Suzanne and Karen hanging out during the layover in Atlanta, GA. Getting excited to see the tropics!
Bus ride from the airport to our hotel in Panama City.
John, Justin, and Cory outside the Aparthotel in Panama City (sort of our home base). Hacky sacking - the way most passed time in between excursions.
View from the balcony of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama City.
The class taking in the atmosphere at the Smithsonian.
Alex giving us the low down on what was planned for the first day in Panama.
Wasp nest under a palm.
Smithsonian Gardens and courtyard
Casa Vieja - one of the most colorful little towns I have seen.
Casa Vieja
Enjoying the day strolling through Casa Vieja. Notice the For Rent sign in the background - I was very tempted.
Karen - my partner in crime.
A view of Panama City from the Casa Vieja peninsula.
If you haven't noticed - Karen and I matched everyday of the trip. To our defense this was St. Patrick's Day. It was completely unplanned. I guess birds of a feather do flock together.
Tamarin monkey
Classmates in the distance.
Liz and Dawn getting their cameras ready.
The ladies...
Cobblestone streets of Casa Vieja
Beautiful old structures
Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal
Here comes a ship...
The fruit and nut of a cashew tree. The fruit tastes delicious but dries out your mouth.
Karen hamming it up on the bus ride to Soberania National Park.
A hill of refuse from leaf cutting ants.
An aboreal ant nest.
Check out the buttress on that tree!
Heliconda flower
Walking the pipeline road and listening to howler monkeys.
Passionflower
Cory in front of the tall canal grass - an invasive species. The grass, not Cory.
Big spider
John and Justin taking in the view and enjoying a nice breeze at the top of the hill.
The views were magnificent...
Everyone hypnotized by the horizon.
Boat ride to Barro Colorado Island (Liz and Gavin).
Sunrise the morning we left for BCI.
Mark taking a nap on the boat ride.
A beautiful catydid.
Lovely buttress.
Another big spider.
Mariposa
Flowers falling from the blooming tropical trees.
A look up into the canopy.
Sunrise the morning we left BCI. I wasn't ready to leave this place at all.
Sea turtle at Galeta Isla Marine Center.
Checking out the Carribbean.
Looking at the mangroves and cranes. Note: Karen and I are still matching.
Ready to jump in for a swim.
Hibiscus flower
The Carribbean - bring on the rum and pirates!
Plantains growing in Carmellos farm outside of Los Santos on the Azuero peninsula of Panama.
Another spectacular sunset at Playa Los Achotines.
Justin and Karen at Playa Los Achotines. We were all excited to be at the the beach.
Muy bonita!
Sunrise at Achotines - JJ taking it all in.
Red snapper at the Tuna Laboratory
