Day 6 - Panama to Puntarenas, Costa Rica

The Pacific Ocean is today much like it was when discovered by Europeans -  Pacifico, or calm. There's a very small, slow swell, and we're motoring along at 20 knots burning unconscionable amounts of fuel (presently, 13 gallons a minute).

I attended a Q&A with the Executive Staff today, and learned some interesting facts about the ship:

1. There are 4 x 40kw diesel generators that generate all the power for the ship.
2. The propellers are 18' in diameter, and rotate 360 degrees for steering (they act as the ships rudder).
3. At cruising speed - 13 knots - the ship can stop in 8 minutes, and less than 5 ship lengths.
4. The cruise will use up as much food in the first 4 days, than they will in the following 9.
5. The duty cycles vary from 2 months on - 1 month off (Captain) to 9 months on - 2 months off (room stewards).

Tomorrow - off to an organic coffee plantation in Puntarenas, Costa Rica...