01 APRIL 2012

 

Decided to pass on dinner last night, I wasn’t hungry but I was tired so an early night was very acceptable. I have hardly eaten during the day since I boarded. I am quite happy with a decent breakfast and evening meal.

Woke up this morning to what sounded like an amateur steel drum band tuning up. Once the light was on and I had peeled open my eyelids I saw the culprits. Four AA batteries had rolled off the dressing table one by one and landed in my metal waste bin. The ship was rolling a bit more than usual!

When I opened the curtains to see Colon in Panama I was a bit disappointed to see banks of cranes and container ships. There was already a cruise ship in port and it looks like it may not be the most scenic of day stops. I am quite relieved to be going out on my Monkey Watch tour (I’ve heard of a Mickey Mouse watch but not a monkey one).

The description in the shore excursion guide is as follows

‘After a 30 minute ride at high speed through the heart of the Panama Canal, the boat will slow down and enter the labyrinth of jungle covered islands of Lake Gatun (read mosquito bites, slithery swimmy creatures and eight legged demons dangling by a silky thread from low hanging creepers). The trained naturalist guides will track the wildlife as well as educate you about it and its habitat (read as above).’

Back soon!!

More stickers ......

The intrepid explorer has now returned, after what turned out to be the most exhilarating trip so far! The bus journey out there was a little bit tedious with two guides who didn’t stop talking to us about Panama – naturally, but it was all a bit too much. So we were quite relieved to get there. We were all instructed to visit the bano (WC) as it was the last chance for the next 90 minutes. So we all dutifully squeezed out every last drop (you minger Jill!) and then boarded one of two boats. I was on the back seat by the outboard, next to a very large French Canadian. The smelliest seat on the boat – not due to my fellow passenger but the engine exhaust.

It was brilliant because we went so fast the boat was three quarters out of the water. Life jackets were mandatory.



My first impression of the Panama Canal was of its size. I’m not sure what I was expecting really, something a little larger than the Caledonian Canal at home with loads of locks and the boats kind of scraping the sides. This was immense and because of its size the ships didn’t look out of place with plenty of room for them to pass each other in opposite directions. They are supposed to chug along at 8 knots which is a very gentle pace.

At this point I have to apologise for the lack of photos. I am not much a technical whizz, especially when it comes to cameras.
 
Having being asked to refrain from using flash photography around the sloths yesterday, I had forgotten that my camera was in movie mode. So I managed to produce quite a few short videos of a pair of flip flops and a green rucksack. Also managed a real stunner of the Panama Canal, unfortunately it was just literally the Canal – water, water and more water. Next holiday I’m taking the instruction book with me.

Our two boats were skimming around the big liners and cargo boats like blood hungry mozzies. Incidentally, we were assured that there were no mozzies at all in Panama. They have eradicated them so there is no longer any threat of Yellow Fever and Malaria, having lost a large proportion of the workforce when building the canal to these two diseases. We swung off
down an inlet with the engine idling and glided over to an island. After a little difficulty I managed to spot a small howler monkey and then a black spider monkey. They were a bit shy – or too full of bananas – and it was hard to get any clear photos as everyone kept standing up in front of me and I’m only a short arse!

 

We moved on to another place where the guides knew there were monkeys and we were rewarded this time by a couple of the little chaps jumping onto the roof of our boat and then clambering down the roof struts to grab some grapes and nuts. They were white headed Capuchins, very glossy coated and obviously well fed, being not at all afraid of all these weirdos taking pictures. I managed to get a couple of short videos without too many other people’s cameras and bodies in the way.

 



 We also saw a very weeny little crocodile – about a metre long – it still had lots of teeth though!

Then it was a wonderfully fast ride back, jumping over the wakes of the other boats. Back on board the bus we were given water, a turkey roll and my favourite, a banana muffin – yuk! Then another ‘informative’ ride home to the port of Colon.

I stopped off to view the crappy tourist shops to hunt for a piece of tat for the work shelf. It was not in vain – I have got the most repulsive piece ever and can’t wait for it to take pride of place at the front of the shelf. For those who don’t understand this concept, let me explain. Most people bring back something pretty from their holiday, as a memento. We don’t. We have a Tat Shelf. You have to spend approximately £5 or less, it must be absolutely hideous, of no use whatsoever and have the name of the place you bought it inscribed on the side (preferably misspelt, if available).

We do not leave Colon until 7pm tonight but once again it is quite overcast and misty yet very hot and muggy. Not sitting out weather, so at the moment I am lacking much of a tan.

Didn’t see Ginny as she is not feeling too good but we are meeting up this evening for a sherbet. She had no trip planned so hope she had a good day too.

Tomorrow is Cartagena in Colombia. Not sure what to expect but it is supposed to be a very pretty town and worth a visit.

I have just called in the coffee shop for a drink and could not believe that there are people there ordering coffee and half a dozen sickly looking cakes. No wonder they are all so ruddy gross!