Capt. Jack's an official Latts and Atts Harbor Hangout.
We are sailing with Capf Fritz on "Fritz the Cat." our bike loading is different from what I saw yesterday. Our boat is docked at the pier with 2x8 plank between the pier and the boat. There are 3 motorcycles ahead of us, 2 KLR's and one KTM 940 Adventure. Alex riding one of KLR's rides his bike up the plank on to the deck. It took him two tries because of the steepness and slipperiness of the plank. At my riding skill level this will be a challenge. I should add that this is not a flat water harbor. So I'm thinking, 2x8 slippery plank, uphill, moving boat, well there are lots of people to help or at least cheer for my success or disaster. Captain Fritz observes the first load, recognizes the potential for disaster and dictates that all bikes will now be pushed up the plank.
Riding the plank in Portobelo
Thank you Captain Fritz you are a wise man.
Now we all talk about a wider plank, a longer plank to decrease the angle, maybe some cleats for traction but this is an adventure ride and it is what it is, an adventure.
We leave the pier and anchor in the harbor to pack away our gear, secure the bikes and meet our fellow travelers. We settle up with the Capt. for the passage, cash is preferred, of course, he clears us out of Panama with immigration.
While he's at the port captains office ashore we hear more stories of interesting border crossing in Honduras. Seems the border agents at the Honduras border set Alex and David from Arizona up for a $300.00 fine when they tried to leave the country. Alex speaks fluent Spanish and looks Latino and has made this border crossing before. He insisted to the entrance agents that they needed an import stamp for the bikes, they said no and refused to give him anything regarding import. So, as you can now imagine, when they try to leave Honduras "big problem senior, you have no import papers, $300.00 fine per bike" Alex having done this crossing before walked away and basically hides out. They wait all day while all the trucks and private vehicles clear the border then as last ones start across he and David dropped into the end of the line and rolled out of Honduras unnoticed by anyone. Apparently the confusion at the border can work both ways.
Fritz and crew come back on board, we get a safety briefing from Fritz. Fritz is from Germany, has done 93 of these trips. I immediately like the guy as I sense everyone else does. His accent plus his references to past passages keeps us all laughing.
We have lunch vegetable pasta or rice all good. The youngsters start in on their bottles of rum. Fritz watches looks at me and rolls his eyes, many visits to the leeward rail that night.
Near full moon sail following the Panama coast to the San Blas Islands.
I sit on deck looking at the moon on the ocean and marvel at my life, thankful for family, friends and my beautiful lover.
We anchor off at 11:30pm after negating a tricky lagoon entrance, bright moonlight must have helped. 5-6 boats at anchor in the lagoon, quite water, soft tropical breeze, I sleep on deck for a bit then a rain squall puts me down below to my bunk.
Good night all.
Location:Portobelo to San Blas islands
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