Day 18 - Dia Por Los Ninos

Elliot and I were up early as usual and we were playing a new game on the iPad together until the girls got up. The fiesta provisions were still be dismantled in front of our building. Downstairs at the restaurant, we enjoyed the free buffet breakfast. Then we grabbed a few things from our room before heading off to the Museo de los Niños. We arrived just after 8 am and were told it opened at 9 am, but in fact it opened at 9:30 am. While we waited I had Tegan perform her Irish dance video in front of the Museum. The crowds slowly grew as we waited including a Scout troupe of Castores (Beavers). I would say there were at least 300 people waiting to get in when the doors opened.

Inside we spent time dressing up in various costumes, playing games and puzzles, exploring space, the body, the environment, history and agriculture among other things. The hours quickly went by and without any real food comida on site we had to eat a couple of small bags of corn tortilla chips and share a pop. It was a pretty exhausting day and by 1:30 pm we were outside hailing a taxi for the hotel. On the way back, we asked to be taken to the Walmart instead. The Walmart was guarded by security gates which right away suggested this was not like home. The other differences were the food court inside as well as the aisles of liquor. We were here to get something to eat and some things for on the bus to Nicaragua.

Immediately outside we stopped the 3 wise men for a photo and then proceeded to go in and do our shopping. After buying our things, Tegan and I ended up eating at a Chinese food comida while Elliot played it safe with McDonalds. We Should have done the same, the Chinese food was rubbish. Outside we hailed a taxi and went back to our hotel. The kids went again with Mom for a swim while I worked on some blog updates etc.

The rest of the night was dinner at the restaurant, the Smurfs movie, popcorn and packing again for the next day.

Day 1 - Bound for Panama City

Elliot at 3:30 a.m.

Our day started early, really early. At 3:30 a.m. we woke up... well I and the kids woke up, Mom didn't get to sleep at all the night before, a little bit too much anxious energy.

Tegan is ready to jump in a taxi.

Our taxi arrived just after 4 a.m., we loaded up the trunk with our bags and off we headed for the airport. A quick run through the check-in counter and US customs onto some breakfast and a little break before boarding our flight for Houston.

In-flight entertainment was really poor, it kept Tegan and Elliot occupied at least. When we landed in Houston we went and got a bite to eat; I had some great tacos and Mom went and got Tegan and Elliot some Chinese food.

We actually weeded through 10 cookies for these.

There was an amusing moment when Tegan was opening her fortune cookie and it flew across our table. Our fortunes seemed to be finely tuned to us or an airport in general.















The flight to Panama started to board as soon as we arrived at the gate. Tegan was sitting in the window seat on this flight and I explained to her that we would be flying over the Gulf of Mexico on our route to Panama. I attempted to show her the oil rigs that dot the surface of the water off the coast of Texas, but she was just not that interested in sightseeing.

The final hour and a half of our flight was turbulently exciting if you know what I mean. The plane took a few dips that had the kids thinking this is more like Disneyland than coach travel. Upon our approach into Panama City we were facing the Pacific side of the Panama Canal and in the dark Tegan counted 38 large ships waiting their turn to proceed through the canal.







On the ground we went through customs quite quickly. All our bags arrived with us, so we were out the doors of the terminal to catch a taxi. A 1/2 hour ride in the taxi and we arrived at our hotel in Panama. We went for dinner downstairs in the hotel. We tried the local Panama beer and food and everyone seemed pleased.

We have yet to make plans for tomorrow, but the canal and old city district are of interest.

The last weekend in Canada this year

Elliot was home with a cold/pneumonia the week before last and just returned to school this week for his last few days of school prior to leaving. I picked up where Elliot left off and managed to contract the cold that he had. We are hoping that this is the last of the sick'ies for the next 2 months.

Elliot is off to his last dance class today, then we have company coming over today and tomorrow. Our guinea pig is heading out tomorrow to the daughter of a friend of ours. Then there is 2 more days of school for Tegan & Elliot, 1 night of Spanish lessons on Monday night (Tegan is coming along with me), and then Tegan has a single Irish dance class on Tuesday night. Correen is off to the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert on Monday night while Elliot has a play date at a friend's house prior to us picking him up after Spanish lessons.

 

Then it is an attempt at a good restful sleep prior to waking at 3:30am to assemble ourselves for the early trip to the airport, customs and our boarding. Can't wait!

 

1 week to go

The family is very excited to hop on that plane next week. The kids only have 3 more days of school left and tonight we are going out for some drinks with friends to wish us "una gran vacaciones". With everything planned and packed, the final challenge is waking up on time next Wednesday morning for our flight.

It looks like the country of Panama is being hit with constant thunderstorms now, during our stay and right up until we leave the country. Hopefully this doesn't affect the start of our trip.

Some places we are visiting will be receiving more than 60mm of rain. The garbage bags that we packed, ya, are clothes are going to be sealed away inside them when traveling.

Bubble Bum onboard for Central America trip

The Bubble Bum booster car seat arrived on Friday as promised by magicbeans. This was the only retailer that would ship this product to Canada. The $50 shipping charge was a little excessive, but we are still happy to have them in our possession and able to use them on our trip.

The construction of these booster seats is very good. The materials used are designed for strength and durability. They inflate in the same way that a Thermarest inflates, through a screw type inlet. I can't see why these seats shouldn't last 10 years of use.

Even though we can't use these in Canada, they will become part of our travel gear for future trips after our Central America adventure. The $40 cost per seat is warranted and I am sure the kids will be happy to use these at any time on our vacation.

Anniversary time in Central America

This year marks our 10th wedding anniversary.  10 years ago, my wife Correen and I spent our humble honeymoon backpacking through Guatemala and Belize for 2 weeks.  It was an adventure that was memorable and rewarding.

This year we are returning to Central America with our 2 children; Tegan and Elliot.  Tegan is 8 and Elliot will be turning 6 this fall.  Both of our kids attend a Spanish school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; where we live.  My wife and I speak very little Spanish; however, I will will be returning for my 2nd level beginner Spanish language lessons this September.

Our trip will begin with our arrival in Panama City and over 53 days we will travel through all of the 7 Central American countries until we eventually depart from Belize for home.

Our blog will serve as our journal for our trip and we will share with you our stories and adventures.

...more to come.

Shane