Getting ready to go home

This will be my last post from Panama, we are getting on our plane to return to Ottawa tonight. I thought I would share some shots from the walk along the beach my sister and I took yesterday first.
Here is an example of some of the ostentatious homes that are down here. Many of these places only get used for a few weeks of the year, special occasions/fiestas, and the rest of the year are vacant except for the 'gardener' who maintains it while the owners are gone.

For our last dinner together my sister and her husband prepared a new experience for both Mom and I - a 'raclette' grilled meal. Foods are pre-cooked somewhat, then we each load up just what we want onto the raclette and grill it. Once it is done, we put a portion into one of the little trays under the grill, with some cheese sprinkled on top, and broil it under the element for a few minutes. It's a great way to accommodate different food preferences and portion sizes. It also lets everyone chat while cooking. Really enjoyed it and look forward to trying some other foods on it.

Thanks for everything Linda and Doug, this has been a remarkable trip. It has been wonderful to see you again and know that you are both having a great life down here in Panama!

Sand-rash and sun-burn

Yesterday was a relaxing day with not much to do - my sister drove into Panama City for some business banking, so Mom and I were left at home until they got back.

As part of our ongoing experiment to determine when the best times to surf are, we found this helpful chart that shows the tides. At 2pm, which was low tide, we went down to the beach to see how the waves were. Nothing to write home about (even tho I am doing that here! LOL), mostly because there are strong offshore breezes that don't make the waves bigger.

Nevertheless, we did manage to find a spot where there were waves long enough to get a fun ride into shore - maybe about 50 feet. Once you get to shore, of course, the unprotected lower parts of our bodies scrape along the pebbles and shells until you stop. Nothing too serious in terms of injury but something we later tried to avoid.

Once we were worn out, we lent our boogie boards to 5 teen/twenty aged Panamanian kids who were playing next to us. They were happy to accept our offer and played with them for about 1/2 hour then brought our boards back to us with gratitude.

That meant that my sister and I were in the sun for a couple of hours. Even though my previous exposures to the sun hadn't really changed my colouration, by the time we were playing Dominoes after dinner, my upper torso was glowing with a lovely Papaya red.

Our family has long believed that putting vinegar (white or apple cider) on sunburn takes some of the heat out of it and turns it to a tan faster. So, my sister was delighted to be able to pull the white vinegar OUT OF THE FRIDGE and douse me in it! The towel over my mouth muffled my screams of, "It's COLD!" and I was soon smelling like a yum-yum pickle (others might suggest more dill, but it's my blog!).

Later today, we are taking a drive down the coast to see a new "Super Resort" called "The Breezes" - a destination for many of the people who were on our flight down here. We think it might be a good place for future visitors to my sister - esp. those who want 4.5-star luxury when they travel.

After that we are going out for Margaritas at a local establishment called Cholos (REVIEW) with a couple of my sister's friends. I will let you know how that goes!

Here is a link to some high-quality maps on Panama.

Travel to Panama

We flew directly from Montreal to Panama City (which, of course, avoids all of the hassle with security now required for flights via the U.S.) and Sunwing Airlines is currently offering a great all-inclusive deal.

You can check it out by clicking HERE

Orion

Today my sister and I went exploring along the coast to see if we could find somewhere that we could use our boogie boards. Alas, it seems that the wind is offshore and the waves are small as a result.

After taking Mom to the clinic again to have the wound she suffered in her fall looked at, we had a gorgeous dinner of Langostino Shrimp, Yuca, and Peas + Carrots. Then we went for a walk down to the beach to see high tide - albeit 1.5 hours late. The stars were beautiful though and I explained to my sister about the nebula in the constellation Orion:

Hoping tomorrow we can get out into the waves and find out what surfing on boogie boards is really all about!

Surfin' Dude

When I decided I was coming to Panama, I knew I wanted to try to learn how to surf ... again.

I have only tried it once before in Huntington Beach California, but my lesson consisted a couple of surfer dudes giving me a board that was too small for me, pointing me to the ocean and telling me to paddle out and stand up when a wave came along. I didn't do very well, and after about 2 hours was exhausted from trying to paddle out to where the waves were.

Panama is apparently an important destination for surfers and there are numerous world-famous places here to 'hang ten' - some on the Atlantic/Caribbean coast and others here on the Pacific side. Here is a video of what we were hoping for at El Palmar Surf Camp in San Carlos:

Based on these videos, it looks like we need to go there at low tide

Turns out, this really isn't surfing season here so our trip down the coast to San Carlos led us to the El Palmar Surf Camp, a busy black-sand beach and a lovely man named Sergio (pronounced: Sayrheo) but the waves weren't happening.

But we did have a nice time watching the Panamanians bobbing in the waves and watching their beer cans float away.

As a result, my sister, her husband and I turned to Boogie Boards on the beach here at Coronado with some hilarious results.

It was a good day, but not one that you could write a musical with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon about! LOL

Bienvenidos a El Valle de Anton

Yesterday we drove about an hour up into the mountains to visit one of the most famous sites in Panama - El Valle de Anton.

