Panama Trip (Day 6)

Sunday, December 31: Embera Village + Frogs, Butterflies, Orchids + NYE at Playa Bonita
We had a later start time today of 8am for bags and 9:30am departure, so there was plenty of time for a morning Zumba workout, breakfast, and buying magnets in the gift shop. Our morning excursion began back at the public boat dock to board the small motorboats that took us about 10 minutes away to Hatuma, the village home of a small group of indigenous Embera Indians. This tribe is slowly losing much of it traditional heritage and culture, and tourist visits are helpful economic support. We learned about the history of the tribe, its interaction with US military personnel who came to Gamboa for jungle training, the meaning of their traditional clothes, and the various types of artisan crafts produced by both women and men. The info session ended with some traditional music and dances.

After the presentation, we had about 30 minutes of free time to walk around the village a bit and peruse the items for sale by various members of the tribe. Mr. E and I didn't make any purchases, but I did get a temporary tattoo of a hummingbird and flower from one of the young women. They use the juice of the jagua fruit, which produces a natural black dye, as body paint that lasts for about 10 days or so. The substance also acts as a sun-block and mosquito repellent.

Once we left the village and returned to Gamboa, we had lunch at Los Lagartos overlooking the Chagres River. I'm pretty sure that Mom and I had a meal here during our previous Elderhostel trip! Mr. E and I took a short stroll with some other Caravan folks after lunch and then watched a crocodile and some turtles go after bread and rolls that other restaurant patrons were tossing into the water. Our post-lunch activity was a tour of the nature center area, where we visited green & black poison dart frogs and caught a glimpse of the elusive red frogs, strolled through the butterfly enclosure, and viewed the orchid and bromeliad gardens.

Then we got back on the bus for the drive to the Westin Playa Bonita, right on the Pacific Coast across the bay from Panama City. The route took us over the Centennial Bridge, as we had to cross the Canal to get to the hotel. Thanks to the Caravan seat rotation process, we were at the front of the bus and could quickly get our resort bracelets and info and then head to our room. We were initially on the fourth floor facing away from the beach, as Caravan guests get all-inclusive resort access in exchange for not having oceanfront views.

We unpacked a bit and walked around to get oriented to the property, although finding the Fitness Center was oddly challenging. Mr. E worked out, I did some yoga and some hand washing, and then we both hit the pool just in time for cocktails at the pool bar. The water was a bit chilly, and the "hot tub" was just bubbly, not hot! We took a short walk on the beach and picked up some shells before the nasty little chitra biting flies chased us away. I didn't notice until later the warning sign by the towel kiosk that described these nasty little creatures...

On our way back to the room, Mr. E asked at the Front Desk about benefits related to his Gold Status with SPG, and we ended up getting transferred to an upgraded room, which was a wonderful Junior "Revival" Suite on the 15th floor with two separate rooms and even an extra 1/2 bath! Once we moved all of our stuff, we headed to dinner and enjoyed the meal and interesting discussions with B & Y about languages, history, politics, and travel. Mr. E and I then went to the lobby bar for wine, where we were eventually joined by C and later B and A.

I excused myself just after 10pm, but Mr. E stayed with the group to ring in the New Year. When the fireworks began just after midnight, the noise woke me up so I was able to step out onto the lanai to watch the display launched from the hotel beachfront. I also got a great view of numerous other fireworks from the surrounding areas. Mr. E returned to the room around 12:30am so he could see the tail end of these other displays as well. He told me that he and some of the other Caravan crew had "crashed" the NYE dance party downstairs!!!

Happy 2018! Feliz Nuevo Ano!