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We left Central American for South America and spent a wonderful day in Cartagena, Columbia a mixture of the very modern and the past. A drive to the beach gave us a chance to see the descendents of African slaves still practicing the fishing practices of their ancestors. A taste of coconut water and a cast netting demo and we were back in the city for empanadas and Coca Cola. We had the opportunity to see housing protected by Unesco and the homes of the very wealthy in the city before going to the old walled city. Definately built as a fortress shops, churches, and homes with open plazas took us back to the past. We tasted sweet coconut candy, drank the local beer and did a lot of people watching. We passed through a beautiful aviary on the way to the ship. The next two days are sea days. Yesterday the ship moved around wildly and we had to hang on tightly most of the day.

Today we slipped through the Panama Canal leaving the Pacific behind. We entered the first lock at 6:45 and a representative of the Port Authority narrated most of the trip. The ship enters a lock, gravity pulls water from a man made lake, the lock fills up a gate opens and the ship moves to the next step. It is a slow process, but the canal allows people and millions of dollars of product move from east to west and west to east in a economical method. The canal in heavily industrial on one side and wooded and full of wild life on the other. We watched from the deck, and also from our stateroom. It took nearly six hours to move the ship and suddenly we were out to sea. Think how this engineering feat changed the world. Tomorrow Columbia.

We joined a Greenway trip today to view the Costa Rican environment. We drove through thick lush jungles to a beautiful resort and started an hour long hike over swinging bridges, through the jungle and finally back to the bus. This was followed by time on the resort property and a treat of tropical fruits and juices. We saw holler monkeys, macaws, huge termite nests, a white face monkey and dozens of birds and butterflies. Finally, a trip down a river to observe the plentiful crocodiles. These primitive creatures number in the hundreds and lazily collect the sunlight in this shade prone area. This was our best tour of the trip.

We traveled into the highlands of Guatemala to visit a small city that is 7,000 feet above sea level. The drive was spectacular. Smoking volcanoes to the left of us and resting volcanoes to the right of us. El Fuego was particularly energetic during the drive. Evidence of his eruption several years ago brought reality to his power. The volcanic soil created spectacular plant life. Corn stalks rising 12 feet. Wild asters and sunflowers were at least six feet tall. Strawberry fields, tomatoes, cabbage and beans, beans, beans, meant good income for the local farmer. Cemeteries have brightly colored tombs that were painted on Day of the Dead and the cool weather meant that the flowers were still fresh. The city itself was small and had a typical market. Fruits and vegetables, hand woven materials, and a jumble of old clothes and shoes and curious dogs and children. This yellow church was the highlight of the plaza. Lunch was in a local gallery with a brief dance performance by the little girls in the family. The guide gave us a running commentary on history, customs, culture and religion. Eventually we turned her out. We were the last tour back to the ship. It is a beautiful little country that deserves more attention. than a single day.

We tindered to Zihua and most everyone was gobsmacked by the heat. Troy and I immediately fell in love with this little fishing town because it seemed to natural and authentic. We wandered a bit all the beaten path and had lunch of fruit and fish, avocado, and shrimp tacos. The nearby shops featured beautiful weaving, both rugs and garments. A family was trying to sell their days catch. Two little girls were shouting pescado pescado. Mama was scaring away the eager kittens with a switch, and warding off the flies with the same switch. A litter of puppies obviously well cared for rolled and tumbled in the sand. We paid them for some photos, bought paletas which we fed to a hot dog and returned to the ship. I hope to celebrate my birthday in this delightful town.

Internet accessibility makes it difficult to journal daily so we journal as we can. A quick stop in Cabo gave us time to see the famous rock formations and to enjoy the sea life around them. Many of our fellow travelers suffer from the heat and humility, but we feel right at home. Yesterday we were in beautiful Puerto Vallerta one of Mexico’s most beautiful ports. Decorations for Day of the Dead were all over the city. Marigolds but live and artificial were all over the city. The fake ones holding up the real ones not so much. The Malecon had huge ten feet statues of skeletal mermaids, pirates, and other remarkable images so dear to Mexicans. Our driver touched us by telling us that this was the first Day of the Dead since his son passed. WE visited the famous Church of Guadelupe and witnessed a funeral mass, had lunch at the Langostin Feliz and saw the former home of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Like Diego and Frida they shared two houses connected by a bridge. Still they fought. The city depends on tourism and international visitors, but still retains its Mexican charm. Next Zhuia.

This morning was proof that Troy and I were finally in the Northwest. The day was cold and wet and we had to improvise to keep warm. The city of Astoria is very hospitable, greeting their guests with maps, suggestions of places to visit and places to eat. Some of the local artist had tents set up for early morning shopping. We took the local bus to the Marine Museum and learned about early trappers that helped make John Jacob Astor a wealthy man, the rescue missions conducted on the wild Columbia River and in the Pacific Ocean. Bumble Bee tuna and salmon canneries added to the economic structure in later days. After lunch of razor clams, rock fish and local brews we enjoyed the local galleries and book shops. The most fun though was watching the children in their very original Halloween costumes trick or treat along Commerce Street. Even the local goats got in on the act. An art show created from the garbage dump, the first theater that Clark Gable performed in, great art deco building and lovely people completed out day.

Our second port of call was in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. The weather was warmer and the sun was beautiful. Like Astoria we were greeted with gracious volunteers that provided a shuttle to the historical city center. The Moorish style county court house was our first stop. A clock tower was the central focal point with statuary and fountains on either side of the entry way. This is a city of eternal spring. Flowers were everywhere. Heavily perfumed camelias and birds of paradise were central to the courtyard and Spanish tiles were scattered through out the building. A pedestrian area was full of beautiful work done by artisans from the California area and the Spanish influence was evident wherever we turned. We loved an unusual fig tree. Fits the size of a baby’s fist were growing from the trunk of the three and from roots on the ground. They were dark purple and green and brown. They colors were enhanced with asparagus fern and elephant ears that were growing near them. The highlight of the day was a fresh raspberry tart and freshly ground coffee eaten while a guitarist strummed in the background. The Spanish influence reminded us of San Antonio and of the powerful influence that Spain had on the development of this country. Electronics has not been easy on the ship and we will post photos later.

Today we made a drive thru Red Rock Canyon. It was a beautiful drive with mountains in various shades of red. It gave you the impression that they had been painted by a landscape artist. Completely different from what we see in Clear Lake. The only way to go is by motorcycle, if you don’t have one then just steal one

We spent part of the day today at the Hoover Dam. It is an engineering marvel.