raz88 96 Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 So while we've not quite got as far as committing to ditching Auckland all together like people are talking about in sundreamers "Auckland" poll, my better half and I have decided to skip winter and go and help our friends deliver their beneteau first 44.7 from Puerto Rico through to Tahiti. After much planning at home, me chucking in my job and Sarah wrangling 5 months off work, we left akl a couple of weeks ago. Had a week on holiday in the states and have now been in PR a week or so prepping the boat, which is coming off the hard where it's been in hurricane storage and going into the water later today. Plan is a shakedown cruise over Easter around here then off to Cuba, down to Panama and through the canal, Galapagos, marquesas, tuamotos, Tahiti. We're slightly behind the bulk of the Pacific fleet as people tend to be on a tighter schedule as they're normally trying to make it all the way to nz/au during the season, rather than just Tahiti. Sarah has created a Facebook page for anyone that wants to follow along, if you search on Facebook for Kiwiyoti you should find it. Also keen to hear any suggestions people who've done similar trips have about must see/do places along the route if you have any. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,604 Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 La cascade restaurant in Panama city. If you end up driving lunch on the bridge in the middle of the canal. Just a shack that does lunches for the workers-fabtastic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John B 106 Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 Fantastic, I'm envious. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 have a guide to navigation and tourism in french polynesia if you'd like to borrow book has made the trip twice me zero Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raz88 96 Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 Thanks for the advice BP and the offer of the book Erice. Might be a bit hard to get it from you as I'm already in Puerto Rico... I've sailed through French Polynesia before through and have various other guides so hopefully we'll be ok. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B00B00 310 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 I would love to read that book Eric. We will be doing French Polynesia next season on our way back from Europe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 pick up from newmarket or drop at norths? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 360 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 San Blas is a must stop Galapogus Been through the canal twice now, once as skipper once as crew If you need any contacts re panama or further along email me and I'll send what I've got We hauled out and anti fouled in shelter bay, Tahiti is very expensive to do this. symaara@gmail.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B00B00 310 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 What ever is easiest for you Eric. I don't go to new market often so next time you are coming to westhaven let me know and I will arrange to meet you somewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,604 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Also Las perlas islands and some of the other islands on the Pacific coast north of Panama. And if you do that go up the river to David. We didn't think much of san blas, so be it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raz88 96 Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 Thanks all. Jon, San Blas is on the list and we're planning 2 weeks in Galapagos if time allows. Already have agents and various contacts sorted for Panama and Galapagos thanks. We've just done antifoul in PR so all good for now on that front too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,604 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 If you have time in Panama take a ride to boquete up in the mountains. Stunning day trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,604 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 If you have time in Panama take a ride to boquete up in the mountains. Stunning day trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,604 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 If you are going to San bla s hit cartgena on the way. Best food and music beside Cuba. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 360 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 We stopped in Aruba and Santa Marta in Columbia Both I'd recommend Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raz88 96 Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 Thanks again. Whether we have time in Panama Will depend how long the wait is for the canal. Considering flying back to Columbia for a few days if there's going to be a long wait. If it's a shorter wait we'll just stay with the boat and start provisioning etc. Are there are decent provisioning options on the west side of Panama? Various forums seem to say no and that you're better off doing your shopping at shelter bay... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 360 Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Provisioning is easy in Panama City Get a mooring at the Balboa Yacht Club, your agent maybe able to help but usually you have to just call up once your through and see what's available or just anchor on the edge of the mooring area. If your on a mooring you just call up and a water taxi will collect you. There are two marinas down the end of the river as you get out into the bay, I have stayed there but the moorings are better and cheaper Get all the contact details off your navionics charts on your mobile device if your running one. Once ashore there are taxi's waiting just up the steps then along to the left, they charge $12 to $15 to take you into town but if you walk out to the main road, an extra 200m you can hale one for $8 if your cheeky enough. Ask to go to Albrook Mall, 10 to 15min away, has a very large supermarket plus everything else imaginable. Everything is really cheap Then just get a taxi back Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 360 Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 One other note tell the driver on the way back to take you to TGF (Thank God it's Friday) as there is a Balboa dock in downtown and we got caught with this once when we asked to go to Balboa Yacht Club Also do an evening in the old town for dinner, great restaurants and entertainment TGF is just across the road from the drop point for BYC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,604 Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Yes. Provisioning in panama city is great. Have a walk down the peteonal ( sp?) In the old city for ice cream Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raz88 96 Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 Awesome, thanks! Now back to the rum in Culebra Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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