Flying Home

We managed to have one more buffet breakfast before we caught the 7:30 am shuttle to the airport. Eleven people on our tour were on that bus , the others will be on the 5:00 am or 11 am bus.

Lining up in Central America is unlike North American airports. Security took about 30 minutes but then we had to clear a second security checkpoint to enter our gate 32- this was specific to US. Bound planes. Might I also add there was no air conditioning or bathrooms or food once you passed the second checkpoint!  

What I was most surprised about was the inadequate number of seats for everyone boarding the Aircraft. I'd say probably 40% of the passengers had seats- the rest were standing. I would have expected somebody would have offered their seat to my 84 year old Mother in Law, but J suggested she just looked too young!

Here we are crowded at gate 32 in Panama City!

Once we arrived in Houston we had a very long layover at the airport of 7 hours before we could catch a 7:45 flight home. One previous flight has already been cancelled so we hope ours won't be too!

Well it wasn't cancelled but it was delayed. Seven hours became eight and we took off at 8:30 pm. Now I know why we overnighted in Houston on the way down to Panama City!  Pretty ugly connections to travel by air, but at least we are not travelling by car!

Okay so maybe I was a bit premature in writing that last paragraph as we just heard they have a "weight imbalance issue" with the plane , code for overbooked!  They need 20 volunteers to get off the flight!  We held firm despite the $650 travel voucher and free hotel room. If Air Canada had offered that 7 hours ago I might have accepted!  

We held our breath as they announced the names of the lucky passengers who were bumped when they didn't have enough volunteers. We can exhale - we weren't called. So now we wait to see if we actually walk on the plane now!

And it proved to be a three hour wait to sort out who is on the plane and who is off. Air Canada didn't win any customer service awards tonight. Even once they bumped 20 people and loaded the rest of us on, they were still "overweight for the winds" we expected this trip. So they told another 5 people to get off the plane. The mother seated in front of us with her three teenagers was livid when she was asked to get off the plane. So instead of departing at 7:45 pm we departed at 10:45 pm - about 10 hours after we arrived at the Houston airport. By my count there are about 35 passengers on board this plane tonight with 25 empty seats. Go figure. 

So we are arrived at the airport at 2:10 am local time Monday morning but that is 4:10 am to us. One further complication is a plane is parked at our gate - many delayed flights were grounded in our home city due to the blustery winds and cold weather. We still have to collect baggage, clear customs and taxi home - at least another hour.  The Captain sounded weary in his welcome saying he hoped they would find a gate for us and we could finally end this flight. 

I need to get some sleep! Two things make me feel better. One - there were people filling the seats at the gate when we got off the plane - that means their flight was cancelled and they are spending the night at the airport. Two- there was a lineup at 3:20 am to catch a taxi!  A 15 minute long lineup!  Can you believe it!

Return to Panama City

We had our final breakfast at the All inclusive Westin resort at 8 am. They really mean "all inclusive" because they had orange juice and champagne set out on the buffet table for consumption.

We returned to our rooms for the final packing and set out bags outside the door of our hotel rooms. Bellmen will come along and collect the bags to deliver them to out bus. They will be loaded on the bus and ready to roll when we load on the bus at 11 am. Caravan takes care of tipping for all such services. 

J and I went for a swim in our last hour of hot weather while on the Pacific Ocean. We met up with another family and swam up to the bar to order a drink just because we can!  Wonderful way to enjoy the 33 C day. 

Once aboard the bus we started a slow tour to make our way back to our final hotel in Panama City. 

We stopped at a Kona Indian marketplace. I found a necklace that will be perfect for the Stampede!

We passed by a tribute to the US chief engineer, Goethals, who designed the Panama Canal. The building behind the monument sits 85 steps and 85 feet above the base of the monument signifying the difference in height between the two oceans and the top of Gatun Lake, accounted for in the locks. Locks go from Gatun to Pedro Miguel to Miraflores. 

Lunch was served at the Intercontinental Hotel and was delicious!

We checked into the Marriott Courtyard hotel. Once again the hotel , like the Westin was ready for our arrival with keys placed and waiting for us identifying which room we were assigned. 

