San Juan del Sur Nicaragua

Our expectations for Nicaragua were not very high based on what we had heard/read in the news media. We were pleasantly surprised and actually found San Juan del Sur to be our favorite port on the whole trip. We found the city to be very clean and well organized. The people were all very friendly and we felt completely safe. Our biggest surprise was that the street vendors did not harrass us to buy their wares. In the other ports, they were all over you to buy something. Hint to the vendors... we actually bought more in San Juan than any other port!

Seems like all the Centeral/South American countries have very interesting electrical power systems.  Not many standards or rules here.

Port was too small for the ship so they anchored about a mile out and used small tenders

This guy was anchored just off our port side.  At least the guns were covered.

Puntarenas Costa Rica

In Puntarenas Costa Rica we took a mangrove forest river trip with the hope of see some of the famous Costa Rican wildlife. We were not disappointed. During the two-hour cruise we saw lots of birds, crocodiles, and iguana. We were even fortunate to spot a gorgeous macaw bird. Valerie, who is an avid birder, added 7 new birds to her life list! Besides the wildlife, we were not overly impressed with Costa Rica. What was most noticeable was the fact that virtually every house and business was surrounded by a wall topped with razor wire. While we did see lots of really nice looking eco resorts we did not get the feeling that was a particularly safe area.

Prothonotary Warbler

Roseate Spoonbill

This gorgeous Macaw was back in the forest tending the nest.

Ready for flight!

An Iguana along the river bank

Doesn’t look too friendly

Not the place to go for a swim

Coconut Tree

Bananas

Mexico

In Mexico, we had port calls in Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta. We had never heard of Huatulco but it is a nice small port southwest of Mexico City. Puerto Vallarta was pretty much as we expected, as it is a very Americanized Mexican port with a huge American and Canadian expat population. The ship docked across the street from a Walmart and Sam's Club. It was funny that shortly after we dock a US Navy ship (USN San Diego) docked directly in front of the Walmart. Who knows maybe they were running log on supplies!

Lots of old bugs in Mexico

The USN San Diego in front of Walmart

This super yacht was docked in Puerto Vallarta. It's reported to be worth $250 million and is owed by an American Billionaire. Note the helicopter on the deck!

The cops in Huatulco were very friendly

This was in the Walmart in Puerto Vallarta. Yes, that is meat on an open table for customers to select. There was fish, pork, chicken, and beef on the table. If this is in a Walmart, don't want to know what happens in the local grocery stores!

Panama Canal Transit

Short video to capture the highlights of the Panama Canal Transit

Cartagena Colombia

From the moment we stepped off the ship, it was obvious that Colombia was a poor country but also a country rich in history. All throughout the city were ancient ruins from the times of Columbus and other earlier explorers. We visited the "old city" to see the ancient forts and churches. The architecture in the old city was amazing. One of the highlights was the Church of Saint Peter Calver which was built between 1580 and 1654. It was hard to imagine a building this complex could have been constructed this long ago. The remains of St. Peter Claver are entombed within the alter in an open tomb.

Lots of bright colors and interesting architecture

Alter in the Church of Saint Peter Claver

The body of St. Peter Calver in a glass tomb

Aruba

As part of our Panama Canal Transit Cruise we visited the island of Aruba.  Aruba is located in the Caribbean Sea about 20 miles north of the coast of Venezuela.  We knew that Aruba was known for beautiful beaches but had in our mind that it was a tropical island.  Expecting palm trees, we were really surprised to discovered that it was actually a desert island.  Except for the ocean in the distance we felt like we were back in Arizona.  We did find the beautiful beaches and they were every bit as beautiful as we expected.

To tour the island we took the Kukoo Kunuku Bus (otherwise know as the Party Bus).  During the evening this bus is used by tourists for bar hopping.

On the northern top of the island is the stunning California Lighthouse

Lots of Cactus.  Interesting fact is Aruba has no fresh water.  All water is made by desalination of sea water.  No surprise there’s not a lot of grass on the island.

Yes the beaches were fantastic.

On Board the Island Princess

For our Panama Canal cruise, we boarded the Island Princess in Fort Lauderdale FL bound for Los Angeles CA. The Island Princess is one of Princess's midsized ships with 2200 guests and a crew of 900. The ship is 964 feet long and 204 feet tall with a total of 16 decks. Here are a few photos from the ship...