Aruba and the Panama Canal

Aruba – 26^th April

As we left Barbados late we did not arrive to Aruba until 2.00 o’clock in the afternoon. As we wanted to Skype home we were standing at the gang plank as it was lowered and were one of the first passengers ashore. We went to a local Pizza bar that had free WiFi and Skyped Nicola and Andrew (see photo). After checking out what was happening at home we walked through the town of Oranjestad to the east end of town, where we met our friends the Iguanas (see photo). After wandering along the sea front we retreated to a Starbucks to get a welcome cup of coffee and get back into air conditioning. The temperature here was extremely hot and again humid. We then went our separate ways – Geoffrey to explore the town and Doreen to explore the shops. We did not get back to the ship until gone 6.00pm, which was too late to prepare for our normal 6.30pm dinner, so we decided to book a table and dine in the Orchid Restaurant (which is an Oriental Fusion restaurant). The meal and atmosphere in the restaurant was extremely good and helped us relax after a hectic afternoon ashore.

Transit Panama Canal – 28^th April

After a day at sea we arrived early in the morning to the entrance of the Panama Canal and spent the whole day passing through the Canal, not arriving to the Pacific Ocean until 6.00 in the evening. We spent most of the day sitting on our balcony, trying to spot wildlife along the banks of the canal. Apart from a heavy thunderstorm at 4.00pm, which didn’t seem to clear the air, as it was still extremely hot and humid, we had an extremely good day as the Panama Canal passed by. Here I must say that for the past eight days or so it has just been too hot to even sunbathe, so we spend our time sitting in the shade on our balcony.

Before we could go to bed Doreen had to do her homework in preparation for our Art Class.

The Royal Wedding Day – 29^th April

We were up early at 4.30am to watch live television coverage of the Royal Wedding, which despite the early hour, we thoroughly enjoyed. Didn’t she look beautiful.

Tomorrow we are looking forward to arriving in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.