Choco....late

By Bob 

Chocolate...mmmmm!  

Being a card carrying member of 'Chocoholics Anonymous' I'm aware that our 12 step program reads: with nuts, without nuts, dark with cranberries and hazelnuts, medium light with mint, cream filled with orange etc.

Dolphins!

That's the cry that will get us both up and looking. Dolphins have been joining us on a daily basis on our journey up the Central American coast from Panama to Mexico.

Three different views of Costa Rica

There is an ancient Indian story about a group of blind men encountering an elephant for the first time. The first man felt the trunk and declared that an elephant was just like a snake. The second man felt the ears and declared that an elephant is like a fan, the third man felt the legs and declared that an elephant was like a tree trunk, etc etc.

Beautiful floral covered road in Costa Rica

North from Panama City

By Bob

So, we were only 3 hrs. late leaving the fuel dock at Tropicana Marina after the big top off for diesel, gas, and water. Seems they thought our 2 meter draft was an issue at low tide. I thought they just wanted to let their friends and reserved guests in first. 

Fixing the boat in exotic places

This is the quote that cruisers often use to describe our lifestyle. It is pretty accurate. Boats take work. The salt water is very corrosive and the wind can put a lot of strain on the equipment. Things break and need to be fixed. The only upside is that we are often in beautiful places when this happens, although I am not sure how beautiful or exotic you can classify Panama City, it is a big city after all.

Working in tight spaces, down in the hold!

Panama Canal, more than just the locks

As our preparations were completed, it was time to head through the canal. We were told to meet our advisor at 4:30 PM. Being so late in the day it was clear that we would have a two day transit with an overnight stay in Lake Gatun. Our advisor, Renaldo, joined us at a little after five, and our adventure began.

Panama Canal preparation

For boats that want to transit the canal it is not simply a matter of showing up at the entrance to the canal and waiting your turn to go in. It takes a bit more preparation than that.