Days 5-6: Curacao + day at sea

After picking up the rental car, we drove north and went under a few "tree tunnels".

Our first stop was snorkeling at Playa Lagun (no snorkeling pictures). There were some fish, but nothing really of note.

We then drove south to Cas Abao beach. 

Here we snorkeled/relaxed on the beach for a while. Steve found a little sea cavern he explored.

From there, we drove the scenic loop in Christoffel National Park. We arrived too late to drive the summit loop or visit the bat caves.

I liked the fun lizard at the park entrance.

After leaving the park, we toured the 

Curacao Liquer Distillery (Landhuis Chobolobo).

We learned about the ingredients used

The history of the distillery, and how to tell the difference between the real product and knock offs 

We also tried samples and received a cocktail with the tour.

We headed back to Willemstad and wandered around for a bit,  

And crossed m the Queen Emma bridge.

We hoped to see it swing open, but this ship stopped before the bridge.

After crossing back, we stopped for a snack (fried sauerkraut bitterballs) 

and shared a flight of beer 

at a local brewery.

We then returned the car and returned to the ship. We had this cute towel bird waiting in our room when we returned.

We said goodbye to Curacao as the ship sailed away.

Day 6:

Today we had a relaxing day at sea. This gave us a chance to sleep in and recover from two days of activities.

We went to a few trivia games and a cell phone photography workshop.

There wasn't any land in sight during the day and we didn't take any pictures of ship activities today.

Day 7: Cartagena Colombia

Even though we had a short stop in Cartagena, we made the most of it. 

We had a taxi take us to the walled city where we spent a few hours walking around and exploring. 

Torre del Reloj (the Clock Tower)

Plaza de la Proclamacion

Plaza de Bolivar (Bolivar Square)

 

Having a cup of coffee

in front of Iglesia de San Pedro Claver (St. Peter Claver Church)

Black vulture on a balcony 

Baluarte de Santo Domingo (Bastion of Santo Domingo

Then we walked to Parque Centenario, where we had this view of the walled city.

We also saw monkeys 

and a sloth.

From there, we walked to Getsamani and saw Umbrella Street. 

We also looked at some of the wall murals.

We wandered around 

and shared a delicious arepa and fresh limeaid for lunch.

(This looks yellow due to the yellow/green salsa we added.)

We also bought some fruit,

including an orange passion fruit, before heading back to the ship. 

At the port, there is an eco park where we saw lots of tropical birds

monkeys

and some iguanas. 

Finally, we sailed off, saying goodbye to Colombia.

Day 8: Panama Canal

This morning we had an early start as the ship entered the Panama Canal from the Atlantic Ocean at the Santa Clara (new locks).

All of these pictures are from the rear of the ship (reverse the images to see what it would be like to exit from the opposite direction).

Arrow guiding us into the locks.

Entering the first set of locks.

The first set of gates is closing behind us.

With the gate closed, the lock now fills with water.

The ship has entered the next lock and the second set of gates is closing behind us.

With the gate closed, the lock now fills with water.

The ship has entered the next lock and the third set of gates is closing behind us.

With the gate closed, the lock now fills with water.

The ship is now moving into Gatun Lake 

Once we were in Gatun Lake, we took a tender to shore and boarded a bus to the ruins of Panama Viejo, or "Old Panama.

Ruins at Panama Viejo

Ruins at Panama Viejo

from there, we went to Casco Antiguo (the old colonial city). 

Walking around Casco Antiguo, (the old colonial city).

Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús in Casco Antiguo, (the old colonial city).

Palace of Panama (Palacio Municipal Demetrio H. Brid). This building houses the Museum of History of Panama, which we visited.

Exhibit in the Museum of History of Panama

Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mary the Ancient 

Folk musicians/dancers in Plaza Mayor

View of new buildings in Panama City and the Pacific Ocean

While we were gone, the ship turned around and exited the same way it entered. We met the ship in Colon when our excursion ended.

Driving through Colon on the way back to the port.

At Colon, we had to walk through a big mall (didn't buy anything) to return to the ship.