Posts

Waiting

Image
The marshmallow bed was glorious but I awoke at the crack of dawn in time to capture the sun rising over Texas.  That was around 6:30am and I managed to fill in time until checkoutcat 11:00am. My flight leaves at 8:00pm and I thought of goung on a tour but couldn’t find anything to fit with my times. So what does a girl do but go to the Mall. I was assured it was bug and it was great. Neither were true.  Worst of all the food options were very limited so after eating a bad chinese and wandering the shops I gave up. Walmart was close. I figured that might be more interesting. It wasn’t but I did find a bag I had been searching for so the visit wasn’t wasted.  Returning to the hotel I waited. Once again for the 3:00pm shuttle which left at 3:15pm.  Then for a change I waited. This time for the AirNZ counter to open. That sorted and my bag dropped off, boarding passes in hand I waited in line for immigration.  I’m not sure why the US is thought of as the most advanced country in the world
2 comments
Read more

Panama to Houston

Image
Whoever said there wasnt much to do in Panama city was wrong. I have just left and am wishing I had more time there.   My night walk through the old city left me hankering for more. The fish markets could be an every day occurrence.  A day on the canal was fabulous and now I’ve been there, done that, and am happy.  I spent this morning ogling modern architecture in the financial district still to find the great restaurants in my hood that I have passed a few times. The city / downtown I haven’t touched and I could have spent days exploring along the causeway leading to Flamenco Island. I would have loved to venture out of the city to see how folks live in the real world as city folks didn’t seem to different to folks in any other big city. But I loved what I saw this morning.  I am at the airport waiting to check in after my adventure. My volunteering experience in Guatemala exceeded my expectations and I lived the extra time I had in Antigua. Sadly I left the tour not havi
Post a Comment
Read more

The Panama Canal

Image
Thecdrive to the puckup point for my canal trip was beautiful. Lots to see, beautiful roads and for now on this Sunday morning peaceful and cool.  With typical Latino disorganisation we eventually boarded our colour coded busses bound for Gamboa at the central point of the canal.   The meeting point was on Flamenco island, one of three islands off the coast of the city, joined by roads built on land reclaimed from material from the canal excavation.  I am on the blue bus, one of four massive coaches going today, and sneaked on board first to grab a front seat.  Each bus is decked out in its own ‘unique’ decor. Brocade, braid and metallics prevail. Our colour theme is purple. My favourite colour but I never imagined it being used like this.  I had not realised but the canal cuts through a small distance of land at the northern point then opens onto Lake Gatūn before the canal locks resume south of the lake. Then there is a short section where the canal transits Lake Mirafor
1 comment
Read more

Farewell Costa Rica, Hola Panama

Image
Once more I find myself killing time at an airport. This time at San Jose, Costa Rica waiting to catch a flight to Panama; Balboa Panama City to be precise.  Much of my wait time has been spent trying to communicate with the hotel in Panama about my pre-booked airport collection. I hope the hotel isnt as useless as their receptionist but I guess I will find out soon enough. I only rang to ask what the pickup point was and despite the fact that she spoke pergect English the electrodes did not appear to connect. Eventually I gave up and cancelled the ride. I’ll get an uber!   Just as well as when I checked in I realised I was going to the old Panama Airport and not the new one. No big deal I thought. Both same distance from the city.  Boarding announcements are being made around me. In usual style most are so muffled I can’t even tell if they are speaking Spanish or English. 🤣🤣 Well it didnt seem to matter which airport I arrived at until I arrived. Balboa, Panama airport is not really
1 comment
Read more