tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66477976048663115662024-03-13T20:30:00.050-07:00Exploring the Panama Canal: Grit and GloryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647797604866311566.post-63211710194538045932011-03-11T23:05:00.000-08:002011-03-16T14:13:23.623-07:00Last Day of Grit and GloryVisit to Fort San Lorenzo which was used as protection for ships while transporting goods such as gold, silver, spices etc. Some cannons pointing towards the ocean and river are still on display. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dndQyPLXVl0/TYEkW10w2_I/AAAAAAAAACw/HBj73Jx0H58/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dndQyPLXVl0/TYEkW10w2_I/AAAAAAAAACw/HBj73Jx0H58/s320/IMG_0168.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the fort</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DMyuPSAtoTU/TYEkoKJpudI/AAAAAAAAAC0/boVWp2AgpSw/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DMyuPSAtoTU/TYEkoKJpudI/AAAAAAAAAC0/boVWp2AgpSw/s320/IMG_0184.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the ruins of the Fort</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SxaV-QcykrM/TYElGtUM-UI/AAAAAAAAAC4/xfHbXB7ZmyM/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SxaV-QcykrM/TYElGtUM-UI/AAAAAAAAAC4/xfHbXB7ZmyM/s320/IMG_0167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cannons</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LbEJ-poxo0k/TYEmNuJeUhI/AAAAAAAAADE/nakvR4IL39w/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LbEJ-poxo0k/TYEmNuJeUhI/AAAAAAAAADE/nakvR4IL39w/s320/IMG_0189.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Met a friend - The main cannon at the door way</td></tr>
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The day ended with a special Farewell Dinner topped by a surprise Panamanian Traditional dance which was enjoyed by the entire group.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aIILwMXjtGM/TYEmQxLvVQI/AAAAAAAAADI/Q_xk9vltwes/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aIILwMXjtGM/TYEmQxLvVQI/AAAAAAAAADI/Q_xk9vltwes/s320/IMG_0266.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Panamanian dance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d6GRv7utZuc/TYEmUpw1OvI/AAAAAAAAADM/_hkzD3xvW4w/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d6GRv7utZuc/TYEmUpw1OvI/AAAAAAAAADM/_hkzD3xvW4w/s320/IMG_0263.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional dress - hand made</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647797604866311566.post-14204413661454500762011-03-10T14:39:00.000-08:002011-03-11T11:21:47.008-08:00Little boat, big Canal, WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grit & Glory group are all smiles!! </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xl-Gm_9eaNo/TXlRtLRHB3I/AAAAAAAAACg/hhNHh59vryE/s1600/DSC08733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xl-Gm_9eaNo/TXlRtLRHB3I/AAAAAAAAACg/hhNHh59vryE/s320/DSC08733.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j_5QpJiPkLo/TXlRx0mgBVI/AAAAAAAAACk/C7DI8z87Tzk/s1600/DSC08734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j_5QpJiPkLo/TXlRx0mgBVI/AAAAAAAAACk/C7DI8z87Tzk/s320/DSC08734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647797604866311566.post-8575418266012896352011-03-10T07:10:00.000-08:002011-03-10T07:10:00.245-08:00Traveling through the Miraflores Locks<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't believe we just went through the Miraflores Locks! What an experience. The Holbrook Travel office took these screen shots as our boat passed through, so I thought I'd share them. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nTWS1uvxcd0/TXjoVhBq3SI/AAAAAAAAACA/RbhusqutsdQ/s1600/GandG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nTWS1uvxcd0/TXjoVhBq3SI/AAAAAAAAACA/RbhusqutsdQ/s400/GandG1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we are entering the locks.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GQtqpsm838A/TXjoWPoiuGI/AAAAAAAAACE/zv5QlH3fPg4/s1600/GandG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GQtqpsm838A/TXjoWPoiuGI/AAAAAAAAACE/zv5QlH3fPg4/s400/GandG2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're in the locks! See the Road Scholar banner on the side of the boat?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oCVkdU-6N4Q/TXjoWmWeWnI/AAAAAAAAACI/a6qvpOquSwc/s1600/GandG3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oCVkdU-6N4Q/TXjoWmWeWnI/AAAAAAAAACI/a6qvpOquSwc/s400/GandG3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're waiting for the lock to fill before we exit to the other side.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x27iLGuPYCY/TXjoXXORDHI/AAAAAAAAACM/A4ax2aVb9_I/s1600/GandG4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x27iLGuPYCY/TXjoXXORDHI/AAAAAAAAACM/A4ax2aVb9_I/s400/GandG4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The container ship on the left was in front of us in the locks. That's us on the very right.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pdfse5VO8XE/TXjoYOhZ2-I/AAAAAAAAACQ/qXs9MrRWVow/s1600/GandG6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pdfse5VO8XE/TXjoYOhZ2-I/AAAAAAAAACQ/qXs9MrRWVow/s400/GandG6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We just went through the locks, and we're on our way through!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5qak9fs6N44/TXjoZJXtHyI/AAAAAAAAACU/KGtk8xduPXA/s1600/GandG7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5qak9fs6N44/TXjoZJXtHyI/AAAAAAAAACU/KGtk8xduPXA/s400/GandG7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we are on our way out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DR-YiALLV7g/TXjoZ5oKV1I/AAAAAAAAACY/TB0UkajcmBU/s1600/GandG8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DR-YiALLV7g/TXjoZ5oKV1I/AAAAAAAAACY/TB0UkajcmBU/s400/GandG8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bon voyage!