Panama Day 3: Panama Canal

This afternoon was our "free time." Some attendees used it to sleep or swim. Three busloads of us used it to visit the Panama Canal. I remember studying this place in school. The French tried to build the canal in the late 19th c, but 25,000 people died of yellow fever and malaria. It wasn't until those diseases were better understood (and Panama City paved it's streets with brick to get rid of mosquito breeding puddles) that the US succeeded in the endeavor. The canal opened for buisness in 1914.


As you can see, there isn't a lot of space to spare. The small locomotives you can see on the tracks guide the ships through the locks. Tugs keep them on track through the lake. Here's a site that explains how it all works. The whole thing is pretty green, using the prolific rainfall and natural rivers to fill the man-made lake and gravity to fill the locks. The water eventually goes to the sea, just as it would naturally; it just gets used to lift ships on its way.

From the locks, we went to the old city, a delightful network of narrow brick streets lined with French style buildings, art deco buildings, and an 18th c Spanish cathedral. In the center of the picture you can see the road we were on the other night to circle around this part of town.

The cathedral is being renovated in anticipation of Pope Francis's visit next year. Lots of other buildings are obviously undergoing renovation as well

By the time we headed back to the buses the sun was setting.

Panama Day 2: Hotel

We'll try again for some pictures of the hotel. First are a couple views from our balcony.

Note the line of ships on the horizon, waiting their turn to go through the canal.

A walk along the beach the first afternoon (when there was actually some blue sky!) Note the mangrove trees standing in the water to the left.

When I went back at low tide, this is what I found.

I saw a couple signs saying not to enter the mangrove on the landward side. I assumed that was to protect the delicate roots that stick up out of the sand. Then I saw this sign: no swimming; crocodile habitat. Strong motivation to stay out.

Couldn't resist this evening shot as the hotel was preparing for a cultural presentation for another group.

Panama Day 1: Westin Playa Bonita Hotel

[Sorry. No pictures today. I have a new phone/camera and have experienced a couple goofs so in the end I have nothing usable for now. You'll have to believe me or that it is beautiful. That, or check the website.]

After celebrating Bella's birthday on Saturday, we were off Sunday to Panama for the trianual ICETE meetings. Steve had used airmiles to upgrade us to first class, which meant we had both lunch and dinner. We waved to Larry and Mary Caldwell as they passed us boardig in MSP, then ran into a bunch of other people headed this way in the Delta Lounge in Atlanta. We were all on the same flight and able to connect to share Uber rides to the hotel.

We drove all the way through a beautiful modern city since the hotel is on the opposite side from the airport. We even had to take a bridge over the canal. A 1.5km road out over the water circles the old city. Very impressive.

It was 11 PM before we were settled at the Westin Playa Bonita and crawling into bed. I had hopes of sleeping late, but...the old body clock wakes at 5:45.

In Turkey three years ago our package included all drinks, both in the hotel and by the pool. Here is only in the hotel and non-alcoholic drinks. I do have my thermal mug and little coil for making tea in the room so I can take that where I will. However, the climate is very muggy, so I'm not sure how much I will want tea by the pool.

This is not a travels-with-Claudia journey although I'm wishing it were. The hotel and beach remind me so much of Hawaii and the good times Mom and I had there. She could have managed the pool and watching the waves just fine and skipped all meetings. But she chose rainy Seattle instead...

The forecast is for rain every day here, but not all day. So far it hasn't rained, but the skies are moisture filled and my hair collapsed immediately upon leaving air-conditioned space. Pictures will not be as blue-skied as Utah.

I took several pictures this morning as we explored the beach, only to find that I had inadvertently clicked a setting on my new phone that makes them all 2-second videos. One of the women at the airport yesterday showed me pics of her grandchildren with slight movement, and I expect that is what she was using. Great for grandkids, but not for the beach--at least not when you don't realize that is what you are doing and move the camera around.

We'll see how this pic of Steve swimming laps works.



Tide was in this morning. Tide is out now and a totally different beach.

I had noticed several signs not to go into the mangrove and assumed it was to protect the air roots that stick out of the ground. Then I saw a sign saying "Keep out. Crocodile habitat."Boy is that motivation!