Crossing another item off this traveler’s bucket list after a trip to the Panama Canal
By Patricia King, first-time traveler, Ashby, Massachusetts
When I first saw the itinerary for my Panama Canal Cruise & Panama: A Continent Divided, Oceans United trip, I was very excited. My “bucket list” has always included sailing through the Panama Canal, but to transit the canal in a 105-foot catamaran over a three day period was heaven—and traveling in our small boat was an experience like no other.
Patricia with Trip Leader Eduardo Cruz, who played “conductor” for his group on their train ride to Portobelo.
Usually, I long to return home halfway through a vacation to check on family and work, but (this time) as we disembarked, I was in tears. One of my dreams had come true and I did not want to leave the boat and the fabulous crew.
The Captain had an open-door policy for the bridge. The men in our group particularly enjoyed visiting and pretending the boat was their big toy. The first night, we dropped anchor in Gatun Lake and were lulled to sleep with a thunderstorm in the distance … it was magical.
When we entered the first lock, we were approximately 50 feet below the rim. The crew had to throw ropes up to the workers to tie off the boat. It was amazing to watch the behind-the-scenes activities within feet of where I was standing.
But one of the main reasons our trip was so successful was because we had a fabulous Trip Leader: Eduardo Cruz. Eduardo was passionate about his country and his people. He felt it was his job to make sure we felt the same way, and by the end of our trip, he had succeeded.
Eduardo had something extra planned for us each day. While in Portobelo, he took us to a home of a family that makes ginger candy. The family enthralled us with singing and dancing. We were shown how the candy was made and were able to buy this delicious confection. Another surprise was a treat of an “icy,” corn milk drink. We all drank it, which was very pleasing for Eduardo. It was delicious!
Patricia enjoyed many opportunities learning about Panama’s local animals and sea creatures.
The glamorous Gamboa Rainforest Resort was filled with things to do. We traveled on a nighttime tour in an open, motorized vehicle, where we saw capybara, alligators, and several other nocturnal creatures.
An excursion on a tarp-covered, flat-bottomed boat began in the pouring rain. As we floated down the Chagres River, the rain tapered off—and we realized that it had been a blessing in disguise because when the skies are cloudy, the mammals and birds are more active. Our guides pointed out sloths, white-faced howler monkeys, crocodiles, iguana, and a myriad of birds.
Our full day visit to an elementary school, sponsored by Grand Circle Foundation, was a humbling experience. These beautiful elementary school children, dressed in their native costumes, sang and danced for us. They took us by hand and showed us their classrooms. One of our travelers spoke Spanish fluently, and as he presented a soccer ball imprinted with national flags, he reminded us all about how small the world is and how people are really not that different from each other.
Patricia delighted in the dancing of the school children during a visit to a local elementary school sponsored by Grand Circle Foundation.
Patricia visited the home of one of the school students and enjoyed a home-hosted lunch with the child’s family.
The families then took us to their homes to share lunch. Their simple and unencumbered lives made me realize what is truly important. It was then that I realized that after nine days into our journey, I had never once heard a child cry or throw a tantrum. As a mother who raised six children, I was amazed at how happy and well-adjusted all the children were.
I also had a chance to interact with a young Embera woman while we visited her village. She, who was five inches shorter and considerably lighter than I, helped me down the stairs of their group hut. As a thank you, I gave her my necklace. She was thrilled! As an older Embera woman tattooed my arm, I painted the younger woman’s nails with polish I’d brought from home. It was a wonderful example of women bonding with other women.
Patricia enjoyed the tranquil views of Cerro La Vieja.
But I spent some of my most memorable hours alone in the gardens at Cerro La Vieja. As I gazed out over the mountains, two large birds circled the sky and new age music from the spa drifted into my thoughts. At that very moment, I knew that life was good.
Experience the local flora, fauna—and welcoming people—of Panama on OAT’s Panama Canal Cruise & Panama: A Continent Divided, Oceans United adventure.