As the old saying goes, today was another day in paradise. We were up again surfing early at Caranera Point. The swell had dropped by half, but we still had some really fun waves with less crowds. Mostly about waist high to chest high left peeling point waves.
When we took the panga back to Cookies place, everyone was ready, so we got our snorkeling equipment and jumped into another panga with Don Choy, our boat driver from the last visit. He took us to three snorkeling spots. The first was a reef with a grass flat behind it, and then to a starfish location, and then to Blue Coconut, a reef with a restaurant.
These locations were spectacular, and there is nothing like a full day on the water to enjoy Bocas.
The compulsory siesta followed, as the kids went to the Aqua Bar where they played on the water swings, trampoline, and rope swing, as well as some probable unauthorized, age dependent activities.
Our dinner was from OM Indian Cuisine, and of course we took a panga each way. Traveling with our friends the watsons has been fantastic, as there are some people who could not handle some of the rustic elements of this vacay
Friday, July 15, 2016
Thursday, July 14, 2016
We have arrived in the old Canal Zone, new Republic of Panama after a long but successful day of non rev travel. Traveling with 2 families, we have a total of 11 travelers between the Watsons and us.
Yesterday was a bit tense getting everything ready and packed for our week long trip to Central America, and thus we got to bed quite late, with a 3 a.m. wake up. By 4 we had picked up Isabel and back out on A1A, we heard a car horn, as Kathleen went blowing by with their family on the way to the airport.
At the airport, we had a friendly experience with the Copa ticket agents, except that I was coerced into checking my roller bag, which I hate doing!
The flight was purported to be full, but we managed to get all of our travelers on the 0745 flight from MCO to PTY with the exception of John, Kathleen, Michael and I. Not too shabby. By the time the second flight was leaving, I had made friends with our gate agents, and bought them coffee, virtually assuring our boarding status. I was even privileged to have one of the coveted exit row seats!
Rebecca arrived in Panama a good 3 hours before us, fetched all the bags and headed to the Reyes home in Diablo. By the time she got there, she turned around with the driver to come meet us at the airport.
All the bags and all of the people made it. Our first attempt at an outing was rained out as we made our way through the traffic, around the "circle of death" and up Ancon hill only to turn around as the hike was not to proceed in the tropical afternoon shower.
After a quick stop at El Rey for some favorite bread and fruit, we stopped a the Dolan's to see Carson, and make plans for dinner .
In the evening we went to the Fish Market in Casco Viejo, downtown in real old Panama at a trendy restaurant owned by a former Zonian friend.
Kathleen was feeling ill from the zapaya she ate, which turned out to be a pumpkin squash that is supposed to be cooked. John dutifully brought her some head on shrimp for dinner, as she did not make it our to dinner.
July 13, 2016
A banner day in Panama. We are traveling with a good crew of adventurers! Up early in old Canal Zone, and departed the Reyes' home when our driver picked up up. Amazingly, we fit 11 passengers, all of our luggage, surf boards and snorkeling gear into one Van! Not even a "maxi" van either. Such a short ride over to Albrook Airfield from Diablo. Amusingly, even though it was formerly a USAF base the departure end of the runway is after an uphill takeoff and there is a hill at the end. Definitely not in accordance with USA FAA standards.
The check in went pretty smoothly except paying for each surfboard tariff as opposed to a single bag fee. Oh well, despite my best efforts at deception, we ended up paying $20 per board. Still a veritable score when compared to today's usual board fees. Also, we got tagged with an extra fee for our overall family baggage weight. $2.11 per kilo overage charge at 19 kilos over.
We boarded up the Fokker F50, glancing at the youthful pilots who would be flying us. Taking off, we got a nice view of the new locks on the Panama Canal as a COSCO ship was transiting, and were able to compare it to the size of the old locks as Miraflores and Pedro Miguel were also in view.
Ryan asked what the small box built into the plane's armrests was, and I laughed, as I explained it was an ashtray, and smoking was once allowed on planes. Unbelievably so.
Our flight took us due North then banking West we hugged the Atlantic shoreline observing vast expanses of rainforest through the clouds.
Descending into the Bocas Del Toro area, a veiled enthusiasm crept upon us as we could see an Atlantic swell continued, and would most probably yield some great surf.
On short final approach, we could observe the nearby island's and the mist rising out of the rainforest, and we came surprisingly close to the surface of the water before touching down smoothly on the wet runway.
Umbrellas were provided for our short walk across the Tarmac to the baggage reclamation building where a fee was charged for a tourist card.
In typical Central American airport style, the taxi drivers aggressively pursued our business, and we chose a van to repeat the same process of loading a single van with ample adventure gear of all varieties of water sport.
The drop off point was called "cable and wireless" and that is where we caught our final transportation vessel of the journey, the panga to Caranera, the island location of our hotel Tiera Verde.
Pulling up to the dock, we offloaded the gear, and made our way up the beach to the small 3 story Panamanian hotel which is run by a former Zonian, Cookie.
And then, literally within an hour of landing, we had reassembled our surfboards, made fin ready, and were on another panga boat to surf Caranera point.
The veiled enthusiasm of our anticipation of surf on the inbound flight exploded into real unveiled enthusiasm as the panga pounded out through significant swell on the way to the point.
