Historical segments of the SPOT data for the "EYE of the World" expedition can be reviewed on the SPOT Adventures website. Current SPOT data is also shown in real time.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
EYE crew to welcome aboard Will Summers
On Monday, March 29, 2010, Megan wrote:
"I just found this blog and wanted to post that my boyfriend, Will Summers, just boarded a plane in DC headed to Panama to join up with the crew of Eye of the World. He plans on sailing with them until they reach Australia (approx 5 months?)"
"I just found this blog and wanted to post that my boyfriend, Will Summers, just boarded a plane in DC headed to Panama to join up with the crew of Eye of the World. He plans on sailing with them until they reach Australia (approx 5 months?)"
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tobago Island, Panama
From Provenir to Tobago Island
Tobago Island, Panama
Topography of the Canal Zone
Panama Canal TransitMonday, March 22, 2010
Panama Canal Transit: lather, rinse, repeat
Alan showers with soap in the rain after the transit
Apparently, going through the Panama Canal is as much fun as a Disney World ride: experience the once-in-a-lifetime transit, then go back to the start on an inexpensive bus, get in line, and go through again on someone else's boat as temporary crew.
A run through on other peoples' boats (OPB) before submitting your own boat to the process is certainly not a bad idea.
Trevor took a ride through on an OPB while waiting on Alan and Adam to return to Panama. After the successful transit of the s/v William T. Piquette yesterday, and with the WTP safely anchored on the Pacific side, most/all of the EYE crew is queuing up again today for another Atlantic-to-Pacific ride. Wheeeeeee.
The crew will be anchored in Panama for at least another week, so the count of canal transits might possibly turn into another EYE-lympics competition. So far, score 2 for Trevor, 1 for Alan, 1 for Adam.
On Friday night and Saturday when the WTP was transiting the canal, there were 9 or 10 other yachts in the locks simultaneously. For example, the s/v Songline (a catamaran) transited a few yards in front of the WTP. Onboard the Songline was temporary crew Frank Taylor taking a "practice" run prior to the transit of their 50' 2.8" catamaran, s/v Tahina, scheduled for Tuesday. Frank and Karen Taylor are also circumnavigating the globe. Their website for the Tahina Expedition is worthwhile to follow.
Frank Taylor took beautiful photographs and 360-degree panoramas during their ride through the canal on the Songline and near the WTP. You can read his account of their "Canal Transit Trial Run" and view all their photos of the event.
Here are a few selected photos from that photo album. (Frank and Karen, I hope you don't mind.)
Miraflores Locks: WTP in the cross-hairs, Songline about to be destroyed by huge in-coming red arrow
Monday, March 15, 2010
Alan's Visit to Key Largo and Miami
Monday 3/15
By noon today Alan was flying out of Miami and winging his way back to the PTY airport at Panama City.
He and his entire family enjoyed a wonderful vist together in Key Largo on Tuesday-Sunday where his mom finished her 300-mile-by-kayak WaterTribe Everglades Challenge (EC).
Alan enjoyed visiting with his good friends among the WaterTribe. He said he really missed participating in the EC. He spent some of his time doodling ideas for a new "EC" boat he would like to design, build and race.
After his family headed back toward home in NC early Sunday morning, Alan enjoyed visiting with some of his catamaran-racing friends in the Key Largo area. He greatly appreciated their hospitality: many thanks to all of them, and especially to Steve Lohmayer, for their generous hospitality.
Each May during 2003-2009 Alan sailed with Trey Brown in the Tybee-500 offshore catamaran race. In 2008, 2009 and 2010 some of Alan's catamaran-racing friends (Jamie Livingston, Steve Loymayer, Kenny Pierce) set new speed records for the EC: this year, ~300 miles in 26.2 hours sailing an olymic class Tornado cat.
--Paul
By noon today Alan was flying out of Miami and winging his way back to the PTY airport at Panama City.
He and his entire family enjoyed a wonderful vist together in Key Largo on Tuesday-Sunday where his mom finished her 300-mile-by-kayak WaterTribe Everglades Challenge (EC).
Alan enjoyed visiting with his good friends among the WaterTribe. He said he really missed participating in the EC. He spent some of his time doodling ideas for a new "EC" boat he would like to design, build and race.
After his family headed back toward home in NC early Sunday morning, Alan enjoyed visiting with some of his catamaran-racing friends in the Key Largo area. He greatly appreciated their hospitality: many thanks to all of them, and especially to Steve Lohmayer, for their generous hospitality.
