Heading out into the Panama Canal

The Adventure begins...

Today is the big day, folks! We're embarking on a wild adventure through the Panama Canal. Brace yourselves for the marvel that is the Panama Canal - one of the 7 wonders of the architectural world! It's like the Super Bowl for sailing enthusiasts, only with more locks and less touchdowns.

Sam and I are pumped up beyond belief. I sprang out of bed at the ungodly hour of 0550am. Nature was calling, but alas, the doors were still snoozing, so I had to improvise on the kitchen mat. Daddy Charly wasn't exactly thrilled, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Next time, I'll just have to resort to the good ol' wake-up call.

After a hearty breakfast, we frolicked on the marina's big lawn, exchanged pleasantries with fellow sailors, bid adieu to the charming laundromat lady, and then scurried back to Samsara for a power nap while our daddies prepped the boat. The jumbo fenders needed positioning, the ultra-long lines required readiness, and Charly whipped up a feast fit for a crew of champions, pilots included, for

the next two days. Chrissy, Chris, Stephanie, and Trevor made a grand entrance at 3:00 p.m., signaling the time to cast off and sail towards the rendezvous point where the pilots hop aboard. The excitement was palpable, and the boat rocked in a way that would make a roller coaster jealous. We lounged in the front cockpit with Trevor as Captain Micha steered the ship, and Daddy Charly played the role of the snack master for all. The pilots turned out to be a swell bunch too. They briefed us on the Canal's inner workings, the dos and don'ts, and off we sailed towards the first lock. We had to tiptoe behind a colossal container ship, whose captain seemed to have hit the snooze button one too many times. While waiting, we caught sight of some crocs - big fellas, mind you. Micha warned us that

they weren't interested in playing fetch, but rather in making us their next meal. If that's the case, then crocs, you've got some serious PR issues to address.

After what felt like an eternity waiting for the container ship, we finally entered the first lock. It was all hands on deck - ropes flying, walls closing in, and there we were, sandwiched between mammoth walls with giant doors sealing us in. The ropes tugged, the walls shrank, and we watched as the onlookers on the walls dwindled in size. As the walls nearly vanished, we sailed on to the second lock, and then the third, where the whole routine played out like a quirky dance. Once through all three locks, the adrenaline rush simmered down. We huddled in the aft cockpit, cruising towards our designated anchorage for the night. But before we could hit the hay, a thunderstorm crashed the party, sending shivers down my spine.

Thank goodness for our daddies' comforting presence. Post-storm, Daddy Charly dished out lasagne for the crew, while Sam and I chowed down on our gourmet puppy chow. Chrissy, Chris, and Stephanie hit the sack, leaving Sam, me, Daddy Charly, Daddy Micha, and Trevor to chat under the starlit sky till midnight, before we too called it a night. I snuggled up to Daddy Charly, while Sam cozied up to Daddy Micha.

And that, my pals, was just day 1 of our epic Panama Canal escapade. Stay tuned for Sam's bark-tastic tales of day 2, featuring Gatun Lake and the Miraflores Locks. It's gonna be a howling good time!