2008-04-01T11:24:00.001-07:00

Keep in mind it's been years since we were in Panama, so things may have changed:

Here is some Net info:
Panama Pacific Net: 8.143.0 SSB at 14:00 Zulu (Sid was Net-Manager for
6 months)
Panama Connection Net: 8.107.0 SSB at 13:30 Zulu
Breakfast Club: 7.083.0 lower side band ham at 13:00 Zulu

PANAMA

PUNTA BALSA or UNNAMED ANCHORAGE: 08.04’38N, 82.50’56W Great spot to spend the night, open to the south, so watch weather. Keep an eye on the water, lots of trash and tree trunks floating.

ISLA PARIDA Very beautiful, a must stop. Shopping can be done in David.

ISLA SECAS We didn't stop here, were on a fast track. Supposed to be the best snorkeling and prettiest islands.

ISLA BRINCANO Very nice, remote, but open to easterlies. Great snorkeling. Island has a small river, we took baths in.

BAHIA HONDA Great anchorage. Very, very beautiful. Dominga will bring you fresh veggies and fruits, he's a very nice guy. This was my favorite anchorage off pretty much all the anchorages while cruising. No provisions here, except for the basics, but they do have a bar with beer. You an buy cases from them too.

BAHIA NARANJO Also very nice anchorage, with great snorkeling. There are three beaches, don't anchor in front of third beach to the right (south), bad holding. The middle beach did us fine. Great snorkeling, especially out by the island. Like a swimming pool.

PUNTA GUANICO Is a good stop for just a night and to rest up for Punta Mala. Anchorage good holding, but watch weather. Keep an eye out for floating trees.

ISLA IGUANA OK stop. Very beautiful island, but anchorage is a bit tuff. We had no problems but we did anchor in 45 feet of water. You have to anchor in 45 plus the bottom is a corral cemetery and bad holding. Interesting snorkeling here.

ISLA BONA good holding and great to dive your boat one last time before going to Panama City.

FLAMINGO PANAMA CITY you can anchor on either side. I prefer the city side. The canal side is very rolly do to all the tug boats and big ship traffic. There also is no way to get your dingy ashore. The city side has an incredible view over the high rise buildings. Beach access is much easier here. Although to go shopping from here, you have to catch the bus, which runs only ones every hour. Taxis are available, if someone takes a taxi out there and you take it back into town. If you plan on staying in Panama City for a while, I would go to Pedro Miguel, which is a really neat marina in the Canal Zone. When shopping in Panama, don’t pay with 100 bills, they will not take them, too many counter fits.

BALBOA YACHT CLUB we preferred the Yacht Club to the Flamingo anchorage, although it’s expensive. They even charge 25 bucks to join the club, which doesn’t exist and if you need any help or info, the office doesn’t know shit and is not offering to help with anything. It’s a good place though to get ready for the transit and if all goes well, you should only be in there 3 or 4 days. It is more convenient to go shopping from her then Flamingo.

