The harbour was so calm after the days of wind we had endured during the previous two weeks and the trip down the coast. The surroundings are hills and bush with houses spread out up the hills and the scenery is very beautiful. The area has been the site of many films, and at one stage Errol Flynn owned the island at the entrance called Navy Island.

The Western Harbour and Marina Area

Hew and I walked over to look at the Cruise ship terminal which is in manicured grounds, and has its own little beach just beyond the pontoon and then a further walkway out to see the harbour entrance. I did not take any photos of the beach that day as it was full of relaxing army personnel – local and american.

The coast guard had three ships in the harbour but we never saw them move.

We needed fuel and the fuel terminal is beyond the Coast Guard terminal. Unfortunately, the day we wanted fuel was the day the fuel man was going to be on holiday so we had to take it the day before and it was very windy. Unfortunately, the fuel terminal is in a straight line from the harbour entrance. The seas that day were running 2-3m outside and the wind was whistling down the channel (see picture below). It took three goes to get on the dock without damaging the yacht. Friends of ours on the marina said they wondered what we had been doing?? Two days later they went to get fuel, the had same issue with the wind and damaged the bow of their yacht!

We were going to leave the next day but in the process of trying to manoeuvre into the fuel dock tthe starboard prop seal started leaking and all the bilge alarms went off. Luckily with Mr Google and the help of a local man Hew found a solution and it was fixed. However, we lost that weather window and were in harbour for another three days.

Port Antonio Town

Port Antonio is an old town and it appears that it has seen better days. There are some really great buildings, a good park, and then many others that are really decaying which is very sad to see.

Rafting on the Rio Grande

We had a couple of days to fill in waiting for the weather so we decided to go on a tour around the island. While we were looking for the right one we found one that there was a rafting trip on the Rio Grande. Off we went with our friends Petra and Alfred. It was brilliant. We were poled 8 miles down the river. Stopped for a swim in a lovely spot with rock jumping if you wanted it. Then a local lunch on the riverside. Finally coming out of the river at the coast. I have made a video which I will add the link to later but here are a few photos. We have decided that we need to build some in New Zealand to take them out on the local raft days. A project for the future.

Video to come:

After leaving Jamacia our next destination was to be the British Virgin Islands but we accomplished this in several stages as described in the following blog.

We flew out of Auckland to Los Angeles then after 6 hours on the ground direct to Panama City. Checking in online with AirNZ was torturous, having to fill in all the same days that you have already done so again. Check-in at the airport was painless. We were very early and it was worth it. 6 bags at 23kg each and 2 lots of hand luggage each.

Since there were three of us rather than two we used the Strata lounge which was peaceful and quiet, unlike the usually full and bustling Koru lounge.

The flight on AirNZ was uneventful and arrival at LAX standard was normal with all the queues.

Transit to LAX was 6 hours and painful. The Check-in counter didn’t open until 3 hours beforehand and there is almost nowhere to sit and wait in TomBradley and the food options are atrocious. I doubt if this problem will ever be fixed as there is not enough space in that part of the terminal. There is also nowhere to leave any bags for a few hours and go for a walk.

Check-in with Copa online was easy and at the terminal simple. Surprisingly all the bags arrived at each airport and none were damaged.

The flight to Panama was surprisingly good compared to our flight on Delta on the way home. New B737 Max and excellent food. The choice was Chilli con Carne or Chicken Chow Mein.

Departure and arrival on time. Easy smooth transit through customs and immigration – what a pleasure after LAX. The immigration asks for the total number in the group and then the individual total luggage and hand luggage. We had 4 pieces each total of 16 pieces of luggage and they did not blink!! Obviously used to large family groups. As the pieces went through the scanner the only item they queried was the fibreglass batten for the sail, they thought it was a fishing rod!! But when we explained, all smiles and waved us on.

Our pick-up was there but unfortunately, at the wrong terminal – it is all one building but the plane was parked in T1 and the bags were at T2. A short conversation and all sorted.

The view from the plane at dawn into Panama was beautiful. Calm, sunny, patches of fog and mist.

We arrived at rush hour so the first 20 mins from the airport to the freeway north was slow, but we saw some more parts of Panama that we hadn’t seen.

Panama City is very compact and surrounded by jungle.

The Atlantic Bridge is 4.6km long and has a clearance below it of 75m constructed by the Chinese Communication Construction Company. Finally completed in 2019.

