Panama update

[Arif]

Ok well maybe not an update but here are some pictures of various parts of Panama. Some of the pictures were taken a couple of years ago and some a month ago.

Here are a couple of pictures from the 100th anniversary independence day parade on Nov. 3, 2003.



This is a craft that the local Panamanian indians make called a mola. Each mola tells a story and are very pretty. If you ask to take a picture of one of the indians they usually ask to be paid before you snap the picture.
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We were lucky enough to catch a container ship going through the Panama canal. The ship in the picture entered one of the sealed locks and they flood the chamber till the water is the same level as the Atlantic ocean. Once it reaches that level the gate on the Atlantic side is opened and the ship sails through the rest of the canal.

[Arif]

Wasn't sure if all the pictures would load but they did. So here are a few more.
One of my favorite places to go is Decameron Resort. For $35 per person (off season) you get a hotel room overlooking the ocean and three meals a day. I've heard Playa Blanca is even nicer so I'll have to see for myself.
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This was on New Years day 2006. Our next door neighbor entertained us with his own foreworks show which lasted quite awhile. At one point there were 4 shows going on at one time in our neighborhood. Our dog didn't like that too much.
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This is a island called "Isla Grande" which, despite its name didn't seem all that big to me. Here's the boat we took to get there which terrified most of the riders. The restaraunt there had amazing food though.

[If.]

Nice pictures, what part of the countries did you visit?

[Arif]

We live in Panama now however some of the pictures were taken throughout the country. The parade was in downtown Panama city outside of our hotel. The parade continued till the next morning.
Decammeron is located about 1.5 hrs from Panama City along the Pacific coast and is quite popular among Canadians during the winter. The pictures of the locks at the canal were in Gatun near Colon. Isla Grande is also near Colon and a popular destination among tourists.