The anchorage north of the pier were filled up, at the time we arrived from the channel on the 27/4-16 and we were directed to a mooring on the south side of the pier. Around us we have a lot of different kinds of working boats that can produce great waves when they come and go. It was supposed to be a quick stop here in Panama but after 21 days we are still here.
Getting on land we have to take the, free of charge, harbour water taxi. Also washing clothes and showering is posible and for that we have our own keyset. Short time after arrivel we had a nice and informative meeting with ”Panama Karsten”, a Dane that help cruiser to get a round here and Galapagos, at Balboa Yachtclub.
To get around the city and getting things done and provisioning you have to go by taxi and you have to learn how to bargain. Here we got the HF radio ICOM open for HAM channels by an ICOM specialist. Thanks to Hans B for giving and Jens T for bringing the radio. The fresh water pump has new drive belt and an extra gas tank is bought. Anchor winch and a pump for the cooling water are ordered from the US and should be delivered today. We are still waiting for the camera lens to be repaired by a cannon specialist.
Heat and mosquito have made the stay here tough once in a while but a lot of good food and drink on board and a breeze make it bearable. People are nice and friendly here. Only one of several taxi-drivers has been bad. Also, good information on the 8:00 o’clock cruisers net have been helpful. We got gas that way with a taxi-driver that took al needed cruisers tanks to be filled up. Gas cost the same as our part of the cost for the taxi. We have been over to the cay once to fill up water and diesel tanks. The watermaker is not being used here because the water is not good enough for desalination or bathing in for that coarse.
Just now, 19/4-16 13 PM. the Panama agent for Marine warehouse, Atoro, called to inform that the anchor winch will be delivered to Balboa in half an hour!!! Happy time except there were no pump! Restorder? Unbeliveble. Lars is now occupied with taking the old winch out and putting the new up. It is tough work in the heat. Ivar assists and put sun-cover up and it helped a lot. Late sundowner and Lars have mounted the winch and the motor. Electrical wiering remain to do tomorrow as well as clearind out of Panama. So hopefully we are leaving Balboa saturday morning at 4 AM for the Pearl Islands, Isla del Rey.