Trip to Panama --- Dec 25 to 30, 2010

In December 25, 2010, I left Bogota, Colombia and flew to Panama, City. It was a good Christmas travel with Copa Airlines and no delay. (Snow storms and plane delays and cancellations were happening in the northeast of US that time). I arrived on time and I Ariel, from Veneto-Wyndham Hotel was already waiting for me carrying a placard with hotel logo and my name. He does not speak English much but we were able to communicate with my "little" Spanish. It was a 45-min smooth drive to the hotel. I was impressed of Panama City as we travel on the road especially when we get to the metropolis. It looks like a simple but elegant Las Vegas (There were casinos in the hotel...I'm glad I do not gamble, jeah.)


Panama in between Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east. The Panama Canal is the only isthmus connecting two major oceans-Pacific in the south and Atlantic (the Caribbean ) oceans in the north.











A view of Panama City from the hotel airport shuttle pick up from the Tocumen International Airport on my arrival I Panama City, Panama on Dec. 25, 2010...Christmas day!










My first step out on Panama City 12.25.10. Ariel, the nice Panamanian driver of the hotel, took me a pic. Look, I have a local map and ready to explore the nearby area close to Veneto. The streets were quite considering it's Christmas day in Panama.










Though I was away from my home and family, I still felt the Christmas with this gigantic tree Veneto-Wyndham hotel. 12.25.10











I won! I won! Just kidding! There are casinos in the hotel. Whew! I don't gamble, so no temptation, yay! 12.27.10












We were loading one by one to the boat going to the Embera community (40-min dug-out boat ride on the Chagres River). Owe boatman was an Embera indigenous wearing his traditional g-string clothing. 12.26.10










An local vendor in the Chagres River National Park. This was during our quick bathroom stop en route to the Embera village 12.26.10










Still all smiles inspire of the rough boat ride and pouring wet. Wearing my poncho my sister gave me when we went to Costa Rica last November 2010. Thanks sis! 12.26.10












Drumming (for the sake of pic...hehehe) with an Embera drum in Embera village 12.26.10










Jeah! I made it after a rough and pouring wet boat ride on the Chagres River! 12.26.10











In the Embera village with the native 12.26.10











Embera welcome lunch - Tilapia and plantain---yummy!










Fresh fruits sliced pineapples and bananas the Embera native served to us as desserts in their village. 12.26.10











Embera kids receiving Christmas gifts from the community. They were all eager to receive one even a plastic baseball bat toy. It was a very humbling experience. 12.26.10












River otter trying to get share of Tilapia fish caught from the Chagres river as they clean the fish on the river bank 12.26.10











Embera men with their colorful beaded costume










Embera native women doing traditional Embera dance in their native costume












Typical home in Embera village which could be reached by taking a dug-out boat ride on the Chagres River, the river the supply water to the Panama Canal.













These were the dug-out boats taking us back to the city. It started to rain and our way to the Embera community and continued on our way back to the city. The water level was considerably high and unsafe and water was turbulent. Our tour guide said that we may need to sleep over in the Embera community (without electricity, geez) if the water level will not subside. Thank God the rain stopped and we were able to get by the turbulent water and reached the city after 40 minutes of very rough, as in very very rough, boat ride. I have been to many boat ride including the rough 2-hour boat ride I the Pacific Ocean from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island in Galapagos, Ecuador, but this one was the most challenging and the most dangerous! I loved it after all! A big Jeah!











Trans-Isthmian tour. A quick stop view monkeys in wild. En route to San Lorenzo. I took the Isthmus of Panama to the Caribbean province of Colon. Along the way I stopped at a site where remnants of Las Cruces Trail, the 400 year old colonial trail used by the Spaniards to transport gold across the isthmus, are still found. 12.27.10








Caribbean sea Panama side 12.27.10










Panama Canal Gatun Locks 12.27.10











A huge ship from Bermuda just completed passing the Gatun locks. The next locks will be the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. The last set of locks is the Pedro Miguel Locks, then the ship will be in the open sea.










Gatun lock is closed. It opens when the water level reaches the same level, then the ship passes. Amazing technology which made it as one of the Engineering Marvels of the World (just like the Chesapeake Underwater Bridge connecting North Carolina and Virginia in the US east coast),











Gatun Locks Panama Canal...I like these locks than Miraflores Locks. There was less crowd here and better aerial view of the passing ships on the canal. 12.27.10











Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal. I liked the visitor venter, shops, and the theater in the Miraflores Locks....but crowded. 12.28.10









A sloth in the wild hanging in the tree in San Lorenzo rain forest










An iguana I spotted in the wild in the Gatun Locks of the Panama Cana












San Lorenzo ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage. I took the Trans-Isthmian Route to witness the remnants of Spanish conquistadors to gold rush adventurers. This was one of the most interesting historical journey in i experienced in Panama with regards to history. I traversed Panama from South to North by road, exploring the forts at San Lorenzo and Portobelo, and enjoyed a a typical Panamanian lunch at Cocoplum Seafood Restaurant. They served fish, octopus, and plantain, of course. I returned from the province of Colon to Panama city by train. 12.27.10













