We are now at the Lake Gatun on our way through the Panama Canal, heading for the final destination of our journey. My thoughts are going through the latest weeks, but also finding the joy of seeing my love ones soon. We had the most beautiful, and in sailing terms almost perfect journey, from Jamaica to the Panama Canal. Wind NE 15 to 18 knots speeding eight to nine knots day and night. Nights to clear your mind checking the stars, some with a certain meaning to you, others of former navigational importance.

Having to wait for the canal authorities and agents to clear all “necessary” paperwork to allow us to pass the canal, we spent some days in the Marina Shelter Bay in the outskirts of the city Colon. A lovely marina, which we found heavily guarded and almost an oasis in an industrial and urban area.

The city itself had certain impact on me even though I've seen more places around in the world. We were just a few people making a short trip downtown, finding ourselves the absolute only white people there. A town center which in our privileged minds was a rather un-privileged place with thousands of people hanging around trying to make a living of almost any thinkable things. This experience made us feel even more privileged and perhaps spoiled sometimes, complaining about absolute minor issues.

Passing the first lock of the Canal at 28 meters was a spectacular scene seeing huge ships on the first floor next to us being 20+ meters, we looked like a toy ship in comparison. Some work had to be done to keep our little fragile ship in the middle of the lock between giants that seemed to be able to crush us at any time. We were anchored in the lake close to the new construction area of the lock system, which makes it possible for the canal to take even bigger ships, we had a good night of sleep.

Panama City and this MS crew final destination is now close. I feel privileged having gained new friends for life, having this life in spite of MS. I thank all of the people around Oceans of Hope for giving me this opportunity to widen my horizons. Thank you to all my new friends forletting me into your life. All the best wishes to the organization Sailing Sclerosis. GOOD WINDS is the wish from Emil.

Report from Bosun Bertram:

Through the first set of locks and now motoring on at Lake Gatun, the connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific. We have a pilot on board taking us safely through the designated route, manouvering between gigantic vessels on their way out in the world - we're so different from them and yet so similar. As we're taking pictures of the magnificent construction the Canal presents us with, the guys standing on the decks of these massive ships are also flashing their phones to get a shot of Oceans of Hope coming through the locks. Last night we had the chance to go through in the dark and today we are looking forward to take the elevator back down to sea level in daylight. Should be some good pictures there too!

Local time onboard is 10:15 and our current position is 9,6.92N , 79,42.72W.