PEDRO MIGUEL BOAT CLUB: Apartado 2613, Balboa, Ancon PH: 232 4509, 232 4184 Fx: 232 4165 E-mail:denisece@hotmail.com A MUST STOP!!! We just absolutely loved it here. If you decide to spend some time at beautiful Pedro Miguel Boat Club in the Miraflores Lake, you will have to call or visit them prior to admeasuring the boat and make arrangements. They then will make arrangements with the Canal office for a permit to stop at Pedro Miguel. The marina is located right next to the Pedro Miguel Lock in the Miraflores lake and unfortunately do to that, there are some times when we get horrendous currents from the tugs propeller wash when they push a big ship into the lock and can easily snap a dock line. Some boats have been smashed onto the dock with minor damage. So it is very essential that the boats are tied up with many, many dock lines. The clubhouse is fun. Every cruiser gets a space in the one of the four big refrigerators and in the freezer, yeah, ice-cream and ice for cocktails!!! There is a huge community kitchen, Cable-TV, computer, email, workshop, sewing room and of course shower facility, for no extra cost. You feel right at home in this place. The kitchen even had a dehydrator. Everyday the bread man comes by with the most delicious cinnamon rolls, breads and other sweets. Saturday and Sunday lunch a local girl cooks delicious meals for $2 a person. Saturday is pot-lock night with sometimes a pig roast. Shopping: is so easy from Pedro Miguel and a lot of fun. I used to take the bus to Albrook and from there a Taxi into town. They will probably tell you to take the taxi to 5 de Mayo, which is in a very bad area of town. Albrook is closer and more convenient. Taxis will be from 1 - 2 dollars anywhere you go. To go back I either took a Taxi (never paid more then 4 bucks to Pedro Miguel, just tell the Taxi: “Quatro (4) Balboa, Pedro Miguel.” If he says yes, get in, if no, just ask the next taxi. If I took the bus back, I went to Albrook again and told the Busdriver: “Wako por favor.” And he’ll drive you right to the front door of the Boat Club. They only drive down that road if someone asks. Patilla is the best shopping. You can find Kosher, a Jewish deli place with international foods a wonderful place to shop. Mini Max is another must store. This one is an oriental store, which has the most incredible veggies. You can find from artichokes, asparagus, arugula, fennel, rhubarb, pretty much any veggie you need, including the most unique tropical fruits and of course sushi and Chinese stuff. I can never remember which streets either one of these stores are on, but one is on Italia and the other on Brazil. There are also two great grocery stores, 99 store and Casa de Carne. On Transmistica, you can find Abernattys, which is a great boat and sporting goods store. He even has water pumps and other boat parts and odds and ends. He’ll even give you a great discount if you spend more then 150 bucks, which is easy to do. A bit further down the street is a 99 store. But in-between is a little car wash with a great grill and bar restaurant, a must stop for lunch, great meats. A little past the 99 store is a True Value and across from there Glidden paint which has bottom paint. Across from the 99 store is RS (Riba Smith), which has the best cheese selection anywhere. There is a dive shop close by as well and auto parts store for filters, oil etc. El Tapiz: Ave 12 Ancon, 1509 Y Calle “H” # 12-02 PH: 262 2334, has Sunbrella between 10 to 12 bucks a yard. He’ll go down on the price, but if he asks you if you need a recite, tell him no, because then he will charge taxes. Hydromundo: great service for water maker El Dorado: is a great shopping center and has several grocery stores, Internet and clothing stores. Across the streets is an ICOM representative and a Radio Shack. Fung Sick: Is a Chinese Vegetable place, across the Gas station before Pedro Miguel and has the most beautiful vegetables and fruits. Restaurants: Best Pizza and steamed clams at Napoli, wonderful restaurant close to Tapiz (closed on Tue). Here is some Net info, for cruisers heading south: Panama Pacific Net: 8.143.0 SSB at 14:00 Zulu (Sid was Net-Manager for 6 months) Panama Connection Net: 8.107.0 SSB at 13:30 Zulu Breakfast Club: 7.083.0 lower sideband ham at 13:00 Zulu Dr.Tinker: Gynecologist, Mammogram, Osteoporosis Test Centro Medico Nacional Cons.413 Ave. Justo Arosemena y calle 38 PH: 227-5444 COLON Well, Colon is not the greatest place to be. Be careful where you go and use the taxi, they are very cheap, you shouldn’t pay more then a dollar anywhere in town. Don’t wander around at night. The anchorage in the Flats is 30 feet everywhere, make sure you’re hooked well, it’s an ugly mud bottom. After three days securely anchored, the wind turned around and we dragged during the night. The marina is very convenient, but we think we had some electrolyses problems! There is no maintenance done in the marina. Haul out here is great, if you decided to do a haul out in Panama, I would success to do it in Colon. In Balboa the boats are on an 20 degree or more angle, where in Colon your leveled. (There is a Glidden Paint store here as well for bottom paint.) If you’re planning to go to Cartagena, you can haul out there as well. The price is about the same as in Colon. You will have to bring the paint with you, no paint here in Colombia. Colon: you have the restaurant right next to the haul out facility, showers and easy access to town. Cartagena: there is a 10 dollar taxi ride into town and you’re stuck on the boat at night, they have some mean dogs protecting the property. The Yacht Club, is actually only a restaurant and a bar. Food is great (try the fried wontons with sweet and sour sauce or the breaded pork chop sandwich, yummy, yummy!)and a pitcher of beer is 3 bucks. Don’t forget to do the 15 dollar round trip flight to Panama City from here and tell the pilot you want to see the canal, he’ll fly right over it. Shopping: Shopping isn’t as great here as in Panama City. There are several grocery stores in town. One of the Rey stores is just south of the marina, you’ll need a taxi, and it better then the stores in town. There also is a 99 Super Mercado and is way out of town. Ask the marina office for the phone number. Call them and they will pick you up in a school bus and after shopping drive you home again with some kids, who will carry all you stuff down to your boat or dingy. This service is free and this 99 store is the best I’ve seen, has everything, kind of like a small Walmart. Down Towns main street, has lots of clothes stores. I found great quality bathing suits anywhere from 1.99 to 3.99. Also sun dresses for 1.99. SAN BLAS Stock up well on fresh produce, stock up well period if you plan on staying several months in the San Blas. You can get veggies and fruits there but some places you will not see anything for over a week. You can fly to Panama City from some of the places, Porvenir (don’t buy cruising permit there, Colon will not accept it!), Rio Diablo, Tigre, Playon Chico, etc. They have about 12 stops and the price is around 60 dollars round trip. If you have any problems and need parts sent into Panama and you’re in the San Blas: Julie Arias, Panama Yacht Services, P.O.Box 6-4891, El Dorado, Panama, Republic of Panama, PH: (507) 613-6337 E.mail ariasjul@pananet.com Julie will receive your stuff and send it via plane to any of the islands you are. You also can order veggies, fruits, grocery from her and she will send it. She has a 40 dollar charge and then 10% of the value of the stuff you buy. But it’s a convenience if you’re in need. We got together with several boats and had grocery and even mail sent and split the cost. Bring lots of one dollar bills to San Blas. Rio Diablo has a bank, but will not take travelers check or cash advances of credit cards. They have no telephone connection with the other banks. They will exchange money, not higher then 50 bucks. Although there are some pay phones in town, connection is sometimes very bad or the phones don’t work, they are solar powered. Out of 15 times trying to get hooked up on email, it only worked twice on those phones.