El Valle de Anton, known simply as El Valle has a geologically unique setting, it's nestled in the second largest volcano crater in the world. A five by three mile crater created when a volcano blew its top off five million years ago. After flooding to make a lake, then emptying when the walls breached, the result iss a lovely steep valley surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and rich volcanic soil that gives way to flowers and verdant forest. El Valle also boasts a near perfect year round spring climate.

In the image above, you are looking Northwest with Lake Gatun and The Caribbean at the top and the Pacific on the right. You can clearly see the flat area inside the mountainous peaks.

While there we stopped at the market that you can see in this video (by someone else):

The secret to a happier future

This is an inspirational video from the people who brought you The Secret. A little optimism never hurt anyone!

New Years Day 2010 sees Canadians going for Polar Bear Plunge

Okay ... I know this is mean but I can't resist! LOL

A chilly New Year's Day tradition is taking place across Canada as people plunge into icy water during annual polar bear dips.

Large crowds of eager swimmers were expected to take a dip in Vancouver's English Bay. The tradition started in 1920 when a small number of swimmers jumped into the water on New Year's Day.

In Nova Scotia, about 100 people dove into the waters near Halifax.

Trent Courage and his brother, Todd Courage, have been organizing an even bigger version of the chilly annual tradition for the past 25 years. The brothers started their event, the Courage Brothers' Polar Bear Dip, in 1985, when they jumped into Lake Ontario in Burlington, Ont.

The annual plunge now takes place at Coronation Park in Oakville, Ont., and all money raised is donated to World Vision to support freshwater projects in developing countries.

In Panama, intrepid Canadians not only dipped themselves in the frigid waters of the Pacific, but spent much of the day running around in bathing suits, as if to say,"No matter what temperature January 1 brings, we can take it!"

Boogie on Boys!

After last night's spectacular fireworks displays on the beach (which are continuing today!), it was a late night of tequila followed by an early morning.

So with not a lot of energy, and the fact that it is a statutory holiday beginning a long weekend, all that was on the agenda was going to the beach. Last night's full moon contributed to extra high tides today and hundreds of Panamanians were enjoying the sun and waves.

A group of young people were taking turns seeing what they could do on skimboards.

For those of you who don't know, a skimboard or 'boogie board' is a half-size surfboard with no bottom fin that you throw down onto receding waves and jump on. The thin layer of water lets the board slide easily and experts are able to manage several turns and tricks at high speed.

Because the rider is moving at high speed over sand, a fall can translate into a bad case of sandburn, so many of them wear shirts and long shorts.

Here is a shot of a rip current that I found fascinating. A wave washes up on 2 higher mounds of sand, and as they flow back to the sea, the two sides come crashing together. This creates a new wave that travels perpendicular to the oncoming waves.

Today I also saw painful evidence that, although Panamanians lay claim to some of the most beautiful natural resources found anywhere, they don't seem to have much respect for it.

In these shots, you can see their blatent disregard for picking up their litter - they just step around it and act like it isn't even there. They seem to think that as long as the ocean comes and takes it away, the problem is solved. Too bad for whoever is unfortunate enough to be on the beach where it washes up - many of the pristeen islands off the coast such as the Pearl Islands archipelago.

Sir Patrick, I presume

Actor Patrick Stewart and film writer and director Peter Jackson will now be known as Sir Patrick and Sir Peter, respectively, in their home countries.

Stewart will be awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth in Britain's New Year Honours List, while Jackson has been made a knight in New Zealand.

Stewart, the 69-year-old actor who played Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, was honoured for his services to drama during his career that's spanned half a century.

"I am very proud to receive this honour," he told the London Telegraph. "Theatre is and has always been my great joy."

Deep Thoughts

Since I seem to have so much time to ponder the fullness of space and the futility of trying to relax, I thought I would pass these thoughts on to you that some wise person sent to me in an email.

ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.

ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.

IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?

IS THE MAIN REASON THAT SANTA IS SO JOLLY BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL THE BAD GIRLS LIVE?.

I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, "WHERE'S THE SELF- HELP SECTION?" SHE SAID IF SHE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.

WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?

IF A DEAF CHILD SIGNS SWEAR WORDS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH SOAP?

IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?

IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?

WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?"

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?

IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?

WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?

WHY DO THEY LOCK PETROL STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM?

IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?

CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?

IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?

WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE ON THE DRIVE-THROUGH BANK MACHINES?

HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS?

WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?

ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.

DOES THE LITTLE MERMAID WEAR AN ALGEBRA?

DO INFANTS ENJOY INFANCY AS MUCH AS ADULTS ENJOY ADULTERY?

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?

IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?

IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?

IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?

WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT?

WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED "HEMORRHOIDS" INSTEAD OF "ASSTEROIDS"?

WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?

WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?

IF YOU SPIN AN ORIENTAL MAN IN A CIRCLE THREE TIMES, DOES HE BECOME DISORIENTED?

CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACTS OF GOD?

Happy MMX

Happy 2010 everyone!

A full moon on this night MUST be a good omen!

I hope you all have a fun and safe night and that this is the beginning of better things for all of us.

Here are a few pix from Playa Coronado and the fireworks to celebrate the new year.

Feliz Ano Nuevo!