Panama City

Panama City was a great experience. It was nice to settle down for a day before hopping on the bus.  A day wan not enough to see the whole city. Some day we want to spend more time there. We were able to hire a van and went to the Panama Canal to see the amazing feat of technology. Our driver was such a blessing and was able to tour a few bits of the city before he had his next gig.  

Seavey/ Neuschwanger clan in front of Miraflores Lock Visitor Center

Ship going through the Lock

Beautiful boats at the museum. This boat was used to scoop dirt off the canal floor.

I told you they grew them big down here!

A little train engine thing to guide the ship through the lock. there were 6 of them for this ship.

Seavey's and Papa on the observatory deck of the Lock.

The Canal was amazing.  Started by the French back in the late 1800,'s and picked up by the United States in the early 1900's. We got to see a ship coming in and out of the lock, a very long process but fun to watch the process. The ship that we saw go though was a container ship and huge! Not much leeway between the ship and the walls of the lock. They also have a 4 story museum that tells history of the Canal, along with nature that is indiginous to Panama.  Yes, I made myself look at all the bugs so I could know what is something to be careful of, or what was no problem.  They grow then BIG down here! A lot of the beetles shown were as big as your hand. Which I am sure was for show purposes, but oh my goodness!

We then hit a new favorite restaurant that my folks found. We beat the rain and were safely  in the restaurant during the downpour.  It was the best pasta carbonara that I have ever tasted. Of course it was my daughter who ordered it, so we were all snitching bites off her plate! the serving was a plate 2 times the size of her head so we didn't feel to bad! Also yummy pizza with a super thin cracker like crust. Very yummy as was the company.  We met a Panamian there who was schooled on the east coast, so spoke very good English.  He is from all over.  The restaurant owner was a good Italian from Cuba! It was a nice walk back to the hotel that we were staying at.  We all crashed and took a long nap.  Then in preparation for the next days bus ride my mom and I shopped for snacks at her favorite little market.  If you are familiar with big cities, panama city is very much the same. tons of little markets and very few big stores to shop at.  and all was very close to our hotel.

Big City buildings.  Ian was surprised at the size

Dan in front of the restaurant. Just started to rain

an approaching storm.

Then we got home to the hotel and found there has been a water main break and no water and they didn't know when.  We were all so hot and sticky and so looking forward to a shower, but we were denied this! made us realize how fortunate we are most of the time to have running water.... It finally did come back on at midnight and we did get to flush the toilets and take a shower! whew! didn't relish riding the bus all day stinky!!!

Dan and I also got to test out the local craft beer pub.  My dad took us down to La Rana Dorado so Dan could sample the local fare.  (somehow their water supply was just fine!)  Not what he was used to for sure, as most of the beers down here are lighter.  It was a nice end to the day and we were in bed asleep by about 7.30! Jet Lag is cruel!

La Rana Dorado (The Golden Frog)

Plaza Einstein right by our hotel

Entrance to our hotel. The first floor is people who have bought their  condo, the rest is rented out.