...Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua...


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Published: March 24th 2007
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Panama CanalPanama CanalPanama Canal

All-out mayhem at the canal
We have lived the past couple of weeks very Americanized, living in Best Westerns, Marriotts, Four Seasons, eating fast food, and best of all, being visited by Americans. Neil, Graham´s brother, joined us in Panama.
Have you ever wondered how the Panama Canal functions? Well we know, so if you want to know too then ask us. We hiked in a national park outside of Panama City, not the one beside Destin, and swam in a waterfallito and ate sandwiches. We then took a cold 17 hr. bus ride into Costa Rica. There we met Gordo's dad and step-mom and the Gaines´s and the Margaret´s who treated us to rico dinners while we swapped stories on Playa Tamarindo. There we surfed for 3 straight days.. only Gordo succeeded. and Neil but he got bed bugs so those cancel each other out.
In Costa Rica we spotted some crocodilios, monkeys, and crazy birds and Spring Breakers and hiked along little active volcanos. Then the dads left, and the girls split from the guys for the first time since Buenos Aires and that was sad. Emma and Elise went to therapy while the others went ziplining through the jungle in Monteverde which
Neil and Margaret's Sunset StrollNeil and Margaret's Sunset StrollNeil and Margaret's Sunset Stroll

Graham's brother and his girlfriend visit us in Costa Rica
was amazing. Actually, the girls went on to Nicaragua where they watched a chicken boxing match and a baseball game - the national stadium is named after Dennis Martinez - and went to Playa San Juan del Sur, but we don´t know what they did there because they are at the grocery store right now.
The rest of the family-friends crew took off, and the original crew met back up on Isla de Ometepe where we greeted each other with hugs and tears and gifts. That island was super cool. It was formed by two cone-shaped volcanoes, and sits in the middle of a gigantic lake, creating the illusion you are at the beach. We rented bikes and swam in watering holes. Some attempted to hike the volcano... maybe they made it to the top and maybe nobody did. Nicaragua is the 2nd poorest country in the western hem. only to Bolivia, and it shows. Yet it also is one of the most interesting to see from a yellow school bus window, in terms of lifestyle - very old fashioned.
Now we are in Granada, a colonial little habitat with a lot of history behind it, and we take a
Elise "Pipeline" NolanElise "Pipeline" NolanElise "Pipeline" Nolan

Practicing for the main event in Playa Tamarindo
bus at 5am to Honduras - Central America is going too fast.


Additional photos below
Photos: 14, Displayed: 14


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Two Gordos in Costa RicaTwo Gordos in Costa Rica
Two Gordos in Costa Rica

Father/Son bonding
Tracy of the JungleTracy of the Jungle
Tracy of the Jungle

Canopy Tour in Monteverde. Graham's mom daringly risks her life for the sake of a thrill
Group time on the beachGroup time on the beach
Group time on the beach

Thanks for everybody's visit! It was a blast!
Workin Men of OmetepeWorkin Men of Ometepe
Workin Men of Ometepe

Volcano Concepcion smoking in the background
Happy Campers in NicaraguaHappy Campers in Nicaragua
Happy Campers in Nicaragua

for those of you asking for more face shots... this should take care of it
Volcano VagabondVolcano Vagabond
Volcano Vagabond

Ometepe Island, Nicaragua and the rest speaks for itself
Volcano MaderasVolcano Maderas
Volcano Maderas

Ometepe Island
CockfightCockfight
Cockfight

Girls went to cockfights in Nicaragua and won $6
Baseball in NicaraguaBaseball in Nicaragua
Baseball in Nicaragua

Maddox injured, Juan Pablo pitches


24th March 2007

Hi Graham
Your Dad gave me the link to your blog and I forwarded it to Frannie. I've enjoyed the photos and reading about your adventures.
24th March 2007

Thanks for the fun!!!
We had a great time visiting!! It was great to hear all your tales of adventure. Enjoyed our time together again. Costa Rica is beautiful.
26th March 2007

Y'all are movin on up! Can't wait to hear more :)
29th March 2007

Diving
Congratulations Divers! I can't wait to see the pictures.

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