MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wow I can’t believe Christmas is already knocking on the door, better get you updated on what’s been happening this month:

Sid’s ex brother in law John Spille sent us an e-mail telling us he was going to deliver a boat to Puerto Armuelles Panama, and wanted to know if that was close to us. Not really, it’s about a 10 to 12 hour drive from us. Plan was for him to take a bus to Panama City, meet up with his wife Marsha and then we’ll pick them up. It worked out a little different as planned. The schedule was for the boat to arrive at the end of November, but they had a couple of bumps on the road or shall I say a couple of waves on the water.

Then word came that they expected to be in Panama on the 5^th so his wife Marsha booked a flight and I picked her up on the 4^th. It was really great to see her. Last time we was before we left cruising in 1997.

Poor girl didn’t relax on her first day here I took her to record a new song. I wrote lyrics for a song for the Domino Divas. I used the melody of an old song I used to know as a kid “Donna, Donna”. Marsha and I had huge fun and we are sure the girls will enjoy their song, which is my Christmas present to them.

No John yet, although they were past El Salvador on their way to Costa Rica, they had to turn back and head up the Jiquilisco River to Los Barilles for another repair.

In Panama, Mother’s Day is celebrated on December 8^th. Pat invited all the Domino Divas for a wonderful lunch at her house. She asked if I would like to help her. Would I?!!! Cooking with her is so much fun, plus I always learn something.  Marsha and I headed to Pats in the morning and we cooked up a storm. We had just finished with all the preps when the Divas showed up at 1. Lunch was a success, how could it not be with Pat’s gourmet mind. She made a crab quiche, vegetable and chicken frittata, and Caesar salad. I made a gazpacho and crispy parmesan pockets for the salad a Swiss onion pie and for dessert Pat whipped up a chocolate fondue with fruits, yummy. Of course a few bottles of champagne were popped and everybody had a blast.

Pat

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Chocolate Fondue

Marsha

Still no news from John, although once a day they sent a position report via email. They now were just around the corner in Santa Elena, Costa Rica.

Took Marsha to Mame island and we enjoyed a tranquil island walking around, sitting under the shade of a coco palm or relaxing in the water. It was a beautiful day. No matter how often I go each time it’s just breath taking.

 John now was in Cocos, and unfortunately they checked into the country. If we had known, we would have told them not to. The Port Captain refused to let them check in/out and kept them there for two extra days. Nothing has changed with this guy he’s still a problem and screws with boats as he did with us 12 years ago.

Following day we took Marsha to Portobelo, then across the bay to the beautiful ruins of the fort and from there to Anita’s house where we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon and wonderful lunch.

On the 11^th John finally called and told us that he’ll arrive at 19:15 at the airport in Panama City. Which airport? There are two, separated by the traffic clogged city of Panama. By the time we found out that it was at the Albrook airport we had just about 2 hours to get there and it is a 2 hour drive to Albrook. Luckily, not much traffic to get to the city and when John called that he had arrived. We were only 4 minutes away from the airport.

It was great to see John and he was so happy to see us, this was a very tough trip and he had many stories to share.

The very next day poor John was thrown into a party. We were celebrating Heather’s BD and also her and Jim’s title to their property. It was a Japanese theme so Marsha, Renee and I started making sushi at 10 am. We made sushi and sushi and more sushi and at 1pm when all the girls headed up to Heather’s to play Dominos we were still not done and made more sushi. I can’t believe we made sushi from 10, not to mention the cooking the rice ahead of time. 

John and Marsha

Renee

We were finally done at 2:30 and arrived at Heather’s maybe 5 minutes before all our husbands did. 

Arranging the platters

The party was a huge success and we had sushi coming out of our ears. There were other wonderful Japanese dishes and everybody enjoyed the trip to Japan. When the darkness of the night set in the landscape around us started to twinkle. It felt like being in a fairy tale, lightning bugs were everywhere like twinkling stars in the grass, just amazing.

After sunset the whole background twinkled with the fire flies

Anita spent the night with us and mentioned that Bokonon was being hauled out at the Panamarina the following day. This was the 3^rd haul out for Panamarina and we did not want to miss that. Besides I thought it was a good idea, I did not have to cook breakfast. The haul out was a success and breakfast was wonderful. We decided when a time comes to haul out here instead the very expensive Shelter Bay Marina, yeah.

Unfortunately it started to rain and we spent the rest of the day relaxing at home. 