With a few hours to kill before supper at 6:30 I went shopping in the huge mall next door. I went straight to Sportsline to look for things for P. When I saw the huge selection of futbal/soccer I beelined back to hotel to collect P. He found a soccer ball and a number of shirts and shorts to his liking. 

Supper was festive with traditional dancers and musicians entertaining us. 

We then bade farewell to new found friends. Two of the sisters on the Caravan trip sang a few great songs for the group after the formal entertainment left.

Tomorrow we have breakfast and catch thE 7:30 shuttle to the airport to return home to -21C and a snowstorm!

We hope to travel safe!

Day at the Beach

Today was a day of leisure at the Westin Playa Bonita in the Vera Cruz area of Panama. E and I went for breakfast and J joined us shortly after we took a seat.

Here is E pictured by the pool as we walked to eat!

After breakfast E was content to read on the second floor breezeway while P J and I went for a walk along the ocean. P and J swam while I was happy to sit on the sand. We all went for a swim in one of the four amazing pools on the property. By the way if you see what you think is a hot tub on the property, in Central America it is more often than not a cold tub - to cool down from the heat. 

The little round tub in lower right corner is the cold tub!

We collected E from the second floor and by the time she got up to our room she was feeling a little dizzy. After a few gluten free pretzels and a glass of water she felt better. She hadn't felt hot in the shaded open air breezeway but temperatures were about 33 C today. 

She laughed and said maybe she wouldn't have that glass of wine with lunch! This resort includes all the alcohol we want to drink (made locally) but wine is only served at meals. P and I were happy to have a virgin piña Coloda by the pool and John had a Rum Punch. He later found out they offered Tequila Sunrises so he tried one of those too. 

We borrowed a plastic kayak and explored the Pacific Ocean after lunch. J went out with P in the double kayak, then with me. 

J and P are pictured just starting out in the kayak here. 

J and E then went for a walk on the beach while P and I lazed in our rooms. 

JG you need to know they have an ice cream parlour here - they serve very melted hard ice cream in strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream flavours. They have chocolate and strawberry syrup and nuts to sprinkle on. Only served between noon and 9 pm. 

We had ice cream a couple of times today. 

J and I walked near the rainforest but not really in it today - no paths exist in there. 

This is the view from our balcony where we couldn't walk!!

One of our fellow Caravan guests told us about an observation deck on the 19th floor. What stunning view. We went up as the sun was setting and the lights on the boats on the ocean were more evident. E counted more than 50 ships lined up awaiting entrance onto the Panama Canal!

The observation deck view!

Supper was in the Starfish Grill where we enjoyed the seafood buffet!  Tomorrow is our last full day in Panama. Sad to think it is almost done!

Embers Indian Village and Vera Cruz

Today we left the Gamboa Rainforest after two glorious nights!

I'll miss this view from my balcony!

We took a 10 minute boat ride down the Chagres River to see the Embera Indian Village. It is a village of about 50 people that functions without electricity. We were treated to a lesson of their society in the carving of wood and weaving of baskets. The discussion was translated from Spanish to English by our guide. 

The Embera danced for us too and both P and J got up and danced when asked!

P and J outside a family hut. 

We travelled back down the river by boat and had a wonderful view for lunch on the Chagres River. 

After lunch we boarded the bus to head to the Vera Cruz area to go the Westin all inclusive resort for two nights. For the first time this trip, we were given adjoining rooms!

Once we arrived E said that she was really quite tired. I told her that her timing was perfect as we have nothing scheduled for the next day and a half!  She was happy to read in the room while P and J and I went for a walk along the beach, then for a swim. 

The Westin hotel is in the background here. 

After I showered and changed I invited E to go sit and enjoy an open air view overlooking the ocean. We had a lovely visit enjoying the fresh air. Our room has a balcony but we are overlooking the back of the hotel opposite the ocean. 

This resort is huge so when we ran into fellow single Caravan guest Diane, we asked if she would like to join us for supper. She was delighted to be asked and we had entertaining conversation all through dinner!

Will enjoy a good night of sleep tonight!