We are currently anchored in the Rio Chagres, Panama’s largest river, which supplies water to the Panama Canal system.
It is truly a jungle out there, with more botanical wonders per square inch than I have ever seen and a fragrant smell of tuberose like flowers.
The Howler monkeys can be heard both day and night, their “howls” sound more like a lion’s roar even though they are quite small. What are they howling about? I don’t know, most likely it has to do with feeding or mating. I guess what happens in the jungle stays in the jungle.
We spotted a toucan on our dingy ride today, not the Fruit Loops variety; it was black and blue with a yellow striped beak. The variety of birds is breathtaking, some come to visit on the lifelines of the boat but gorgeous, smorgeous, they crap on the boat so I chase them away.

The first two nights we spent here, we felt like the only people on the planet. That is how remote and isolated it feels, yet the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal are only about three miles away and we were able to receive the latest update to Barry Eisler’s blog (http://www.barryeisler.com/blog.html).

Last night however a couple other sailboats passed by, and one anchored near us. We plan to stay here for a few more days, and then decide where to go next.