Each May during 2003-2009 Alan sailed with Trey Brown in the Tybee-500 offshore catamaran race. In 2008, 2009 and 2010 some of Alan's catamaran-racing friends (Jamie Livingston, Steve Loymayer, Kenny Pierce) set new speed records for the EC: this year, ~300 miles in 26.2 hours sailing an olymic class Tornado cat.
--Paul
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Here and There
While on hold until the scheduled date (3/20) for the canal transit ....
In Raleigh, Adam's finalization and defense of his dissertation in economics is a process in progress this month.
Meanwhile, Alan flew from Panama City and was met by his sister and dad at the Miami airport Tuesday evening. They traveled south to Key Largo to await and greet his mom when she completes the 300 mile WaterTribe Everglades Challenge in her kayak on Friday.
Trevor is holding the fort onboard while docked at the Shelter Bay Marina in Colon. He is catching up on his own student paperwork and doing whatever he's been needing or wanting to do. The marina provides wi-fi connectivity and many other good services and facilities.
In Raleigh, Adam's finalization and defense of his dissertation in economics is a process in progress this month.
Meanwhile, Alan flew from Panama City and was met by his sister and dad at the Miami airport Tuesday evening. They traveled south to Key Largo to await and greet his mom when she completes the 300 mile WaterTribe Everglades Challenge in her kayak on Friday.
Trevor is holding the fort onboard while docked at the Shelter Bay Marina in Colon. He is catching up on his own student paperwork and doing whatever he's been needing or wanting to do. The marina provides wi-fi connectivity and many other good services and facilities.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Surfing, Boats, Locks and Docks Oh My!
Fri, 5 Mar 2010 12:35 pm
We are taking a bus to Santa Catalina to hit the beach for swimming, surfing, and fun in the sun --Pacific style. (Sent by twitter).
Sat, 6 Mar 2010 4:09 pm
Taylor and I are headed to Casco Viejo in Panama City to stage her airline departure in the morning. I'll get a picture of independence park where Panama declared its independence from Colombia! Trevor is still in Santa Catalina enjoying the beach and surfing with cruising friends that we met when we arrived in Colon.
Sun, 6 Mar 2010 11:44 pm
Taylor and I are in Panama City. We picked up food at a grocery. Taylors leaves early tomorrow.
Sun, 7 Mar 2010 12:45 pm
Taylor arrived in Miami safely.
On Sun, 7 Mar 2010 12:45 pm
In Panama City: I visited the Miraflores locks. Boats and Locks and Docks Oh My! (See posted photos on the EYEotw website.) I also toured the Panama Canal Museum there. Now I am back at the Albrook Mall and National Transportation Terminal. I am waiting for Trevor to arrive here before we head back to colon. This message was sent from a computer at an internet cafe in Albrook Mall.
We are taking a bus to Santa Catalina to hit the beach for swimming, surfing, and fun in the sun --Pacific style. (Sent by twitter).
Sat, 6 Mar 2010 4:09 pm
Taylor and I are headed to Casco Viejo in Panama City to stage her airline departure in the morning. I'll get a picture of independence park where Panama declared its independence from Colombia! Trevor is still in Santa Catalina enjoying the beach and surfing with cruising friends that we met when we arrived in Colon.
Sun, 6 Mar 2010 11:44 pm
Taylor and I are in Panama City. We picked up food at a grocery. Taylors leaves early tomorrow.
Sun, 7 Mar 2010 12:45 pm
Taylor arrived in Miami safely.
On Sun, 7 Mar 2010 12:45 pm
In Panama City: I visited the Miraflores locks. Boats and Locks and Docks Oh My! (See posted photos on the EYEotw website.) I also toured the Panama Canal Museum there. Now I am back at the Albrook Mall and National Transportation Terminal. I am waiting for Trevor to arrive here before we head back to colon. This message was sent from a computer at an internet cafe in Albrook Mall.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Boquete: Like a Fall Day in Boone, NC
Report from Alan
Here in the mountains of the Chiriquí Region it is much much cooler and has been foggy and misty. It feels a lot like Boone, NC, in the fall on a rainy day. It is beautiful here and safe. There are lots of backpackers and other young travelers.
In David, we visited a waterfall and swam after picking up some picnic food, including a giant papaya. Then we traveled to Boquete via a 30-minuted bus ride.
In Boquete we are checked into the Hostel Palocias in the heart of Boquete. There we were advised on short trails to hike. We left our heavy stuff at the hostel. On the way to the trail, we stopped at a coffee house.
We continued from there onto what should have been a 5 km trail. However we took a wrong turn and doubled that distance. It was raining most of the time. We were soaked. We still had fun even though we were walking for nearly 4 hours.
