The Ferry, whales, endless gratitude, crying...

I couldn't decide what to name my first post from Isla Saboga, so I wrote a string of random words.

The ferry ride was about an hour and half of beautiful views and mostly calm, uneventful waters util we saw the first whale.  I have traveled a lot and dove is some pretty spectacular places, but I've never seen a whale.  I cried.  They are majestic.  I am so grateful to be here.

El Remanso is the name of the AirBNB where we are staying.  The home has several apartments and ours is called Sandpiper.  The home, grounds, views, ect... are more than I can describe.  I know it's hard to believe that I could be speechless.

Our hosts Lee and Jennifer are wonderful people.

Again...I am so grateful to be here.

So much more to come.

My first whale sighting. 

The view from Sandpiper.

Remote Island Food

We have already had soooo much fun!  Shopping for a couple of weeks worth of food is not unusual. Shopping for a couple of weeks worth of food because you will be on a remote island 35 miles off the coast of Panama, with no real access to stores, is a unique scenario.  That sounds very dramatic.  :)  Actually, we will have access to small stores on nearby islands and our wonderful hosts are providing non-perishables and lots of front-loaded information.  Oh the adventure! 

Copa Mundial

We were in Costa Rica a couple of weeks ago and the costarricenses were locos for fútbol.  Los panameños are locos for fútbol too. Russia 2018!

To they go Russia...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZcPjcgR_RY

The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is sometimes called the 8th wonder of the world.  Although both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are at sea level, there are mountains and lakes between them.  The canal was built for ships to be able to cross Panama without having to go all the way around.

The French began the canal project in 1881 but after great expense and hardship, abandoned the project.  The United States reopened the project in 1904 and spent 10 years in construction.  The US controlled the canal until 1999.

Between 13,000 and 14,000 ships pass through the canal every year.  The passage takes between 8 and 10 hours. 

For more information...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shWrzvNGLdw