A much more comfortable voyage from Santa Marta towards the San Blas islands, a convenient call before transiting the Panama Canal. ‘Comfortable’ because, although the wind and sea were still outside the port, we were ‘running’ with it, as opposed to across it. Thus, with stabilisers deployed, we all, guests and crew had a comfortable night. We arrived off the entrance to the San Blas islands at 10:15 and then negotiated the winding passage, between, islands, sandbanks and reefs, until we reached our anchorage position near ‘Isla Carti’.
An overview of the San Blas geographical location
Our track through the passage
Our anchorage position off the islands
Our (new) tenders waiting for Panamanian clearance, before embarking guests
The first one alongside the tender platform
Inside a tender
Risking being swamped, locals come out in small canoes in the hope of selling, in this case it was a conch shell
I have been here several times before, of course, however the colours and uniqueness of the surrounds lure me ashore for a while. Loaded with $1 bills for the subjects of any photograph I may take of them (and there are plenty of subjects, children with pets, children with parrots; wizened old ladies and coloured material everywhere). The following photos are of the islands as we pass in the tender………
Our tender landing pier
So ashore, it is muggy, but not too hot, overcast skies and the occasional drizzle, however not too heavy to distract one.
Now, just time to post, before I have to go to the Bridge for departure. We sail for the Canal, our entry time through the Cristobal breakwaters is 0600 (Eastern) or 1100 UK; Gatun locks 7:30 a.m.;Pedro Miguel locks 14:15 and Miraflores locks 15:20. They all have CCTV cameras, we’ll give you a wave!
Don’t forget you can ‘click’ on any photo to get a larger, hi-res, view 🙂
Everything we look forward to on this trip Captain.
The pics are just great.
We have just arrived into Sydney on the Noordam after 14 days in the Pacific.
I used the new DJI Osmo Pocket camera to capture videos
Keep well & safe
Enjoying the pictures. Was wondering if you have a new camera or lens
A new Sony AR 7 I Robert
Thank you, Captain Jonathan! I wish we were there too! The new tenders look great!
It is great to have the Captain’s commentary and perspective on the voyage. We so enjoyed both your noon reports and updates as well as the wonderful quotes we received each evening. We would be thrilled to live through another world voyage with you , Captain Jonathan. Last year was probably our one and only, and we envied you your opportunities to experience so many wonderful places.
Thank you. Robert and Faith
Very nice pics. We made an “accidental” call at San Blas on Prinsendam in 2015 when weather kept us out of Costa Rica.
We were on that trip with you also. I have good memories of San Blas, maybe because it’s real, people survive there, they make do with what they have and their beautiful crafts. BTW I love your Sitka pictures on your blog! One of my favorite places.
New tenders look great! Thank you for the photos and, of course, the charts
The new tenders look great! And today’s pictures are spectacular. Wish I was wirh you this time. 2016, 2018. Maybe again. I hope so. Loving your posts. Thank you.
Unfortunately due to my husbands health we are not along with you and our friends that are aboard. I am so excited to live this trip vicariously with you . I love your explanations of navigation and pictures. Thank you so much.
Good Trip captain 😊
The last time I checked the Panama Canal webcams they weren’t working. I was on the Amsterdam back in 2016. I miss being on the Amsterdam. But have some good friends staff and crew on the ship. Keep up the good work on this ship. When did she get new tenders? Keep up the great work. Hope to someday get back on board in the future
So nice to see they still make those unique molas. Sounds like with these postings we all have great memories. I think I also have a pix of the lady. Yes a framed parrot and a real pretty shirt ,looked them all over and did go back and in all those hangings saw the first one I liked and got it,husband said you will never find it well I sure did.
Thank you so much for your postings. We wish we were on-board. We were on the 2018 world cruise and loved the ship and crew.
Will you be on the 2020 world cruise captain.?
We paid a deposit and are on the wait list as the cruise is sold out😔. Anxiously waiting and praying that we are lucky to get a cabin😊😊
Have a safe and enjoyable cruise…Elizabeth.
I Remember the old lady smoking her pipe with a parrot 🦜 on her shoulder. And the chief’s hut with a TV.
I have one of their lovely molas framed in my den.
Did you ever hear the story of a certain retired chief engineer’s wife who donated one of her husbands brown work overalls to a group in a canoe only to see on their next visit the overalls being used as a sail. 😄😄😄😄
Hello Diane, I looked for the old lady, she wasn’t there unfortunately. There’s a photo of her in a previous (old) post. Love the story about the overalls 😂
Ahhh, fond memories as I recall my visit to San Blas islands during a canal cruise for my 50th birthday in fall of 2008. Proud, welcoming, and colorful people. I will never forget the local “chief” arriving to greet and board our ship via a dugout canoe. Thank you for the wonderful photos and for allowing me to relive such an intriguing port of call!
Welcome back, Captain! You have been missed! I did wonder where you had gotten to when no Alaska postings appeared last summer.
I look forward to all your coming reports of this year’s Grand World Voyage, and wish you and everyone on board the Amsterdam clear skies, fair winds, and smooth sailing.
And I like the look of those new tenders!