A long weekend in December 2010 provided a great opportunity to experience Panama on a five day trip. With just three full days in the country, there was time to sample both the Panama City and the surrounding countryside. Even almost constant rain didn’t keep us from walking through plazas, visiting markets and seeing the amazing Panama Canal from several vantage points.

In all it was an amazing introduction to this country, only a two and a half hour flight from Miami. Our emails from the road below chronicle the descriptions and pictures from this trip.

9 - 13 December 2010

Current Time in Panama:

A 2,775 mile (about 4,466 kilometer) train journey across Canada provided a great opportunity to experience a wide variety of scenery, from forests laced with lakes and rivers, to wide open prairies to the majesty of the Canadian Rockies. The three day, four night journey across a portion of the second largest country in the world gave one time to see it at a leisurely pace while enjoying the view from the 360 degree observation deck or eating a meal in the dining car.

Reading my Canadian guidebook, I learned more about the creation of their railway. When Canada became a dominion in 1867, it was a group of eastern provinces with nothing between them and British Columbia except a small settlement where Winnipeg is today. Concerned that the Americans might try to take British Columbia since they had just bought Alaska, the Canadian government pushed for a railway to the Pacific. What followed was a tale, not unlike America’s railway construction, of politics, financial scandals, hardships and the deaths of many workers. However in November 1885 the railway was complete.

Although this was a short trip, we were able to spend time in Toronto before boarding the train and in Vancouver after we arrived. We also had a four hour break in Winnipeg, which gave us the chance to visit that city for a brief time. Overall the train journey provided us with a better understanding of Canada’s people, cities and scenery.

25 - 27 June 2010

Trip to Toronto and First Day on the Train

We left very early on Friday morning on the first of two flights from LAX and arrived in Chicago in the early afternoon. After just enough time to have a quick lunch at the airport, we boarded our plane for a one hour flight to Toronto. We had the rest of the night and all day Saturday to see the city before our train trip began. With the G-20 summit taking place at the same time we were there, we had some challenges with sightseeing, but made the best of the situation.

The train left Toronto at 10:00pm on Saturday night. When we woke up on Sunday morning we had already covered over 500 km and were near Gogama, Ontario. The scenery was a series of seemingly endless forests, streams, meadows and lakes. It was just beautiful. All meals are included on the train and breakfast was served each morning from 6:30am to 9:30am. Choices included omelets, pancakes and eggs / bacon. Since there were two of us we were paired at the four person table with different twosomes. During our meals we met Brits, Germans, a Norwegian, an ex-pat Brit couple living in Spain, a few Americans and several Canadians.

After breakfast, there was plenty of time to sit in one of the two observation cars, complete with half car 360 degree dome sections, to look outside, take pictures or read. We almost immediately saw a moose out the window and later in the day we both saw a bald eagle.

Lunch and dinner on the train are served by reservation in three different sittings. One waited for a dining car employee to walk up and down the eight cars that comprised the sleeper class to announce that commencement of that sitting. Lunch was a choice of salad, hamburger, sandwich or wrap. The food was very good and it is always fun to sit in a dining car and watch the scenery go by as you eat.

The afternoon was more relaxation, reading, listening to music and napping as the train continued to make its way through the forests of Ontario. This area is known as the Canadian Shield, which is characterized by bare rock and coniferous boreal forest of spruce, larch, pine, poplar and aspen trees. A stop in Hornepayne, Ontario, in the middle of the afternoon allowed us to get some fresh air and take a short walk, even though it was raining.

For dinner there was there was a choice of prime rib, chicken, fish or a veggie option, complete with Canadian wine. As the sun set at about 10:15pm in Western Ontario, we were treated to some great picture taking opportunities with a beautiful orange glow in the sky over a series of lakes. After that bit was time to get some sleep as we needed to be up early in the morning for our arrival into Winnipeg.

