Since our last post, two primary activities have occupied our days. The first of which are daily walks in the jungle. We love spotting and watching all the monkeys, toucans, coatmundis, hawks, and other wildlife as we amble through the forest.
A Yellow-Tailed Oriole hiding in the high grass
Unknown species of Hawk (Do you know?)
Another pretty yellow bird (What kind?)
The not-so-beautiful Vulture
Toucan in the jungle
A Coatmundi, keeping his eye on us (Thanks to a commenter who corrected my previous misidentification of these creatures as anteaters).
Lots of Capuchin monkeys (they are quite wary and skittish around us).
Howler Monkey momma and baby
Baby howler 🙂
Momma and Tiny Baby Howler
I love this wild animal I found on my jungle walk!
The other diversion over the past week has been continuing to have the damages surveyed from the lightning strike and gathering estimates. The estimates have begun to roll in, so hopefully we can start ordering replacement parts next week. Thus far, we know we have to replace our radar, autopilot, AIS, Wind and depth transducers, and VHF. We also have to replace parts on our generator, watermaker, and navigation lights; as well as replace both engine start batteries and one engine alternator. I’m sure other things will pop up as we begin the repair work. I’m still hoping for the end of February to be able to leave Shelter Bay.
More workmen surveying Beatitude damage
Playing a 3 1/2 hour marathon of Mexican Train last Sunday in the cruiser’s lounge
Our tree, with the addition of three ornaments which we made during Christmas activities here at the marina… along with cards which we also obtained at a card exchange (Cindy hand painted the ones we exchanged: Lucky folks.)
Cindy’s hand-made Christmas cards for the marina Christmas card exchange.
Trying out our bicycles. Despite a lack of use, they still work!
We were so happy when our friends, Carl and Annie, showed up at Shelter Bay. We first met in Culebra and once again in Granada.
Yesterday, we took the free marina shuttle into Colon where we rented a car from Hertz. The advertised price is only $7/day! They fail to mention the $40/day mandatory insurance until you go to pick the car up. Anyway, we did some grocery shopping before returning to the the marina.
Shopping at Super 99 in Colon
At the Millennium 2000 shopping area in Colon.
This is the typical intersection in Colon. No stop signs. Traffic inches forward from all directions trying to squeeze through the intersection.
Colon is depressingly poor and dirty… and dangerous! We have been warned not to walk around town unless we want to be assaulted, robbed, or murdered.
Dominos underway on the streets of Colon
The oldest Anglican Church in Central America. It’s in Colon. No service times on the church or on the web. We would have attended this Sunday if we could find out service times. 🙁
Driving our rental car onto the ferry across the canal.
Today, we drove six miles along the Caribbean coastline into San Lorenzo National Park where we explored Fort San Lorenzo, built on a promontory overlooking the Rio Chagres. The river, which was discovered by Columbus on his last voyage in 1502, made up part of the Las Cruces Trail, upon which loads of Peruvian gold and treasure would be transported across the Panamanian isthmus making its way to Spain. Due to increase pirate attacks on those transporting these treasure stores, Fort San Lorenzo was built in the late 1500s. In 1670, the pirate, Henry Morgan, leveled the fort, leading to ultimate rebuilding of the present-day fort on higher ground in the 1680s. It sat high on a cliff overlooking the harbor, protected on the land side by a moat and drawbridge. Cindy and I had the beautiful place to ourselves to happily explore.
This howler was standing guard on a tree above the road leading into San Lorenzo.
Entrance to Fort San Lorenzo
The beautiful Rio Chagres
Ruins within the fort
We’re in the moat
Standing at the precipice, above the harbor
Beautiful raptor at the Fort
A capuchin exploring the fort with us
We stopped for a hike into the forest after exploring the fort
Great pictures!
Thank you, Sherry! We are blessed!
In your walks be very award of two killer snakes that really are deadly and quickly after biting. One is the fer-de-lance (I’m sure that spelling is incorrect), and bush master? Be extremely alert and watchful where you put your feet! Yes, while we were there a acquaintance ws bitten and thankfully those with him were able to ge him to the hospital in time. It was a long recovery.
Also, glad you were warned about Colon before you had a problem. We weren’t allowed to even go there.
When our taxi driver told us to lock our doors as we drove through town, we knew it was serious!
Yikes!
The woman I told you about in Mt. Pleasant had a watercolor of that church in Colon in her office. Her grand parents were married there.
Sounds like they are being very thorough in assessing the damage from the lightning strike. Beattitude should be in “ship shape” when all is completed.
You will be an expert on the Panamanian jungle!
That’s cool about the church. I wish we could’ve attended. Our jungle expertise is well-underway. 🙂
Those cards were beautiful Cindy! Is the tree Barry was standing on growing sideways??
Cindy says, “Thanks!” I think it is! And, Cindy was on there too, partially eclipsed by me!
The long silence on your blog is killing me! Are you planning to continue, or was this the last one? I’ve always enjoyed your posts, especially because of your evident practice of your Christianity and faith. I pray you are keeping well, and am still looking for a progress report.
Hi Nikki! I think this is the longest gap in blogging since the blogs inception. 🙂 We are well. A new blog is forthcoming… I promise! And, thanks for following us and commenting!