Behind is the Chagres River that supplies water to the Panama Canal 12.27.10










Waiting at the train station to go back to Panama City after a full day trip to the San Lorenzo. It was a great day and the tour guide was good. I saw several animals in the wild on our way including two-toed sloths, green turtles, iguanas, butterflies, crocodiles, cayman, white-faced monkeys and exotic birds (forgot the names of those birds :(










In the Old Town Casco Viejo Panama City 12.28.10









Inside one of the oldest cathedral in the Old Town 12.28.10









My final day--- I touring the city by foot. Panama City! 12.29.10










Walk, walk, walk 12.29.10











Smooth flow of traffic. Traffic in Panama City is way smoother than hell traffic in Cairo, Bangkok, Beijing and Manila.










The beautiful and simple Panama City. I can choose to live here than in New York!







Panama City --- a clean city for the most part!





One of the floats in Panama City during their holiday parade. I missed it. :(






The CD I got from the City Tour with Turista Tours and Travels in Panama. I first thought of not purchasing it but after watching I said, "Well, it's all good." 12.28.10





I love Panama! Cheers! I will come back sooner or later.

Ernel



Cool links to check:


See how ships pass from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean via Panama Canal or vise versa...

Panama has it all!


Old Town Panama - Casco Viejo

Short video of Casco Viejo I found on line

Where I stayed! Superb service, amenities, location!


Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Coundown To Reality Begins...But All Is Good!

It has been a well-time spent since I started the Christmas holiday break on December 18, 2010. Today is January 5, 2011 and next Monday I am back to the reality of life....back to work...but I plan to have a new beginning in my classroom --- new year, new start kinda thing. Hey, i do not want to think of work at this time. It is still my vacation. Life is not all work. Life is balance between leisure and productivity!

Wow! I can't imagine that I've been to 2 countries for a short period of time this winter break- Colombia and Panama. I am so grateful that I made the best decisions in visiting these neighboring countries in Central and South America. I thank God for the very safe and memorable experiences I had in both countries. As of now, I am set to go to Kathmandu in Nepal and see the Himalayas and Mt. Everest and I will be doing an in-transit city tour of Hong Kong during my layover connection flight. Bangladesh is where my connecting flight from Hong Kong to Nepal. Wooo, Bangladesh! All these trips will happen in Spring Break 2011. I am really a travel brat. This is the upside of being a bachelor without any commitment of any kind..and no debt! Jeah! Life is good!

About my swimming, well, it's getting better and better each day I practice. I love swimming. Not matter what, I will find a way and time to swim. Thanks to GoSwim.com. The Blueseventy Helix full body swim suit I got has been a great help. I have the best buoyancy - I can float steadily and sleep on the water like a floating log...seriously! It's my rest after the drills....hehehehe.

By the way, I am currently updating my blogs for the trips. I just updated and posted my blog about my Colombia trip. Sorry for any typos, if you find any, and please let me know so I can correct it. My blog about my Panama trip is on its way. I still have many travel blogs to update and post since my trip to Thailand in November 2009. Oh gush, I hope I have more time...well...I will try to make time to do the blogs one at a time. I still have to do the blogs about Thailand, China, Egypt, Galapagos, Ecuador, Peru, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and of course, blogs of the 32 US states I have been including Alaska and Hawaii, two of my most favorites.

Ok, I got to go now....I am heading to Santa Cruz to workout and swim.

Ciao and stay cool and sweet!

Ernel


Videos/sites cool to watch..enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W3jQIl56oY&feature=channel

www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4mM5oEWb_4

www.goswim.com

www.blueseventy.com



In Great Wall of China, Mutianyu section from Beijing. January 5, 2010. It was freezing cold and the wall was so slippery. But all was good!

Trip to Colombia Dec. 20 to 25, 2010

Colombia Trip
Dec 20 to 25, 2010

I left the couple of days after the school session ended on December 17, 2010. All went well including my flight from San Francisco to Miami. I was warmly welcome by the immigration after asking where am I staying and how many days. I got the arrival stamp in my passport and met my pick up from City Discovery who took me to Cosmos 100 Hotel in Calle 100. It was a bit cold but dry that day. Wow! I Was in a 5 star hotel! jeah!

View of the lobby of the hotel from the 8th floor.



The room was apartment style with separate living room and bedroom. I walked for about 5 blocks upon after checking in. The hotel has a strong security - with private security with guard dogs at the main entrance, key-activated elevator, key-activated main entrance door to the guest rooms (8th floor), and key activated door to my room, of course. The city where I stayed is commercialized and it was the embassy area. It was quite far from downtown and La Candelaria (about 20 minutes including traffic), but I'm happy with the location.

