OUR WEEK OF FUN

By Syd and Josh Day

Well, our week was jam packed. Let’s see where to start.

Oma and Opa arrived safely. After Oma and Opa were settled after a couple days, we went to The Bocas Butterfly Garden. We had to take a boat to get to the garden. There was a dock that was in a lagoon of water. When we got to the main spot, the guide began by showing us a baby crocodile.

The little croc

Then he showed us some butterflies and chrysalises. There were like these fuzzy caterpillars. There was also this blue monarch butterfly. It was so cool. After visiting the butterfly house, we went to a cage where there were 3 chickens, 1 grande turkey and a little deer, named Bambi. She was so cute. Bambi licked our arms. Across from the cage there was a little pond that had a family of crocs, but they did not feel like coming out to visit us. We went back to the main office and got some Coke. After a little break we walk back to the dock. Josh spotted a sloth. The sloth was so cute. After all the excitement we found a tarantula. It was just a little one. Our boat came and we went back to our condo.






A couple days later we went out for lunch at The Reef restaurant. It was very good. Oma and Dad both got the lobster.

Our last day, Deborah and Keith invited the whole family to go to Red Frog Beach. First, we went snorkeling between Hospital Point and Red Frog Beach.

Deborah, Marissa, Linda and Syd

Josh, Deborah and I all swam. Mom and Dad both snorkeled. From the surface of the water we could look down and see coral, sea cucumbers, seaweed, fire coral; and Opa spitting out salt water. The water was so clear, you didn’t even need goggles. When we got to Red Frog Beach, we had to pay two dollars to get in. The walk was around 10 minutes. When we got to the beach we jumped in the water. The waves were HUGE!!!! We made a really big sand castle. We left before the tide came in and our castles got destroyed.

TIME IS FLYING BY

Red Frog Beach (our favorite beach)


Time is flying by way too fast. Today, our last day in Bocas (boo hoo), we had an incredible day snorkeling and playing at Red Frog Beach (thanks to Keith and Deborah, managers at Playa Mango Resort).

This last week we have enjoyed incredible weather. Mom and Dad never tire sitting in the resort cabana at the end of the pier looking over the bay. Let me tell you, my parents have been real troopers getting in and out of the water taxis. And Mom learned early on, never wear skirts or dresses when taking a water taxi! Below are some shots of my parents stay with us here in Bocas.


Mom enjoying a lobster dinner at The Reef in Bocas




One of their many swims to stay cool


Dad snorkeling with me


Mom and Dad wading in the ocean at Red Frog Beach

(watching Josh and Paul boogie board)





Tomorrow we head back to Boquete for two weeks. Then we fly to Panama City to spend a few days with Jody and Trent and their kids. Then its off to South Carolina to visit Jon (Paul's youngest brother), Jen and Brooklyn. Our feet will finally touch Canadian soil April 2nd.

Until I blog again.

Linda

COCKTAILS?

My Mom and Dad have never had a Pina Colada, so rather than tea this afternoon, I suggested a Pina Colada, minus the alcohol, of coarse!! I don’t think it will be their last!

NOSEEUMS

Noseeums (aka. little devils). These little black sand flies here in Bocas are driving Paul nuts! They are so small you can hardly see them. Thus the name, “no-see -ems.” It’s the females that bite. They need the protein from blood to produce their eggs. They take tiny little bites out of you that that swell up and itch for 3-5 days. They are around all day, but come out in large numbers around 5 pm. Paul’s legs buzz at night from itching so much. Paul now has learned and wears socks to bed with his long pajamas pants tucked neatly inside, thus the reason for his new nick name “Mr. Silly Socks” The way to avoid being bitten is to put a special lotion that has been made here on the island on your legs and arms. This oil contains coconut oil, glycerin, citronella and a few other items. Sounds yummy to me. The kids and I have gotten some bites, bit not as badly as my beloved. Poor guy.