Surfers of the trip are myself, Dylan, Ryan, Matt and Michael Watson. Gladly, we were also accompanied by Cookie, an accomplished Bocas surfer.
Arriving at the point, we were not at all disappointed as it was firing with head high A frame peaks of warm Caribbean swell! An epic session followed as we surfed the point hard, and watched the avid locals tear up their home break!
There is nothing like pulling up to a point break in a panga boat, and jumping into the water with your board and paddling into surf without a single duck dive!
Needless to say, it was an epic session, and we surfed hard for 2 hours, never knowing if this swell would begin to dissipate in future days.
Following the surf sesh, we hit Bibis for lunch, and had a well deserved siesta in the afternoon at Tiera Verde.
For dinner, we again loaded up the panga and headed into Bocas town to dine at Utimo Refugo, a fine, fresh seafood dining experience.
By 10, we were all worn out from our first full day in Bocas, and plans were being hatched for days to follow, and all the fun activities to participate in!
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
4th of July at Winni
Monday, July 4, 2016
Rest of the 3rd
We enjoyed a lazy day at the lakeside, napping and chilling this afternoon. Played some yard games like ladder ball and horseshoes. A great dinner of fajitas and more glorious corn on the cob. This evening as we sat around the fire pit, the "battle of fish cove" erupted with booming private personal firework displays which would embarrass many small community's displays. A glorious celebration of our country's independence on display with an early start at dusk on the 3rd. All the kids have been playing a board game and enjoying their time together. A highlight of the evening was Dutch oven peach cobbler "a la King"
Morning yoga on the lawn
Sunday, July 3, 2016
More Lake Winni 2016
This morning we attended an "away" game at the local Catholic Church where the priest thanked the out of towers for not forgetting to worship, and that "God will remember". A perfect reminder for our kids who were less than enthusiastic to attend. After church, we took the customary hike up Red Hill, the 3.6 mile hike which was glorious this beautiful morning. Rachel was quite proud of her achievements, especially after her pace was quite a bit more swift than that of 3 years ago. Rebecca's quote of the day was, "Let the downhill be what motivates you on the uphill". Some scenic views at the top are included.
2016
Kids prepare to embark to Weirs Beach
Jeff hoists the colors
Firewood stacking 1/2 cord
Top of Red Hill
 |
| 2012 |
2016
2012
Start of the hike
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Lake Winni 2016
We have arrived at the Kinger lakeside retreat on the 1st of July. My travels began the day before on an early morning departure from MCO to BWI with Dylan. We were making an intermediate stop in MD to pick up Ryan at the Naval Academy. I have made an active effort to not stress non rev travel, so it has helped. Mom picked up up at the airport after Dylan and I had slumbered pretty well in the back. Luckily I wore my uniform, since it helped expedite much of the travel efforts, and having lost my glasses case on board the plane, it made it very easy to get back through security and find it under the seat before the plane took off on its next leg!
When we got to the Academy, it was Indoc day 1, so the plebes were just checking in. Pretty cool to watch, and Dylan seemed especially interested since he will be experiencing the same in just several weeks. Ryan was finishing up his last workout in the Field House, so we waited for him, and he was proud to have completed SEAL wrestling camp. The Watsons were also there to drive home later that day. Downtown Annapolis was glorious, and we then went to meet Uncle Eric for crabs at Mike's on the water. Those were some succulent sweet crabs and Eric and Ryan devastated the 2 dozen that we ordered. A really nice Maryland setting to our day at home.
That evening we continued my walk down memory lane as we ate dinner at the Stained Glass Pub which has also become a favorite of the kids as well. We met the Dulanys there and much of our conversation centered around USMMA since Brennis had just started her Indoc there on Tuesday.
Back at Grandma's, the boys slept on blow up air mattresses after we watched the Olympic swim trials.
An early morning started with our departure from Olney on the ICC bus to BWI. No problems getting on the flight to MHT from our point of departure as Rebecca and Rachel departed MCO within the same time frame. They had spent the previous evening in Orlando at the Justin Bieber concert, and as a last minute decision they got great seats which had opened up that evening.
Our arrival in MHT was within minutes of one another, and we picked up the Chrysler 300 as Dylan explained, "it smells like New Hampshire!"
The ride was a bit tight with 3 big tired teenagers on the back bench seat of the Sedan, but we luckily happened on a roadside diner to break up the drive to Meredith.
We coincidentally ended up meeting the King girls in the Hannaford parking lot as we grabbed some last minute groceries. It was clear that the kids were happy to be back at Lake Winni.
The afternoon was spent lakeside and out on Jeff's boat on a little boat tour in and about the Fish Cove area. We cast a couple of lines before the rain started, and had a glorious meal of salmon, corn on the cob, asparagus and shrimp. DELICIOUS!
Winding down for the evening, we again watched some of the Olympic swim trials cheering for Lochte and Phelps as I was falling asleep in the chair.
This morning I had a glorious run on the New England shoreside road. Hills ferns and mist and the cool air were the order of the day!
Even though the wind had picked up throughout the day, we enjoyed some boating time and brought the kids over to Weirs Beach. The evening was another great meal and Olympics followed by a s'more fire in the backyard under the ample stars of the New England sky.
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