Sandy and Jim WC 24-25

 December 28 Today, a Saturday, we arrive early in the morning in Puntarenas, Costa Rica and were greeted by a very colorful trio of dancers!!!!      Early in the 1800’s, this port prospered with the work of coffee barons as oxcarts delivered satchels of beans to the docks from the mountains.  So our excursion today is entitled “A Walk in the Clouds”.  Well, we thought our tour included an aerial tram and hanging bridges through the wildlife refuge, the Monteverde Cloud Forest – Moderate Walking!!!  However, that tour was sold out so we ended up on a Demanding Walk with step-ups and downs, stairs and inclines and four suspended bridges that rise up to 126 feet above the ground with Julie Wheeler and Joe Buckovic!!! This refuge was filled with mammals, beautiful birds and butterflies, leaf carrying insects and plant species, especially the world’s largest number of orchids.   One of our hikers got a little too close to this eye-lash viper (abo...

  December 26 It’s the Day After Christmas and we are entering the 48-mile long Panama Canal – a true engineering marvel with a vast series of locks that lifts and lowers each ship 85 feet from sea level.  We began our journey at 7:30am entering the Gatun Locks.  Ships are tethered at the bow and stern to electric locomotives that keep it from hitting the sides of the narrow locks.   From there, we sailed through Gatun Lake to the Pedro   Miguel Locks and finally out through the Miraflores Locks.   It took 8 hours to get through all the locks and enter the Pacific Ocean.   The Chart Tracker map shows us in Gatun Lake.   Also, you can   see there are two individual channels. In one photo, you can see that our channel is full while the neighboring channel remains empty.  Panama’s capital, Panama City, is lined with modern glass skyscrapers that are reminiscent of Miami.

 Christmas Day Today’s adventure was a 6-hour tour of Colon, which was founded in 1850 by Americans and is Panama’s “second city” after Panama City. It lies near the Panama Canal’s Atlantic entrance.  Our motor coach then traveled through the Panamanian Rain Forest to the Chagres National Park and the Embera Indian Village.  In order to get to the Village, 39 of us had to climb into traditional dugout canoes and up the Chagres River where we were welcomed by the Chief and treated to some very colorful ceremonial dancing.  This tribe lives much as they did in pre-Columbian times in round huts on stilts.  We shared a typical lunch of fried fish and plantains.  The Embera wear little clothing but paint elaborate patterns on their bodies using the black dye of the jagua plant.  These people rely heavily on the tourist industry for their income. We completed the day with a special Christmas dinner at the Chef’s Table with Julie Wheeler and Joe Buckovic, fea...

Christmas Eve on the Viking Sky Docked in Cartagena at 6am this morning and we were off on a Panoramic tour of the city and surrounding areas of Cartagena.   We began our tour at the impressive San Felipe de Barajas Fort where construction began on this remarkable UNESCO site in 1536 and the fort took 121 years to build.   Then on to the dungeons within the walled city.  Today they house upscale handicrafts made by the Indigenous people of the region.  We then motored through a chic and modern beach area with mixes of luxury apartments with deluxe hotels and trendy cafes. This is a statue of Catalina. According to legend, Catalina was a warrior born in nearby Galerazamba. She was captured and sold into slavery in Santo Domingo, but Pedro de Heredia brought her back to Cartagena as his interpreter in 1533. On the way back to the ship, we walked through an Aviary where we viewed the most colorful bird life, turtles, and sloths.   Our lecture this evening feat...

December 23 – another sea day full of activities.  Since we will be going through the Panama Canal shortly, we attended a lecture entitled “Panama Canal – The French” as they became involved in attempting to build the Canal – why they failed – and how th e Americans took over!!!!!     Now that we are headed to Col o mbia, we attended t hree informative lecture s “Discover the turbulent history of this South American enigma” , “The heritage, culture and h i story of Cartagena” and “Central American Wildlife”.     Jim entered the daily BAGGO team competition between the Officers and Guests.  Today, the Guests won by 10 points - TODAY anyway!!!!!!!   Two days before Christmas and we ALL gathered in the Atrium t o sing Christmas Carols before a  fabulous dinner of Lobster!!!!!!!    

Sunday, Dec 22, A sea day on the way to our next port, Cartagena, Colombia.  Need to keep up an exercise regimen by walking up the stairs and around the jogging track so we can enjoy ALL this ship has to offer!!!!!!  Jim and I played a practice round of the Dealers Choice card game so we could compete with our fellow shipmates.  When we arrived back in our cabin, we found an early Christmas surprise, Viking Gift Bags for each of us. Inside each tote bag was a special World Cruise jacket, hat, card holder, magnetic map of the Cruise Itinerary, and a Journal.   This afternoon we joined other guests who have sailed with Viking before along with the Captain and crew members for a celebratory toast and entertainment by the Viking Sky Vocalists!!! This evening, we attended a Guest Lecture entitled “Gemini:  The Race to the Moon”:  Critical steps to a lunar landing and how they were identified and accomplished.  

Cozumel is our first Port of Call where we were treated to a traditional Mayan dance performance.  We were captivated by the music and colorful costumes as we watched this beautiful art form that celebrates their powerful connection to the natural world and a rich cultural heritage.  NOTE:  Do Not try these Dances at Home 'cause you WILL hurt yourself!!!!! We visited the Mayan Cacao Company and learned of the fascinating history of chocolate and about its influence on Mayan cuisine.  Cacao was considered a "food for the gods" and was consumed for its health benefits (that's why Jim LOVES chocolate)!!!! Now on to Cartagena, Colombia, and will arrive there on Christmas Eve!!!!

 Well, it's here at last. After counting down for over 435 days, we finally arrive in Ft Lauderdale and board our new home for the next 138 days! Here is our stateroom (before the luggage arrives).  Our travelling companions are Joe Buckovic and Julie Wheeler, neighbors from The Villages. The ship is beautifully decorated for Christmas already. This is a huge gingerbread house and display in the main atrium. Came back to our stateroom after dinner to find a wonderful surprise from Viking, a nice chocolate cake and a bottle of champagne for Sandy's birthday. All in all, a wonderful start to what promises to be a magnificent experience. We look forward to sharing it with you. Now enroute to Cozumel, Mexico for our first port call. Check back for more tomorrow!

For us on the FLL departure, luggage forward goes tomorrow! It's beginning to look like we might actually do this!