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647797604866311566.post-63971197140321089012011-03-10T06:46:00.000-08:002011-03-10T07:10:45.799-08:00DAY 3 Mid Canal Upper Watershed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RPLYT_t1igo/TXg1ko-Gt9I/AAAAAAAAAB4/SepoX9JPnlw/s1600/IMG_9836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RPLYT_t1igo/TXg1ko-Gt9I/AAAAAAAAAB4/SepoX9JPnlw/s320/IMG_9836.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ksf5t7B1coU/TXg10A6O-7I/AAAAAAAAAB8/pRNSYf5Q7g8/s1600/IMG_9844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ksf5t7B1coU/TXg10A6O-7I/AAAAAAAAAB8/pRNSYf5Q7g8/s320/IMG_9844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Caribbean side of Panama has much to offer as well. This is where the famous Maddem Dam is located. This dam is mainly a backup for the Gatun Lakes in case of drought, low water level. The Lagartos Restaurant where we do lunch is located on the Chagres River with a superb view of the many ships sailing across it daily.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647797604866311566.post-13026945018474759272011-03-09T13:22:00.000-08:002011-03-16T13:47:21.686-07:00Day 3 - Field trip - The Chagres RiverIt's about an hour cruise with lots of birds such as parrots, blue herrings, mammals such as 3-toed sloth and Howler monkeys. The Chagres River is a mixture of fresh and sea water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nJM5a7ONm4U/TYEgsvOgqAI/AAAAAAAAACo/zBeZGr1nakk/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nJM5a7ONm4U/TYEgsvOgqAI/AAAAAAAAACo/zBeZGr1nakk/s320/IMG_0147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising the Chagres River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8EAXsc063Ik/TYEg5MBImBI/AAAAAAAAACs/zuGwoauB5VU/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8EAXsc063Ik/TYEg5MBImBI/AAAAAAAAACs/zuGwoauB5VU/s320/IMG_0132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini bird island on Chagres River with birds perching </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647797604866311566.post-33512766238829378472011-03-08T19:18:00.000-08:002011-03-10T07:10:00.971-08:00Day 2 of Grit & Glory Program<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wEVjAlG-1Wg/TXg0IQtsPoI/AAAAAAAAABw/i2NAkY5E2MY/s1600/IMG_9792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wEVjAlG-1Wg/TXg0IQtsPoI/AAAAAAAAABw/i2NAkY5E2MY/s320/IMG_9792.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xNUOOurEuQI/TXgz-SGEsnI/AAAAAAAAABs/oqD7oB9EEPg/s1600/IMG_9788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xNUOOurEuQI/TXgz-SGEsnI/AAAAAAAAABs/oqD7oB9EEPg/s320/IMG_9788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now with all participants under one roof we're off to our first excitement after the morning orientation. Firstly, our hotel is located in the most perfect spot at the entrance of the "Canal" with some breathtaking views of this one of the seven wonders of the world. We visited the Administration Building, which has so much history of the canal to offer - the rotunda depicting pictures of the various construction phases of the canal. The drive on the bridge of the Americas was incredible, it was saved as a surprise for the group who were all very excited. To end the day with a drive through colonial Panama combined with the bridge crossing was the absolute highlight of the day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647797604866311566.post-27169156904923446412011-03-08T18:33:00.000-08:002011-03-10T07:07:25.713-08:00Day one in Panama - Pre tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VFaaGLDBwTg/TXgxSEO3fCI/AAAAAAAAABk/rLuMjEXJ0B8/s1600/IMG_9768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VFaaGLDBwTg/TXgxSEO3fCI/AAAAAAAAABk/rLuMjEXJ0B8/s320/IMG_9768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I'm now in this very interesting country that is Panama. We had early morning (6:30) bird watching along the Pipeline Road. It covers approximately 4 miles of rainforest, saw endless amounts of birds as well as wildlife such as White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys and various types of rodents. This has made a birder out me. I even had the privilege of joining a small group of 6 experienced birders who didn't mind being my instructors along the way. After that, we visited the Gamboa Resort which overlooks the Chagres River-WHAT A VIEW. We are now transferring to the next hotel in time to start greeting the first group of participants as they arrive.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647797604866311566.post-55874414375814476452011-03-04T14:04:00.000-08:002011-03-04T14:04:33.016-08:00At the office - leaving for Panama on SundayHectic day, trying to take care of all the last minute details. Really excited about it and can't wait to blog it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ph6xMz87WDg/TXFhaKR4YTI/AAAAAAAAABc/Ue2n166ZhxM/s1600/IMG_9767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ph6xMz87WDg/TXFhaKR4YTI/AAAAAAAAABc/Ue2n166ZhxM/s320/IMG_9767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647797604866311566.post-18345389333426290402011-03-01T13:10:00.001-08:002011-03-02T07:15:13.586-08:00Panama ItineraryHere is the itinerary for my upcoming trip to Panama. Click on the locations on the map to learn more about them!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=206327003767204371677.00049d6f3bfd09b917228&ll=9.183447,-79.697571&spn=1.312279,2.469177&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=206327003767204371677.00049d6f3bfd09b917228&ll=9.183447,-79.697571&spn=1.312279,2.469177&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Grit & Glory: Exposing the Panama Canal</a> in a larger map</small>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0