Well we have finally arrived at the Panama Canal! We are presently in Shelter Bay Marina on the outskirts of a city called Colon (the a*sehole of the world!). The marina is wonderful - showers - electric - bar - swimming pool - bus to a fully stocked supermarket - BLISS!
Without boring you too much, Colon is an extremely dangerous city and we have been told that we must not go into the city without security guards as it is too dangerous. Our trip to get our visa was like being in the presidential cavalcade - van pulls up outside office - guard gets out - we follow into office - finger prints taken - guard clears the way out to van - and we quickly depart the area. Kinda gives you that warm fuzzy feeling dosn't it!
The entrance to the port was 'interesting' and very busy, we had supertankers wizzing down either side of us one after the other. I didn't realise just how busy the canal was, it is constant 24 hours a day. On our way to the immigration office we had to pass over the huge Gantun lock - wow its pretty impressive and quite intimidating to think that little old Honalee will be tied up alongside a supertanker to get through the locks. We had the officials on the boat the other day to measure us up, now we only have to get our watermaker working and we are ready to go through.
We are now beginging to stock up for the Pacific, the logistics of buying for 6 months let alone storing it on a yacht is going to be a nightmare. Our neighbours on the marina bought nearly a 100 bottles of wine yestrday along with 70 flats of beer (24 in each) - this is how much space we have for food not including water or beer! I'd like to be on their boat! While we were shopping yesterday we came across quarter bottles of spirits for trading in the Marquesas for fish - they were 50p each! if it gets us some tuna or dorado great!
Anyhow - off to start making an inventory of stores on the boat in 90* plus heat!
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