Earlier this month Doug and I traveled to Panama for a one-week vacation in my homeland, Panama. It was a short visit but wonderful and very relaxing. I wish I could go more often so I wouldn’t feel like we have to cram everything in during that short stay. We were able to visit with some family I hadn’t seen in many years, but not as many as I would have liked. I’ll have to try to catch up with them next time.

Here are some of the pictures I took, mostly my favorites. You can hover over each image to see the caption or click on any of them to start a slideshow. Hope you enjoy them!

Welcome home!

My dad (Enrique) with his sister Aura (aka Titia)

Palm trees oh how I’ve missed you!

Set of locks at Gatun, in the Panama Canal

One of the tugboats guiding a ship through the canal.

Guess they need something to do but I wouldn’t be leaping for a loose ball.

This ship’s crew enjoyed taking pictures of the tourists who were taking pictures of them.

Artistic rendering of the canal expansion project.

Outline of the expansion project

It’s really quite an impressive sight.

My stepmother, Maudy, with Doug.

Doug and my dad.

I won’t bore you with too much food porn, but this “arroz mariner” was delicious (and worth the wait).

Beautiful tree near Gatun Lake.

Lunch was simmering over a fogon (fire): delicious sancocho (chicken soup).

We spent a day in El Valle, where we attended an annual family reunion. This was our second time in this lovely home so I didn’t take too many shots here, but couldn’t resist this view.

Maudy with her brother and host of the party.

My dad and one of the many nephews.

Trying to get a nap among this crowd was not easy or possible.

The agony of defeat! One of the participants of the egg/spoon game.

Karaoke. Notice Doug is still hanging back.

But not for long.

This was the view from our bedroom at Coronado Bay.

The downstairs pools, right next to the beach.

The upstairs pool, right next to the sky.

The view from the top.

The view from the toilet in our bathroom.

Coronado Beach.

Sunset in Coronado

Near Coronado Beach in Panama

Can you tell I missed the palm trees?

The Museum of Biodiversity, still under construction.

At the Causeway

Panama City skyline as seen from the Causeway

At the Fish Market. Lots and lots of seafood.

I’ve never seen seafood sold like this before (mixed).

I have a special price, just for you.

The ladies hard at work cleaning and cutting fish.

Like ceviche? There’s a ceviche stand every few steps with plenty of variety.

The fishing boats right outside the market in Panama City.

A lottery ticket vendor.

At the fruit and vegetable market we saw lots and lots of produce, including millions of plantains.

And millions more.

Traffic in the city

Last night in Panama, catching up with family.

My uncle Pablo and his wife Mayra

After dinner drinks with Tio Pablito, my dad, Mayra, Tia Aleyda, and Titia

My cousin Marcela and her husband Rolito.