Panama Canal: Gatun Locks

I am very slowly adding the rest of my cruise posts. I think only one more after this one.

For our first stop in Panama we went the Gatun Locks. They are the furtherest east (and closet to us). Very interesting, but not super exciting. We sat on bleachers and watched the huge boats come down the canal. There are several sets of Locks, we only saw one. Once the ship gets to the Lock the water slowly drops, which lowers the ship. Then trains pull the ship through to the other side.

Pretty sky. I couldn't figure out what type of bird was flying around. It looked like a cross between a seagull and a black hawk.

Lock closed

After the locks opened

Trains pulling the ship

We were super close to the ship, close enough to jump on board. This particular ship was carrying oil.

Then we went to an "animal sanctuary" aka our cab driver took us to this guys house. Other cabs came too and they gladly to donations "for the animals". I'm a little skeptical but Luke liked it. He got to feed the monkey peanuts.

Bird nests nearby

Our last stop was to a grocery store located conveniently at the port. The staff on the ship said they did all their shopping there since it was so cheap. I scored on some good quality coffee ($2 a pound!), rum, and more diapers (good combo, huh?). Grandma was pretty excited to see all the wine! When you buy any type of alcohol at the various ports you have to check it in once you get on board. Guess they want you to buy your booze on board. But I smuggled some on for her.

I thought this was a little disgusting. It's a vodka energy drink in a tube (as if it were toothpaste)! Go Wodka!

Gardening

Flower boxes for the front of the house

The gardening bug got me this year. I've planted a few things here and there each spring but we otherwise have treated our backyard space as more of a burden than usable space. Luke being both an active toddler and destructive boy makes the backyard a great place to burn off some steam and explore. Plus, we had a gorgeous, rain-free weekend that made me want to get outside.

Seedlings in egg cartons. I saw this idea on a gardening blog. It's super cheap and when your ready to plant you just cut out each plant section and plant the whole thing in the ground (since the egg carton is biodegradable). We'll see how it goes.

Luke's new table. He drew on it in chalk. Chalk was also found on his shoes and the dog.

Our apple tree came back to life (no thanks to us). It has produced tiny apples that never really ripened and last year it got some sort of plant fungus on it. We'll see if we get some good sized fruit this year.

Check out my new raised planted boxes that my handy husband made me! I think he mostlydid it to take up more grass space (less to mow). We are planting a big veggie garden to save some dough and get some good, fresh, organic (certified by me) veggies. If I had the time I'd raise my own chickens too! Maybe in the future.

Luke loves to point out bugs. He can point out worms, snails, spiders, rolly-polly, bees and everything else is a "bug".

Easter

Can we say "adorable"?!

We went to my mom's new house (in Sequim) for Easter. It's 1.5 hours closer to us (yay!). Tracy, Craig and Aliya came over along with Kylie (Dave's daughter) and her two kids. We aren't very religious so for us, Easter is more the welcoming of spring. We colored eggs, opened Easter baskets, had an egg hunt, and had a big dinner.

Knuckle

Noggin (it's a "Finding Nemo" thing)

Alan (dabby) and Luke. They were coloring eggs but Luke decided to dip his hands in the dye instead.

Opening their baskets. Luke got some cool-guy sunglasses

Aliya in her pretty dress.

Coloring eggs with Kyle and Meriah

Costa Rica

Costa Rica was beautiful. Very tropical. I saw lots of little poisen dart frogs and goregous orchids everywhere. I can't wait to come back to this country and spend some more time. My mom and I did a zip line tour, which was awesome! I felt like I was flying. I didn't have my camera with me, so I'll have to get the pictures from my mom.

Can you see the lizard in this picture (hint: it's in the center on the branch), our tour guide said it was called the "Jesus Christ" lizard because it walked on water!

We did a river tour to see some wild life. My pictures don't do it justice but we say monkeys, birds, alligators, lizards, and even sloths.

Our cab and tour guide "Jason". Where ever we went people spoke english. Well, I take that back. All of the cab drivers, tour guides, and sales people spoke English. I imagine that if you spent some more time, especially out in the country side, you would encounter more of a language barrier.

Beautiful flowers just grow wild

On our river tour, Luke is upset because I wouldn't let him walk around the boat. (mean mommy)

Me and Grandma over looking Puerto Limon