Panamal Canal Transit - Update

Current Location:  Panama City, Panama (still....get us the heck out of here!!)

YES!!! It finally happened....we have an offical day of departure for the Caribbean, Wednesday, March 6th. Adios Pacific and Panama City, hello reggae, steel drums, even clearer blue waters and more consisitent wind (well, we hope). 

 

We have a date....March 6th!!!

As you have deducted by now, we are ready to move on and depart Panama (more on that later).  The official from the Admeasurer office visited us on our boat a week ago Friday, where he measured and evaluated our vessel to  ensure it was capabale of navigating the Canal.  All went well and the next step was to pay our tranist fees. The breakdown of cost for our 38 foot sailboat follows:

Transit fee for boat up to 50 feet:  $800
TVI Inspection Charge:  $54
Security Charge:  $130
Buffer Fee:  $891
TOTAL COST UP FRONT:  $1875

Refund expected:  $891

The buffer fee works as a type of security deposit just in case we cannot make it through in the scheduled time frame (i.e. engine failure, etc).  Apparently, if we are delayed due to the Canal Authority, there is no charge. It states in the documents that we will be refunded the money within 2 to 3 weeks, but this being Panama, we are not holding our breath. Ironically, they transfer the refund into our bank account...huh?

But here is the REALLY interesting part.....they do NOT accept credit cards, wire transfers, or any other form of payment.  It's old school down here, cold hard cash only, baby!! So this presented a few challenges for us.

Where do we withdraw $2,000 where there are no Bank of Americas??
How do we avoid getting mugged while traipsing through the streets of Panama City?
Where do we hide it on the boat while awaiting our trip to the Administration Office?

Might as well draw a big, fat target that says, "Stupid gringo on his way to the Canal Authority with the equivelant of a Panamanian's annual pay".  We decided to take out $500 each day for four days....hiding the stash in J.P.'s stinky, musty clothes closet.  If we got robbed we would be comforted by the fact the banditos suffered through that mess.

I am happy to report that all went well with Ben delivering the wad of twenties without incident.  As a result we were able to call in and get our transit date.  Since the traffic in the Panama Canal has decreased (less shipping due to world economy down, etc.), we were able to leave within two days.  We politely declined and asked for a date farther out since we had family coming to be line handers. Surprisingly he asked what day we wanted and were granted our request for Wednesday, March 6th.


The fees inspired me to research other modes of transport over the Isthmus of Panama:

Taxi Cab:  $50  (one hour)
Bus: $2.50  (hour and a half)
Train: $25 (one hour)
Sailboat:  $1875 (two days)

So not the most practical or inexpensive way to transport oneself from Panama City to Colon, but then again the Doolittles are not the portrait of convention!!

 

We will be going through the Canal with huge vessels like this cruise ship or enormous tankers.

 

Mickey doing his research report on World War II.  As he was writing, we looked up and saw.....

 

....a battleship coming from the Panama Canal, driving by the anchorage! 

 

 

 

We need to get Captain Ben out of Panama City before he goes broke putting money in the swear bank.

 

 

Our transit will probably take two days with the Canal Advisor being dropped off on our boat Wednesday morning and helps us navigate through the first set of locks ( a couple of hours).  Most of our time transiting the Canal will be spent motoring across Gatun Lake. Once on the other side, we will tie up to an enormous mooring ball called a "Cheeseball" and stay the night.  In the morning, a new advisor is dropped off (they do not stay the night on the boat) and we spend the next few hours transiting the locks down to the Caribbean.

This is all subject to many variables, of course.  For instnace, we may be scheduled for a night transit or they could start us at sunrise and hurry us through in one day.  Apparently, boats should be prepared for many different scenarios. We are ready for anything, because if  there is one thing our sailing adventures have taught us, it is patience and flexibility.

If you'd like to watch us transit through, here is the webcam for the Panama Canal.  I will try and post a more specific time on the blog on March 6th.

