Lunch on Flamingo Islands, Panama

Between touring Panama City and heading off to visit the Canal, we detoured for lunch on the "Islas Flamencos". Amy suggested the Sangria, we all had great salads, and we shared a few bites of a really good steak. The view of Panama City was spectacular from these islands at the end of the causeway.

Good thing we did the city tour on a Sunday. The traffic was unbearable during the week.

"Panama Viejo" (Old Panama City)

Don't confuse "Panama Viejo" with "Casco Viejo". Old Panama is a historic site made up of ruins of the original settlement here. The old city was set on fire by its own citizens to fool the famous pirate, Captain Henry Morgan (yep, the rum guy) when he attacked. It was never rebuilt, and they resettled in what is now called "El Casco Viejo".

Dim Sum Chinese breakfast, Panama City

"Casco Viejo" (Old Town), Panama City

Gators in the river, Costa Rica

We were ready to see a messy gator vs. cow smackdown, but just like everyone else in Coast Rica, these were some peace-loving creatures.

"San Jose Posible" urban renewal project

Downtown San Jose, Costa Rica