Today the three boats I was with for the past days are setting sail. Probably I will meet many of them again in Panama. A lot of paperwork is waiting for me there, too. The boat has to be measured, I need to have four line handlers [people who willl handle the lines/cables while in the canal], also four long and thick cables, good boat fenders [bumpers], and there is still much more which has to be organized. But I am looking forward to it. The Panama Canal seems to be very beautiful, but completely different from here. Mountains, monkeys and crocodiles – all with a view of the white beach, blue water and islands full of palm trees here. By the way, it is nuts that all the coconuts belong to the Kuna Indians, and because of that you are not allowed to eat them… Even though they are almost drowning in them since there are so many. After some busy days spent snorkelling, swimming, knee boarding (with my self-made kneeboard) and notably having so much fun of course doing schoolwork, maintenance work on the boat and preparing for the rest of the journey, I will take some rest today. Many boats will set sail today, but many other boats will be coming in though, so there is a chance to make new contacts.

Laura