Panagas propane refill site, about halfway between PanamaCity and Colon.

“Propane?  Oh, that’s about a half hour’s drive, between Panama City and Colon.”

Fred, trying to figure out the charges from Panagas.

After our offer on the net, we found ourselves with 9 propane tanks to fill, coming from two anchorages, La Playita, where we were, and Las Brisas, the other side of the peninsula.  Right after our offer, a local business got on the net announcing laundry service and propane pickup and refills.  It was a little awkward that we happened to be at the dock the same time the service was, which ran $25 for the service plus the cost of the actual refill.  Our cost would be Fred’s fare, split among us cruisers getting refills, plus the cost of the propane fill.

Caged!  This was as far as the Panagas folks let Wayne go.

Fred, the cruiser-oriented taxi driver cheerfully helped us round up and load all the tanks, and away we went to take care of the propane, and several other errands along the way.  It was a hoof, though a pretty drive through the jungle.  Fred had to stop off and pick up long pants from one of his relatives as Panagas requires their customers wear closed shoes and long pants on their site.  Not counting the stops, Panagas was about a half hour drive, one way.

Locals line up for awesome BBQ stand a block from Panagas, off the old highway between Panama City and Colon.

We took a little road trip to kill time, returning 45 minutes later.  We still had another 20 or so minutes to wait.

BBQ scent? Moutwatering. Taste? Divine.

“That was good!  Where did that come from?” Fred asked as he sampled a hunk, devouring it rapidly.  I’m betting his future Panagas trips will include a stop at the stand.

Round 1 of Panama propane tank refills.

There was no per-tank breakout from Panagas, so we were in a bit of a conundrum on what to charge. Total cost was roughly divvied out per tanks, with more for the larger tanks and less for the smaller tanks, and as well we divvied up the cost to pay Fred for his time.

Wayne discussing reimbursement cost for the propane run with the Panama City cruisers whose tanks we picked up, got filled and returned.

Wayne explained how he calculated the cost, noting it cost no more than if he filled his tank himself in the states.  Allen of Nauti Nauti quickly chimed in and thanked Wayne for providing the service.  I won’t deny I wish the complaining cruiser paid $25 plus the cost of his refill, or made that trek with 8 tanks besides his own.  Guess that goes into the category of no good deed goes unpunished.

Journey awaiting diesel outside Flamingo Marina; Panama City in the background.

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