Crossing into Manitoba and Arrival in Winnipeg

We were sure to be up early on Monday morning and at the dining car a little before opening at 6:30am as we wanted to eat before the train arrived in Winnipeg for a four hour stop at 8am. We both enjoyed pancakes and then were ready to leave the train when we arrived about 20 minutes late, at 8:20am. Winnipeg, located just a few kilometers from the longitudinal center of Canada. We were 33 hours into our journey from Toronto, with about 46 hours to go to Vancouver. Founded as a fur trade center at the intersection of two rivers, it now has a population of about 650,000 and is one of the ten biggest cities in Canada.

The train station is located right in the center of the city, making it convenient to explore the river and downtown areas. We arrived back about a half hour before departure at lobby of Union Station, which was designed by the same architects who were responsible for Grand Central Station. It felt good to stretch our legs and we were ready to get on the train for the journey westward.

Current Time in Toronto:

28 - 30 June 2010

Westward Across the Prairie to Edmonton

After leaving Winnipeg at mid-day on Monday, we passed blazing yellow fields of canola plants, with bright purple flax plants mixed in. We were now in the prairie and the remainder of the afternoon was spent moving through a series of towns dotted with grain elevators and onion-shaped churches, signifying the Eastern European immigration in this area.

Soon after the train crossed into Saskatchewan, an extended stop in Melville, gave us an opportunity to take a quick walk along the train. After dinner, some final prairie views in the extended daylight provided some further picture taking possibilities. As we were going to sleep, the city lights of Saskatoon were seen in the distance, as the train stopped at a station several miles from the city.

Canadian Rockies and Arrival in Vancouver

A beautiful sunrise greeted us on Tuesday morning, just east of Edmonton, Alberta. Similar to Saskatoon, the Edmonton train station is located several miles outside of the city, so we were able to just walk around the train during the hour we were there. Soon after we left Edmonton, the prairie faded away and we began to see more lakes and rivers as we anticipated the first views of the Rocky Mountains.

Finally we were able to see the first signs of the mountains in the distance, which caused great excitement throughout the train. More mountains came into view as the train moved along the foothills, along with beautiful lakes and streams. At about 1pm we arrived in Jasper, Alberta, which is located in the national park of the same name. Many people on the train break their journey here and stay in this area for a few days. The 90 minute stop gave us time to walk along the town streets and do some shopping.

Back on the train, we passed the continental divide, marking the border of Alberta and British Columbia. Soon after we saw a bear outside the train window! As we continued to move west during the afternoon, we passed the “Monarch of the Canadian Rockies”, Mount Robson, which at 12,972 feet (3,954 meters) is the highest peak in the Rockies. We continued to see beautiful mountain vistas and breathtaking lakes and rivers, including the 300 foot (91 meter) high Pyramid Falls, complete with a rainbow. A final extended early evening stop in Blue River, BC gave us a few minutes to stretch our legs before going to the dining car for our last dinner as the sky moved towards dusk.

On Wednesday morning we woke up a couple of hours outside of Vancouver which gave us enough time for breakfast in the dining car and final packing before arriving at the train station a little before 9am, which was about one hour ahead of schedule. After leaving our bags at the station, we spent the day seeing downtown Vancouver. After visiting Stanley Park, the Vancouver aquarium and the downtown waterfront, we went back to pick up our bags at the train station and then took the light rail to the airport and our evening flight home.

Current Time in Vancouver:

For two weeks in March 2010 we sampled the best of central South America, focusing on the countries of Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. Our time in Argentina was spent in Buenos Aires, soaking up the city by experiencing the diverse neighborhoods that comprise this vast metropolis. We then took an overnight bus to the border city of Posadas and crossed over into Paraguay.

In Paraguay we visited two Jesuit mission sites to relive a significant time in this region’s history. A six hour bus trip took us to the Brazilian border, where we spent two days at Iguazu Falls. We had the opportunity to view it from both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides.

Uruguay was our last country on this itinerary and we reached it after flying back to Buenos Aires and taking a one hour ferry trip to Colonia, which is a World Heritage Site city. Then we were on to the capital city of Montevideo for some sightseeing before flying home.

