Off we are - Pacific crossing

Our First Day across the Pacific, starting on the 29 th of February around 17:00 UTC:

As long we have been in this Area it has shown absolutely no Winds towards the Galapagos Islands.

All of a sudden we received a Weather window with 20 knots NE Winds to start off with and than getting Lighter in three Days time. That is our Ticket. We got to go know! So we did.
Here we are know on our first Day making an average of 10 miles per hour. That gives us a great head Start.

The Goal is to get to more or less to 10 Degrees South to get out of the Equator Latitudes and pick up the SE Trade Winds.
Our Weather forecast we receive via e-mail through our Single Side band Radio.

Panama Canal

First Day in the Canal:

We have entered the first Lock(Gatun Lock) at around 1700 on the 26 th of February and went through three Chambers with one Sailboat raft along Side.
Here we got raised 85 feet to the Level of Gatun lake.

A great big Freighter was in front of us and a Tug Boat behind us, all in the same Chamber.
An amazing experience.

At around 18:30 we left the Chambers and went to the Gatun Lake anchorage, which is were our Pilot got picked up. After his been served a Meal along with our three Panamanian Line handlers of course.

Everybody seems to be tired and tomorrow we will continue our Trip to complete the Panama canal in to the Pacific.

2. Day in the Canal:

Our new Pilot arrived at around 07:00 this morning and we got on the way under Engine and for a Sail to make it in time to Pedro Miguel Lock. We have been expected there at 11:30. Together with a Giant Clipper we went through smoothly. This time we were in the middle with out any other boat along side. So it required all four Line Handlers. Barbara was One of them.

Shortly after we entered Miraflores Lock and there it was, the "Gate to the Pacific". The Moment that we all have been dreaming about.
We had a great pilot, very nice Man, named Elvir. I would say he made our crossing even more special.

Was quiet a bit of Bird life to see and Barbara captured a small Alligator, with the camera of course.

We are just about to set Sail to a 4000 sm Voyage to the Marquesas Islands.
Since we have used our "Waiting Time" in Colon to do most of our Provisioning for the next three month, all we got left to do is buy fresh fruits and vegetables, get some Charts and fuel up the Boat.

It takes a lot to be actually on the Point were One can say.. Yes, we are ready! In the Past 16 years, I have met so many people that are "never Ready", that i have learned two things when its about to go on a Passage, get done what ever needs to get done and just go!

The World Sailing Adventure

We set sails on the 10 th of February, from St.Maarten to Panama.
On Board we were Five: Barbara, Junah, Leo, a very good Friend of us Noberto that joint us to Panama, and myself.

It took us a bit longer than expected, since the Winds for the most Part of the Trip were fairly light.
With sunny Days and clear Nights we sailed 1100 sm in seven days. The way to start a long Voyage like Ours.

On our Passages we are used to eating Fish on daily bases. If the Catch is bigger than what we can eat we preserve the Fish by salting and drying it.
It was great that we managed to pull our sails up in the Anchorage of St.Maarten and entered the Port of Cologne under Sails. Basically Winds from the back all the way.

Now we are scheduled for the Transit of the Panama Canal for Friday the 24 th of February. We keep our Fingers crossed that there wont be any delays. Meanwhile it is a good time to stock up two to three months worth off Supplies and get ready for our next Leg to the Galapagos Islands!