An overnight sail
23 May 2011 | Colon, Panama
Catherine
We've arrived!
A pretty straight forward motor from San Blas to Colon and at 7am yesterday we were asking permission from Port control to enter the canal area. We went straight to the Flats (the supposed anchorage) in thick fog, trying to avoid all the huge container ships lurking in the vicinity. We were really disappointed to find no other yachts there and it wasn't until we heard a child on the VHF calling another yacht that we were able to connect with another boat and find out where everyone was – Club Nautico – a little fishing port just round the corner, still within the canal entrance and closer to town. Gruffalo (the other family boat) were going through the canal that day, so were heading over to the Flats where they were meeting their advisor. We were able to hook up for about an hour or so where Lochy and Mia had great fun with Emma, 5 and Joshua, 3. In fact, Lochy and Emma hit it off really well straight away and so it was a shame they were heading off straight away. Such is sailing life. Maybe we will see them on the other side of the canal. They were able to impart great snippets of advice, especially regarding the politics of the local agents situation. It seems our agent covers the Shelter Bay marina area and not here, however, we simply can't afford to stay in the marina, its prices extortionate, especially after spending so much on fuel these past couple of weeks and with the prices of transiting the canal and Galapagos isles ahead. And we quite like being at anchor. It's very exciting, starting the process of the transit. We expect we will be going through in about a week. Watch this space.