KUNA DICTIONAIRY

The Kuna have no written language of their won. Traditions, ballets and tales have always been told, mostly by the Sailas, from generation to generation.

Here is a section of Spanish and the Kuna Indian language. Kuna is the predominant language in the San Blas region. It is important to remember that within the San Blas region, there are several Kuna dialects. The language guide here should be basic enough to be understood on most islands in the San Blas.

Pronunciation follows Spanish convention. Pronounce U when preceded followed by another vowel as w, except in gue and gui where it is silent. Pronounce gu as hard g, cu as kw, qu as k, and j as h

Nuedi ciao, hello, good-bye, thanks

Hola hello

Tekimalo good-bye, see you later, adios, hasta luego

Panemalo see you tomorrow, hasta manana

Sedomalo see you later, hasta luego

Nuume gambit welcome, please to meet you

Nele medicin man

Saila chefe

Kantule singer of historical chants

Nika? Is there? Are there? Hay?

Nika madu? Is there any bread?

Nika masi? Are there any bananas? Hay guinesos?

Sate to not have

An mani sate I have no money

Anmar sate regalo we don’t have a gift

Namala let’s go!

Igui mani? How much money?

Nuedi mague nicely sewn

Be oguabie molas? Will you trade for your molas?

Ia segua it depends

Kuna yala Kuna nation

English to Kuna phrases

Where are you from bea daniki?

I come from_____ ueba andaniki_________

What’s your name? Be iguinuga?

My name is______ Ani nuga_________

How old are you? Igui birganika?

I am ___ old An tegi birga nuye___

How many children Warbigua be mimi nika?

do you have?

I have no children An mimi sate

I have ___ children an mimi ____ nika

How are you? Deguite be nuedi?

I am well Nuedi

Do you understand? Acu am betogue?

I don’t understand? An acu itogue

Can you make change? Mani oguae?

Do you have a gift for me? Angabe be imar uda moka?

I don’t have any gifts animar sate regalo

I want to sleep An kapie

Come back at____ Sedo be danigoe____

Let’s eat An mar mas gume

I have no money, I can’t buy Mani sate mor bako suli

How much does it cost? Iguy Mani

I want to buy______ An I _______ baibiye

I need _______ An abe________

We are going to________ amilesar nay_______

The sun is shining (brightly) dad (binasur) gai

It is raining (heavily) Di (binasur) uie

The wind is light (strong) Burua binagua (binasuli)

We will come back Noni baley

How? What? Igui?

I am sorry sau suli

Finished? Pela?

My friend Anay

Watch! Look! ` Nue daki!

Numbers

1 soquen

2 soibo

3 soiba

4 soibake

5 sogatar

6 soga nergua

7 soga cuile

8 soga babat

9 soga bakebak

10 sogampe

ENGLISH KUNA SPANISH

American merki gringo(a)

Anklet worn by Kunas uinni

Aunts, leaf-cutting igli arrieras

Avocado ause aguacate

Baby mimi bebe

Bad iscana malo

Balloon guunu globo

Banana masi guineo, banano

Basket carpa canasta

Big tuma grande

Bird pecking on reptile uekko

Birds sikui aves, bajaros

Boat urr, ruleulu barco, bote

Boy machigua nino

Bracelet worn by Kunas uinni sakira

Bread madu pan

Brother susu hermano

Butterfly chuchu, momur mariposa

Candy bastia dulces

Cat misi gato

Canoe urr cayuco

Cedar (wood canoes) urruwar cedro

Chicken candia pollo

Chief, high cacique cacique

Child goe nino(a)

Clam timurgua almeja

Coconut ogop coco

Drinking cononut ogop dudu pipa

Comb gui peine

Cooking scoop bunuyui noga tutuma, paleta

Noshui

Corn oba maiz

Cotton upsan algedon

Crac suga cangrejo, jaiba

Egg manisibu, huevo

Candir acua

Expesnsive carguerba caro

Fan bibi abanico

Fish ua pesca, pescado

Flag bander bandera

Flower tute flor

Foreigner uaka extranjero

Friend ay amigo(a)

Fruits imarg(h) uleguet frutas

Girl punolo nina

God tiolele dios

Grandfather dada abuelo

Grandmother mu abuela

Guava (brown pod fruit) unamalya guava

Hat kurguin sombrero

He/she/it jue e/ella/ello

Head nono cabeza

Headdress musue prenda para la cabeza

Heaven bam ninika cielo

Horse moli caballo

Husband/wife ansui, anome esposo(a)

I/my an yo/mi

Island tupu, dup isla

Kitchen mastuedi cocina

Large tuma grande

Lightning and thunder malgole relampago y trueno

Lime naras sole limon

Lipstick niar lapis de labios

Little pipigua pequeno(a)

Lizard aspan lagarto

Lobster tulup langosta

Man macharret hombre

Mango mango mango

Manta ray nitirbi mantarraya

Maria seed nacis semilla de Maria

Maria tree juerug arbol de Maria

Mermaid ansu sirena

Money mani plata, dinero

Monkey sulu mono

Month, moon ni mes, luna

Mosquito guigala mosquitos

Mother nan madre

Mountain yala monte, montana

Mouse nusa raton

My / I an mi/yo

Nail escoro clavo

Name nuga nombre

(to) need abe necesitar

needle iko aguja

night mutiki noche

no suli no

no-see-um gui chitras

onion aguer cebolla

orange naras tumba naranja

other baiti otro

owl shicui buho

(rowing) paddle gami cenelete

(weaving) paddle kami

papaya guargua papaya/lechosa

Parakeet cuili / wili perico, perocuito

Parrot cuacua loro

Pig cina puerco

Pineapple oso pina

Pipa (drinking coco) ogop dudu pipa

Plaintain machuna platano

Pochote (tree) issiwar pochote

(very) pretty yearta legue (muy) bonito(a)