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html


So there you have it, some useful information for anyone considering a transit through the Panama Canal via small boat (or "Line Handling Vessels" as they call us).  We will be sharing locks with enormous tankers and cruise ships whose fare I assume are astronomically higher than our measly pittance fee.  Basically we serve as the little popcorn styrofoam filler to the huge, precious, money maker vessels that navigate the Canal every day. During the inspection, the official actually seemed shocked that we had radar on board and chuckled out loud when Ben stated that we did not have an AIS system (technology that allows ships to identify other boats on the water. It is used in high traffic areas or nightime navigation).

And now another edition of the.....THE FLOATING FRAT HOUSE FOLLIES:

J.P. disappeard into this V-berth one day with a pencil and notebook informing us, "Don't bother me for a while. I'm working on something."

A few minutes later he emerges and presents us with an illustration of a large fish with a royal crown on its head.  This is what he wrote:

THE FIRE SHARK 259

This is the Fire Shark 259 called the Rich King Fish. It is full of diamonds, gold and money.  It eats anything. It's owner is born with a crown and it grows whenever it's owner grows.  It has razor sharp teeth and a powerful butt for gas.  Length 10 to 1,502 feet.

I gotta say.....the House Mother really hopes to see this fish while snorkeling in the Caribbean!!!

Cheers,
Molly











 

Quick Update from Panama City + Taboga Island Photos

Current Location:  Panama City, Panama

I have a couple of blog entries started regarding our time in the Las Perlas and navigating the metropolis of Panama City...but between home schooling and prepping the boat for the Panama Canal transit, I can't seem to find the time to finish.  So here is an update of what we are up to currently.

Every day we watch enormous tankers and cruise ships drive by our anchorage here in Playita as they go to and from the Canal.  Like big, teasing bullies we must tolerate their taunting until it is our turn to venture through what the American Society of Civil Engineers has named, one of the seven wonders of the modern world.   How's that for intimidating??

Since the cost is approximately $2,000 we have been cooling our heels here, while squirling away our nuts (Balboas aka US Dollars).  Back in December, we checked into the country of Panama, but had no idea it would be so expensive ($750), the most costly so far. Even more the more popular and touristy hot spot, Costa Rica, cost less to acquire a cruising permit and get our passport stamped.

Our check in process is a story in itself and will have to wait for another time, but it did involve an official pocketing cash for an inspection fee, which never took place (in his defense.....it WAS two days before Christmas, so maybe he needed some cash to buy presents for all of his big breasted, topless girlfriends.  I know this because they were proudly displayed in photos at his desk.  As an afterthought, maybe if my boobs were bigger, he wouldn't have embezzled money from us?). To be clear, all of the countries we have checked into have had straight forward procedures with fees that were quite reasonable and official.  This was our only negative experience with immigration or customs to date.

As I type this, Ben and the boys are off to the Panama Canal Authority to pay our transit fee, so tonight we should have an assigned date to go through.  Happy, excited, stressed, scared and relieved are just a few words that come to mind as I anticipate this big event.  Ben's mom, Sally, and my dad, Jerry will be flying down to act as line handlers.  We look forward to spending time with family and sharing this amazing experience (and also spend in their air-conditioned hotel rooms, swim in the pool and shower with hot water...ah, a cruiser's life!).  If anyone would like to join us, we may need another person.  Send us an e-mail if you would like more information.

We can't wait to get to the Caribbean side and start exploring!!  If anybody is interested in our rough timeline, we plan to head to the San Blas Islands in March and then make our way up to Belize, Mexico and then to Florida.  Again, if you would like to come crew on the boat and sail any of these waters, just let us know.  We love to have visitors!

Once on the East Coast, we will sell the boat in Annapolis and then drive across the country during the summer. We have promised Mickey we would visit a bunch of baseball parks in the U.S.  Then back in California by the end of summer!

That's about it for now....here are some photos of our time at Isla Taboga a couple weeks ago (an hour sail from Panama City). 

Cheers!
Molly

FLOATING FRAT HOUSE FOLLIES:

OOOPS! I almost forgot about the blog's new feature!!  I have come to realize these stories don't always reflect well on my parenting abilities.  Please withhold any judgment until a later date....like when my kids are fully grown and are in therapy.

