Below is the map of our transit through the Panama Canal.  We spent one night in Gatun Lake and completed the transit in 24 hours.

Shelter Bay Marina on the Caribbean side of Panama where we staged for our Panama Canal transit.

The Harbor Master definitely wanted to test my docking skills with this very tight slip.

This was a pleasant surprise. We got the World Series games on the Sea Rose TV.

Went for a walk and spotted quite a few Toucans in the trees.

Geary always claimed he went to the pool to read, not sleep, but now we have the evidence.

Our Agent dropped off the fenders and lines we will need while we are transiting the Panama Canal.

Mike is all fired up as we finally make our way to the Gatun Locks to begin our transit.  As you can see, the Panama Canal is a busy place with a lot of ships coming and going.

After a 2 hour delay we are given our instructions to follow the white ship ahead.

One large container ship just exiting the Canal.

We have just been informed we will not be transiting with the white ship, but instead wait for another ship coming up from behind us and then move to the other lock. The sun is setting.

Sea Rose is still waiting in the channel for the other ship to come forward so we can enter behind.  The small boats are always behind the larger ships when going up the locks.

Our new transit ship is in place. Now we can enter the lock.  Daniel on the bow is one of our hired line handlers for the transit.  You are required to have 4 line handlers and one adviser.

The chamber doors are closing behind us.  Up we go!

Geary working the starboard stern line.

Mike is handling the port stern line.

The Gatun Locks are a series of three locks rising Sea Rose 84 feet to transition into the fresh water Gatun Lake.

Morning on Gatun Lake.  We spent the night on Gatun Lake and will complete our transit today.

The Panama Canal is a busy shipping lane with many different types and sizes of ships passing through it.

Here’s a car carrier.

A ship carrying wind generation blades, probably to the USA.

Here’s a massive container ship passing by.

Much to our surprise we got passed in the canal by a US warship.

The newly commissioned John P. Murtha Amphibious Assault Ship.

The John P. Murtha passing under the Centennial Bridge which was built to relieve congestion on the the Bridge of Americas.  

Teresa was able to capture Sea Rose entering the Miraflores Locks on one of the Canal’s web cams.

The John P. Murtha being slowly pulled into position behind us.  When going down in the locks the larger ships are to the rear of the lock.

This is a one in a million photos.  Our friends just happened to be in the observation deck at the Miraflores locks not knowing we were transiting.  We had no idea they were there either.  They were able to take this photo and forwarded it to us.  Thank you Steve and Aracely!  Later that night we met up at the Hard Rock Cafe for drinks and stories.

Mike making sure they see us and don’t squash like a bug against the walls.

I just happen to be wearing my battle ship grey shirt and cap this day.

As you can see, there is very little room for error between  John P. Murtha, and the canal walls.

The Miraflores locks opening, so we can move forward into the second and final lock.

Our adviser Victor is picked up by the pilot boat after the transit.

Bridge of the Americas and beyond that, the Pacific Ocean.  We did it!

It took Sea Rose two days and nights to reach Portobello where we cleared immigration. Portobello was 65 miles past the San Blas Islands.  We spent one night in Portobello at anchor and then motored 8 miles the next morning to Linton Bay to purchase our cruising permit.  With all our documents in hand, we spent the afternoon in Linton Bay.  Linton Bay is in the process of building a very nice marina.  We departed at sunset to sail (motor) back east the 65 miles to the San Blas Islands.  We then island hopped westward through the San Blas and eventually ending up in Colon for our passage through the Panama Canal.

We would like to send a special get well soon and speedy return to our first mate Teresa.  Teresa’s absence is duly missed on Sea Rose.  The Captain prepared a little remembrance shrine to honer her.

There was little to no wind, so we motored most of the way.  As you can see the seas were very calm.

At one point we did go through a heavy rain storm and this exhausted little hitchhiker took refuge on our paper towels in the kitchen.  He/she eventually regained his/her strength and continued on his/her journey.

Entering the Bay of Portobello.  Christopher Columbus discovered this place during his fourth trip to the America’s in 1502.  It’s hard to believe this was the main Spanish shipping port for sending all the gold and riches back to Spain in the 1500’s.

Readying the dinghy to go ashore for immigration clearence.

Geary and Bob are off to see the immigration officials.  The Church of San Felipe de Portobello can be seen in the background.

Portobello was an old fortification.  The cannon are still in place hundreds of years later.

Jim outside the Church of San Felipe de Portobello.

Inside the Church.  It is home to the Black Christ of Portobello, a wooden statue of Jesus of Nazareth.  The statue has become holy and worshiped because of the miracles attributed to it.  Every October 21 the festival of the Black Christ of Portobello is celebrated.

Departing Portobello early in the morning.  Next stop Linton Bay.

Captain Bob taking his job seriously.

Entering Linton Bay.  Quite a few more boats here versus Portobello.

We purchased our cruising permit and then went to have lunch at the Casa X restaurant.

The view out on the harbor from our lovely table in Casa X.

Turns out Casa X is run by a Colombian couple.  Teresa would have enjoyed this place.

There was no additional charge for the bats on the ceiling while we ate our meal.

Returning from the store with additional provisions.

Departing Linton Bay for our overnight sail(motor) to the San Blas Islands

Arriving in the San BlasIslands in the morning.

Our first anchorage at Dupwala.

A local Kuna Indian sold us 3 lobsters for lunch.  We insisted he cook them in his cocina and just bring us the tails.

I’m not waiting for the other two, they can eat when they’re ready.

Nothing like a nice swim after a lobster lunch.

The water was extremely clear.

Taking the dinghy out for a look around the area.

This looks like an interesting island and shouldn’t take too long to explore.

Jim standing on his own island.  There were a lot of these small white sand islands scattered around.

Our second anchorage was at Isla de Tortuga.

Jim took the local water taxi to the island to check out what was available.

This is the restaurant.  The food better be good.

The view from our table with Sea Rose at anchor.

 

Geary and Bob waiting for their lobster dinner.  We had the best (only) table at the restaurant.

Our main hostess Alma welcoming us to her home for dinner. She lives on the island with her 20 year old son.

Captain Bob enjoying a cold beer after another hot day in paradise.

Jim just returning from his 5 minute walk around the entire island.

Jim and Geary and Jim selecting their catch for dinner that evening.  Head Chef Alma over seeing the cleaning of the fish on the stainless steel kitchen counter tops.

Its not always sunny in paradise.  It’s not unusual to get an afternoon downpour.

Jim and Geary returning after getting stranded on the island just before the rain.

The Panamanian military paid  a visit and got grounded on the beach.  Jim and Geary decided to assist them in trying to push their boat off.  These guy spend days and nights at sea on that boat with no cover from the sun or rain.

It’s Tuesday, so it must be Dog Island.

Dog Island was the most developed island to date, which isn’t saying much.  They did have a nice restaurant area where we had another lobster meal.

The grounds on Dog Island were well maintained.

Another day, another island.  Jim and Geary looking like two castaways who have been stuck on an island and happy to see help arrive.

The end to a great cruise through the San Blas Islands.