Pearl Islands (Islas Perlas), Panamá

We've watched it, and it looked super exotic on TV when we saw Survivor Pearl Islands and Survivor All Stars (at the Pearl Islands).  But that is not why we decided to take the family to the Pearl Islands.  We went with our friends from school (Tom, Lee and Gavin).  They were going and we were going so why not go together?  Our biggest desire?  To see the humpback whales.  And guess what? We did.

A panga

We got tail!

How we planned it: 

Pod of humpbacks

We made phone calls to the hotels and heard about one of Lee and Tom's friends who knew someone who had a plane and a house on the Isla Contadora (one of over 200 islands that make up the Archipélago de las Perlas). We did not fly - too much "plata". Or dinero. We took the "ferry" from Panama City and cruised for a couple of hours to the island. Adults $80 and kids or locals for $40.  Everyone complains about the price but we shelled out the cash at the pier.  

We figured for the group of us, we would save money by renting the house rather than a room at a hotel.  The hotel Punta Galeon was around  $200 per room/occupancy for 2 adults and 2 kids.  It included breakfast.  Kids get the discounts everywhere - you sometimes have to ask for the discount.  The Hibiscus House or I kept calling it the Casa Hibiscus had the rate of about $400.  However, add in the golf carts (another $80 for the day times 2).  We ended up over what we thought was a better rate.  Well, after seeing where the location of the hotel and how close it was on the beach AND a pool for the kids, we are going there next time. 

Our weekend started Friday morning bright and early.  We had to be in the city by 7:30 to catch the ferry.  Translation, get up and leave by 5:30AM on the road.  I was not a happy camper - coffee?  Thank you Chris.... he made a to-go cup for me and him. 

We made the 8 AM ferry.  Yes, up early, the waves and the empty stomach made me nauseas, but I did not throw up. Thank God.  We finally made it to Isla Contadora. There was a panga (Pananamanian boat) waiting so I was 3rd to get off the ferry...along with Kami and Lincoln. 

Karyn (the house owner) was waiting for us with the two golf carts and with all our bags and people it took 3 trips to the house.  While that was going on, Lee and I decided we were thirsty and 10:30 AM.  We started the day with a beer and the Hotel Punta Galeon. That also cured my headache from seasickness.

Kami and Linc behind the golf cart

Tom & Lee were so thoughtful to pack a cooler with beer, pop and snacks for the trip.  We also had with us their friend Hassan. 8 of us total going to the house. Lincoln and Gavin shared a room.  Kami, Chris and I had the master suite. Lee and Tom had their own suite, and finally Hassan had his suite. The house was perfect for this group.  

Lincoln, Lee, Tom and our guide Tito

Left over swag from the immunity challenges

More old challenge remnants

Tito and our taxi panga

Kami, Gavin and Lincoln 

We made use of the cooler when we went out to see the whales on the boat.  We kept trying to plan ahead for a local guy to take us $40 pp but ended up with a sweet deal of $15 pp for 3 hours when one of the local fishermen approached us with my excellent spanish and negotiating skills of course.

After whale watching we went to Mogo Mogo Island.  That is where we all found some sea shells, limes, and the old survivor challenge areas, and sleeping hut areas (which were cleaned up of course).

Then we went to Saboga and Lee remembered here flip flops and Gavins Crocs were left at Mogo Mogo.  The girls went back and the guys stayed to swim and explore. Well... the shoes were lost in the tide.  Back to Saboga, the guys were busy getting bit by water mosquitos and were waiting on the sand for us.

Before the water mosquitos attack

At a Contadora Fonda for breakfast: Lita, Chris, Lee, Tom, and Hassan

 Rx(Prescription): Isla Contadora. 1 x while in Panama recommended

We had a great Friday and Saturday we just hit the beach. A super nice beach where Chris and Kami went snorqueling.  I got bit by sand fleas or sand mosquitos (14 bites on my back) and I was done.  Our ferry came back an hour late but while we waited at the hotel Punta Galeon we had lunch and drinks. This time I took my ginger medicine an hour before the ride and stayed outside in the middle of the boat and kept my eye on the horizon.  No nausea, no seasick, no nothing. 

Panama would be to the N of Pacheca island

Panama City from the ferry on the way back

I had no idea how many or how big the Pearl islands were.  Next time we will go to the Isla del Rey and venture out south of the islands...so much to explore!

