We are in Shelter Bay Marina in Panama, on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. Panama is in lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Our plan before recent events was to go through the canal and sail to New Zealand. We would spend about 6 months sailing the South Pacific on our way there, taking plenty of time to stop at the islands along the way.
Stuck on the Atlantic Side
The Panama Canal is now closed for boats less than 65 foot. So, we are waiting and seeing, putting plans on hold. Staying in touch with family and friends and following the news, we realise that we are in a pretty good spot. We feel that it is best to stay put for now. The marina is located at the end of a road in the jungle, so we’re quite isolated. As of today, the marina community is healthy.
Most of the marina facilities like pool and restaurant are closed, and there are hardly any staff working at the marina now. But the marina manager is doing an awesome job trying to look after us. He has brought his own family to live at the marina with him, because travelling around Panama was getting harder with all the lockdown security checkpoints everywhere.
Life is Not All Bad
Sailors are volunteering and helping out the marina skeleton staff where they can. Some help in the yard, some clean the bathrooms, or work in the small supermarket. Luckily the supermarket is still being replenished with fresh foods. We had already provisioned for a long journey so we have lots of food on board. There are many boats out at anchor in quarantine. Provisions and water are being bought out to those who need them.
We can still walk around the docks and go for walks in the jungle. Within the marina we also still sort of socialize, often via the VHF radio – we do games like I Spy and Trivial Pursuit. We chat to each other outside, keeping our distance and not gathering in big groups. The children still play outside with the other boat kids.
To keep our minds and bodies busy, we are focusing on homeschooling and boat projects. Here’s a few pics of what we have been doing lately.
Max is stripping and varnishing some of the interior teak 
The kids build dens with their friends 
Dinner parties on our own boats. Fancy dress and at a prearranged time everyone in the marina cheers, whistles or blows their fog horn 
Sucking out tomato seeds… 
to plant them 
Restoring our folding chairs – cleaned the covers and oiled the wood 
We watch the crocodile that lives here in the mangroves and wanders onto shore sometimes… 
Speaker cover repairs 
Installing a new evaporator plate and compressor into our fridge 
The fridge mechanic from Panama City is not allowed entry into the marina for fear of contamination, so he is welding our connections in the parking lot. 
Walking in the jungle with a troop of kids 
We have fun exploring the abandoned army batteries 
BFFs! 
Dog walking 1 
Dog walking 2 
We take time to make elaborate meals. Sushi night! 
Morning yoga with a view 
Max helps the marina staff with new arrivals docking their boats
Looks like you’re keeping busy and in a nice place for isolation !!!
I’ve been gardening and walk the dogs once a day and cooking to keep myself busy trouble is I’ll be the size of a house if this goes on too long.
Stay safe my lovelies.
Lots of love and cyber hugs xxx
You guys seem To have it all under control.
Looks as if the kids are enjoying their playtime
Sensible idea to let them all play as they are far less likely to get sick, and it saves so many arguments!!
Stay positive and enjoy each day.
Love across oceans it will pass . It will be even more special when you sail into New Zealand waters xxxxxxxxxx
Looking forward to meeting you (from a safe distance) when we get in from quarantine in a few days!