Exploring Jamaica to Ecuador.

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We finally reached the turn off to the gardens.Wonderful tropical display-

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Also a lot of edible plants-here pepper and cacao-they are attempting to make their own chocolate-

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The animals basically are caged and I am not sure if all are rescued.the deer seem to have reasonable conditions and are excess from a zoo in San Jose-

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This young fellow though stole hearts.A recent addition having been found alone just a few weeks before-

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Next was this very loud green parrot.He was making a din-

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You can see in the second photo I have got his attention.I did that by mimicking his utterances.Then I gradually started changing the sounds and by about the 6 minute mark he was now imitating a duck very well.his quack,quack-with a guttural duck accent of course-was passable.I had the Expedition staff in stitches.

Now this fellow wasn't a resident,he just dropped by for a look-

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Putting a fallen tree to work as a host for plants.

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It was now a long bus trip back to the Explorer.Our butler must have had a 6th sense as a hot bath was drawn when we got back to the cabin.We preferred the bath to the evening's recap.Then to dinner where once again we had ribs.Totally different to lunch but delicious.

 

The next day we anchored off Boca del Toro,Panama.The morning was taken up by a local boat cruise visiting 4 attractions-it was rotated so only ~ 20 people/2 boats at each place.Our first stop was a bay that is usually frequented by dolphins.It didn't disappoint-

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Here is the other boat dolphin watching with us-

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at this point our guy hit the accelerator hard.I thought Oh no he'll scare the dolphins.But he just encouraged them-

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The views were pretty cool-

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Next spot was a village of the Ngobe one of the original Indian peoples-

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Their parrot though was silent.

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So to the village-

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Granddaughters scored a few trinkets.

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Volleyball court and school-

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Laundry in a wheelbarrow-

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The school canteen-

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Next our third destination-sloth island.Becoming a bit second nature now-

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Edited November 13, 2015 by drron29

[drron29]

Really a lovely place.now heading to an island to see the poisonous panama red frog-

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Our guide was a fellow of Jamaican heritage.A real card.He kept us amused.

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Yes the famous red frogs are orange at this time of year.They are poisonous on contact so you had to be wary using the conveniences-

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[drron29]

Finally time to go back to the ship for lunch.

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Time to say goodbye to our local skippers-

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After lunch the afternoon was free so we went into town.Backpacker's heaven.So very little for us.Basically one long street with the occasional nice building,some falling down,colourful hostels and bars aplenty.

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I tried to convince Rojaan that here was an ideal business opportunity-a backpacker's hostel in Panama!

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We always like walking around a local supermarket.here at least the meat is refrigerated.But some unusual supermarket items-

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And about time for some more food pics-

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That night was the preview of the cruise video.There were a couple of good comedy spots.Rojaan thought it very unfortunate that I was the star of those spots.Well someone has to do it.

The next morning we arrived to a very wet Colon.

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Fortunately it cleared before the 8 of us continuing on for the next cruise went on our tour of Panama city and the locks.

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The area around the cruise terminal looked nice but unfortunately it was a Sunday and everything was closed.

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By the time we left for our tour the rain settled.We arrived at the Miraflores locks just as the Oosterdam was entering the top lock-

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The passengers got dressed up for the occasion.Boy am I glad we will be going through on the Explorer.

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A specialised ship carrying wind turbines is coming into the second channel-

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The Panama Canal is definitely one of those places that is more impressive close up.Just think that this was completed over 100 years ago when ships such as the Oosterdam could not be imagined.Time to see those 100 year old gates close and the lock fill-

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Off she goes-

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You need to be observant.I spotted this little fellow watching from the other side of the lock-

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The railway also transports freight across the isthmus-

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Now off to Panama city.

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We walked the Old City but first looking out at the new Panama city-

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The tide was out-

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