a nice aquarium and strange aviary where we were greeted by 2 Emus and many birds from aroun the world, to Isla Feurte, a great little island where I had a couple of good dives with the locals. Then on to the San Blas where we spent 2 1/2 weeks in a culture shock of wonderful friendly people and ate crab and lobster daily with some great snorkelling. Finally into Shelter Bay Marina, a really nice new outfit where we hauled the boat to ... read more




Tot: 0.159s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 5; qc: 81; dbt: 0.0997s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb