Panama Canal, Monday, January 18, 2010 We transited the Panama Canal from Atlantic to Pacific today. Much of the experience involves ‘watching’…both of the people of neighboring ships and at the viewing station. Since the Panama government took over the canal operation, they have learned about free enterprise. There is a small island in the middle of Gatun Lake and for a few years the government encouraged cruise shops to make a stop at the Gatun Yacht Club. People from various clans were invited to bring their wares for sale We did this on our 2003 Canal transit. The women of one of indigenous clans brought utilitiarian baskets in anticipation of selling them for extra money. Tourists bought the baskets, the women learned that if the baskets had a design they sold for more money. The ... read more

Friday, January 15, 2010, Roatan Island, Honduras What a difference a day makes. Yesterday we were some of the few travelers on the Rio Dulce in a motorized boat. Today on this amazingly beautiful Caribbean Island which claims tourism and agriculture as its sources of revenue, we visited a privately owned park featuring a beautiful beach, botanical gardens, aviary and a monkey rescue. The up-close and personal photos at the Gumbalimba Preservation Park tell the whole story. The park has a website if you want to check it out: www.gumbalimbapark.com. ... read more

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - Belize City, Belize There is a 200 mile coral reef a few miles off the mainland which precludes cruise ships from entering the harbor. We anchored off shore with SEVEN other cruise ships. Belize is short on commercial endeavors but they have the cruise ship business wired. Normally in an anchored situation, the ship uses its own personnel and tenders to transport passengers ashore. Belize requires the cruise ships to use local tenders (a tender being described as just about anyone who owns a big boat). The system proved to be a bit inefficient but ultimately everyone got off and back. During the colonial period Belize was a source of harvested mahogany trees. The work was done by slaves and in a fashion that left damage to the enviornment even today. ... read more

Our Florida layover began on Tuesday morning when we disembarked in Ft Lauderdale. The ship is on a five day private charter so although we were able to leave one large suitcase and two shipping boxes on board, we had to vacate. We are making our temporary home at the West Palm Beach Marriott which we selected because it's close to the home of cruise pals Jim and Diana Blundell. We've spent two fun days visiting them and seeing first hand where they spend the winter. We've made a trip to Target to purchase those essentials we forgot. Dick finally succumbed to the cold I gave him so with luck that will be behind both of us by the time we begin the South America trip on Sunday. Saturday we depart our West Palm Beach "home" ... read more

Saturday, December 26, 2009 - Puerto Quetzal (the port for Antigua), Guatemala. We traveled about one hour on the Pan American Highway to our destination, a working coffee plantation. Our hosts (grandmother, son and two college student granddaughters) welcomed us to this 80 year old farm which they have owned for three years. . Located at about 4000 ft on one of Guatemala’s volcanic mountains the property was owned in the 1940’s by the then dictator of Guatemala. The setting was beautiful, our hosts gracious but there was clear evidence that Guatemala is still a third world country. The house had an outdoor kitchen and the coffee cups we used were being hand washed by a worker. No dishwashing machines or subzero refrigerators anywhere in sight. In the living room, we were shown a current somewhat ... read more