4. Key West to Panama

Recap With Photos #3

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Interesting theme to mural on our restaurant on Nargana Island.
Interesting theme to mural on our restaurant on Nargana Island.
Arrived in Coco Bandero Cays (still in San Blas). I like it!
Arrived in Coco Bandero Cays (still in San Blas). I like it!

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Our immediate neighbor is fellow Odyssey boat "Tom Tom".
Our immediate neighbor is fellow Odyssey boat “Tom Tom”.

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Salty selfie.
Salty selfie.
Bill attacks coconut.
Bill attacks coconut.
Most boats anchor behind islands that shelter them from the wind as well as the waves.
Most boats anchor behind islands that shelter them from the wind as well as the waves.
But in this heat we want all the wind we can get, so we anchor just behind the reef. A little bumpy, but cooler and more private. Thing in the water is Tim snorkeling.
But in this heat we want all the wind we can get, so we anchor just behind the reef. A little bumpy, but cooler and more private. Thing in the water is Tim snorkeling.

Sorry no photos of reef fish or rays or sea turtles or sharks or even the 12′ crocodile that was seen by one boat!

At this point we left San Blas and started back toward “civilization” in Colon (near the mouth of the Panama Canal) via Portobelo. Portobelo is a very old town, where Spanish gold was brought across Panama from the Pacific side, and then shipped to Spain. Lots of old forts and cannons at Portobelo!

We anchored near the remains of one of the Portobelo forts.
We anchored near the remains of one of the Portobelo forts.
View across the harbor toward the town.
View across the harbor toward the town.
Exploring the town.
Exploring the town.
A major attraction is the 'Black Christ' in the church. I didn't realize there could be multiple Christs, but people come from afar to worship this one!
A major attraction is the ‘Black Christ’ in the church. I didn’t realize there could be multiple Christs, but people come from afar to worship this one!

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One of several signs for Captain Jack's, where we would go for dinner later.
One of several signs for Captain Jack’s, where we would go for dinner later.
Dancing is big in town. Unfortunately we are a week too early for Carnival, with local dancing happening all night.
Dancing is big in town. Unfortunately we are a week too early for Carnival, with local dancing happening all night.
This place seemed odd, even for Portobelo, which seems to be a mix of many cultures.
This place seemed odd, even for Portobelo, which seems to be a mix of many cultures.
Dinner with Odyssey-mates at Captain Jack's.
Dinner with Odyssey-mates at Captain Jack’s.
Bill heads the landing party to explore the fort.
Bill heads the landing party to explore the fort.

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Our neighbors.
Our neighbors.

Next stop will be Shelter Bay Marina in Colon. End of the Panama “cruise” and back to life at a dock with showers and a restaurant. And a very important canal. Stay tuned…

6 thoughts on “Recap With Photos #3”

  4. Hey Zeke,
    I don’t know if you heard, but the Boston area it’s about to break snow fall records…and it’s cold here…brrrr. Enjoy the warm weather.
    You look great!
    Gil

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  5. Hola, Zeke!

    My name is Nicki Brill (Ms. Brill), and I am a Senior at Bates College who has been lucky enough to Student Teach under Karla Good with the 7th Grade Team Rock group, at Lewiston Middle School. I have been reporting back to the team about your adventures at San Blas. The students have been so interested in learning about the Greenhouse Effect and why it is that sea levels are rising. The pictures you uploaded to your blog from San Blas have sparked interest in the students about traveling abroad…especially now that there’s so much snow in Maine!

    The students from Team Rock have a few questions in response to your blog posts from January:

    1. Do you guys have to do daylight savings time on the sea?
    2. What do you mean by “gringos?”
    3. How long do you think it might be before global warming goes into full effect?
    4. Is it easy to sleep on the boat?
    5. If you had all the money in the world, what would you buy for the people on the island, and why?
    6. What kind of transportation did they use on San Blas Island?

    Thank you for your time and safe travels,
    Nicki Brill/Ms. Brill

    PS: I will be emailing you pictures from the lessons I taught to the students about global warming and your experience at San Blas!

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    1. Great questions! Some will be challenging. I have a ton to write about Panama, and then I will tackle them. I may or may not be able to do so before we transit the Canal on Monday/Tuesday and head for the Galapagos.

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