Silversea Cruise to Panama and Costa Rica - October 2013

October 16, 2013 - Orlando to Panama

We started out very early with our flights from Orlando to Panama via Miami. 

When we arrive we walked into the colonial section of Panama City.  It was amazing how many of the buildings were gutted from previous fires. During the last few years there has been a lot of renovation, but the facade of the building must remain the same – even if it was wood, which will burn again. 

It was about 100 degrees outside and 200 percent humidity so before we melted we returned to the hotel.  That evening we had an amazing dinner at the Gaucho restaurant.

Downtown Panama City

If you look on the left you will see a short round building.  This is the old Holiday Inn where I stayed when I worked at Pan American Life.  It was the tallest building at the time.

Colonial section

October 17, 2013 - Panama City

Today we took the hop on/hop off bus around the city. We visited the Panama Canal at Miraflores.  We also got off on Flamenco Island (and I thought I was going to see flamingos).  We had lunch there and I had my favorite dish in Panama – ceviche.  Our final stop for the day was at a major shopping center where Eric won $30 on the penny slot machines.

Milaflores Locks

October 18, 2013 - Panama to Colon

Today we started our adventure on the Silversea Silver Explorer. We took a car from Panama to Colon to board the ship.  Before departing Eric won $50 on the penny slots again - a record. 

The ship was very small compared to other cruises we've been on.  There were only 125 passengers and almost as many crew members.

At 6:00 pm we were on our way to nowhere for the night.

October 19, 2013 - Passage through the Panama Canal

We were supposed to start the transit at 7:15 am, but the local pilot was two hours late.  Colon is on the Caribbean side of the canal, but it is also on the western side.  You need to look at a map to see the geography.  On entering the canal we rose 85 feet in three steps at the Gatan Locks.  We were then at the lake level.  We sailed for a few hours before entering the Pedro Miguel Locks, where we took one step down.  A little further we dropped to ocean level at the Miraflores Locks.  We docked for the night at Fuerte Amador, with Panama City in sight.

The three step rise to Lake Gatan.

October 20, 2012 - Panama City

Today’s tour took us to Old Panama, east of the current city.  There were only ruins remaining.  Our second stop was the Colonial City which we had previously seen, but it was nice having the guide to explain things.  After lunch we decided to return to the ship, as did most of the other guests.

Old Panama ruins

Eric's favorite building

These legs were all over the Colonial section

Will this be a future painting?

October 21, 2012 – Embera Indian Village in the Darien Jungle, Panama

Today was truly an adventure.  We had to wait until 2:00 pm due to the tides.  Eric and I took a local boat - more like a dugout canoe, with water constantly leaking in.  On our way the clouds opened up and we rode in the rain for over an hour.  The river was windy and we had to proceed very slowly.  Finally we reached our goal and had to walk through the muddy banks to see the local Embera Indians.  We watched them do the monkey dance in the pouring rain.  Eric and I each bought a locally made basket (at least it didn't say made in China).

The rain finally stopped before we left the locals.  The ride back was easier but was just as scary as the ride out. 

Embera Indian Village (in the pouring rain)

October 22, 2013 - Coiba Island, Panama

We were late arriving due to heavy swells last night.  We got here just in time for the clouds to open up.

The land excursion warnings were numerous.  The hike through the jungle now had a river to contend with in addition to the slippery muddy path.  There were also strong currents by the beach so swimming and snorkeling would be hazardous - but there would be a rescue boat on standby.  So far we're staying on the ship.

In the afternoon I went to the small island to kayak.  Some of the guests were attacked by jellyfish.  I stayed on the kayak and only saw a few small fish.

We had dinner on the upper deck again - better then last night.  We retired early.

Lost on a tropical island

Our daily transport - the Zodiac

October 23, 2013 – Golfito, Costa Rica

Our morning excursion was to the rescue mission where they take in abandoned animals.  A few nights ago someone brought a tiny monkey, abandoned by its mother.  It was so tiny and cute.  We also saw a red bird, a toucan and other animals.  The monkeys were funny, always trying to climb on people.

One sat on the head of the ships photographer.

In the afternoon we visited the orchid gardens.  There really weren't a lot of orchids, but the other plants and flowers were beautiful.  My goal every time I visit Costa Rica is to see a toucan, and I accomplished my goal this trip.

