We, and some ARC Rally boats, queue to check into the San Blas Islands, Panama…
The paperwork is done using a manual typewriter and takes a long time – we came back the next day as we weren’t in a hurry!
The San Blas islands are beautiful…
Some very small …
The Kuna Yala indians paddle out to sell their wares.
…and very popular with the cruising yachts.
The San Blas islands are beautiful…
An island with a village!
The Kuna ladies use very persuasive sales techniques to sell their molas.
Molas are artistic fabric pictures sewn using reverse appliqué and different layers of coloured cloth.
A typical Kuna indian village.
We visit a deserted island to burn and bury our garbage…
… and laundry/hairwash in a fresh water well.
Nancy and Don off Texas Reb on board Checkmate with Nils and Marit celebrating a new grand child.
BBQ nights!
BBQ nights!
Guard duty…
The Kuna are consumate seamen.
We arrive at Portobelo on mainland Panama – with its deep natural harbour.
In its heyday Portobelo was a wealthy Spanish Main city.
The local kids delighted in having their photo taken!
Whipping out the devils! Carnival time in Panama.
Entrance to Colon…
Yacht America about to transit the Panama Canal.
After a 4-week wait spent provisioning for the Pacific, we have 16 tyres for fenders ready for our transit…
Approaching the Gatun Locks…
Approaching the Gatun Locks…
Our fantastic pilot Carlos – and Bjorn, one of our line-handlers off Grizzly.
We spend the night in the Gatun Lake tied up to this huge mooring!
The pilots arrive next morning to guide us through Gatun Lake to the Pacific Locks.
The famous Gailllard Cut…
Widening the Canal…
Widening the Canal…
Ian (Ariel), one of our line-handlers at the helm and George, our second pilot.
Keith enjoys a joke with Ian (Ariel) and Anneka (Grizzly).
The yacht channel through the Gatun Lake.
A cruise ship transitting the Canal.
A ‘mule’ locomotive helps tow ships into the locks.
In the locks …
In the locks …
In the locks …
Off duty!
View from the web-cam at Miraflores Lock (courtesy of Randy on Dally On, That’s us in the middle!
The new Centenary Bridge.
The Bridge of the Americas – gateway to the Pacific.
Relief and achievement – we’re safely through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific Ocean!