Ecuador provided a great getaway to experience historic haciendas, beautiful volcanoes with sweeping vistas and natural rain forest jungle in the Amazon Basin. All of this was experienced during a 10 day trip in November 2008.

View Larger Map

We took 700 pictures and 2 1/2 hours of High Definition Video. The following videos summarize portions of our trip.

Episode 1 - Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is the name of a near-perfect volcano near the Hacienda where we stayed. We saw wild horse, deer and birds while in the National Park.

Episodes 2-6
Note: You will have to register in order to view the rest of the videos. Click the player below and then look for the word REGISTER.

In July and August 2005 we spent three weeks exploring Peru. We started in Lima and then went to Cuzco and the Sacred Valley. Our next stop was five days in the Amazon Basin viewing the wildlife there, including scarlet macaws. Also on the itinerary were a home stay in Lake Titicaca, the “white city” of Arequipa and a trek into Colca Canyon. The highlight of the trip was a visit to Machu Picchu to see the lost city and one of the great archeological finds ever.

4 - 6 March 2010

Arrival and First Day

We arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday morning after an all night, 10 hour flight from Dallas, Texas. Besides being the largest city in Argentina, It is the second largest metropolitan area in South America (after Sao Paulo). The city is vast, with several distinct neighborhoods and large boulevards, such as the famous 9th of July Avenue.

After settling into our hotel right around the corner from the Plaza de Mayo, we ventured around the heart of the city our first day, walking along the Florida pedestrian street, to the Plaza San Martin. We also spent some time exploring the Plaza de Mayo area and city cathedral before having dinner at a steak house along the Lavalle pedestrian street.

Neighborhood Experiences

Friday we took the Subte (subway) to Plaza Italia. From there we walked to the Evita Museum in the Palermo neighborhood. After visiting the exhibits we continued walking around the neighborhood, enjoying a snack at a sidewalk cafe and a stroll through a park. We then made our way towards the upscale Recoleta district.

Once in Recoleta, we stopped for an outdoor lunch and then made our way to the cemetery, where many famous people are buried in elaborate crypts. Included here is Eva Peron and there was a large crowd at her family crypt. After more neighborhood exploration we came back to the Retiro district and our hotel. Dinner was at a great restaurant off the Avenida Corrientes, in the theater district.

Our last day (Saturday) in Buenos Aires was spent visiting the neighborhoods of San Telmo and La Boca. San Telmo is known for its many markets and we visited both an antiques one, as well as a craft sale in a main plaza. We also toured the national museum before having lunch in a restaurant along the neighborhood’s cobblestone streets. La Boca is one of the oldest parts of town and is the home of a renovated area containing many shops and restaurants. We enjoyed a Saturday afternoon watching various couples dancing to the tango while sitting at an outdoor cafe.

We had time to visit the vast 9th of July Avenue, which is one of the widest streets in the world, and the iconic Obelisk before making our way to the city bus station and our overnight bus to the north and eventually into Paraguay.

Current Time in Buenos Aires:

7 - 8 March 2010

Bus to Posadas and Across the Border to Encarnación

Our bus arrived over an hour late, but we had a comfortable 14 hour journey to Posadas, Argentina. After we arrived, we took a taxi across the Parana River to Encarnación, Paraguay. We arrived in town just after noon and immediately looked for a hotel to check in to for the next two nights. We found an acceptable one near the bus station and then decided to walk toward the main plaza for some lunch. After lunch we found a nicer hotel across the street so paid the first hotel for that night and then moved our bags there. The afternoon was spent walking around the city and then we ate dinner at a restaurant that had an outdoor balcony overlooking the main plaza.

Visiting the Jesuit Ruins of Trinidad and Jesus

On Monday morning we had continental breakfast at the hotel and then walked to the public bus station. There we boarded a the bus to Ciudad del Este (the Brazilian border) and asked the driver to drop us off at the turnoff to the Trinidad mission, about 30 minutes into the journey. Once there we had to walk about a half mile to the entrance to the mission. We arrived there just as a tour group was leaving, and except for five other people who were there, had the entire site to ourselves.