rain, water di lluvia, agua

rattle nasisi sonajero

red snapper cuelu pargo

rice oros arroz

river diuar rio

sail urrmon vela

(to) sail urrmur navegar a la vela

scarf of kina women tuunet

(goard water) scoup tabor achicador

(cooking) scoop bunuzui, noga, tutuma, paleta, noshui

sea darmar mar

sea grape (ocean creature) obacua

sea grape (tree) nur

sewing maque cosiendo

shark nagli tiburon

she/he/it jue

sister buna hermana

skeleton kala esquelato

skirt of Kuna women (wrap) saburaat

sleeping cammai dormiendo

small pipigua pequeno

smile ale sonrisa

snail cole caracol

squirrel uksuini ardilla

star niscua estrella

statue agains demons (wood) uchu

storm tiburruwa, puruar tormenta, borrasca

sun dada sol

sweets bastia dulces

they juemar ellos

thread juaidu hilo

thunder and lightning malgole trueno y relaampago

tiger digar tigre

today emi hoy

tomorrow caniche manana

toy (top) imadurgan peon

toucan uerjuel tucan

tree sapi arbol

turkey sikili pavo

turtle yauk, moro tortuga

wasp iguabur avispa

match, clock watchee reloj

water, rain di agua, lluvia

(ground) water tia

village tupu pueblo

we amilesar nosotros

week itoed semana

(fishing) weir miria pescadera

whale pak ballena

wife/husband sui esposa(o)

wind peruar viento

wind from mountains yar, sapur or kiki puwar

wind from E di puruar puruar

wind from N yor puruar

wind from NW saguir

wind from SE kigui puruar

wind from W mandi puruar

woman ome mujer

wrap skirt of Kuna woman saburaat

yacht urrbote yate

yes ella si

yesterday saji ayer

you/your be tu, usted

INFO FROM OTHER CRUISER:

PANAMA VISA

We just returned from Imagrations where we had our Visa's extended and learned the rules for extensions for mariners.
When checking into the country you need to be registered as a mariner. You need two pictures, one for your tourist card and one for the registration. The cost is $10.00 per person plus $1.00 for each receipt. Make sure you keep your stamped receipt as we are told there are a lot of forgery's. Because we are mariners aboard slow moving sail boats we do not have to leave the country anymore but we do have to get our extensions on a monthly basis. You will receive a "Mariners Tourist Visa."
Those that fly in on a tourist visa have to leave the country after 30 days. We are wondering how this is going to go over with all those people who have condos, etc. Can't imagine Donald Trump and other investors will stand for this change. The "Donald" is building two high rises, one in P.C. and one up the coast. Who would want to buy if they have to leave the country every 30 days. All the locals we have spoken with believe it won't be long before this will all be changed again.

Lynne and Lois
s/v Spice Island Lady
Bocas del Toro, Panama

Panama Cable & Wireless Cellphone Tip

Posted by: "Glenn Tuttle"

Fri Nov 9, 2007 9:23 am (PST)

Hello Friends,

For those using a Panama Cable & Wireless pre-paid cellular phone, and would like to have their phone a little more Gringo-friendly, here's a tip how to change the menu (used for adding and checking your available minutes) to English.

Dial *167 SEND
Once the message starts in Spanish
Dial 3 then
Dial 1 then
Dial 2 then
Dial #

That will change your menu to English.

Then when you check your remaining balance (*165) or add minutes (*166) the menu will be in English.

You can also have your voice mail menu changed to English by calling their customer service (*161) and speaking to an English speaking representative to make the change.

Also, Eddie and I finally received our Panama Pensionado and multiple entry visas few days ago. The pensionado visa is valid indefinitely, while the multiple entry visa is valid for 2 years. This eliminates all immigration issues, however we will still need to re-new our cruising permit every 90 days. This is a simple procedure not requiring an agent and costs $69.00. There is no requirement to periodically take the boat out of the country as in some other countries.

The pensionado visa also entitles you to substantial discounts, i.e.: 50% on hotels, 15% on air travel, 15% on restaurant meals, even medical dental and pharmaceutical needs.

If anyone wants more information on this you can contact us directly at

Cheers,

Glenn & Eddie Tuttle
M/V Tothill

LAS PERLAS HIDDEN ROCK COORDINATES:

This is an info I received from a fellow cruisers who happened to find the hidden rock that is not charted, approach with care and at your own risk.

The coordinates are; 08 22.47N & 078 48.10W. Although under water at a 0 or plus tide, it is awash at a minus tide. I saw it at a minus 1.4 low tide, just the other day. It's almost 1/3 of a mile offshore, all by itself.