25th March to 9 April 2012
Las Brisas, Playa Gorgona, Panama City
Well its been nearly a month here in Panama City, Cinco de Mayo is now bit of a favorite place for batidos and good value meals. Not to mention other local delights like very young smoked coconut seeds, cerviche, cherizo and now a favorite, fried yucca.
Today whilst eating a pork, come rice, come ensalada number, a long human hair was found within the culinary delight. Retrieving it was similar to trying to land a fish snagged around a branch in the water. Its origin was never an issue nor was its presence.
Firstly the food was delicious and secondly good value, however thirdly and most importantly, foreign matter like this in ones food all helps to strengthen the immune system with the introduction of new bugs to the system.
Above all this, not caring less, kind of sums up my attitude to things like this.
In days gone by this would have been a problem.
The Panamanians like all people here in Central America are just the nicest people and always helpful, though sometimes when asking directions they will in their willingness to help give directions even if they are not sure of the desired destinations, you have to love it!
It is such a pleasure that almost all activities pursued on this journey are not bound by time frames.
A great week has just been spent at Johns house on Playa Gorgona. It was a week of socializing, walking, relaxing, swimming and reading, spent in just the best company. Having spent an unexpected night there a few weeks ago, it was great of John to have me back as a friend.
The beach in front of the house is a popular place for people with all manner of these 4 and six seater ATV's, again all passers by especially those on foot, we thought, enjoyed the music playing at the house. One might mention at any time of the night and day.
Having said that his consumption of Bacardi was beyond my endurance levels, he is 63, one of the most unique guys I have meet for a long time and ever so generous.
It was Semana Santa here so many people were dropping in and camping on the front lawn. It was enjoyable being with Panamanians as they celebrated Easter.
Warren and I have been doing the usual weekly routine of catching up with other sailors at various functions around the causeway.
Here at Las Bresas, army personal are always present keeping an eye on proceedings, the are young guys and very friendly.
Panama City is a great place for people who enjoy walking with the walk along the city foreshore to old Panama city especially enjoyable in the cool evening air.
I am now feeling the need to be on the move again, in this case it will be the water, it is hoped that Dave from Bijou and myself are going to make passage from Shelter Bay Marina near Colon to Santa Marta in Colombia in the next week or so. This will be for me a so much more enjoyable way to Colombia by yacht.
There are many other yachts taking paying passengers from Portobelo to Cartagena, I have heard mixed reports on the odd one of these, so make sure you are comfortable with the number of passengers onboard before making the passage which costs about $450 to $500, some want up to $100 for a bicycle. Most if not all visit the San Blas islands enroute.
A large piece of black plastic and duct tape is in my possession, it is imperative that salt water does not make contact with the bike, especially the rims.
The bike will be on the foredeck. This passage will be a series of long tacks as the wind will be on the nose. The trades persist, those being generally from the ENE. Though one could get lucky as the dry season is now drawing to a close.
At Gorgona we received a couple of prolonged drenchings with one proceeded by a short but powerful light display. A sign that change could be in the air.
Las Brisas, Playa Gorgona, Panama City
Well its been nearly a month here in Panama City, Cinco de Mayo is now bit of a favorite place for batidos and good value meals. Not to mention other local delights like very young smoked coconut seeds, cerviche, cherizo and now a favorite, fried yucca.
Today whilst eating a pork, come rice, come ensalada number, a long human hair was found within the culinary delight. Retrieving it was similar to trying to land a fish snagged around a branch in the water. Its origin was never an issue nor was its presence.
Firstly the food was delicious and secondly good value, however thirdly and most importantly, foreign matter like this in ones food all helps to strengthen the immune system with the introduction of new bugs to the system.
Above all this, not caring less, kind of sums up my attitude to things like this.
In days gone by this would have been a problem.
The Panamanians like all people here in Central America are just the nicest people and always helpful, though sometimes when asking directions they will in their willingness to help give directions even if they are not sure of the desired destinations, you have to love it!
It is such a pleasure that almost all activities pursued on this journey are not bound by time frames.
A great week has just been spent at Johns house on Playa Gorgona. It was a week of socializing, walking, relaxing, swimming and reading, spent in just the best company. Having spent an unexpected night there a few weeks ago, it was great of John to have me back as a friend.
The beach in front of the house is a popular place for people with all manner of these 4 and six seater ATV's, again all passers by especially those on foot, we thought, enjoyed the music playing at the house. One might mention at any time of the night and day.
Having said that his consumption of Bacardi was beyond my endurance levels, he is 63, one of the most unique guys I have meet for a long time and ever so generous.
It was Semana Santa here so many people were dropping in and camping on the front lawn. It was enjoyable being with Panamanians as they celebrated Easter.
Warren and I have been doing the usual weekly routine of catching up with other sailors at various functions around the causeway.
Here at Las Bresas, army personal are always present keeping an eye on proceedings, the are young guys and very friendly.
Panama City is a great place for people who enjoy walking with the walk along the city foreshore to old Panama city especially enjoyable in the cool evening air.
I am now feeling the need to be on the move again, in this case it will be the water, it is hoped that Dave from Bijou and myself are going to make passage from Shelter Bay Marina near Colon to Santa Marta in Colombia in the next week or so. This will be for me a so much more enjoyable way to Colombia by yacht.
There are many other yachts taking paying passengers from Portobelo to Cartagena, I have heard mixed reports on the odd one of these, so make sure you are comfortable with the number of passengers onboard before making the passage which costs about $450 to $500, some want up to $100 for a bicycle. Most if not all visit the San Blas islands enroute.
A large piece of black plastic and duct tape is in my possession, it is imperative that salt water does not make contact with the bike, especially the rims.
The bike will be on the foredeck. This passage will be a series of long tacks as the wind will be on the nose. The trades persist, those being generally from the ENE. Though one could get lucky as the dry season is now drawing to a close.
At Gorgona we received a couple of prolonged drenchings with one proceeded by a short but powerful light display. A sign that change could be in the air.