Day 2 Panama Jungle

We spent the entire day on an Eco tour along the canal. Today's driver, Fernando, took us down the lush jungle road to the Gamboa public boat ramp. There were bright blue butterflies the size of birds! From there we were picked up by Captain Carl - the type of guy who tells so many jokes, you never know when he is being serious. He had 2 bathrooms for us - one between two trees and the other between two cars.

Picture Disneyland's Jungle Cruise, and you can imagine just what our day was like (minus animatronics and a headhunter). The boat and jungle shore looked just like the ride, but real. Captain Carl took us right out into the canal, right next to the container ships. A few different times he would pull up to the shore and call for ... Something. The trees started shaking like King King or Mighty Joe was going to come out (and attack us), and out pops these little, very cute monkeys! We saw 4 kinds: a howler, several capuchin, and 2 others. (Greg said I held a lemur). The capuchin monkeys jumped into the boat for bananas. One of them looked two-headed... It was carrying its baby on its back! At this point I was thinking the tour was pretty amazing, and unlike anything I have ever done.

Our next stop on the tour was Captain Carl's house boat tucked off one of the waterways of the canal. He served us a nice, hot lunch - and gave us time to swim (with the crocodiles? No thanks) or lay in hammocks. Or get a picture of a baby caiman on Greg's head.

Then the group of us got in kayaks and went up stream. Oh yeah, now it is raining (Panama hard) and thundering but it makes no difference and doesn't dampen the experience one bit. We paddled through the muck of water plants and reached a tucked away waterfall. Then I watch a man - only one - from our group swim out to the falls, climb up, and jump in. The shocker is - it's Greg! (and there's no alcohol involved). He can't hear the story back on shore about the snakes in the water!

The jungle cruise excitement ends here. I'm cold and wet, and can't dry off. No point in changing into my dry clothes because it is still raining.

However, all is good now as I write this. Very good, in fact. We arrived at the airport entirely too early but this time I ain't sleeping on the ground Nope - I am curled up warm and cozy with a drink in the Copa Lounge. Yesterday Greg was so happy with economy plus, insisting it was the only way to go - but tonight's upgrade to business class just might take the cake. (Thanks mom!)

You will have to excuse the lack of pictures - as they come from photographer Greg and his phone.