Monday, February 2nd ....
A delightful day beginning with a tour of
the Miraflores Locks to watch ships moving through the locks and view the
museum. On the way to Panama Viejo, we rode though memory lane by passing
by several of our former homes on Ft. Clayton, the FAA site, Albrook AFB area
and Quarry Heights. We stopped at the Market adjacent to Panama Viejo
where some stayed while others attempted to tour the ruins (which were closed
for the day). Antonio (our driver and guide) kept a most watchful eye on
some of the more adventuresome who wandered closer than he wished to the
neighborhoods adjacent to the park area. Apparently, the area next to the
park is not a 'touristy' place to be. We returned to our hotel, cleaned up
and met Dicky & Barbara Frank at dinner.
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Tom, Kathleen, Claire, Richard & Sharon |
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Richard, Rick, Sharon, Claire, Dave & Dana |
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.JPG "Richard, Rick (Claire in middle)")
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Richard, Rick (Claire in middle) |
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Ancon Hill from Miraflores Locks |
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Sharon, Claire, Dana, Dave, Joe & Rick |
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Dave, Marguerite, Richard, Dave & Rick |
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Rick, Marguerite, Sharon, Dana & Claire |
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National Cultural Institute |
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In front of French Embassy |
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Sharon, Richard, Dave & Claire |
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Fred (Donna spent this time in stores next to bus with Kathleen) |
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Bill, Sherry, Richard, Sharon & Rick |
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Claire, Richard, Marguerite & Sharon |
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Marguerite, Lerlene; Right - Joe, Sherry, Rick, Claire & Richard |
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Claire, Richard, Anne, Sharon & Donna |
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.JPG "Pete, Joe, Sherry, Rick & Lana (back)")
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Pete, Joe, Sherry, Rick & Lana (back) |
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Sherry, Rick, Claire, Richard, Sharon, Marguerite, Lerlene & Lana |
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Pete, Barbara, Dave, Dana, Dicky & Joe |
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Dave, Dana, Dicky & Barbara |
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Sherry, Rick, Anne, Sharon, Donna, Dave & Marguerite |
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Tuesday, February 3rd -
A limited number of
us more adventurous souls took the almost rare opportunity to visit the
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute center located on Barro Colorado in
Gatun Lake. STRI scientists from the world over study the isolated
wildlife and fauna on this island. Our guide (Guillermo) specializes in
the three-thousand plus species of ants. He told us that STRI exposes
interns and scientists alike to world-renowned specialists in various fields and
broadens their exposure and opportunities to study and lecture in various parts
of the world. We saw many types of birds, peccaries, agouti, bullet (1+
inch long !) and army ants as well as the more common leaf-cutter ants. We
got close to a troupe of Howler Monkeys who merely mocked us. We duck-taped our
socks to our pants to prevent ticks and chiggers from biting and sprayed
vociferously for mosquito protection because of the potential for dengue fever.
For lunch, we ate in their dining hall after our grueling hike. Rick, Dave
and Marguerite were able to go on Wednesday and had a different guide and an
equally interesting visit. It was a wonderful opportunity though very
tiring despite all the state-of-the-art neat hiking clothes and boots that some
of us had specially purchased! Following our return and rejuvenating
showers, we gathered next door to our hotel on the patio of the Balboa Yacht
Club for more visiting and dinner.
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preparing for the boat ride to Barro Colorado |
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further preparation, it IS a 45 minute boat ride.... |
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Dave, Anne, Richard, Sharon & Lerlene on board the Jacana |
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Pants taped; ready to Trek... |
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Lerlene, Richard, Dana, Anne & Dave |
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Dave, Sharon, Donna & Joe |
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Anne, Dana, Lerlene, Richard & guide Guillermo |
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Guillermo, Anne, Dana, Richard & Donna |
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Motion activated camera captures wildlife |
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Lerlene, sharon, Donna, Dana, Anne & Dave |
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Anne, Guillermo, Richard, Dave & Joe |
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Guillermo explains wildlife and plants |
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Joe, Fred, Sharon, Dana, Lerlene, Richard, Anne, Dave & Donna at Big Tree |
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Joe, Richard, Sharon & Dana |
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Anne, Lerlene, Dave & Dana in boat returning to civilization |
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Joe, Donna, Sharon & Richard have survived |
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Marguerite & Dave at Balboa Yacht Club |
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Mike Ron, Tom, Anita & Bill |
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Dave, Lerlene, Dana, Richard & Sharon |
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.JPG "Richard, Rick (Claire in middle)")
.JPG "Amador Causeway")
.JPG "Pete, Joe, Sherry, Rick & Lana (back)")
