Melissa’s Soapbox

While considering whether or not to buy a boat and take off on our circumnavigation, Andy and I figured that a full-fledged dress rehearsal was necessary to make a qualified decision.  Good friend and sailing mentor, John Kretschmer, had space on two of his infamous training trips from Ft. Lauderdale to Bocas del Toro, Panama, and back.  As such, we decided to take both sails and to spend the interim 5 weeks between legs cruising around Central America. 

It was a wonderful experience …

Sailing

Florida to Panama Sail

Sunsets at Sea

Frequently Asked Sailing Questions

S/V Quetzal

Dolphins & Other Critters at Sea

Other Ships at Sea

Fishing at Sea

Ocean Swimming — Southbound

Ocean Swimming — Northbound

Random Southbound Images

Climbing the Mast

Isla Providencia

The Approach to Isla Providencia

The Crew — Isla Providencia

Catalina Harbor — Isla Providencia

Isabel Square — Isla Providencia

Monument to Francisco Santander

Scootering Around Isla Providencia

Beautiful Ocean Views

Views of Isla Providencia

Panama

Landfall at Panama

Customs Drama at Bocas

Bocas del Toro, Panama

Bocas Town

Bocas Town From the Water

Bocas Town Downpour

Monument to Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Panama City Skyline

Casco Viejo District

Monument to Simon Bolivar

Iglesia de San Francisco

Casco Viejo Landmarks

The Palace of the Herons

Monument to Ferdinand de Lesseps

Miraflores Locks — Panama Canal

Miraflores Locks Transit

Monument to George Goethals

Bridge of the Americas

Childhood Home of Roberto Duran

Almirante, Panama

Santa Catalina

Boquete, Panama

The Trip from Boquete to Almirante

Veraguas Baseball

Santiago Peruvian Restaurant

Driving the Provinces of Panama

Rural Panamanian Roads

Los Santos Province

El Valle, Cocle Province

Costa Rica

Costa Rica Sunsets

El Brillo:  Una Historia Verdadera

Melissa’s Version

Rafael and Xenia

Mirador Lodge

Mirador Lodge Views

Monteverde and Santa Elena, Costa Rica

Back Country Horseback Ride

The Horse Whisperer

Back Country Views

Volcan Arenal

La Fortuna to Monteverde / Santa Elena

Costa Rica Ziplining

Zipline Views

Canopy Tour