Panama Canal: Gamboa

For us, every trip usually starts with a long and arduous journey. This time we had a 4-hour direct flight from RDU to Panama City. Following a one-hour minivan transfer, we were in Gamboa, Panama, halfway between the Atlantic and Pacific, at the edge of tropical rainforests, the middle of the Panama Canal.

Gamboa is really a village, originally established to house canal workers. Its center looks like there has not been a new building since the Americans left at the end of the last century. Second below is our Airbnb.





In between the downpours, we managed to see quite a bit (during and after a deluge first and second below).

• A dozen cargo ships in the canal
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• A few Canal railway trains ferrying containers across the isthmus. Video below.
• Mammals: a dozen howler monkeys(1st below), countless agouti(2nd), one coati, a couple variegated squirrels
  
  
• Reptiles: two Caimans, one alligator, two iguanas
  
  
  
  
• Birds: thousands of birds, we were able to identify a few dozen. First below is a Juvenile Rufescent Tiger-Heron.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Butterflies: the most iridescent blue butterfly, half a dozen times.

We were rather pleased, though we missed the sloths. We could have easily hung out in Gamboa for a week wandering aimlessly looking for wildlife and ships.

Video of Leafcutter Ants


Lunch at Restaurante Gamboa


Sendero La Laguna




Audio - Howler Monkeys


The Chagres River flows into the Panama Canal at Gamboa.


Video of Container Ship MSC ANS


SL Spots A Bird


We happen upon cyclists and the Saturday Morning Running Club.




Bonus photo. When TSA fails to find what they were looking for: RDU Airport, Raleigh, NC.

Oahu, Hawaii

Back in February when I was looking for tickets to return home from Australia, I found the cheapest route was through Honolulu, a place that was never even on our list. We ended up spending five days there.

We approached Oahu in our usual way: we took public transport and went hiking, after checking off the USS Arizona Memorial on our arrival day. 

• Aiea Loop Trail: strawberry guavas were in season - we had a great time eating our fill.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Manoa Falls Trail and the Mauka Trail System: While the falls were negligible (1st below), I loved the rainforest. Once we left the falls, crowds also fell away. We went on Aihualama - Pauoa Flats - Manoa Cliff - Moleka - Makiki Valley - Kanealole Trails. Along the way we saw evidence of macadamia nuts, mangos, and lychees on the ground, but no eating this time. From the Aihualama Trail, there was a view to Diamond Head Crater (2nd below).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Diamond Head Trail and Makapuu Lighthouse Trail: Diamond Head Trail is the most popular trail on Oahu and requires reservations. It was a fun walk and a very rewarding view at the top (1st, 2nd below). Makapuu Lighthouse Trail is basically a paved coastal walk (3rd, 4th,below).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• On our last day, we went joy riding on the bus (1st below), first to the north side of the island. We attempted the ʻEhukai Pillbox Trail, bailed halfway - the trail was way too slippery after the rain (3rd below). Then lunch at Sunset Beach (4th below). And to the east end of the island to visit with John's fraternity brother Bruce's son David and wife Kellie in Kailua, bagging Lanikai Pillbox Trail.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

There was no snorkeling due to wind again, but now we too have been to Hawaii.



Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial.








We stayed at a hotel near Waikiki Beach.






One afternoon, we visited Chinatown and the Arts District. Marugame Udon, one of our favorite places to eat in Japan, has a US location in the Arts District. Woohoo! Vegan Tan Tan!