worldaltem: December 2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Havana Nightlife 12/27/17

Cuban Fusion open-air pavilion restaurant.

The Cuban Fusion Restaurant was an open-air pavilion. A band performed during dinner.

Exciting show at Havana's legendary Tropicana.

Tropicana Show

Rum and coke at the Tropicana.

Tropicana Show

Convertibles picking us up at the hotel.

Havana Streets

Convertible picking us up at the hotel.

Tropicana Show

Hotel pool in Havana.

Havana, Cuba

Music and professional dancers in the lobby of our hotel.

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Panama Gamboa Rainforest 12/23/2017

At noon, we began our Aerial Tram Ride. It was lovely passing through the trees, but because it was the hottest part of the day, we did not see any animals or birds. Very disappointing. We climbed a tower at the top of the forest and were able to enjoy the surrounding views including the Panama Canal.

Gamboa Rainforest 12/23/17 - This plant is called the Hot Lips Plant.

This tree is a Mimosa variety. It lives about 35 years, then it will flower one time and die.

Lake Gatun - part of the Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Riding aerial tram in Gamboa Rainforest.

Riding aerial tram in Gamboa Rainforest

After riding the tram up 280 feet, we climbed a tower to have a better view of the Panama Canal and surrounding area. I am wearing my insect repellent clothing as I am a little nervous having had three bad reactions to bites in NC recently.

Aerial Tram Ride in Gamboa Rainforest

Village of indigenous people in the distance.

View from the tower in the Gamboa Rainforest

View from the tower in the Gamboa Rainforest.

Riding aerial tram in Gamboa Rainforest

View from the tower in the Gamboa Rainforest.

View from the ground in the Gamboa Rainforest.

Riding aerial tram in Gamboa Rainforest

Carara National Park, Costa Rica 12/26/2017 AM

FACEBOOK Arrived in Puntarenas on the west coast of Costa Rica, known for its fishing heritage. Coffee is a main export of Costa Rica, as well as bananas, sugar and beef. I was amazed when I learned Costa Rica did not have an army. Checking the internet, I learned they have not had an army for seventy years. A friend told they call their rich uncle, the United States if someone gives them trouble. Costa Rica's poverty rate is twenty percent, much better than the other Central American countries. There is still great inequality for indigenous people and minorities. Violence rate is not as bad as other countries but drug trafficking causes problems. The relative political and educational stability is attractive to foreign investors, but Costa Rica's former good economic reputation is fading.

Our morning excursion was to the Costa Rican Carara National Park and walking trails through the rainforest. Our guide was excellent. He lived across the street from the entrance to the park. He was prepared with a tripod and an excellent telescope. This allowed us to see animals and birds up close as we walked along a footpath. We saw a three-toed sloth at the very beginning of our visit. We saw capuchin monkeys up in the tree tops and a agouti on the ground eating the same fruit the monkeys either knocked down or dropped. An agouti looks a lot like a large rodent. We learned about different rainforest plants and saw bats. The coolest find at the end of our hike was a pair of scarlet macaws. Our next stop had us peering over a bridge railing to watch American crocodiles sunbathing along the river. We ended this tour with the mandatory souvenir shop visit.

The highlight of our afternoon excursion was a visit to Esparza, a picturesque town founded in 1574 by the Spanish. We were entertained by local school children dancing in traditional costumes in the city park. Craft stalls surrounded the park. We were able to take pictures at the adjacent Iglesia Catholic Church.