The last day we took John to Portobelo, he had not seen it yet. We were actually going to hike up to the waterfalls that supposedly are above captain Jack’s in the jungle. Tried to walk up there but they had so much rain earlier the path was all muddy and we found out that it was not safe to hike up there if it was raining as the river turns wild. With a huge cloud hanging over us we decided it was not a good idea. Instead we hiked up the one fort Sid and I not been to and also the one that has an incredible view over Portobelo. 

Steep climb

Portobelo

 

Sid had found out from some local gringos that the Spanish lady who owns the expensive resort “Otro Lado” across the bay has with help from gringos living here to buy up all the property on the waterfront in Portobelo and that they are going to put a cruise ship dock in. Housings will be built for the poor folks who were bought out. I have mixed feelings about this; one way it’s sad to see this typical Panamanian village subjected to huge tourism on the other hand it might be a good change and clean up the town of gang bangers, druggies and trash.  I am curious what will happen.

For dinner we took Marsha and John to Adriana’s and again the food was a hit. How can you go wrong with some fresh seafood with local flair!

Patacones con Pulpo Creollio (Fried filled Plantains with Creole style octopus

Fairly early the following day we left for Colon for Marsha and John to see the Panama Canal. Although they have seen it before as they transited on a cruise ship several years ago, it was still exciting for them to see it from a different perspective.

Marsha wanted to buy some Molas and John Panama T-Shirts and since a cruise ship was in town I knew Matt was there. I called him and a few minutes later we were let into the cruise ship terminal to buy T-Shirts. We all bought some shirts and Marsha found some beautiful Molas. From here we drove to Panama City via the scenic forest road and stopped at my favorite Chinese vegetable store. Sid stayed in the car while the rest of us headed into the store. It was not a happy sight when we came back out. Sid had stepped out the car and stood next to the car waiting for us when a guy backed out of a parking space right into our little KIA. The bumper was smashed on the KIA; his SUV had not even a scratch on it. The guys spoke good English and he fessed up to his error and that he was going to pay for the damage. We exchanged info and headed on. 

We did some more shopping in Ancon but then decided to get out of the crazy Christmas traffic. We got stuck in it anyway and it took us almost 2 hours to get to the Riande Hotel. Unfortunately it was raining so we did not use the pool as we had anticipated, bummer. Marsha and John paid for our stay at the hotel, muchas gracias you two. After a somewhat OK dinner we said our goodbyes and turned in for the night. Sid and I also had bought T-Shirts but we could not find them so we got up at 5:30 to meet with Marsha before they left to see if they accidentally had packed the shirts. Nope, she said, but somehow we knew she did. And sure enough she found them when she unpacked their luggage (give them to the kids for Christmas) LOL. It was really great to see them both and if all goes well they will come visit us in the San Blas next summer, yeah.  

John and Marsha with their new Panama Hats

Two days after John and Marsha had left I drove again to Panama City to get the car serviced and guessing that with the appointment  it would be done in one day, but knowing better I prepared to stay over night and spent the night at Abby’s. It was a very interesting day using the busses in town. Taxis were a nightmare as they were full and only wanted to drive short distances, so at times I waited up to half an hour to catch a taxi. I walked 3 malls my feet were sore and I still had a couple of hours to kill until my doctor appointment so I wandered around the mall some more. After I finally got out of the doctor’s appointment at 5pm I could not believe that there were no taxis available. I had to walk to the mall again, across the other side of it and another good 20 minutes to the main road with bus access with my now very flat feet. I was beat when I finally arrived at Abby’s. She was so sweet she had dinner ready for me, what at girl, thanks Abby.

The following day, same thing, not taxi available, had to walk 20 minutes to finally find one. How do people here deal with this on a daily basis, sure is nice to have a car. Car was supposed to be ready at 1:30, by 4 I finally left the KIA dealer, did some more shopping and very exhausted arrived at home at 8. Wow busses are fun but not at Christmas time LOL.

Sid was home working hard on the dodger and is done with it. Wow, does it look great; unfortunately photos don’t do justice but here are few photos anyway:

   

What a super job and what an accomplishment. Good job Sid!!!!

The fridge is full with goodies, all presents are wrapped and under the tree, the Christmas winds have started to blow and slowly are blowing away the rain and humidity. We have cooler nights again and the Christmas spirit is setting in. With that we both wish you all a Merry Christmas and for the New Year fill up your life with love, compassion, tolerance, peace, good health and happiness!