Flamenco Marina - 20 March 2024.
We woke to the sound of bird song and it is evident that there is a lot more bird life here in the Pacific – sea gulls, gannet types and black birds or that’s what they call them here, but they are not the same as black birds at home. We had a cereal breakfast and the guys decided to head off to see Panama City taking an Uber which is apparently the cheapest transport here.
It was a jobs day unfortunately for me. First Alex, the agent came to take away a gas cylinder to fill and he also brought a computer geek to see if he could sort our the Starlink issue with my Macbook. He tried for about an hour and a half and could not fix it. He thinks the problem is that the router thinks it is in one country and the Macbook in the another so they are conflicting with each other. He sent me a link to a geek article he had found which I sent on to my account people and we will see.
Jesus who has to fit the turning bocks for the new parasail and new jammers for the running backstays was supposed to come at 11.00am. He came at 1.00pm!! We looked inside what was required and then the heavens opened and we had torrential arain for over 3 hours so they left and said they would come back tomorrow. The toilet man was supposed to come early but then had an emergency and said he would come at 2.00pm – but then his job ran on and he said he will come tomorrow. This was all very frustrating and a bit of waste of a day. However, these things happen. I had some time to myself and sorted a number of things out.
The guys returned about 4.15 pm and they had had a good time in Panama City – the old town which was interrupted by the rain. They had been to the canal museum and a Mola museum which they enjoyed as well as a taco lunch. We had some tea and Charles and I then explored the shops and restaurants and booked a table at the nearest restaurant which was serving Brazilian, Japanese and Italian food. We ended up having a drink as a Ceviche Café before everyone joined us for supper. It was good quality Italian food despite our distance from Italy.
We ended up sitting on the aft deck looking at the stars and waxing moon. At least the boat had had a good washdown from the rain and saved us having to get out the hose!
Opportunity for any Readers/Sailors.
In late May 2024 we shall be in the Marquesas in French Polynesia, and we will then move through to the Tuamotu’s before getting to Tahiti about the end of July 2024. There may be some space on Stormbird during this period should any sailor/reader be interested in joining for this period or part of it in what must be one of the most distant and beautiful places in the world. If there is any interest do email me at hine.nick9@gmail.com
The blog will continue as we head off to Panama and beyond.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com I can only upload one picture a day and visit our website www.stormbirdgoesglobal.co.uk