Mickey and Molly's task for the day was to go to the grocery store.  Not an easy feat for someone without a car, living on a sailboat in a foreign country.  All went well until the cab drive home (Panama City cabs = headache, ulcers, quarreling..see former blog post). 

Before leaving the store, all parties had an agreed upon price, but as they were nearing their destination, the driver wanted more cash.  Molly politely declined and said he had already agreed upon the cost.  The quarreling and quibbling, which included bullying and yelling from the driver, continued until they reached the drop off point.  Mickey, now adept at unloading groceries from taxi cabs while his mother fights with cab drivers, completed his task quite efficiently. 

The driver now realizing he was not going to get more money from the now shrieking and angry Molly, sneered and said in Spanish, "Ok, how about a beer instead?".  

Being the class act she is.....Molly chucked a can of beer at his head and he drove off chuckling.  As the cab is departing, Molly, who has now completely succumbed to her Irish anger and in the presence of her 11 year old, rattles off,
"F- - -  you, ass- - - -!"

Obviously she had completely lost her cool and as the anger subsided realized what she had done.  As a result, she turned to Mickey and said sincerely, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I was just sooo angry and lost my cool."

Mickey (patting his mother's shoulder sympathetically):  "That's ok, mom. It's just a shame he didn't understand you. You should really learn how to swear in Spanish."

And that is all for now from the Floating Frat House....

 

Anchored off Isla Taboga, usually a sleepy little island that attracts weekenders, who swim and barbecue on the beach. However, it was Carnaval (which is BIG here in Panama) and the music played until 5:00 am. We can confirm that sound does travel really well across water!

 

 

 

 

J.P. helping dad fix the outboard engine.  It's just another way to earn allowance on the Floating Frat House.

 

 

 

 

A view of the anchorage from Taboga. Knee Deep is second from the right.

 

 

 

Loved the small, colorful houses on the island. Note the telephone booth on the right.  They are all over the place here and they work!  The boys now know what one looks like.

 

 

 

 

Two Panamanian kids carrying a cooler down to the beach, which contained.......wait for it........

 

 

 

.....FISH and a large knife! They were headed to the beach to meet the family for a barbecue. I loved the fact they were roaming the small streets of this village with the family meal. 

 

 

 

While we walkd around the island, two little boys took up residence in our dinghy.  They were pretending to drive and used it as a jungle gym.

 

Homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee is always good way to start the day.

 

 

"Escuela Benjamin.." a.ka. Benjamin School.  Is this a school for tall, skinny sailors?? Or maybe they teach people how to convince their spouses to live on a sailboat with two young children?? Brilliant!!

 

 

Apparently people from all nations love to be wildly pulled around on a big, yellow inflatable banana! This our friend's boat, Sundancer being buzzed by the banana.

 

Second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere.  It was locked so it was another church where we were unable to go inside.  Should I be worried?? Maybe God's trying to tell us something.

 

 

 

The anchorage at Taboga with Panama City in the background.  Also, note the enormous tankers anchored offshore.

 

 

The old church, complete with soccer field in front.

 

 

 

 

 

Playing Tourist in Panama and Introducing Frat House Follies!!

Current location:  Isla Contadora, Panama

Mickey and J.P. with Panama City in the background.

 Once we arrived into Panama City and settled in, I was able to do one of my favorite things this cruising life offers, sightsee!  Some of my fondest travel memories are the several months in  Europe with my sister meandering through museums, eating in local restaurants and hustling through sketchy neighborhoods. Recently the members of the Floating Frat House were able to do all of the above in Casco Viejo, the old town of Panama City.

After the bombing and pillaging by the famous Welsh pirate, Henry Morgan in 1671, they moved the city here.  This is how I got the two little Doolittles on board and excited for our excursion. In the teaching profession, we would call this the “hook”, often times the hardest part is reeling in the little suckers and getting them excited to learn. 

I am proud to inform that J.P. has decided his most recent research report will be about pirates and am assuming it is inspired by our visits to these historical places.  I am completely convinced it is NOT the “Sid Mires Pirates” video game he plays on his IPod Touch.  One of the best parenting tools is denial, a beautiful thing. On the other hand, Mickey has chosen the subject of WWII, so maybe I should be rethinking our sightseeing venues and steer us toward less violent subject matter.

