This posting is being sent via the ship's satellite internet link on October 24th and, because it is so slow, I cannot post pictures. These will have to be added after we get to Costa Rica on October 28th. So, here goes with the first posting for October 21st.
The afternoon boarding meant we had plenty of time at the hotel to sort out our bags, as well as finish my blogging up to last night. I'm not sure how easy it will be to post blogs from now on, as the internet access on the boat is not particularly good and is very, very expensive!
We met up with Bob & Thelma to have our final drink in Panama City and then at around 1.30pm, our car arrived to take us to Puerto Colon. The drive out of Panama City was very quick and we were soon on the fast toll road which runs a few miles to the south of the Canal. The weather changed from bright sunshine in Panama City to dark clouds and soon it was raining hard.
Apparently, Panama has over 200 inches of rain a year, which is vital for the provision of water for the operation of the Canal.
We reached Puerto Colon after about an hour and drove through crowded streets to where the ship was berthed and we had our first sight of the newly-named Silver Explorer.
The last time we said goodbye to the ship in Tromso, at the end of our Arctic voyage, it was called Prince Albert II. For reasons not clear to us, the name has been changed.
We unloaded our bags and surprisingly, we went through Panamanian customs, even though we will still be in Panama for the next few days. We boarded the ship and had a welcome glass of champagne. It was great to be back onboard the ship, our third time in the past three years.
It was only then that I realised I had left my jacket in the taxi, which by now was on its way back to Panama City!! I made several phone calls to the tour company and, amazingly, they managed to contact the driver, who returned to the port with five minutes to spare!
The boat left the port at 5pm, as we enjoyed a glass of champagne and canapes on the aft deck.
We sailed out of the harbour, past another giant cruise liner that made our ship look tiny!
As we left the harbour, we sailed past many ships anchored waiting to enter the Canal. This one was rather a strange sight. Is it a floating dry dock?
We sailed a short way out to sea and then turned back into the harbour again to an anchorage closer to the Panama Canal, to spend the night before we start our transit of the Canal. I can't wait to cruise the Canal, an ambition of mine for many years. We all went up on deck and watched the sun setting over Colon. It was a great way to end the day.
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