There is a small exercise room here at the hotel: several bike spinners, a regular Exercycle, one treadmill and a small number of free weights. TV blasting away on one wall and the A/C on another. Hardly room for the three of us in there to turn around, much less spend time, but we managed.
Otherwise, a nice breakfast buffet was overwhelmed by echoing voices and happy, loud chatter as was the lobby. All I can say is that most of the other guests are from the local region. They are wearing bright colors, short sleeves and the vocal volume is incredible augmented by generous hand and arm gestures.
Sliding to the far end of the room, I watch amused while drinking my kaffe con leche. It is a pleasure to have good coffee. One of my few serious complaints about that particular RCI ship – the coffee was abysmal.
Over the day I caught up on my email accounts, hiked the area and knit. Watching the ships pass through the locks is amazing. As you might have noticed yesterday – it is next to a several story building that you really get a perspective on how big the ships really are. Even the container ships, stacked to seven or more layers just tower over everything around them.
It is off early to the airport for my long (read many hours on a layover in Houston) flight to Miami.
Holiday Inn, Clayton, Panama
Your Panama pictures certainly bring back memories. I was there for a few days in 1992 waiting for a flight, en route back to Belize from San Antonio (yes, I know it is hardly the most direct route). Eventually I hitched a ride with the Commander in Chief, US Southern Command – I don’t think I have ever travelled in such luxury! It was a real contrast with the flight from Belize to Texas (with a patient, flying in between storms and tornados). I recall being very well looked after by the US military duirng my stay in Panama, and being taken to see the ships passing through the Canal. Panama has particular resonance for the Scots as it was the scene of the disastrous Darien Project in the 1690s which almost bankrupted Scotland and was a major factor leading to the Treaty of Union with England in 1707.
Best wishes for a good onward journey,
Very interested to read your recent emails. A dear friend of mine had been ambassador to Panama, unfortunately, he died in Sept. because he would have loved to have heard of your impressions…
Enjoyed your description of the Panama Canal — very interesting! You do get around, and it’s fantastic the way you allow us to do vicarious travel.
Here’s as close as I’ve gotten to a cruise ship — this was at Sydney Harbor last month. I couldn’t believe how huge the ship was!
Have fun out there –