The following day Dec 22, Fernando Garcia from Bogotravels came to pick me up for my first tour with him to the Monserrate Hill.

Monserrate Hill, Bogota 12.22.10





Monserrate Hill on the background, Bogota 12.22.10




Victor was the driver. Fernando was a great tour guide. He spoke English and still learning. He was a great tour guide. He told me what to expect and easy-going. He took me to Monserrate Hill. We took the train uphill and cable downhill. I had a great view of the city of Bogota and saw the colonial chapel on top of the hill.

Colonial Church built by Spaniards in the Monserrate Hill, Bogota 12.22.10







Inside colonial church in Monserrate Hill 12.22.10




Local foods in Monserrate Hill, Bogota 12.22.10




Fernando Morales, the cool local tour guide from Bogotravels in the colonial church in Monserrate Hill 12.22.10





This street goes to downtown Bogota from the Monserrate Hill.





Trip to the town of Zipaquira too about one drive from Bogota. It was a smooth drive tom the town and I felt the welcoming spirit of the people when Fernando, my tour guide took me to the a "tienda" in front of the big cathedral in the plaza. The food local snack made of corn soy beans was good plus a shot of a drink like "chicha" (sorry I don't remember the name of the drink). I don't speak Spanish but I survived!

In the Town of Zipaquira, Colombia...with colonial structures and cathedrals. I felt the spirit of the Christmas here! Jeah! 12.23.10




Local Colombianos and Colombianas in Zipaquira 12.23.10



Cathedral during colonial times in Zipaquira 12.23.10




The Salt Cathedral was the main destination in Zipaquira. It was amazing to see the salt formation on the walls of the cave and the curvings done inside depicting the Stations to the Cross in Christ's crucifixion. I appreciate it though I'm not a Roman Catholic but a Methodist.

Entrance to the Salt Mines and Salt Cathedral, Zipaquira 12.23.10




Entering the Salt Mine and Salt Cathedral. Statue of a salt miner next to me. 12.23.10





In the Salt Cathedral, Zipaquira. The light system was just amazing. 12.23.10




Amazing and so meaningful!




Mine wall is made of solid rocks and natural salt.




The Nativity scene inside the Salt Cathedral. It's timely. i was there during the week of Christmas.




Just for the sake of photo....Inside the Salt Cathedral. But I am really thankful to my Lord for a very safe and successful trip to Colombia. 12.23.10





Cross curved from the salt rocks inside the Salt Cathedral 12.23.10




Train within the park where the Salt Cathedral is located 12.23.10





La Candelaria, Bogota...A touristic colonial plaza with many hostels, local restaurants, night clubs, etc. I did not stay in this area. Hostels were not my choices but hotels. It's best to visit this during the day with a local guide which I did. 12.24.10

I am sitting in the middle of the road of the colonial town of La Candelaria, Bogota 12.24.10






La Candelaria, Bogota. It was cold that day! 12.24.10






One of the colonial alleys in La Candelaria...notice the Christmas decorations up in the middle of the alley between hostels and local residences.






Fernando Morales, my cool tour local tour guide, and I in a coffee nook in La Candelaria. I love Colombian coffee. 12.24.10






Old colonial church in La Candelaria, Bogota 12.24.10






Alchiras, local bread sticks, a treat from Fernando. Delicious! 12.24.10





Graffiti art work in La Candelaria depicting indigenous people 12.24.10





A 400+ years old colonial structure in La Candelaria, Bogota 12.24.10





La Candelaria, a colonial town in Bogota, Colombia. Indigenous Zipa used to wash clothes and do chores in this area where water source was from the surrounding mountains. 12.24.10






Tamal, a local special delicacy made of rice, meat, carrot wrapped with banana leaf. Lunch then tour in Monserrate Hill 12.22.10






Lobby of Cosmos 100 Hotel in Bogota, Colombia where I stayed










My breakfast in the hotel. I tried the Colombian breakfast (tamal and soup) the next day. 12.22.10





Colombian colon (US$1.00=1,750 colon). I was confused for a couple of days with their money with big denomination. I am millionaire in Colombia with the money they use! Hehehehe!






I try to travel light...not to forget my Water Audio waterproof head set, swim goggles and swim trunk...Jeah!




A piece of rock with salt from the Salt mine in Zipaquira 12.23.10





Unfortunately, the Gold Museum was closed for the holiday when we got to the gate. Overall, I had a great experience and tour in Bogota. All went well as planned.

Here are other resources that are nice to look at...


Salt Cathedral (not my video...found it on the Internet):

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/regions-places/south-america/colombia_saltcathedral.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmLkAt_xMpU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Cathedral_of_Zipaquirá


Zipaquira

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipaquirá

Colombia

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad