Saturday, March 29, 2014

Panama City, Panama

The Panama canal was a site to see. Amazing how they used gravity to fill and release water from each locking point as the massive ships made their way through this small passageway. I met with half my family at the Las Vegas airport where we flew to Panama. We spent the day checking out old town, Cosco Viejo which had an old cathedral and some inhabited buildings dating back to the early 1800's. That evening we spent the night at an over priced hostel. Come to find out nothing is cheap in Panama aside from their flights. Go figure. We took a bus to the a nice hot, very hot black sandy beach about two hours outside of downtown. We could barely well a few feet without burning our feet so either they shade or the ocean were our only options. We took another mini bus, The ones that stop and puck people up every couple minutes up through the mountains to El Valle Where we rented a house for a few nights. This is where we met the rest of my family. This mountain city was beautiful and full of plant life. We kept busy while vacating here from animal sanctuaries to waterfalls to cleansing mud baths. For the next few days we totally left the grid by venturing through a 2 1/2 home nauseating car drive through the mountains to a river front where we caught a boat that waded through the river until we reached the ocean. Then it was straight sailing to an extremely remote island. Our rooms or should I say thatched roof huts had no more than a need frame with old sheets and a mattress in them. Our floor was all sand and we only had one light bulb that was only on from 7pm-10pm. We spent each day snorkeling and swimming on this beautiful beach. And when we weren't on the beach We were paying volleyball or send basketball against the family run daycare. I call it a daycare because they were always taking care of us. They even blew a Conch shell to signify all three meals for the day. After our fun stay we checked into a five star hotel where we had amazing amenities and breakfast buffets. Complete opposites from where we just came from. Now I'm excited to finally make it back home but also excited for many next adventure now knowing how spectacular exploring the world's has been

Lunch at the canal
Yes I got to pet him
Waiting for the boat
Our island
View from the Radissan

Monday, March 17, 2014

Hollywood, Cali, Usa

It was late at night and a dark cloud gloomed over Just a small portion of LA while flying in. You could see spotlights from the Staples Center piercing through the clouds as we circled it. It w as s really cool watching other planes flying over the lights and land while we waited our turn. I met Jay from couch surfers where he let me crash at his apartment for a few nights. He's a very generous guy. I crashed hard that first night with much needed rest coming from the Philippine. We got up early the next day and went for a hike above the city and famous Hollywood sign. Steve, Jay's roommate also came seeing how he lead the way. We went to an improv comedy show where one of Jay's friends were performing. Everyone I met seems to be involved in some type of film/show business one way or another. From acting rolls to writing they all are here for similar reasons, which is to become a success working on the big screen. Enjoyed some more sun at Huntington Beach where it was crowded from college kids off from school during spring break. Jessica happened to be in town for that very reason. We met up and went dancing late into the night. Jay is part of a kickball league so I was able to join him that next day. The time goes by so fast that we barely made it to the fourth inning. I saw the sequel to the movie, 300. It was me and 2 others in the theatre. So I was sitting in a cozy leather seat dead center. I went out on my own taking the subway and exploring downtown LA and some of the tourist sites. Nothing too exciting. I woke up to a 4.4 magnitude earthquake that shook for about 12 seconds this morning. I have never experienced something so strong before. Half priced sushi with Steve and Jay was the last meal together before leaving to Vegas to meet my missed family. I walked to the subway from Jay's place.Then after a 45min ride I jumped on a bus bound for the airport.
Vancouver, Canada airport
Ripley's believe it or not
Chinese theater