The passage through the Panama Canal was great. Especially the Gatun Lake was very beautiful. Along with one of the line handlers (that I am good friends with), we slept outside on the deck. In the morning, we awoke to the howling of – most likely – shouting monkeys. It was extremely loud and very fascinating. One monkey starts screaming and then it goes on like a wave through the entire forest. The Gatun Lake was very beautiful, but I had already seen it of course. But I had not heard the monkeys at that time. I went through the Canal along with a boat that I have been with since the San Blas Islands, and it was great fun. Water jockeying and with very loud music on, we sailed up the Gatun Lake. We have had great weather, but when we exited the very last lock, it began to pour. The only two not mutinous crewmembers on board also started to mutiny and went inside the cabin. Hence, I navigated through the heavy rain towards the anchorage alone. But I don’t find this to be so bad. Sailing with a crew is very difficult. You have to keep an eye on everyone and everything that they are doing. Everything gets mixed up, the whole boat is a mess and they always stand in front of your nose or run in your way. Well… it is very much fun though. Yesterday night I went to a concert by Shakira along with a good friend. Actually, I am not the biggest fan of Shakira. But we had very much fun anyway. In the huge crowd, we suddenly met an acquaintance from one of the yachts I had occasionally been with since Bonaire. She had lost track of the rest of her family, and so she joined us. After we all have had lots of fun, we all went to bed at 2 AM, and by 7 AM this morning, we are already back working on anything and everything again.

Laura