Return to Panama
06 April 2015 | Panama -Linton Marina
Caribbean side of Panama
Image Panama City skyline
27th March So – holiday in the Galapagos over, now just the travel back to Panama. After 14 fantastic action packed days it was time to fly back to La Aventura – hopefully still safely tucked up in Linton Marina, Portobelo – on the Caribbean side of Panama.
We had plenty of time for a lyin and late breakfast before having to leave our accommodation for our mid morning flight– although Mama did come to check that we were indeed leaving.
We walked the short distance to the airport to check-in. Yes we could check-in but not got through customs and immigration as that area of this very large ‘shed’ was not open yet. From what we could work out there were several flights due to leave and the Customs & Immigration area would be only opened with enough time to process all the flights together – it looked to us that the locals were checking in and then leaving to go back home before coming back for Customs & Immigration – mad really, but is a small town and it probably much nicer in their homes waiting than here in the shed.
Our flight was late to arrive and therefore late to leave for Guayaquil – I was a bit anxious about our transfer time for our next flight. I had a good window seat for this short flight. Looking down on the large city of Guayaquil as we arrived it looked very waterlogged from lots of rain. Our check-in for our flight to Panama was no problem, and we even had some time for a coffee the departure lounge.
On arrival back into Panama going through Immigration was thankfully no problem, and the lady accepted our boat papers and Marina receipt as sufficient info and we did not have an entry issue. Panama is VERY strict on all passengers having return tickets or ongoing travel arrangements and the correct type of visas – we saw people being turned away at check-in as they didn’t have the correct documentation.
There was a baggage mixup on arrival and it took ages for both our bags to be delivered, time was getting on and it was already 9pm and we still had to get to our accommodation in Central Panama for the night. All went well and we caught the local bus from outside the airport with all the local workers right into Cinco de Mayo. We got to our very basic, cheap room at 10.30pm – showered and crashed out.
27TH MARCH TO 6TH APRIL – Linton Bay Marina – well not really a marina – much more a marina project still in building stage. We had no facilities or services- just a dock to tie to – but it was the least expensive, safest option for leaving the boat whilst we were off travelling.
After our return from the Galapagos we had a hire car for a few days to do some major food/drinks restocking of the boat. We spent spent a few of our remaining paid-up days at the dock doing some repairs, laundry, odd jobs and maintenance. Rob and Laura from Southern Comfort and the young Americans from Nomad were also good company for afternoon drinks.
Thankfully we managed to get enough water hoses from all the other yachts to get the very, very long run arranged so we could fill our tanks from the mountain water supply ... we were on empty!
We had a lovely, unexpected visit from Monica and Phil from Miss Molly and spend several hours chatting and catching up. We last saw them in the San Blas islands over the Australia Day celebrations. They are heading to the Rio Dulce in Guatemala for hurricane season so we don’t know when we will see them again for awhile – but we will continue to chat on the SSB daily MAG net.
Easter came and went, and the Easter Bunny did find us with eggs for Easter Sunday morning.
I phoned Mum – finally managed to speak with her as she was in Lennox Head visit Stephen! (that would be why she wasn’t answering her phone at home for the several days I was trying to call)