Story and Miscellaneous Pictures

Downtown Miami View of downtown Miami from our hotel. The trip to Costa Rica was split into two days -- first we flew to Miami and overnighted, then on to San Jose (where we overnighted again).

Cloud Forest Stairs This is part of the path through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. The sloping sections of the path were covered with these concrete blocks that served as stairs.

Fountain at Fonda Vela This is a fountain on the grounds of the hotel Fonda Vela, in Monteverde, where we spend two nights. The water is reflecting the early morning sky.

Suspension Bridge on Sky Walk One of the suspension bridges along the Sky Walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Suspension Bridge A differebt view of one of the suspension bridges on the Sky Walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. At the other end if a different group of hikers, who have the right of way.

Hotel Fonda Vela This is the building in the Hotel Fonda Vela where we stayed. Our room was on the lower leve on the opposite side of the building.

Carved Armadillos These carved armadillos were on the workbench in a local artist store in Monteverde.

Artist Store Mural There is a local artist store in Monteverde where we stopped for souvenirs. This is part of the tial mural on the outside of the store.

Ant Crossing The Butterfly Garden has a leaf cutter ant colony in a transparent case. The ants use this bamboo overhead crossing to get from the colony to their current food tree. You can see the ants on top of the bamboo in this picture. (Monteverde, Costa Rica.)

Sunrise over Costa Rica Coast Sunrise over the coast of Costa Rica, seen from the National Geographic Sea Lion, on our first morning on the ship.

National Geographic Sea Lion This is the National Geographic Sea Lion, the small cruise ship that took us along the coast of Costa Rica and through the Panama Canal.

Costa Rica Coast West coast of Costa Rica seen from the National Geographic Sea Lion, traveling on the Pacific Ocean.

Agujitas River We took a Zodia tour down the Agujitas River in Costa Rica. This bridge crosses the river partway upstream.

Life Jackets When coming ashore from the boat, we used Zodiacs (small inflateable boats). Wearing life jackets for the trip was manditory, but once we reached land, the life jackets were stacked up, waiting for our return trip. this is the beach at Caletas Reserve, Costa Rica.

Waterfall in Corcovado National Park Some of the group walked the Pargo Trail in San Pedrillo section of Corcovado National Parkl in Costa Rica, while others tool a longer hike to this waterfall deeper in the park.

Waterfall Close Up Waterfall at the end of the longer hike in San Pedrillo section of Corcovado National Parkl in Costa Rica.

Botanical Garden Trail A section of the trail through the Casa Orquideas Botanical Gardens in Costa Rica.

Shacks in Puerto Golfito These shacks were at the enterance to the pier at Puerto Golfito (Golfo Dulce), Costa Rica. We stopped here to clear customs and restock the ship.

Mooring Rope This rope was coiled on desk after mooring at Puerto Golfito, Costa Rica.

Sunrise in Panama Our first sunrise in Panamian waters.

Whale Bones Bones on display at the Isla Coiba National Park, park headquarters, Panama. They were not labeled, but I suspect whale bones.

Park Rest Rooms Colorful rest rooms at the A Black Vulture wandering around the park headquarters, Isla Coiba National Park, Panama.

Black Vultures in a Tree Black Vultures sitting in an tree overlooking the ocean at Isla Coiba National Park, Panama.

View of Panama A view of the Panama mainland from the park headquarters, Isla Coiba National Park, Panama.

Granito de Oro A view of Granito de Oro, a small island that is part of Isla Coiba National Park in Panama. We stopped on this island for snorkling and hermit crab photography.

Granito de Oro Shoals The rocks sticking up off the coast of Granito de Ora was the area where we went snorkling. Granito de Oro is a small island that is part of Isla Coiba National Park in Panama.

View of the Shoals Debbie sits on the rocks of Granito de Oro, looking at the shoals where we went snorkling. (Granito de Oro, Isla Coiba National Park, Panama.)

Granito de Oro with Boats A view of Granito de Oro later in the morning, with a number of locals anchors just off shore. The red and yellow boats are actually kayaks from our tour. (Granito de Oro, Isla Coiba National Park, Panama.)

Sunset in Golfo de Panama Sunset over the Pacific Ocean, seen from Golfo de Panama (Gulf of Panama).

Local Fishermen These local fisherman were spotted near Isla Bona in the Gulf of Panama. You can see the fisherman on the closest boat preparing their nets.

Birds over Isla Bona A flock of birds over Isla Bona in the Gulf of Panama.

Anchor Chain A close up of the anchor chain on the National Geographic Sea Lion.

Panorama of Panama City This is a panorama view of Panama City along the Pacifica coast of Panama.

Panama City A closer view of some of the building in Panama City, the Trump Tower of Panama City is the building that stands out on the right.

Biodiversity Museum This is the new Frank Gehry designed Biodiversity Museum under construction outside of Panama City.

Stairs on Barro Colorado Island Barro Colorado Island, in the middle of Lake Gatun, in the panama Canal, is home to the Smithonian Tropical Research Institute. These steps go from the shore of Barro Colorado Island up to the higher reaches of the rfesearch institute. The yellow rails are used for moving equipment.

Path on Barro Colorado Island Here are some stairs along the path through the rain forest on Barro Colorado Island, on Lake Gatun in the Panama Canal.

Warning Sign This warning sign was seen at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island.

Tourist Market in Panama One photographer taking pictures of another photographer, returning the favor.

Tourist Market in Panama On the way to the Panama City airport, one last stop at a local market to buy locally crafted goods.