Panama Viejo

Kylie had still not recovered from the goldfish/bird poop incident last night, so the two of us stayed behind this morning for some much needed sleep, swimming and relaxation. Carri, Jason and Autumn headed out for a morning of breakfast and exploration, and we all caught back up together at the Panama Vieja ruins. After the worst cab ride of our lives (think no AC, a crazy jibber-jabbering driver that was blasting evangelical radio in Spanish at 1000 decibels and insane traffic), we emerged at the wonderful, air-conditioned oasis of Reprosa for some serious shopping. Afterward, we had Lebanese food for lunch (Carri and Jason's first time!) then went back to the apartment to relax by the pool with a backyard barbeque!

 

 Einstein head!

 Breakfast goodies

 Panama Viejo y nuevo

 Air plants

 Las ruinas

 El Torre

 Woo-woo! Hot mama!

 View out to el oceano

 That's some pretty professional looking graffiti!

 Another UNESCO World Heritage Site checked off the list

 More ruins

 A shady lane

 Cheese!

 Family photo

Peek!

 Finally! The good stuff!

Reprosa at last!

 POOL!

The Louvre!

This morning we got up bright and early and set out for another day of explorations!  New schedule in hand, we went for breakfast and the day's first activity!

Enjoying breakfast at a cafe on a busy street.

Yum...

And we're off!  There's the Louvre in the distance.

That's one wonky tower!

Eric copying a statue in the park.  This one is for you, Winstons!

One of Napoleon's Arcs de Triomphe en route to the Louve building.

The architecture here is pretty amazing.

The Louvre pyramid!  We opted not to go in, as we don't think it would be a lot of fun for Kylie, and we don't want to spend a lot of time waiting around.  Maybe someday we will go in and see the art, but not on this trip.

More of the Louvre building.  Its size is astounding.

Eric posing with the pyramid.  Cheese!

You can still see the pyramid peeking through the entry.

Kylie is impressed.

This is a large coffee.  I think a small probably comes in a thimble.

A view into the park...looks so nice to play in!

This is a 400 year old park that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  All grass is for looking only.  No one may play on it.

The park is certainly pretty, but I wish you could actually enjoy it.

I guess we'll have to settle for chairs.  Huh, babe?

This is the most delicious palmier I have ever had.  Wow.

Eric's chocolate croissant.

Statue in the park..there's a baby and a mini-sphinx on it, among other things.

Family photo!

 The Eiffel Tower from afar.  Time to get back to the apartment for a nap!  More to come later :)

Masada

After the Dead Sea we headed a little further south to the ruins at Masada.  Masada is a city built on a high plateau where rebel Jewish forces held off the Romans for as long as they could...and then they all killed themselves rather than fall.  It is not an uplifting tale on its surface, but the story resonates with Israelis today, and it is a highly visited place as people keep the memory of the rebellion alive.

Here we go!

Masada is just atop that plateau.

We elected to ride the 3 minute cable car to the top.

Babes concurs that this was a wise decision.

Everyone was very happy not to be walking up this "Snake Path".  It was at least 95 degrees out.  This would be brutal!

View from the top, across the Judean desert.

The ruins against the Dead Sea.  Very striking.

Cheese!  Here I am wearing a hat.  It was good for keeping my from getting sunburned, but was really hot and kept flying off.  I think the search of the perfect hat will continue...

Ruins and the summer sky.

This was the Roman camp below.

All of the colors of the desert blend together.  It can be hard to tell ruin from rock!

Eric enjoying the view!

The harsh desert-scape.

A door through the ruined wall.

Remnants of a Byzantine church.

Mosaic designs.

 The Byzantine church mosaic floor.

 

One last look from the top.