First stop: the Panama Canal. We watched a couple of ships go through the Miraflores Locks, and we also toured the visitor center/museum there.
I believe these little machines are called towing locomotives; they're used to guide ships through the locks.
That sailboat has been through all the locks now and is headed out toward the Pacific.
The Final Four. Long story short: from 17 grandkids on my mom's side, the four of us are the remaining single ones. It's also kind of a long story on how we all ended up in Panama for this trip. (L-R: cousin Kirsten, me, cousin Nathaniel, brother Ian)
Central Panama City viewed from Casco Viejo, which is the mostly intact colonial district.
I said MOSTLY intact. Isn't this a great tree?
Nathaniel shops for molas in Casco Viejo; I think he bought four of them here.
Here's what a wildlife biologist does on vacation.
Panama Viejo - the old, old Panama City. It was sacked by pirates and then the city was rebuilt in another location (what's now Casco Viejo).
This section of Panama Viejo is officially closed on Mondays, but there were uniformed tourist police around to let us in through this gap in the fence. And to charge us $10 to climb the tower there.
Isn't this a great tree, too? The tourist police told us that this species attracts lots of butterflies, and that it's called the Panama Tree.
Here's that tower we paid to climb.
another great tree
Ever wonder what happened to those school buses you rode as a kid? They've been redecorated and they're serving as public transportation in Panama City, where they're known as "diablos rojos" - red devils. Apparently the drivers like to race each other.
Inside, the buses look pretty much the same as I remember. The seats used to seem much larger, though.
Leaf-cutter ants. They're truly amazing; much more interesting than you'd think, even if you're not a wildlife biologist. We all spent a good bit of time marveling at their long, long processions - and also trying to figure out why they don't just use leaves from closer to home.
View of Panama City and the Pacific from a hilltop in the park where we hiked. Most of the ships out there have either just exited the canal or will soon enter it.
This bird soared above us for a long, long time without flapping its wings.
Implants seem to be all the rage for Panamanian mannequins.
Isla Grande - Caribbean Island where we spent a couple of days chilling on the beach.
Breakfast by the water. I really enjoyed the food in Panama - especially patacones, those mashed, salty, fried plantains that you can see on my plate here.
Nathaniel says the name of this bar translates as "difficult to keep your balance."
These next few are more shots of Isla Grande.
Geels clan - do you recognize that towel hanging on the railing?
This parrot was hanging out in the tree next to our room by the beach.
Nathaniel's Uncle Tony took us on a brief tour of his farm.
Sunset on the farm.
Tony also took us to Las Tablas to see the Carnaval preparations going on there; here's Nathaniel in front of one of the floats. At this point I didn't realize I'd be back in this same spot a few days later!
This woman is a master pollera maker; we read in the Lonely Planet that she welcomes toursists to stop by her home to see her work. In talking with her, Nathaniel discovered that she was married to Uncle Gus's uncle (making her Nathaniel's great aunt). She's really a sweet woman, and the work she does is gorgeous. LP says one dress sells for about $1800.
She's wheelchair-bound as a result of childhood polio. This strip that they've stretched out will be the bottom layer in a dress.
Kirsten enjoys a pina colada at a table overlooking the Pacific.
Her twin enjoyed a pina colada too. We dressed alike to try to embarrass Nathaniel in his dad's hometown. I don't think it really worked, but we had fun with it anyway.
back in Casco Viejo
Somehow we missed this one-way sign while driving around Casco Viejo earlier in the week.
square in Casco Viejo; we had a really pleasant outdoor dinner here one evening
Kirsten and I made it our goal to eat ice cream every day that we were in Panama. I'm happy to report that we succeeded; this was our grand finale.
Tara and Kirsten waiting to go through security for Carnaval celebrations in Panama City.
confetti!
Tara gets another mouthful.
I think that's Kirsten's hand there; this kid is really about to get a facefull!
Kirsten and I ganged up on this poor kid.
Panamanian girl in a pollera. I was surprised to read that about 10% of Panamanians are of Chinese descent - though I guess given the amount of imported labor for canal construction back in the day, that shouldn't be surprising.
One of the things I like best about traveling is all the different foods you get to try. Carnaval did not disappoint!
Here's another little girl dressed up for carnaval in Panama City.
This next bunch is from Carnaval celebrations in Las Tablas.
These ten guys are helping one of the queens up onto her float.
Most of the girls on the floats were sort of gently bobbing to the music - but this one was really shaking it, eliciting wild reactions from crowds as this float went past.
These people are all watching that little dancing girl in the previous picture.
We were up on this balcony the next day, giving us a great overview of Culeca celebrations.
Tara and I went back to the beach with Estavia and co. for lunch before catching our bus back to Panama City.
