Okay, okay. I know I havnt been updating this but I have other things on my mind. My trip is over.....for now, with the boat. I have been enjoying some much needed down time in San Juan, Puerto Rico in a real bed with a real shower and some actual people around! It's a mind game being out on the ocean for 3 days without seeing land. I have lots of stories to share and pictures to post. But for now, I am safe, happy, and really really glad to be looking forward into the next adventure. Ill be over on the west side of the island surfing the next couple of days, then home to Portland for Shelby's bday, my little sister. Be patient and please check back for photos and stories, they are worth checking out.

xoxox
Macy

Jamaican me crazy!!!! Canal Video!

We made it last night! I have spent only the few hours I have had here wondering around in Kingston by cab and hanging by the pool here at the Marina. Everyone is amazing here, with their dark skin and great accents.  We are at a really really small marina at a hotel here in Kingston.  The crossing the last couple of days has been the hardest yet and the longest.  We went straight across the Caribbean Sea, 200 miles from shore.  The seas were confused and it was a bumpy ride with wind and a good size swell.  When we landed in Jamaica last night I was relieved and spent as much time off the boat as I could.  I didn't make it to bed until 4.  We hung out at the bar on the water and watched local reggae music videos.  No Sean Pauls here! I just couldn't step onto the boat.  It was the first time in this whole trip that I was actually sick of what we were doing.  I just wanted to be on land and kiss the ground.

The Panama Canal was a success and a wonderful experience. We went straight from the canal to Cristobal where we played a little pool and got a little sleep. As soon as we woke, we refueled and came ALL the way across the Caribbean Sea, 300 miles offshore, to Jamaica. Here is a video I made, pretty rookie....well compared to my brothers;o)

Panama Canal Transit 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rFVKWwWixw

Long long runs at sea and no contact is kind of intimidating, but a great time to see nature, watch movies, write, and think. I am excited to get home, I cant believe this adventure is almost over.  Here are some more photos of the canal!

Cristobal, Panama

Panama City....but sick

Since we made it to Panama on Sat we have just been sitting waiting for our clearance to leave through the canal. It looks like tomorrow is actually the day! It was supposed to be Tuesday, then Wed, for sure this morning…….nope, I guess tomorrow.

 As we arrived in late Saturday, BOTH of our radars went out. We had to use good ol’ sight and radio communications to make it to our destination for the night. It was the most congested area it could of happened in. There were BIG boats everywhere, tankers, yachts, cruise ships, it made us feel really really small. So, one of our delays was getting them fixed. They have proved to be almost necessary.

 I’m just sitting waiting enjoying my time in this marina, letting everyone else do the business. Not much else I can do. We made it out on the town a couple of nights and went up to a rain forest minutes from downtown in hopes to see some monkeys and Tucans. Instead we got lots of butterfly's, crazy ants, and an amazing 360 degree view of the canal and downtown Panama City. After that I have been MIA, I ate something that wasnt right and had a stomach problem the last few days. I was really glad we weren’t moving during that. I havn’t left the boat since Tuesday, but am feeling much better now. Lots of movies and sleep.

As soon as we leave we are heading up the coast of Costa Rica then over to Jamaica. We will refuel there and listen to a little reggae I’m sure, then head over to Puerto Rico, where I will probably end my trip with the boat and venture off somewhere else. The owners will be coming on at that point and my help will no longer be needed. I am ready to get back on the “road”. It’s been 90-100 degrees and pretty hot. Its been hot and no place to swim:o(