Then, hot showers at the hostel and dinner at an inexpensive cafeteria: $4.00 for a huge plate of rice port, potatoes, empanadas, and for desert a double scoop of homemade ice creme in a cone for $0.35. This was by far the best ice cream deal ...ever. We had some drinks at a bar with live music and then dragged ourselves to bed.
Here in the mountains of the Chiriquí Region it is much much cooler and has been foggy and misty. It feels a lot like Boone, NC, in the fall on a rainy day. It is beautiful here and safe. There are lots of backpackers and other young travelers.
In David, we visited a waterfall and swam after picking up some picnic food, including a giant papaya. Then we traveled to Boquete via a 30-minuted bus ride.
In Boquete we are checked into the Hostel Palocias in the heart of Boquete. There we were advised on short trails to hike. We left our heavy stuff at the hostel. On the way to the trail, we stopped at a coffee house.
We continued from there onto what should have been a 5 km trail. However we took a wrong turn and doubled that distance. It was raining most of the time. We were soaked. We still had fun even though we were walking for nearly 4 hours.
Then, hot showers at the hostel and dinner at an inexpensive cafeteria: $4.00 for a huge plate of rice port, potatoes, empanadas, and for desert a double scoop of homemade ice creme in a cone for $0.35. This was by far the best ice cream deal ...ever. We had some drinks at a bar with live music and then dragged ourselves to bed.
Boquete
On Thursday (3/4) at 3:34 pm Trevor / Alan posted this photo on an EYEotw-photos webpage ...
Hostel Mamallena
The sign in the lower left says Hostel Mamallena which is in the town of Boquete.
The website for Hostel Mamallena provides photos and information about Boquete, costs in Panama, and the hostel itself.
Boquete (video) is located on the Rio Caldera and has been described as, "...the city of rainbows, flowers, good coffee, beautiful landscapes and friendly people...."
Boquete's local attractions: the Baru Volcano, hot springs, river rafting, kayaking, fishing, coffee tours, waterfalls, climbing, horseback riding, great hiking trails, the path of the quetzales, ...a great place to retire.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Colón as a home base for explorations
Reported Monday evening (3/3)
Monday, Adam flew back to the US for his dissertation events at NCSU. Alan and Trevor have two more weeks in Panama while waiting on Adam to return. Then they will all transit the canal together.
Also on Monday, Trevor, Alan and Taylor rode a bus to Panama City in the morning. After a quick food stop and some planning they took another bus to David, which is a town in the Chiriquí Region of Panama halfway between Panama City and San José, Costa Rica (7 hours from each). They checked into a very nice hostel in David called "the Purple House" run by an ex peace corps volunteer named Andrea: $7.70 for a clean bed, shower, and communal kitchen. "Everything in this hostel is purple!"
Upcoming Plans
Alan, Taylor, Trevor were aiming to do some more exploring on Tuesday. Maybe see a volcano, enjoy a beach, or visit a rainforest. "Who knows!" said Alan.
Family reunion? Given the extended anchorage in Panama, Alan is looking for an inexpensive ticket to Miami, FL, to visit with his family. (Dawn, his mom, is paddling her kayak from Tampa to Key Largo in the annual 300mile WaterTribe Everglades Challenge. The race begins Saturday morning (3/6) at Ft. DeSoto and ends some days later in Key Largo. Key Largo is the place to be next week! Alan's sister and dad will be camped out there.)
Best wishes to Adam as he finalizes and defends his dissertation.
Monday, Adam flew back to the US for his dissertation events at NCSU. Alan and Trevor have two more weeks in Panama while waiting on Adam to return. Then they will all transit the canal together.
Also on Monday, Trevor, Alan and Taylor rode a bus to Panama City in the morning. After a quick food stop and some planning they took another bus to David, which is a town in the Chiriquí Region of Panama halfway between Panama City and San José, Costa Rica (7 hours from each). They checked into a very nice hostel in David called "the Purple House" run by an ex peace corps volunteer named Andrea: $7.70 for a clean bed, shower, and communal kitchen. "Everything in this hostel is purple!"
Upcoming Plans
Alan, Taylor, Trevor were aiming to do some more exploring on Tuesday. Maybe see a volcano, enjoy a beach, or visit a rainforest. "Who knows!" said Alan.
Family reunion? Given the extended anchorage in Panama, Alan is looking for an inexpensive ticket to Miami, FL, to visit with his family. (Dawn, his mom, is paddling her kayak from Tampa to Key Largo in the annual 300mile WaterTribe Everglades Challenge. The race begins Saturday morning (3/6) at Ft. DeSoto and ends some days later in Key Largo. Key Largo is the place to be next week! Alan's sister and dad will be camped out there.)
Best wishes to Adam as he finalizes and defends his dissertation.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Plan A, Plan B, Plan C
Which will it be ? .......