So off we went to the Cosco Viejo, where the city was rebuilt after the previously mentioned pirate, Morgan, spent several days bombing it with cannons.  His main goal was to persuade the residents to give up and forfeit the enormous amounts of gold in their possession.  The story goes that the local priest hurriedly painted an altar of solid gold located in the church to camouflage the pirate booty. Unfortunately, our attempt to see it was in vain since we arrived at the church on a Sunday to find it locked up (what…Sunday?).

So we continued on through the cobblestone streets and enjoyed the amazing old buildings. To Ben, it reminded him of his time spent in Cuba and for me it was reminiscent of New Orleans, Louisiana. Minus the Mardi Gras crowds and the throwing of beads at topless women…which, I most definitely did NOT participate in!! (This is where I respectfully request all friends who accompanied me on that trip to destroy all evidence to the contrary).

As a nod to my father and the family line of Irish masons, we stopped to acknowledge the construction of the new streets.  They are restoring the old town to its historical architecture, complete with hand laid brick roads.  Panama gained more of my respect in that they chose this instead of plastering down large concrete pads of cement amongst historic 400 year old buildings.  I find his quite ironic in a country of people that have a strong sense of not working too hard. 

Laying some brick in the streets of Casco Viejo.

To be clear, I don’t mean this as a slight, but just an observation and by no means pertains to ALL Panamanians.  However, it has been an interesting journey in adapting to the concept.  At first I assumed it was me and my Spanish skills, that all of a sudden my Spanish skills had declined so badly that nobody understood me anyomre. Then later thinking that they didn’t like me because I was American…until….I came to the epiphany that it wasn’t me at all!  They treat their fellow Panamanians in the same manner. One common example is walking into a store and asking for a specific item which will be met with a blank stare, no smile and roundabout answers that do not really pertain to my question at all.  It would be common sense to deduct that it was my gringo Spanish skills, but with further observation that was only part of it!

Apparently if a person wants something you must request it several times in many different ways and then cut to the chase, with statements like, “O.K., so are you saying you have a _______ (enter noun here) or are you saying you do NOT have it?”.

Only then will I receive a straight answer.  To be honest, I am becoming quite entertained by this; it forces me to abandon any niceties, no beating around the bush, smiling or being sweet. I am usually polite, kind and respectful, especially when visiting someone else’s country, but apparently Darwin was correct, you must adapt or die.  I found myself in a Panamanian grocery store recently, saying with a big frown pasted to my face “Look, I’m want flour. Walk me to where it is right now!”  I managed to assuage my guilt long enough to find the bag of $2 flour.

Furthermore, I must admit my new hobby is arguing with taxi cab drivers.  In Panama, there is no set price for a destination and it is consistently a roller coaster of bargaining which usually begins quite high for the visiting gringo. During some rides, they have often changed the agreed upon price and announced that the fare went up by 2 or 3 dollars due to:

a.      The amount of groceries I loaded into the car.

b.      All of a suddent the driver noticing that there was another little human being with me (who was there at the beginning of the ride).

c.       The driver did not understand that we wanted to go ALL the way to our destination, not just in the vicinity.

d.      All of the above.

One of the beautiful buildings in Cosco Viejo with a dreaded taxi in the foreground.

I have never seen my non-confrontational husband fight so much in my life!!  The easy-going Ben has been replaced with the affronted, angry, Franken Ben who will yell at cab drivers in his convoluted mix of French, Spanish and English. Many a rides have ended with me whispering to Mickey and J.P. in the backseat, “Get the bags and get ready to bail out as fast as you can when we get there!!”  The Doolittle boys have become quite adept at wildly flinging grocery bags from the car and scurrying quickly away. I can attest that Mickey and J.P.  have become quite amused by this new argumentative version of their father. Perhaps it’s the pirate coming out in all of us!

