The Magic Shirts.

Well, here we are poised once again, all fired up and somewhere to go. However, my thought was, where does ones circumnavigation actually start?

Largs 4 years ago? But then, we doubled back to Norway. So, did we really start from there? Or was it Grenada last February. Or Norfolk? Or here? So confused. And then, will we circumnavigate or will some kind chap offer us a great price for Time Bandit in the Antipodes? Whatever, it's too far away to worry about.

So, worry free we headed for Carnival. Pounding music welcomed us along with representatives of the various police forces. Panama's constitution doesn't allow it to have any military so, they make up for it with what seems like half a dozen different types of police forces. Some in blue, some in khaki, some in camouflage, (these guys are hard to spot) but on the whole, they all look the same. I guess that why the individual officer seems to have the option to "accessorise" his or her uniform for that little, personal look.

Some wear their hand gun on the thigh. I think that's the macho look. The Clint look seems to be the traditional on the hip holster. This of course allows the casual stance of hip thrown out, right hand on gun. Perhaps the most impressive is what Billy the Kid would have called the "cross draw". That's where right handed cops wear their weapon of choice on the left side of their stab / bullet proof vest. Very smart.

We didn't know whether to feel incredibly safe or threatened! The thousands of locals and tourists didn't seem to care so we didn't either.

After a fun afternoon at the Panama Carnival and dinner by the water in the old town with Dave and Linda from Purrrfect we headed out for the Las Perlas islands, 38 miles out from Panama. Head off around the world then stop after 38 miles!!

Las Perlas is where the well heeled bring their stink boats at the weekends and the tourists come by ferry.

All very pretty and silver sand beaches and right now, we're off to explore.