Adrian Whaley is today’s guest blogger again.

Coming through the Panama Canal was something very special. It really did feel as though you were entering a new world when the final lock gates opened and when we passed beneath the Bridge of the Americas into the Pacific Ocean. The Canal covers 26 miles from the Caribbean Sea side to the Pacific, which is the width of Panama and only slightly longer than the Isle of Wight. The immensity of what was created is inspiring but also the human sacrifice that went into it is humbling. 25,000 people involved in building it over the 2 attempts with over 20,000 people dying, mainly from Yellow Fever and Malaria.

The Canal was originally built for its military importance (the U.S wanted a means to navigate by sea from the East to West) but has become a vital commercial route with over 14,000 ships traversing it every year. The country of Panama was formed by the creation of the Canal, the state of Panama gaining its independence from Columbia in 1903 when the 2nd attempt to construct it was begun. Whilst the U.S led the construction of the Canal it was handed back to the Panamanians in 1999 and (despite what Trump might say) is very much owned by the Panamanians today (the Chinese lease the docks either end of the canal and this is what is being reported as Chinese owned!).

Once through the Canal our destination was La Playita Marina, Panama which is on a small island, connected by a causeway to the city. A stop to check over the boat and also our last chance to have a major re-provision before hitting the more sparsely populated islands of the Pacific.

Panama City was full of contrasts – a major skyline full of high-rise towers, shopping malls and obvious wealth contrasted by small shanty towns still dotted around the area and signs of its more recent history in both how the canal was defended and also how the student protests led to political change. The old town is going through a restoration and has been well preserved providing an interesting and vibrant area to walk around. The old town had some very cool roof-top bars and restaurants and a busy fish market. It was unsurprisingly a great place to purchase a Panama Hat (albeit real Panama Hats are actually made in Ecuador!)

Next door to our marina was a nature and research reserve, the Smithsonian Punta Culebra, set up to study the impact of the canal on the wildlife in the area. Whilst small, it had a great collection of sloths lying around in the trees, butterflies, racoons and lizards and interesting information on the whales that migrate from both the northern and southern hemispheres to breed each year in the waters off Panama. To protect these mammals the ships coming in and out are restricted to 10 knots speed and very defined shipping lanes. I hope the whales know this!

Following time to get to know Panama City and for a major reprovisioning we headed out to explore the islands around this area. First stop was an overnight stay in Taboga followed by the Las Perlas islands, named after the pearls that used to be found there, including La Peregrina, one of the largest found when it was discovered in 1513 and owned by both Spanish royalty and Hollywood royalty in Liz Taylor. During our passage we managed to catch our first fish – a Mahi Mahi or Dorado. Perfect size for four of us for that evenings dinner. Delicious.

The Pelicans over the Pacific side are in a different league to the ones in the Caribbean – very much flying in squadrons and at incredibly low level over the water. Their formations are amazing and can be 20 or more in size.

Off the Chapera Island we did a sail by of Jeff Bezos’s (Amazon) Koru superyacht. A mere $500m with a $75m support boat Abeona to go along with it! For some reason we weren’t invited on board. I can’t have done enough Amazon orders recently!

After a few days of getting to know some of the Las Perlas islands, we are now at the island of Contadora, where all the yachts are reconvening ready for the start of the next leg. 22 yachts now in the bay, a couple of set off in advance of the fleet to make the best of the breeze. The island is busy with building very big holiday homes and the filming of the Canadian version of Survivor which is shot on the islands around here (as well as Bear Grylls’s Island).

The prizegiving for leg 1 was held on Tuesday evening. We won the Multihull division for leg 1 on Corrected Time but of course it’s not a race! Yesterday we had the Skipper’s briefing and today at 1200 location (1700 UK time) we set sail to Galapagos 😊. The forecast is looking patchy, we should have breeze for the first 2 days but then it will drop light to nothing and we might have to motor for 2 to 3 days. Current models suggest that we’ll arrive late (our time) next Tuesday 17th.