To Panama - sv Malaka Queen

We had a beautifull two months here. Not easy to leave this beautifull country and its good people. But still let’s go now! Why? The hurricane season starts end of June in the Carribean and the wet season in Panama starts in May. Still good to cross the equator in May, but there may be some thunderstorms.

To Panama images/2023/panama/4.jpg — yes, steamship, I read that too...

To Panama images/2023/panama/6.jpg — crossing the Carribean sea. A lively sail, some small waves and good wind.

To Panama images/2023/panama/2.jpg — our bread for the upcoming month sailing to Marquesas

To Panama images/2023/panama/3.jpg — some ginger madam?

After six days the wind died but we decided to keep sailing and drifting because the current brings to Panama anyhow. So the last 5 days a flat sea with 30 degrees temperature in hot sunshine. At night we sleep outside under the clear sky. Just us and the sea, so quiet, 50-75 nautical miles per 24 hours. The last mile we switch on the engine, just before we enter the breakwater of the canal. A big tug of Dutch Boskalis company passes us in the narrow part.

To Panama images/2023/panama/apcan.jpg — After the canal breakwater engine on -first use after the repair- and we turn starboard to Shelterbay marina and put the poles away

To Panama images/2023/panama/8.jpg — last summer we where in Scotland, now we are here and another ocean is waiting

To Panama images/2023/panama/7.jpg — view of Gatun lock from the bridge to Colon over the Panama canal which connects the Caribbean sea to the Pacific ocean

The following days we went several times to Colon to stock up for the long crossing to the Marquesas.

To Panama images/2023/panama/colon1.jpg — downtown Colon

To Panama images/2023/panama/colon4.jpg — its colourfull