SAFE ARRIVAL

My Mom and Dad arrived safely from Panama City this morning. They have already had a coffee from a Dutch bakery, enjoyed their first water taxi in Bocas, settled in their room, pinched all of us at least once, had a swim, and now, as you can see by the picture, are already in a relaxed state. Doesn't take long in this place! The weather is beautiful today, hot with a slight breeze.

Ahhhhhhhh

SURFING SCHOOL

This past Saturday our family participated in a family surf lesson. We were picked up at 9:30 by our New Zealand teacher, Andrew and his wife, Anita. We piled into their 4x4 and drove to a beach about 10 minutes away (Playa Del Cabana).

After a brief verbal instruction and pretending to "get up" while on the beach, we all headed into the water. Andrew worked with Josh, and Anita worked with Sydney. Paul and I were pretty much left on our own. Let me tell you, I now know why all the surfers are so thin and have a 6 pack. Its not an easy sport. Syd and Josh were up within a few tries. Paul and I, well, it took a "little longer".

By the end of our 3 hour lesson we were all standing up on our boards, 3 of us were bleeding, we were all exhausted and only one person got a board in the face (nothing serious). I was so proud of Syd and Josh. Josh looked like an angel surfing. It came quite naturally for him and he looked so relaxed on the board.

For cursive writing today, Josh wrote, and I quote;

" Surfing is very, very cool. I am very glad I got to surf. Lopster is very good."

It was hilarious trying to get to sleep that night. Every time either Paul or I rolled over in our sleep we would groan, waking up the other, then laugh. Everything hurt, but it was well worth it!

Taking a little break from surfing class

Josh doing his thing.

Syd and I showing off our surfing injuries with pride.

MARINE BIOLOGY 101

The kids and I went to the Smithsonian Institute here in Bocas a few days ago. When we arrived at 3:30 we were informed that we were "3o minutes early" (even though we had called the night before to confirm they were open from 3-5). They informed us that they weren’t going to let us in for another 30 minutes. It was approximately 34 degrees, and we had just walked for 40 minutes in the blazing sun. (No, I am not complaining). But we were hot and sweaty and just wanted to rest in the shade, which was only available beyond the gate. After trying to explain what we wanted in my now famous "Spanlish" plus a little bit of charades, the security guard finally let us through, only to follow us until we planted ourselves down on some chairs which were in a shaded area below a ceiling fan.

The Institute was actually pretty cool. The tour started out really boring. But then we got to the labs where the scientists were actually working. The kids got to get their hands dirty. (Ahh, my tactile learners!). We met a scientist who is studying shrimp. Syd and Josh got to pull apart sponges and help her find tiny shrimp. The scientist told us that the shrimp aren’t very social. They find a sponge to live in, and don’t like to share their space with anyone other than their mate. She also said that shrimp have the same mate for life. Really! People actually study this stuff! We also met a guy who will be weighing bug brains for the next 2 years. I asked why, and he went on and on and on about it and I honestly think he said, and I am paraphrasing, and perhaps even giving wrong info, and if so, I do apologize, “to see if they devote more of their body space to brains the smaller their body mass is. " We got to look through the microscope to see the wee little basket he had just mounted to weigh the brains. I laughed and said “Ah, a brain basket!” The kids and I thought that was pretty funny, but not Mr. Scientist. Perhaps he had been in his lab a little too long! Oops! We also met a rhinoceros cock roach. It was a very cool looking creature. We were allowed to touch starfish, brittle starfish, and coral of all types of textures, and sea cucumbers who spit out their intestines when they feel threatened. Gross! Near the end of the tour, we walked out on their pier to see all sorts of living thing in the water and some Mangroves. Mangroves are amazing trees, and the only tree that can live and grow in salt water. They have a few “glands” on the leaves, and near the stem, that secrete the salt that they absorbed from the ocean.

We learned lots, but realized how much more we need to learn. That is the thing about these trips. The more you travel, the more you realize how little you really know about the world!

Until I blog again.

Linda