This weeks message has been writen and authorized by our crew member and guest Wayne Mikkelsen. I hold no responsibility for the following information that you are about to receive.

Sincerely,

Faye

I spent my winter planning a trip to Alaska, charting over 2200 miles of routes and studying guide books to go north. Now I find myself sitting on a mooring buoy at the Balboa Yacht Club in Panama, looking out at the Bridge of Americas. Sometimes you have to go south to go north. Friends, Faye & Ken invited us along with their son R.J, Paulette & Ken to transit the Panama Canal. The Bridge of the Americas reconnected east & west Panama which had been separated during the digging of the canal. It was finished in 1962, spans 5425 ft from abutment to abutment, and has a clearance of 201 feet, and the traffic load of 35,000 vehicles a day.

Unfortunately, the day after we arrived, Faye returned to Calgary for a funeral, leaving Ken, Wendy & I to care for ourselves. We took advantage of the time and motored out to the Las Perlis Islands-stayed at Isla Contadora anchored out, looking back at the expensive houses on shore. The second night we travelled to Isla Viveros where a new resort is being built. Again we anchored out looking at the beautiful sand beaches. The forecast was for high winds so we returned the 40 or so miles bucking into the 25 knot winds. An experience, not conducive to convincing Wendy to travel around the world in our boat.

Ken, Wendy & I toured the Informative Centre at Mira Flores locks. The original canal construction, started by the French and taken over by the Americans was completed in 1914. At present the locks are each 1000 ft long and 110 feet wide and will accommodate ships up to 980 ft long. New locks are under construction which will be 1400 ft long and 180 ft wide. The Americans controlled the canal until December 31, 1999 when it was returned to the Panamanians. Our guide told us that the average vessel pays $100,000.00 US to transit. We paid $1250.00 US for broker fees, permits and our transit. The least ever paid was an American swimmer that paid $0.35. and the largest fee that was ever collected was $385,000.00 US. The canal employs about 240 highly trained and experienced pilots who steer the ships through the water way. Some of these pilots make $14,000 per month which is reportedly a higher salary than the President of Panama. Average wages for locals are $1.50 - $1.80 per hour. In three locking steps ships are raised 85 ft up to Gatun Lake and then lowered down to the other side. More than 14,000 ships per year transit the canal. Crocodillias transit for free.

Upon Faye’s return & R.J.’s arrival we toured Casco Viejo-the Old Quarter, including the Simon Bolivar monument, The National Theatre, two cathedrals and the outside of the President’s Palace.

When Ken & Paulette arrived we went on a jungle tour to the Chagnes River in dugout canoes to visit the Embera tribe. We first went to swim at the waterfall and then we were welcomed to their village for lunch, which was a rolled up leaf with fried fish, plantain and fresh fruit. Houses were built on stilts traditionally to protect from jaguar, wild boar, and rodents. This also avoids flooding in the rainy season & prohibits the invasion of insects. They are basket weavers and wood carvers, scantily clothed who do not marry but live with their women as long as they get along, but can change mates at any time.

Tomorrow at 7:30 am we transit.