Thursday, May 27, 2010 - Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama

Gale and Maureen were both up at 5:30 am for Gale’s shift. We could see land, lights and many large ships waiting at anchor for their turn through the canal. We arrived outside the harbor about 6:30 am and were allowed immediate passage through the breakwater and into the Shelter Bay Marina at Ft. Sherman Point where we tied up to the dock at 8 am. Our agent, Tina McBride, had made arrangements to have Dracula, her representative, meet us at the dock. Yes, “Dracula” is the name he answers to – his given name is Hensley.

We had a little trouble raising anyone at the marina, but eventually someone came by and we were given a slip assignment. Before settling into the slip, Gale maneuvered the boat over to the fuel barge to “top off” the tanks with over 600 gallons of diesel. After fueling, he did an expert job of backing the boat up into the slip.


The day was sunny and hot – we were all sweating pretty good by the time we had the boat secured, the power connected and the water lines hooked up. It wasn’t long before an official from the canal came aboard. Since Adventure had already been through the canal once before, the measurements were all on record and our passage could be officially scheduled.


We relaxed with lunch at the marina restaurant and then decided to put on our swimming suits for a refreshing dip in the pool.

It was nearly sunset when Dracula returned with our Customs and Immigration clearances. He stayed to share a couple of cocktails with us and then promised to return in the morning at 8 am to take us sightseeing for the day. Gale, Maureen, Mark and Diane enjoyed dinner on the boat, danced to music from our iPods and brought out the “band in a box” before retiring for the night.