It was a hot day so going into the buildings and getting some shade was a welcome relief from the strong sun. We climbed the tower for great views of the site and especially enjoyed the large church and adjoining area where some of the old relics were displayed.

After a couple of hours we walked back down to the main highway and hailed a taxi to take us 12 kilometers to the Jesus ruins. We made arrangements for the driver to come back and pick us up in two hours. Here we were the only ones there for the two hours we toured the site. This site was up on a hill and there were great views of the countryside all around. The main church here was very nice as well. We had some time for a picnic lunch under some trees before the taxi returned to take us back to the main highway. There we caught a passing bus almost immediately and were back in Encarnación a short time later. After a quiet dinner near the main plaza we called it a night.

Current Time in Paraguay:

9 - 11 March 2010

Bus Journey to Brazil

We woke early on Tuesday to check out and be at the bus station by 8am for our 8:30am departure to Ciudad del Este, continuing along the highway where we had been the previous day. The 150 mile trip was supposed to take about four hours, but with the continual stops for the bus to drop off / let people on, we did not arrive in Ciudad del Este until about 2:30pm, six hours after we began. We immediately hired a driver to take us to the Paraguay and Brazilian borders and then were able to find the hotel in Foz do Iguaçu. It was very hot and we were tired from the long bus ride but managed to walk around town to find an ATM and get some snacks. Dinner was at a nice steak restaurant down the street from the hotel.

Seeing Brazilian Side of the Falls

On Wednesday morning we walked two blocks from our hotel to the public bus station and bought a ticket to take us to the Iguaçu National Park and the Brazilian side of the falls. It was about a 40 minute bus ride and we met several other travelers along the trip. Even though we arrived soon after the park opened for the day, we still had to wait in that ticket line for about 45 minutes before we could finally enter the park. We took the park bus to the third stop and from here we could take a self guided tour of the falls on a nice path up high above the river.

We left the bus and then saw the falls (looking over to the Argentinean side) and they were amazing! The remainder of the morning was spent strolling along the path, seeing different views of the falls with every twist and turn, until we reached the horseshoe portion of the falls and the Devil’s Throat. It is 82 meters (269 ft) high and truly awesome. There are a series of boardwalks here that allow you to walk above the water and get very close to the falls. We also took the glass elevator to get some other great views.

We retraced our steps back down the trail and then took the bus to its last stop, above the falls, where there are gift shops and a buffet restaurant. Here we had a relaxing lunch, sitting outside, above the falls and along the river. We spent a couple of hours there and then, after one more walk along some of the same trails, we made our way back to the park entrance and to the bus back to Foz do Iguaçu. Because we had such a large lunch we had a picnic of sorts with snacks in the hotel room.

Trip to Argentina and Viewing the Falls

We checked out of the hotel on Thursday morning and made our way to the Argentina border. Once across we skipped around the city of Puerto Iguazú and went directly to Iguazú National Park and our hotel. We stayed in the Sheraton, located in the national park, as a big spurge and we were fortunate to get a great room overlooking the falls in the distance.

As soon as we checked in, we were able to walk from the hotel right into the park and then on to the trails. The first area we visited, via the lower trail, allowed us to get close to many of the falls, since the majority of them are on the Argentinean side. We were going to try the upper falls trail next, but since there were so many tours on it, we opted to visit the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) trail which takes one along a boardwalk over the water to right on top of the waterfall. It was great and we spent time taking many pictures.

After a quick lunch at a cafeteria, we then went back to walk along the upper trail, which moves over the tops of a series of waterfalls. By this time, many of the tours had left for the day, so we were able to enjoy this trail at a leisurely pace and we spent much of the afternoon moving along the trail above the falls.

We returned to the hotel, enjoyed a swim and had a nice dinner before we went to the room and opened our window so that we could hear the sounds of the falls at night.

Current Time at Iguazu Falls: