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98--Panama: Cannon Ball Run @ CherieSpotting     Nov 29 2002 - 14:32 PST cherie writes: Just call us explorers! Following in the steps of Christopher Coloumbus (again) we came to Portobelo exactly 500 years after the famous explorer founded it (in November 1502.) We came here to see the ruins of four forts (and to see if we could find a cold beer.) Luckily, we found everything we were looking for. Portobelo has a rich history of being raided and plundered by all the best (including Francis Drake and Henry Morgan.) In addition to a rich history of violence, the island also has a interesting religious past. The people of Portobelo worship a black Christ (which has made them known around the world.) Every October a huge festival is held in the black Christ's honor. So with lots of cannons and a black prophet, it is quite a charming place to be. Our first glimpse of Portobelo was the children. They line up on the dock so they can show you how strong they are. (They ask for a dollar to watch your dinghy while you explore the old forts.) Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (0) | write comment| views: 6530    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   Scirocco's version of "Cannon Ball Run". Nick, Greg, Cherie, Anne and Rennie. Rennie with a 16th century Spanish phallic symbol. Welcome to Forts-A-Fun! Hot romance on a cold cannon. Rennie and Anne with Scirocco anchored in the background. Panamanian kids trying to camouflage a cannon. Rennie's lost his head again! The fort. Scary mask. I couldn't get anyone to try this one on for a picture. "I don't believe in voo doo, but I'm not trying on that mask either!" Cannons and crosses...they go together like guns and booze. Portobelo. Hit me with your best shot. Water-front property. It's not always what it's cracked up to be. Nick? Where in the hole are you? Now these people have got real money. In the American tradition of excess, they have seven canoes. I hope this house has flood insurance. Hanging out with the kids. A cannon aimed at Scirocco. Now that's what I call a paint job. The local barber shop. After a while, you can't help but adopt the local customs. (Rennie carries a case of beer back to the boat.) The fort. All the kids mesmerized by NIck's digital camera. Nick makes new friends everywhere he goes. The boys at the dock showing us how strong they are. (They were strong enough to protect our dinghy from thieves.) A little boy showing me his big muscles. Young man with old fort. Greg throws his hands up! We have finally arrived in the Caribbean.