Plan A: The crew bids farewell to Colón as they transit the canal this week, and then Trevor and Alan enjoy re-provisioning in beautiful Panama City (for Pacific travel) while Adam defends his dissertation in Raleigh, NC.
Spend spare time on the Pacific coast exploring, sight-seeing, visiting beaches, and doing boat maintanence.
Plan B: While Adam defends in NC, Alan and Trevor transit the canal right away with the help of friends (e.g., Deb) and then enjoy re-provisioning in beautiful Panama City until Adam returns. Before or after transit, spend spare time exploring, sight-seeing, visiting beaches, and doing boat maintanence.
Plan C: Trevor and Alan sweat it out in Colón for more than two weeks while Adam defends in NC. After Adam returns they all transit the canal and then take a few more days to quickly re-provision in Panama City.
Spend spare time before the transit by exploring, sight-seeing, visiting beaches, and doing boat maintanence.
Plan A: The crew bids farewell to Colón as they transit the canal this week, and then Trevor and Alan enjoy re-provisioning in beautiful Panama City (for Pacific travel) while Adam defends his dissertation in Raleigh, NC.
Spend spare time on the Pacific coast exploring, sight-seeing, visiting beaches, and doing boat maintanence.
Plan B: While Adam defends in NC, Alan and Trevor transit the canal right away with the help of friends (e.g., Deb) and then enjoy re-provisioning in beautiful Panama City until Adam returns. Before or after transit, spend spare time exploring, sight-seeing, visiting beaches, and doing boat maintanence.
Plan C: Trevor and Alan sweat it out in Colón for more than two weeks while Adam defends in NC. After Adam returns they all transit the canal and then take a few more days to quickly re-provision in Panama City.
Spend spare time before the transit by exploring, sight-seeing, visiting beaches, and doing boat maintanence.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Having Fun in Colón ...
Monday at noon (3/1)
" .... well, as much fun as you can have in Colón.
Taylor is here. Yay! Thanks to Dad for helping relay my phone number to Taylor in the bus terminal. We ran into each other before she had a chance to call it.
Sunday, Taylor, Trevor and I took a bus to a beach and to Portobelo* where we saw the ruins of Fort San Lorenzo.
Adam stayed and worked on his dissertation. It is not looking like he will be able to stay onboard for the canal transit unless our date for transit is tomorrow. We will see.
We've been doing varnish work and engine cleaning. Yuk. The weather is hot here but has rained consistently every morning between 6 and 7.
Our boat was officially measured about 30 minutes ago and we are about to go into town to pay the fee for transiting the canal. Then, at 6:00 pm we are to call and hear our transit date, we hope." --- Alan
Monday at 3:00 pm
Adam and Trevor off to El Banco to pay the transit fee. Alan and Taylor doing laundry at a laundramat. Alan bought some more minutes for his cell phone and called to say hello.
------------------
* "Portobelo is a sleepy city with a population of fewer than 3,000. It has a deep natural harbor. Portobelo was founded in 1597 by Spanish explorer Francisco Velarde y Mercado. From the 16th to 18th centuries it was an important silver-exporting port and one of the ports on the route of the Spanish treasure fleets. In 1668 the city was attached and plundered by 450 privateers led by Captain Henry Morgan." -- Wikipedia
" .... well, as much fun as you can have in Colón.
Taylor is here. Yay! Thanks to Dad for helping relay my phone number to Taylor in the bus terminal. We ran into each other before she had a chance to call it.
Sunday, Taylor, Trevor and I took a bus to a beach and to Portobelo* where we saw the ruins of Fort San Lorenzo.
Adam stayed and worked on his dissertation. It is not looking like he will be able to stay onboard for the canal transit unless our date for transit is tomorrow. We will see.
We've been doing varnish work and engine cleaning. Yuk. The weather is hot here but has rained consistently every morning between 6 and 7.
Our boat was officially measured about 30 minutes ago and we are about to go into town to pay the fee for transiting the canal. Then, at 6:00 pm we are to call and hear our transit date, we hope." --- Alan
Monday at 3:00 pm
Adam and Trevor off to El Banco to pay the transit fee. Alan and Taylor doing laundry at a laundramat. Alan bought some more minutes for his cell phone and called to say hello.
------------------
* "Portobelo is a sleepy city with a population of fewer than 3,000. It has a deep natural harbor. Portobelo was founded in 1597 by Spanish explorer Francisco Velarde y Mercado. From the 16th to 18th centuries it was an important silver-exporting port and one of the ports on the route of the Spanish treasure fleets. In 1668 the city was attached and plundered by 450 privateers led by Captain Henry Morgan." -- Wikipedia
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