Domingo's Three Grandchildren

We Made it to the Canal

I will start this blog out firstly by saying that we do not have any effects from the earthquake in Chile. If a Tsunami was to come here the word is that it would have been here by now. If things change we will let you know. Thanks to all those that have emailed to see if we are ok.
Our entry into Panama was not very smooth. Another overnight passage not knowing which way the waves were coming from. We traveled as close to shore as we felt safe diminishing some of the motion. The areas from the Costa Rican border to Panama are filled with islands. This area is well known for its scuba diving and is now a Marine Park.
Our first stop would be Bahia Honda. This bay is very protected and as it turned out a great introduction to the Panamanian people.
The people in this area are very isolated. There are no roads leading out and their only means of transportation is by boat. The rivers are the highways for the indigenous that live here. The terrain is mountainous and jungle. Many wild animals call this area home. Jaguars are everywhere. Fishing, tropical fruit, beans and rice are their staples. They have their chickens for eggs and a larger brood and then used for dinners.
What these people may lack in processions they make up for in generosity.
We had only been anchored for about a half hour when our first visitor came to call. Domingo. He is a pleasant, talkative gentleman in his 70’s. He wanted to do some trading. Flashlights, batteries, fishing hooks, and clothes would be traded for fresh fruit.
The next visitors were a family in their dug out canoe. I rummaged through the boat and managed to find some things to give this family. Kennedy and his family are the son, daughter in law and grandchildren to Domingo. We had one more family visit that we gave fishing line; fishing hooks some food and books.
The weather was blowing gap winds through the Gulf of Panama so we made a decision to stay put in this secluded anchorage and let the bad weather pass us by.
We started stripping teak and doing maintenance chores on the boat. Continually we had visitors to come and talk to us. I am actually amazed that I understood about ¾ the conversations. When I didn’t understand I would have them repeat it again so I could grasp what they were telling us. They really like Canadians as we are quiet and peaceful.
Over the next couple of days we were brought gifts of hand carved animals, fruit, vegetables, fish and a lobster. Kennedy felt bad because he could only get one lobster. We were delighted with one lobster, Kennedy and his wife invited us to come to their home. He is extremely proud as he has built it all himself. It is a beautiful home and to date has taken 15 years. He manages to get things! He had used kitchen cabinets that he was ready to install in his kitchen. He has made his home as modern as one could have with no electricity or generators. Their view is of a beautiful beach within the bay. Now by going to his home we actually were not following the letter of the law as we had not yet checked into Panama and were waiting until we got to Panama City.
We were well back on the boat when a huge fish killer with 2 smaller fish killers came into the bay. They were obviously rich Panamanians, quite a difference from those that lived in this area. They stayed the next day and observed the visitations. Kennedy finally went to see if they needed anything only to find out that it was the President of Panama and his security on a fishing expedition.
We invited Kennedy’s family onto the boat and served them some of our type of food. Pickles they were not too fond of. The ice cubes and cold watermelon were a hit!
They are trying very hard to learn English and we are trying very hard to have someone understand our Spanish. Our three days spent with these people was truly remarkable and when we come back we have been requested to stay in their home and have a fiesta with them. We will do it!
It was off on another overnight journey this time the seas were calm but an electrical storm was catching up to us. It was sheet lightning so I wasn’t too concern. However the rain came with the lightning and we had to put in the windows. We arrived at Ensenada Naranjo and to our surprise fellow boaters whom we met in Mexico were at the anchorage.” Stettler” is a powerboat much like ours and the owners are also from Alberta.
The weather for the Gulf of Panama was perfect for a crossing so we spent only a few hours checking the systems, catching a cat nap then headed out the same day. One couldn’t have asked for better weather. Flat, calm, a moon shining and no rain. We were making such good time that Ken had to slow down so as to arrive at sunlight.
Isla Bona was once mined but is now abandoned. A boat with 7 guys came by and was coming close to our boat when one jumped in. They were after an iguana. That iguana went under our boat and was not coming out. Well the iguana thought the coast was clear and started heading to the shore when the guys spotted it trying to make its escape, they pounced on it like a cat on a mouse. Dinner that night was going to be iguana.

Proudly Showing the Iguana they Caught

Well we are now moored at the Balboa Yacht Club, outside the Panama Canal awaiting our crews’ arrival.