 Panama City from Cerro Ancon |
Latest News (Updated 06/17/2007): Back to civilization. After about 5 weeks of incredible cruising in the Western Islands of Panama and the Perlas Islands, it was time to head to the big city to meet up with Carrie's parents and brother. We moored Terra Firma at the famous Balboa Yacht Club in Panama City and spent 10 days sightseeing with the family. We visited the Panama Canal Museum at the Miraflores Locks, took a tram ride through the rain forest canopy, walked around Casco Viejo and sampled some of the great food that Panama City had to offer. We also had the opportunity to transit the Panama Canal as line handlers with our friends Jan and Rich on their boat Slip Away. Friends Iain and Aly from Loon III (we just call them the Loonies) line handled as well. What a great experience! Background Photo: Sand in the bottom of our footbath bucket. |
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Carrie's
parents and brother rented a condo on Cerro Ancon for a 10-day visit.
We stayed at the condo too and enjoyed luxuries like showers with
hot water, ice cubes, wireless internet and unlimited electricity. Left: Carrie's brother hanging out with a martini -- shaken, not stirred. Below Left: This nyeke was a common visitor to the grounds. Nyekes looked like rabbits with their ears chopped off. Below Right: The spider monkeys came by to check for treats every evening. |
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| We
spent a day at the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center. The Panama
Canal is 100 years old and still operated in the same manner as the day
it opened. The stories of the engineering hurdles and lives lost
during construction were fascinating. Right: The Miraflores Visitor Center Below Left: A German sailboat transiting the canal from the Carribean (north) to the Pacific (south). Below Right: After the German sailboat tied up to the tour boat, the water was let out of the lock and the boats were lowered to the level of the next lock. Only 1 more lock to go for these guys before the Pacific! |
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We
took a day-trip to Gamboa. Gamboa is a very nice resort with a
huge amount of land dedicated as a nature reserve. We rode a tram
through the jungle canopy to the top of a hill where there was an
observation platform. Left: Carrie's brother William saving his favorite sister from death by crocodile. Below Left: A flower called 'Hot Lips'. Below Right: The spiraling ramp to the top of the observation platform. The top was above the canopy and had great views of the Panama Canal and surrounding area. |
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