Matt & Meg's Xmas Visit to the San Blas Islands, Panama

 

December in Kuna Yala with Matthew & Meghan

This is a very typical Kuna hut. They sleep in hammocks & cook at an open fire in the hut.

The Village of Gerti in Kuna Yala

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve Dinner & Christmas Day in Chichime

A 20 Km Walk near Shelter Bay, PANAMA

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Armadillos, Monkeys & Geckos en route

Peter & I were "line handlers" helping fellow boaters Derek & Avril on "Norts & Crsses" get through the Panama Canal. A minimum of 4 line handlers are required plus the skipper and an advisor who works for the Canal. The Canal is a true engineering feat & the amount of work being done just to maintain it is phenomenal. They are adding another new canal running along side the existing one to accomodate larger ships with the intention of having it open in 2014 - the 100th anniversary of the original canal. We left the docks at Shelter Bay at 1pm & the pilot boat came out to us at 3 to guide us through the first set of locks. There are 3 chambers in each set of locks & it takes approximately an hour to get through the chambers. We got to the mooring ball in Gatun Lake just as the heavens opened up. Had some dinner and early to bed as we were expected to be on our way at 6 the next morning. The advisor arrived at 6:30 & we were on our way across Gatun Lake which is about a 25 mile crossing - a 5 hour motor to the 2nd set of locks. Our scheduled time to go through was 11:30 & we just barely made it. Once through the 2nd set, you enter into the Pacific Ocean. It is all quite the experience & now we know what to expect if we ever decide to take our own boat through!

PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT on Norts & Crosses - 1st Set of Locks From the Caribbean Side

 

Gatun Lake & the Culebra Cut

 

2nd set of locks

 

Entering the Pacific Ocean from Chamber 3

 

Working on the Boat in Shelter Bay Marina, Panama

 

October 2010

After a great summer in Vancouver catching up with family & friends, Peter & I are now preparing to head out to sea once again. We will be flying to Panama, putting the boat back in the water & heading back to the San Blas Islands to start. Our travels this year will include Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala & Belize.

Peter & Eileen - Season 4 - Venezuela, ABC's, Columbia & Panama

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Rio Chagres, Panama

 

 

Rio Chagres was magical. My only wish would be that there be sound attached to these photos. If you could only hear the howler monkeys, the toucans & the cacaphony of the parrots - you too would be drawn in by the magic of the river. We are anchored here seemingly all on our own (there are a couple of other boats within the six mile meandering rio leading to the Gatun Dam The Dam forms Gatun Lake which is part of the Panama Canal). It is unbelievably tranquil here. Despite the inclement weather, Peter & I can't help but love the river. Unfortunately, we can only spend 4 days here because we have to get to Shelter Bay to prepare the boat for taking it out of the water. We will be heading back to Vancouver shortly. We promise ourselves to come back to Rio Chagres in the fall.

Linton & Portobello, Panama

 

ChiChime & Snorkeling

 

 

Coral Reefs off Cambombia, San Blas

 

 

Sundowners, West Lemmons - Swimming Hole

 

 

Rio Sidra with Lisa

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Hikers included crew of High Five from RVYC. Adventure leader, Lisa, the famous master mola maker and transvestite in Kuna Yala with a flower bud for lips. Above set of pics of jumping into the pool could only happen after Lisa asked permission of the resident spirit.

The Kuna Indian

 

Beach Parties With Local Boaters Entertaining

Top right are twins Bradley and Tavish, now Kuna Yala icons and RVYC members on sv High Five. The crew included mom & dad, Janine & Gary and younger brother Richard.

Groceries in the San Blas (note the Spam & Sardines!!)