Gerd’s third transit of the canal in over 30 years—things have changed. The big leather chairs and the 500 hp A/C of the Balboa yacht club are gone. Today, the canal is the highly commercialized gateway between the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Even today, there is aways a little bit of confusion with the lines. Having reached Caribbean Sea Level, no one was around on the lock to give us back our lines!

Just recently completed, the New Canal can take even the biggest of ships. Already, there is talk that not too far out, even this canal might not be big enough anymore. Hard to believe, when you are standing at a lookout overseeing the spectacular new system.

Perhaps the most enjoyable place we moored was the Red Frog Resort in the Bocas. The nature and hospitality were magnificent making this one helluva ‘velcro marina.’ Why did we ever leave?

Monkeys are ubiquitous in Panama— on the islands in Gatun Lake that you pass as you transit the canal and in shore-side jungle Walking through the jungle with all the sounds and smells, wildlife was bountiful— sloths, toucans and other tropical birds, leave cutter ants, …

Indigenous people make up over 10% of Panama’s population and play an important role in the country’s diversity. Local markets are plentiful and always colorful wares abound.