But, as usual, I digress….while we were wandering around Cosco Viejo, we visited the Museo del Canal Interoceanico, an impressive museum located in the former headquarters for the original French canal company (the French attempted to build a canal a few years before the U.S., yet failed).  The boys enjoyed teaching their parents about the Panama Canal since they had previously visited the Mira Flores Museum without us, complete with observation decks of ships transiting the Canal. 

The room that struck me most was filled with a timeline of the politics surrounding the Canal.  Let’s just say from the Panamanian perspective, the U.S. really screwed the pooch.  Again it was a great opportunity to teach the boys history using multiple perspectives. I can say that being in the room full of Panamanians made me feel quite uncomfortable, being the bad guy and all.  I was telling this to a British friend recently and she said, “Oh, really? Try being British….I feel guilty in every country I visit.”

Anyway, our sightseeing day was punctuated with a visit to an organic deli complete with baguette rolls and seeing Kuna Indians of the San Blas Islands selling their tapestries. Of course, the day would not have been complete without feisty negotiations with a taxi driver for our ride home.

Couldn't resist taking pics of the tourists all wearing Panamanian hats! I have to admit, I want one, but it's too hot to wear.

AND FINALLY….

I’d like to introduce to DoolittleCruising.BlogSpot.com a new concept, called the Floating Frat House Follies.  Coming to the realization that too many nuggets of comedic, boyhood ditties on our boat go undocumented, I will include with every entry an interesting story involving one of the Frat Brothers. This one already appeared on my Facebook page recently, but here goes…

 Last week J.P. noticed something of interest while his Kindle was in hibernation mode.  A picture of Alexander Dumas, the author of one of my favorite books, The Count of Monte Cristo appeared on his screen.

He pointed to it and said, “Hey mom!! Look at this!”

The proud teacher, Mrs. Doolittle anticipated the intellectual observation her student would show regarding the famous writer.

And then J.P. turned to me and said, “Hey, if I add another “s” to his name he would be dumb ass!!!”

Ah, the shaping of young minds continues….aboard the Floating Frat House.

Cheers,

Molly

Here are some additional photos....

After there was strong opposition to building the Canal in Panama (some wanted it built in Nicaragua) because of earthquakes, the officials used this arch as proof that it was a safe location.  The original flat arch had been standing here for hundreds of years when the Canal was proposed. 

The boys with a Kuna Indian off to the right selling her tapestries. They were works of art!!

Old meets new!

 

It was Christmas time and although they resisted, the Floating Frat House guys posed for some cutout holiday photos!!

 Apparently there are different building codes regarding electrical work here in Panama. 

Knee Deep is for sale!!

We are headed to the East Coast, and rather than waiting until the last minute to try and sell the boat this fall in a "fire sale" we thought we would list it now. Spread the word....your cruise ready sailing vessel is already in paradise!!

Here is the Ad:

Our well loved and well equipped Catalina 38 is for sale. We are on the Pacific side of Panama with plans to transit the canal, visit the San Blas and then work our way north to Belize, Key West, and up the East Coast. Buy your cruise ready boat in paradise! We find that we SAIL this boat at least 50% more than our peers on heavy displacement "cruising" boats.



1000 hrs on Universal diesel w/ a 250 hours on the transmission. Folding prop, newer canvas, electric windlass, newer upholstery, cruising spinnaker, Autohelm, new Lowance chartplotter at helm, radar, propane stove/oven, frig, inverter, battery charger, microwave, 9 ft dink and 5 hp outboard.....totally turn key, as in, tomorrow we turn the key and continue our cruise.



Asking $55,000, willing to deliver anywhere.

Current location: Isla Contadora, Panama


Please contact us with questions or for more photos.
mollyfdoolittle@gmail.com

Current location:  Panama City, Panama

Merry Belated Christmas one and all!  We are currently anchored out with about 100 other boats in Panama City near the entrance to the Panama Canal. Our beautiful view of the city skyline is amazing and we spent the first few nights in awe watching the enormous tankers exiting the Canal and feeling extremely small.  At night they appear to be huge office buildings floating through the water heading for the Pacific Ocean.  I’m still finding it hard to believe that we are here and will be transiting the Canal in the near future.

