According to our first advisor, our second advisor was due to show up at 6:30am for a 7am departure. Our day 2 advisor, Francisco, arrived at 6:15am requesting an immediate departure. We scrambled, untied from the buoy and were moving well before our normal predeparture checks were performed. These we did on the move as well as completing the boat cleaning Helen had started just before the advisor arrived.<\/p>\n

The passage across the lake was very pleasant. I was surprised how quickly we reached the locks to take us down to the Pacific side. Again, we were rafted up to Alcheringa II. Navigator who left after us had caught up and two other sail boats, traveling slower than us, arrived at the same time. We all locked down along with a tourist boat. Between the first and second locks was a small lake which we traversed still rafted together. The down locking was fairly straight forward although some rope burns were acquired by Sam.<\/p>\n

We separated leaving the the third dock and headed down the river. Before reaching the first lock I had phoned the office at the Balboa Yacht Club to book a mooring. They told me to call back on Monday. Francisco advised us this was probably due to today being a holiday and that we should try going into the mooring field anyway and trying our luck. I had also tried hailing them on VHF channel 6 to no avail. After breaking from Alcheringa II they moved on ahead. Later we both dropped off our advisors. It transpired we were both heading for the yacht club. I was concerned about getting a slot but headed in to the dock to gain some attention. We heard Alcheringa II call the dock for a pick up for their guests who had been acting as line handlers. We then heard Navigator up the river request a mooring which was granted. I then jumped on the VHF stating we were right outside the office and asked for a mooring and was granted one. Alcheringa II then said they wanted one too and were told there were no more. Not sure of the ethics here but I’m sure Alcheringa II were not pleased. I feel we’d tried well in advance and bar someone not prepared to do any work on a holiday in response to my phone call we would have had our slot confirmed a couple of hours earlier. Sadly, Alcheringa II, who arrived first had to turn away.<\/p>\n

The mooring we have been given is right on the outside of the field next to the canal so we do get thrown around a little when the tugs go past. The big ships hardly batter us at all.<\/p>\n

We soon found an internet connection and soon had the boat network up and running and four laptops hitting emails, etc. Having done this we went ashore to have a beer in a bar, get some groceries and have a look around. This was when we discovered a major planning disaster. The public holiday was something to do with Martyr’s Day one of the consequences being that alcohol was not served for the entire day. Cokes and water substituted for beers in the bar.<\/p>\n

Next came our exploration and search for groceries. We never found a grocery store despite asking for directions from two people. We did pass some sort of religious festival which was severely testing the faithful with rants and monotonous music.<\/p>\n

We ended up back on the boat for a couple of hours before heading out for a meal at the local TGI Friday’s. Again no beer, just soft drinks and water but we filled ourselves with western restaurant food not had for weeks. Having brought towels we made use of the yacht clubs showers before returning yet again to the boat.<\/p>\n

Sam and Annie later went out again to visit some places they’d picked in the city. We understand from John they returned sometime between 3 & 4. They’re still asleep so we’ll find out what they were up to later.<\/p>\n

The reason for picking the Balboa Yacht Club is their 24 hour launch service. This made Annie and Sam’s trip out last night possible without waking us up for a ride to and from the boat and also avoiding exorbitant marina fees. Looks like it’s working.<\/p>\n

This morning I’ve made more progress uploading pictures from the time we’ve been off the net but it’s not yet finished. Click on the link for ‘Recently Updated<\/a>‘ to see the entries where I’ve added pictures. The slide shows can be clicked on to go to the Picasa Website where larger versions of the pictures can be found as well as full screen slide shows.<\/p>\n

I’m still catching up on pictures, including those of the transit but for now, here is a truly awesome time lapse movie of our down locking put together by John.<\/p>\n

[youtube]http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=S6zCAnPjcPs[\/youtube]<\/p>\n

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