Spring Break 2018 - Panama

We were very excited to visit Thomas in Panama! We flew into the Panama City airport and were very surprised when we were greeted with a public official who escorted us to the diplomatic entry - our friend Leonardo is a diplomat for Panama and rolled out a very special welcome to his country!

Mom, Kara, Ainsley, Jack, Dad

Our first outing was to the Panama Canal.

Next stop: Panama Viejo (remains of original Panama City).

Next up: Thomas took us to one of his favorite local restaurants, El Cangrejo Moro!

Thomas, Kara, Maria, Jack, Matt, Ainsley

Then, off to Thomas' house, alligator farm and pig farm...

The following day we started our journey to Bocas Del Toro! It was a full day's card ride (11 hours), then a boat ferry to the island. 

Breakfast in Panama City before starting the long journey

Coconut drink before we got onto the boat ferry

On the boat ferry

First breakfast in Bocas del Toro

Maria and Kara on our boat taxi

Thomas on boat taxi

Pool and diving platform at restaurant

"Hey, let's rent bikes!"

Rest break at the beach

Matt and Kara on "old rickety"

Jack needed a hair cut

Next stop: Boquete!

The hot springs! The walk to/from the hot springs was an adventure of its own. We drove in crazy rain, our rental car almost didn't make it, we hiked for a very long time, paid a questionable $20 to a land owner (?) and then finally made it to sit in the springs for about 30 seconds before we headed back to the car.

The hot springs

Walk back to the car 

(see Ainsley in the distance getting a shoulder ride from Matt because her flip flop broke)

After Boquete we headed back to Panama City for our last night. 

View from our hotel in Panama City