My concerns for fulfilling the boy’s Christmas wishes were put to rest when we arrived on December 21^st, in time to do some serious holiday shopping. It was quite a push to get here, but we really needed purchase gifts and wanted to be amongst our other gypsy friends. Thanksgiving was tough for me this year since it was just the four of us. I know I should be grateful for celebrating in this beautiful setting with my amazing boys, but I miss being amongst extended family and participating in holiday traditions. However, surfing, boogey boarding and watching an amazing sunset on Thanksgiving night is not something I can complain about!!

To add to my anxiety, the two younger members of Knee Deep had written their letters to Santa with some very specific requests, which…if Santa lived in Panama and didn’t have those midget elves working for him, would be difficult to find. Where does one find a miniature set of plastic NFL helmets (Mickey’s Christmas wish) in a country that worships baseball and soccer? Fortunately, Santa pulled it off and delivered the goods on Christmas day (which also included a skateboard for J.P.). That Santa is truly amazing, if I do say so myself!!!

One incident of note was the transport of gifts from the United States.  When we returned home for a visit this summer, I planned ahead and purchased some things for Mickey and J.P. that I knew they would love. Things like a Matt Cain, “Perfect Game” t-shirt and Star Wars Lego sets which I knew would be difficult items to find in Central America.  As I unpacked after our arrival from the airport, I found a note inserted into my suitcase stating that my bag had been inspected. Much to my chagrin and frustration, I found that some of the gifts were missing. 

Fortunately, the Lego Star Wars advent calendar I had smuggled over the border made it, however, I had second thoughts about this purchase as the days progressed.  The countdown to Christmas progressed and I observed that things like thermal detinators, lightsabers and Darth Maul dressed up like Santa were not representative of the pacifist and loving Jesus' birthday.  This led to J.P. opening a new window each day and proclaiming, "Yes!! A Battle Droid with gun!!! Oh, wait, Jesus would really not have liked this!"

As Christmas grew nearer (and the Star Wars weapons piled up), I stewed about the pilfered presents from my suitcase and the fact that I was without “special” gifts for our boys. I spent a good, thirty minutes venting to Ben about the “shadiness” and “misdeeds” of crooked agents with sticky fingers.  With assurances from our friend Nicole that I would find anything I ever wanted at the Allbrook Mall here in Panama City, I hopped in a cab to the largest, craziest place I have ever encountered.  I braced myself for the frenzied crowds of last minute shoppers and was not surprised to find wall to wall people making their way through the miles long mall. What did astound me, was the lack of crazed and frenzied people. Everybody seemed to move at a slow pace and not rushed at all.

As I tried to shop efficiently and quickly, my pace was slowed down by the fact that all stores require you to “check” your packages at the entrance while you shop. You walk up to a person in a booth, hand over your goods and are given a claim check.  Most of these lines were 30 people long so as the day proceeded and our bags multiplied; I would leave Ben outside the store while I ran in to shop.

Miraculously, I found everything I needed, except for a small, fake Christmas tree.  We made up for it with other decorations which we wrapped around the mast and hand rails of the boat.  The boys were tickled and positive Santa would know instinctively where to place their presents and stockings even without a fireplace and tree.  They were right!

As Christmas Eve approached, Ben was sorting through his duffle bag and discovered all of the presents that were missing from my bag.  It was a Christmas miracle!!!  I immediately felt remorse for accusing wrong-doing of border agents and realized it would be a banner year for the boys since their gifts had now doubled in quantity. Come to think of it, they were the ones who probably hid the presents!!!

Another true holiday miracle occurred when our friends aboard, Bella Star, Serendipity and Taking Flight took our children on excursions and shopping trips while we shopped and prepared for Christmas.  Anne, Hugh and Ann (Serendipity and Taking Flight) took the boys to the Mira Locks Museum to learn all about the Panama Canal and watch the large boats make their way through. The boys returned home with huge amounts of information and even more excited about our impending trip through the Canal.

