To Contadora

 

 

On Wednesday, we all got up early for our trip to the Pearl Islands.

 

The 2-hour ferry ride out into the Pacific started out with snacks

 

and ended up with naps.

 

 

 The ferry had to anchor off-shore--there is no pier on the small island on Contadora.  Maddie's greeting the rest of the gang as they leave the small dingy that brought us ashore in batches.

 We rented golf carts to get around--one per family.

 And it was into play-dough when we got to our rental house.

Then the beach, and then

 a tasty seafood dinner prepared for us in our home by an Italian chef.  Quite a nice first day!

On the Canal




Tuesday Rachel had to work all day so David took us all to see the Panama Canal. The canal building has wide eaves and a vent at the roof top for ventilation--a typical Panamanian building technique.




First you have to walk up a lot of steps to get a good view of the ships coming through. Kids didn't need much coaxing--it was kind of exciting.




Since the last time Toby and I were there, they've installed spectator seats (and a handy snack bar behind).




Our timing was excellent - there was a ship coming through!




Max, enjoying his snacks, gets an eagle's eye view of the crossing.




These cute little trains went down the slope on each side of the water to tie up to the incoming ship, then tugged it but mostly kept it straight in line. Little engines that could.




Sam explaining just how it all worked to attentive Max.




And there she goes. The Amarantha is free to sail on to the Atlantic!

Glorious Gamboa Monday


It's gorgeous in Gamboa now--trees beginning to bloom, lush greens, hot and humid but not outlandishly so--and cicadas loudly strumming away.




First stop--the swimming pool at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort (just up the hill from Rachel and David's house).





Swimming under the rainbow.








Happy parent portraits.





In the late afternoon, after nap/quiet time,
we packed snacks and a bottle of wine and headed to an ancient lighthouse overlooking the Panama Canal.




In the distance, one of the boats that is constantly dredging the canal.




Here are the beginnings of Simon's week-long total adoration
of his patient and very fun Auntie Jess.




And me, surrounded by tired, wiggly, delightful grandchildren.

Arriving in Gamboa!


After long plane flights from LA and Boston



Sam, Jess, Maddie and Max, Theo and Toby arrived at the same time in Panama.
Waiting for the taxi to Gamboa.




The next morning we got to see Simon




and Gwen.





and go to the Gamboa Easter Egg Party and Hunt.




where the cousins met.




Gwen climbed to great heights to retrieve an
Easter egg, Maddie searched for eggs on the ground,



and Max had a quiet moment.




After nap time, a swim in the pool,






raving over Lou's gorgeous tiles--all animals of Panama,




playing with toys,




coloring together,




transportation for a princess with a helmet,




and settling down before dinner. So good to be all together!!!

Bye Bye



After one more victorious hockey play by Max




and a quick visit to Maddie's class where she introduced us to her friends,
it was time for us to return home.
A wonderful visit! And we'll see you soon in Panama!

The Prep and the Party




Things got underway on Friday--cleaning out the garage,




stacking up the soda cans,




and preparing the gift bags.




Early Saturday morning the balloons arrived.




Pinata's filled, we're dressed--and waiting...




at 10 am many guests arrive, and kids climb into fancy dresses and knight attire from a friendly TinkerBell



who arrived to tell stories, make up treasure hunts and paint faces.




The piece de resistance was this lavish and quite purple cake.
It does inspire contemplation.




The party's over, but there are presents to be opened,




and finally, time to try out new skills on patient parents: painting faces.