A week old monkey

Monkey with the ship's photographer

The Silver Explorer

October 24, 2013 – Puerto Quespos, Costa Rica

Today’s tour left at 6:00 am.  Guess who stayed in bed.

I did the same tour by myself in the afternoon and saw almost as many animals as the early risers.

It was the last night on the ship, and after attending the Captain’s cocktail party, we had dinner on the upper deck again.  The captain decided eat there also, and joined us for dinner.

 Dinner with the Captain

October 25, 2013 – Puerto Caldera to San Jose, Costa Rica

The cruise was over and we hired a car to bring us to our hotel in San Jose.  We relaxed and napped the entire day.

October 26, 2013 – Costa Rica to Orlando

Our flight was super early, so we left the hotel at 5:00 am.  Needless to say, we were exhausted when we returned home in the afternoon.

Greece - September 2013

Greece - September 2013

Time for two weeks in Athens and the Greek Isles.  It took over 24 hours to get from Orlando to Athens. 

September 9, 2013

Of course we took the most direct route - Orlando-Dallas-London-Athens.  I prefer a transatlantic flight of over eight hours, which is part of the reason for this indirect route.  The other reason is air miles.  We took the new American Airlines 777 - with fully flat beds in business class.  While more narrow then the tilt beds, I give the new configuration a thumbs up.

September 10, 2013

We arrived in London bright and early and enjoyed four hours in the BA first class lounge.  We sipped on pink champagne and had a full English breakfast.  Our flight to Athens left over an hour late so we were exhausted when we got to our hotel around 8:00 pm.  We skipped dinner and went to bed.

September 11, 2013 - Athens

For orientation we took the hop on hop off bus for a full circuit.  We got off at the port in Piraeus for a fantastic lunch.  The Greek salad was amazing with fresh tomatoes that I haven't had in years.  We hit the ATM and were good as gold - no euros.  We ended the tour at the parliament building and watched the changing of the guards.  We then made a circuit around the National Garden before dragging our bodies back to the hotel.

Glass sculpture of runner

Changing of the Guards

Our first of many Greek salads

We had dinner at a local restaurant, again with an amazing tomato and cucumber salad.  Filet and chicken souvlaki was also good, but the fries were better then MacDonald's.

September 12, 2013 - Athens

Today was jam packed with sightseeing.  We started with Hadrian's Gate and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.  It is amazing how these structures are still standing.  We then climbed the mountain to the Acropolis and listened to an interesting narrative by Rick Steves.  I will definitely buy some of his walking tour guides in the future.  The line getting off the hill took longer then going up.  There were plenty of cruise ship passengers with only a few hours to see everything.

Our lunch in the Plaka was again amazing - Greek salad again.  After lunch we hopped on and hopped off at the ancient agora - some more ruins.  We then proceeded to the fish, meat and vegetable markets.  Again we staggered back to our hotel.

In the evening we went to the Archiological Museum for the opening of fellow artist Josh Garrick.  What a thrill to see a friend exhibiting in one of the world's top museums.  I can't even imagine how it feels.

Zeus' Temple

Parthenon on the Acropolis, Athens

View of Athens from the Acropolis

Athens' Agora where Socrates walked

Fish and meat market in Athens

Millions of olives, everywhere

Two of the photos we saw at Josh Garrick's opening at the Archaeological Museum

September 13, 2013 - Athens

We returned to the Archaeological Museum for three hours of ruin after ruin after ruin.  One was more amazing then the last.  We then took the Metro to Piraeus to see where tomorrow's ferry left from.  Needless to say we had Greek salad for lunch.

In the afternoon we walked to a few more ruins before returning to our hotel and collapsing.  For dinner we both had fish with lots of bones - yuck.  I was in the mood for baklava and found a bakery open at 10:00 pm.  It was as amazing as the rest of the food.

And two of the sculptures we saw.

Piraeus Station

Don't ask what it says.  Every sign was Greek to us.

September 14, 2013 - Athens to Mykonos

After too much ouzo last night it was not fun getting up at 5:30 am, but I had no choice.  We took the Metro to the ferry terminal and enjoyed the 4.5 hour ride to Mykonos.  There was a hotel van waiting for us to take us to the five star resort.  This is definitely one of the nicest hotels I have ever stayed in.

We sat on our balcony enjoying the magnificent view before heading out for dinner.  Don't ask - Greek salad.