-Lita

Rain, Rain go away!

The storm is coming!

Rain? Yes we have it here too. It's not like the Pacific Northwest Seattle rain - you know, the drizzly, gray, cold rain. Here in Panama,  it's more like a tropical, warm, thunder clapping, lightning and heavy rain drops that flood the streets kind of rain. This rain starts really fast too. Not soft rain like Seattle but more heavy rain. The clouds are not gray or overcast that hang from the sky, these are dark, almost black clouds approaching and lightning in the distance.  Now if you add wind, I say its a typhoon! If you are on the beach, it feels like armegeddon.  The lightning is cool. You see the whole sky light up at night. Its like a 4th of July, LOL. During the day it's ominous. Especially if you are caught in the rain going from the store to your car. Or you see people running trying to avoid the downpour.

Here in Panama the umbrella is super useful. Good for rain and the hot sun. I keep umbrella stashed in the car now - just in case a surprise weather change happens. But have I used it? Nope. I have not.  Just like in Seattle.  And the funny thing is, I have a rain jacket but its not useful because its too warm to wear one.

More rain, see?

The weather here has been abnormally dry - according to some people.  Then you run into those that say the we have gotten abnormally MORE rain than sun.  I think it's sporadic enough that weather people here don't predict - they just say where the rain is: its in the mountains, in the city,  in the airport, the caribbean side, or in the beach cities.

My iPhone weather checker is useless.  I look to check the current temperature, not the weather or weather for the next 10 days.  The icon on my iPhone for the weather update does not change.  As I type blog, this is what the current weather is:

Weather for Nueva Gorgona, Panama

86°F | °C

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Mostly Cloudy

Wind: S at 14 mph

Humidity: 70%

86°

75°

84°

73°

84°

73°

88°

73°

AND Just to compare (brace yourselves):

Weather for Bellevue, WA, USA

57°F | °C Sun Mon Tue Wed Mostly Cloudy Wind: NE at 3 mph Humidity: 78% 58° 52° 55° 54° 55° 50° 56° 48°

Everyday is lightning, but it depends at the time of day, and it does not last long. Sun gets here, and everyone is happy.  I gotta say too: I don't miss the cold weather.  *grin*

-Lita

En Plein Air

I look forward to every Thursday.  That's my volunteer day at Kami and Lincoln's school. I help Barbara out with Art class every morning from 8:45 to 11:30 AM.  Barbara is German but has lived in Spain, Uruguay and now Panama.  I love talking to her and we sure have a lot in common other than being newbies in Panama.

Kami's sketchbook sample

Barbara was sick last Thursday so I was the art teacher.  Sure!! I'll do it. I was kind of nervous being by myself with the kids but hey, I went home, got my coffee, a snack and my sketchbook.  :) 

We have 3 groups we work with each Thursday: the lower elementary, the upper elementary and the middle schoolers. No high school kids for us.  Thursday I worked and actually sketched with them.  I kept forgetting about the time, but I think I did ok overall. LOL

First, I explained the "plein air" technique (French for painting in the "open air"). Next we all observed the backyard of the school to find what we could find to sketch.  The LE kids unanimously decided that the palm tree with the behive, bees and squirrel was the coolest thing to sketch. Uh! I had them picture it in the mind and paint at the table for safety sake and my paranoia about the bees.   

Next up were the upper elementary kids: Kami and Lincoln's class (Lincoln spends half the day with the UE class for reading and english and writing). These are the 3rd grade to 5th grade class - and the largest! 10 kids total.  Its kind of funny to explain to them the plein air idea and have them go at it.  Some took out chairs and sat in front of the object they were sketching, others sat at the tables and painted from the distance.  Of course there is no right or wrong in sketching, it was fun to watch them all sketch and helping those speed sketchers to sketch another and another. 

Lastly, after our sketch or two, we did the art critique of each others work. This to me is important that we can share each artist work, review it, and comment on it.  I think all the kids loved that part. I tried to encourage positive comments in the UE class, but overall everyone did an amazing job.  Now to work on a link to share all my pictures of the kids and their art work in progress and finished products.  Picasa or Flickr...maybe a blog!!!!

-Lita

Palm tree with behive and squirrel (not pictured here)

Close up of the bee hive - bees flying all over

Plein Air at PCIS 

Lincoln's "Green Palm Tree"