Day 124, Year 1: A Trip to Panama City
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2006
Air Temperature: 78 degrees F
Water Temperature: 76 degrees F
Location: Balboa Yacht Club, Balboa, Panama
We are still here in the Balboa Yacht Club mooring field. We are at the end of the mooring field closest to the Panama Canal and our “front porch” view is of the Puentes de Las Americas or Bridge of the Americas. I think I’ve mentioned that there really isn’t a Balboa “Yacht Club” but just a dock with an office and a walking bridge to the mainland. At the end of that walkway there is a bar. Both the bar and the yacht club office have wireless internet available at no cost and this is a real plus here. Add to that the fact that we have nightly fireworks, I assume as a part of Carnival, and we have quite a delightful temporary home here.
We headed to Panama City by taxi this morning just to see what it is like. It is a big city and there is plenty of poverty there, but it does appear safe to walk in the main shopping district. We were looking for a wireless antenna for our computer so that we can boost the wi-fi signal in the mooring field. We are too far away to get a good connection on the boat, but after searching all of Panama City and the Albrook Mall, we decided that ordering one from the states is the only option.
There are different parts of Panama City, but today’s visit was to the shopping area. Things appear to be very cheap here. Many of the same brands that we would find in the US are much cheaper here. On the outskirts of town, the Albrook Mall is just like any mall in the US. We found a Super 99 store there-like a Super Walmart–and it has most anything you might want at cheaper prices as well. I will return there to do a final stocking up before leaving here.
We continue to meet more people who are heading into the South Pacific. Monday afternoon we are going to a meeting of those boats heading our way that are not part of the organized Blue Water Rally. We will share e-mail addresses so that we will be able to stay in contact. Some of the people arrived here this time last year and have a wealth of information to share with us. I am looking forward to that meeting.
On Monday morning, we have to visit the French Embassy. We have learned that we need to go there to apply for a 3-month Visa to French Polynesia. We thought we could do that once we arrived there, but evidently it is a really good idea to get it done here. Many people we meet are also applying for cruising permits for the Galapagos. We have already done that, so at least we are ready for the next leg of this journey.
Tomorrow morning we head to Aqua Magic to help them with water maker and engine repairs. What better way to spend a Sunday!
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