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!