Marina was unchanged same smiley faces, happy to see us, and lots of boats. Those that have been here longest with no owners on board were covered in mould. All our exposed sheets were mouldy. One of the first jobs was a full washdown.

During the unpacking, we were looking through the escape hatch to see a 1.2m barracuda looking back at us – seemed totally unconcerned.

Get gear on board, power up the yacht, remove the dehumidifier, turn on the water, get fresh food, and new seals on fridges before we could turn them on. Swim.

Wash the entire outside of yacht2 scrubbing one on the hose, unpack the new microwave, unpack other non-clothing items, and put swim fins back together. Swim! Lunch, siesta, Feeling shattered.

Continue unpacking. Visit from Office to ask when we wanted the 11 items delivers – we said the next day. Continue tidying up, and sorting out error messages on the fridge. Power to the solar controller to sort.

Also along with us are two yachts with chicken coups on board!! Apparently, it was a fun project during the covid lockdown and they have stayed. One of the chickens in Theo’s coup( it has 2 ) has done 5000 miles !!

Catch up with François who tells us he is staying on yacht 4 boats along as cook for a maintenance crew that is on board. Also tells us that many yachts have been struck by lightning this year including the 75ft motor yacht that he had a job on- it is completely dead. Apparently, the technicians are thinking that the new boats with electronics are creating a magnetic field in the boats and attracting the lightning!! Another thing to check.

Tomorrow off to town in the bus to get some groceries / check out the closest town.

Next Post : https://kiwiflyingfish.com/2022/10/panama-2-fascinating-flora-fauna-and-forts/

We arrived at 2am into Las Palmas marina and parked on the reception berth. Slept till 6am expecting to have to move but told not to worry until the office opened.

At 9am had all the paperwork done but apparently two boats needed to be shifted for us to get into our berth. 10 am we finally berthed.

The marina has 1250 berths at very reasonable prices and also handles the mooring area outside which is also full at the moment. All those on moorings or in the bay can also apply to the office to get cards for the showers and toilets.

Viking Explorer Seminars

We lept off the boat and went off to the Viking Explorer welcome and first seminar.

Embarcardo Lunch

Having finished the seminars and feeling hungry we adjourned to the closest restaurant – The Embarcardohttps://restauranteembarcadero.com/. At the time we did not realise that it was probably the best in town and we wouldn’t find a better one. Three hours later and many laughs with the Manager we left for a siesta!!!!

Las Palmas Harbour

The harbour is huge with room for marinas, cruise ships – large and small, oil drilling rigs, container ships and the Navy. Fishing boats are all shapes and sizes and all flags: Belize, China, Japan, Korea, Spain….. On land there is maintenance facilities plus an aquarium.

Beaches

There are beaches both sides of the peninsula. There are very nice walkways and cycle ways all along both areas of beach and through town. The first is next to the Marina.

The other one to the north side is good for surf and very touristy.

Also at the eastern end of the beach there are a huge area of sand sculptures

Saint Lucy’s Day – First Party Hosted by the Swedish Boats

Shortest Day Celebration – Saint Lucy’s Day – hosted by the Swedish members of the Viking Explorer group.

Beautiful Old Town Las Palmas

The week of seminars concluded and Carlota who organises the Viking Explorer group took us on a walk through the old part of Las Palmas. The architecture was interesting but so too we’re the shops which are all international labels pitched at international tourists. The total income to the island is 95% tourism. The streets are beautiful to walk around due to the beautifully paved areas and very few vehicles. As you will see from the photos the paving is all different and very effective.

For those who are interested in local prices here are some photos of the local market.

Covid and Rule Changes

For the first week the rules were masks only inside. Week two just before Christmas the rules changed to masks everywhere. They are also giving boosters to everyone over 60 so Hew and I were both able to get our booster vaccination shots here at no cost. Very good efficient service.

The ARC Rally

Even though the ARC rallys leave also leave from LAs Palmas we have not heard much about them until the other day. The news of the November rally losing a sailer and two boat did make it through but more interesting was a discussion had by one of the Viking cruisers with the local chandlery. He was trying to replace a Dan buoy that wouldn’t fit the back of his boat due to the wind geenrator being in the way and was told they didn’t take returns on safety gear. Big signs all over the windows. The reason being that ARC participants must pass a safety test before they can leave – they come in and buy everything they are missing or have to replace. Then when they pass the check they try and return the new gear!!! Unbelievable that some people would pay so much to join a rally then skimp on their own safety gear!!

Well back to work getting the yacht ready:

Next Bog : Inland Grand Canaria