Nicole and Aaron on Bella Star offered to take the boys shopping to find presents for each other and their parents.  This was the first year where Mickey and J.P. took on the task of buying presents for others, joining the ranks of American consumerism (sigh).  My suggestion of, “Why don’t you make me something. I would love that!” was met with scowls and comments that they weren’t babies anymore! (double sigh!)

I am happy to report, I received a People magazine (in English…can’t tell you what a treat that is down here) and a bag of candy.  Oh, how they know their mother!!! Ben was the happy recipient of fishing lures which were specifically designed for catching Dorado. Apparently, J.P. suggested buying a bottle of nice whiskey for Ben, but Nicole reminded him that an eight year old probably shouldn’t be buying alcohol….even in Central America! Oh, they grow up so fast!

Christmas Eve was spent eating a great meal and listening to Christmas music aboard Knee Deep. Nicole and Aaron joined us for dinner, solidifying our official reunion with Bella Star.  We also enjoyed having over our new friends on s/v Gundermain for dessert. This is a couple that has spent their lives sailing, circumnavigating twice so the conversation was never dull!! At one point Mike told a story of navigating by only a sextant and asking us all, “So, do you have a sextant on board…just in case??” I don’t know about the others, but I was in awe, just like when I met our friends Helen and Chris aboard s/v Minke, a couple who traveled for years on their homemade sailboat without an engine.

 

Christmas Eve festivities aboard Knee Deep...Santa hats required!!

 

 

 

Mickey and J.P. on the bow of the boat with Panama City in the background.

 

As we tucked the boys in with our traditional reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, Ben and I got to work, wrapping presents and preparing for Santa’s visit. As I finished, I went up on deck at 12:30 and watched the amazing fireworks display all along the Panama City skyline.  There must have been 20 different shows going on and they didn’t stop until dawn….I’m not exaggerating….all….night…long!!! I can’t imagine what New Years Eve is going to be like!!

Fortunately, Santa made his way through the pyrotechnics and delivered the goods to Knee Deep.  J.P. found his skateboard on top of the dodger in the cockpit and Mickey found his NFL helmets stashed in the quarter berth. It appears old St. Nick has a sense of humor and hid the treats just like the Easter Bunny or perhaps the little angels were awake a bit too much, forcing Mr. Claus to ditch the presents wherever he could and get out of dodge (audible sigh).

After a gorging on a big breakfast, we all settled in to enjoy our presents and spent a lazy day aboard our boat. They boys tinkered away with their new Lego sets and I consumed my People magazine like a voracious, gossip-starved addict. I was amazed to discover Princess Kate was expecting and yet another Hollywood marriage was on the rocks….sweet indulgence!!!

That evening we met our friends for a traditional holiday meal of pizza and beer, exchanging baked goods, pirated movies and cheered our good fortune of being in another exotic place for the holidays.

So there you have it….another Christmas abroad! It is always an interesting time for me, torn between the desire to experience new places, yet also missing the traditions of home. In the end, I'm still learning that it’s about being in the moment and enjoying myself.

I hope all of your holidays were wonderful!

Happy Holidays from The Doolittles aboard Knee Deep.

Cheers,

Molly



J.P. taking the dinghy out for a ride Christmas Eve with his friend Aaron. Panama City in the background.

Mickey waiting for his turn to drive the dinghy around the anchorage. J.P. and Aaron are the blur in the background!

Nicole and I enjoying some Christmas pizza and Panamanian beer.

 

 

 

Kara from Taking Flight and J.P. enjoy some video game time on Christmas night.

 

 

 

 

 

Some Christmas swag!! J.P. loved his "brown Santa, just like the people from Panama!" The next day at school both Mickey and J.P. were scolded by their "maestra" to put away the Mars Mud and Kazoo....

 

 

 

 

 

With all our friends on Christmas....at a Panamanian pizza parlor, complete with a brick oven and $1 beers. Can I just say, I love these gypsies!!!

 

 

 

Nicole and Mickey (in his Matt Cain "Perfect Game" t-shirt) on Christmas night!

 

 

 

Sailing stories and Santa hats on Christmas Eve!!!

 

 

 

 

Mickey and J.P. amongst Christmas decorations and dirty Chrstmas Eve dishes.