We’ve been on the Pacific side now for two days. The transit waswonderful. We didn’t have a drop of rain and had to wait less than 10minutes to get in the locks every time. Everything went so fast, wewere through before I even realized it. I had the same advisor as lastyear which is really rare because there are a lot of advisors, so thatwas fun. Just like last year, he didn’t do a lot–drank water and atethe food Bruno made. Advisors are really just on the boat toadvise.You practically do everything yourself and as skipper you still have the full responsibility for your boat and the crew. If he ever thinksyou’re not doing the right thing, then he says something. After havingtransited the canal four times, I pretty much knew how everythingworked so he had an easy transit just as we did. Yesterday morning Iwent to the dentist. They filled a few small cavities and everythinglooks fine again so that’s over with for the next while. Today we’regoing to see if we can find water and diesel to top everything up andthen get ready to set sail again. I’ve been here long enough now withthe hot humid climate and heavy thunderstorms. Even though the skylineis beautiful, I really look forward to going to French Polynesiaagain.

Laura