Arriving in Mykonos

Our hotel in Mykonos

Views from the pool in Mykonos

September 15, 2013 - Mykonos

The buffet breakfast was amazing - no really amazing.  They also had champagne and bloody marys.  We took the hotel shuttle to Mykonos Town for the day.  It was quite picturesque - as you can see.  The narrow streets were filled with shops and restaurants.  We walked to the windmills and little Venice - no canals, but on the water.  I purchased an amazing sculpture that is made of welded nuts (the nuts and bolts ilk).  It arrived yesterday.  Back at the hotel we enjoyed the ocean view.

Greece has some of the most beautiful and colorful bougainvilleas I've ever seen.

The windmills of Mykonos Town

One of Zorba's many restaurants and bars

Colorful flowerpots - I think they were originally olive oil tins

Here's the sculpture I purchased and had shipped home

September 16, 2013 - Mykonos

Today was a pool day.  For dinner we returned to Mykonos Town and ate at Mamma Mia's - I'm convinced the old lady was direct from the stage production.  Which island was that?  The food so far has been great, whether fish, chicken or pasta.  We almost missed the bus back to the hotel, after taking a wrong turn down a narrow street.

September 17, 2013 - Mykonos to Santorini

Another ferry ride, this time on the high speed ferry.  Santorini is a crescent shaped island with a volcano in the center.  The ferry drops you off in the center portion and you must take this steep, switch backed road to get to the beaches - on the outside of the crescent.  I did not like the ride, but we made it to another beautiful hotel safely.  I think Santorini is more picturesque then Mykonos.

The entire beach road (no cars) is packed with hotels, shops and restaurants.  There were probably 100 restaurants to choose from.

September 18, 2013 - Santorini

Today was a beach day.  We rented beach chairs and umbrellas and soaked in the sun.  We got out feet in the Aegean Sea, but it was too cold and rocky to go any further.

September 19, 2013 - Santorini

Today was another day of relaxation.  We leave at 11:30 pm to catch our 1:00 am ferry to Rhodes.  We reserved a luxury outside cabin - which I will report on tomorrow.

Evening view on the Santorini Beach

Santorini Beach with mountain

Beach house in Santorini

Santorini Beach

Our hotel in Santorini

September 20, 2013 - Santorini to Rhodes

The cabin was surprisingly spacious.  We were in the front of the ship, a deck or two below the captain.  The only problem was the continual vibrations, but finally I fell asleep.

We arrived in Rhodes a little after 10:00 am.  A taxi took us to the entrance of the old walled city.  Now we just had to find our hotel.  I must have asked ten people before a shop owner was kind enough to call the hotel.  The hotel manager came to get us - there was no way we would have ever found the five apartment hotel on our own. 

For lunch we ordered a salad and large beers.  They were the largest beers I've ever seen, served in a liter glass boot.  We wandered the old town in the afternoon.  It’s amazing how many old ruins are just lying around.

"Hobby of Laundry" - Please explain

Our liter boot of beer

The old walled city of Rhodes

September 21, 2013 - Rhodes

We started the day by walking to the Acropolis.  We saw the sports arena and did a circuit around the track.  The theater looked rebuilt.  At the top of the hill there were only a few remaining columns.

We then walked to the new part of Rhodes, with beaches and shops.  By the time we returned to our hotel in the late afternoon, we had clocked eight miles.

The sports arena

The theatre

Very few remains on this Acropolis

The beach in the new city of Rhodes

September 22, 2013 – Rhodes

Today we were visiting the island of Symi, about a two hour ferry ride from Rhodes.  The boat was packed, mostly with locals out for a Sunday adventure.  Symi was beautiful, with many colorful houses lining the hillside.  Lunch was the usual Greek affair, but it is consistently good everywhere.

The next stop was on the other side of the island to visit a monastery.  If you've seen one your seen them all.  Eric and I didn't even go in since the crowd was too big.  Plus we had to get back on the ferry early to secure a good seat.

For dinner we returned to the same restaurant as yesterday.  The food was amazing and the owner and staff could not have been nicer.

Symi

Fisherman repairing nets

This was the only way Eric and I found our hotel/apartment.  You walked down the main street and looked for the shop with the three cushions outside

September 23, 2013

Today our adventure ends, but our flight to Athens wasn't until 5:30 pm.  The hotel manager let us stay there the whole day and even drove us to the airport – just like any hotel owner in the USA.  In the afternoon we did our final shopping and had our last Greek salad.