Next stop Colombia

To see details of this section:

https://strava.app.link/OiJpfiMK3Ib

Not long after leaving Punta Barco I was feeling hungry as I was still catching up from my sickness. I was delighted to get this plate full of plantains, eggs and rice even if it was a bit lacking in variety and nutrients. 

While we ate we watched a car with flat having its tyre changed. It was an incredibly absorbing spectator sport.

There is a big chain of super markets called Super 99 here.

I was highly amused to spot this during the day.

That night we camped in the garden of Javier and Ariel under their mango tree. We ate lots of windfall mangoes for pudding and could hear them thudding to the ground during the night. In the morning we discovered this one impaled on a tent peg.

Our ride the next day took us to the Panama canal. As usual we were riding on the highway however we had interesting infra structure developments to look at. It seems as though a raised level railway is being built to ease congestion into the city.

We had a bit of trepidation about the road over the bridge over the canal as the was some uncertainty about where bikes were allowed on it. We didn't see any signs to stop us and we had no problems. We were in awe of the bridge and the view down to the canal.

Three things I find interesting about the canal

1 - the Pacific Ocean is 20cm higher than the Atlantic Ocean because of differences in density of the water

2 - ignoring the 20cm difference, if the canal were cut though at sea level them the greater tidal range on the Pacific would lead to alternating currents in the canal with each tide. Also the tides can have opposite phases 

3 - it is the only point on the continental divide that is underwater

Once we had crossed the canal we turned off and found ourselves on a quiet jungle road. It was a huge treat after days of highway riding. We dawdled along making the most of it. 

Sorry to post another food picture but regaining my appetite has been a real indicator of my recovery. We were over the moon to find a Chinese restaurant and to order a veg chow mein. Lots of vitamins to boost me up.

We stayed for the night with José and his mum, Rosa. We had planned to camp on their terrace but when a tropical rainstorm rolled over and began leaking through the terrace roof they insisted we had a bed inside.

The final bit of our time in Panamá was heading north to the Caribbean for our sailing to Colombia. In the way we passed a large reservoir.

It is part of the significant infrastructure that keeps the canal operating and filled with water. 

Sadly roadside litter was a feature of the ride. The sign prohibits dumping but is clearly not effective.

Finally we saw the Caribbean again. We didn't stop for a swim as we will have plenty of chances on our sailing trip..

In Portobelo we found the ruins of an old Spanish for that used to protect ships that were exporting gold and silver from the colony back home.

We have a couple of nights to regroup and get over minds ready for Colombia before sailing on the 25th. https://wildcardsailing.com/

Google photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/p8J9ERd7iN2bGiZy9

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