Shelter Bay Marina Colon

Our plan to arrive in Shelter Bay Marina on the 30th to give Deb time to depart from Panama airport on the 2nd February worked a treat. Space might have been a problem because the World ARC fleet was in. They circumnavigate at hectic speed under the guidance of World Cruising Club organisers. As it turned out, many had already started their Canal Transit so we took up residence on E pontoon berth 38. Australia,  NZ , Canadian and US  flagged boats were much in evidence.  Johnny's eye infection made the Colon medical centre the #1 priority the next day. Eye drops and antibiotics were prescribed to get the eye under control. Deb packed, printed tickets and booked an expensive taxi 35 miles to the airport .... at 5.30am next morning. And off she went to become Grandma for the first time.

SBM is a long way from anywhere. It used to be a US marine base and remnants still abound. Much of the training area has reverted to natural habitat for varied species of birds, reptiles, and monkeys. Great early morning walks. Though there was work to do, as the Colon stop allowed a much needed maintenance period particularly for Laros's generator which required a new sump, luckily pre-ordered in Colombia. Johnny spent the next 2 weeks cleaning ropes, anchor chain remarking, replacing broken items down below, and generally tidying up. American friends on Swiftsure welcomed an extra pair of hands antifouling their catamaran hulls too. Then to Florida for 6 days R&R and sailing shopping to break away from the isolation of Shelter Bay, with a trip through the Canal on Haven with Kerry and Bruce, becoming great Australian friends, as a practice run.

Florida was excellent and great to see Sam and Jo, old friends from Indianapolis days. The eye was still nagging though progress was checked in Panama and Florida with opthamologists. Johnny returned to Panama to greet Philip at the airport, who was joining us for 4 weeks to the Galapagos. J and P spent the last week of Feb finishing off 2 man jobs. Philip became engrossed in the wildlife. Johnny tussled with the generator, with the help of Greg  (the resident 'engine whisperer'!). Philip did a fantastic provisioning trip to Colon and re-glued the dinghy rubbing strip. Johnny talked nicely to the water maker.  All was well as Deb flew in on an incredibly long leap year day. We all stayed in Panama overnight for Johnny's second eye checkup, stolls around the old city, new city, and a variety of national bars and restaurants. And then, back to Shelter Bay in Roger's ubiquitous taxi with the 4 mandatory ropes for our transit.  My, how one can dispose of many dollars, very many dollars, in crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific via a one hundred year old canal and lake system. Bureaucracy is still alive and well, at least for ensuring the local economy thrives.

We awaited Tony's arrival during the first 2 days of March, and hooked up with John from Oystergo who joined us for the experience of transiting the Canal.