Panama Trip (Day 8)

Tuesday, January 2: Kuna Artisan Market + Biomuseo
We had a nice late start today with bags at 9am and departure at 11am. I did Zumba and yoga in the living room area, and we decided to try the restaurant on the lower level near the pool for our final buffet breakfast at the Westin.

Our morning group stop was at the Kuna Artisan Market, where we finally found something to add to our Christmas ornaments collection -- two multi-colored beaded hummingbirds. We also saw a whole pack (at least 12) of agouti scampering around the nearby lawn area. I know they're members of the rodent family, but they're still extremely cute!

Lunch was at our final hotel, the Intercontinental Miramar, which is right in the middle of Balboa Avenue in downtown Panama City. We spent the afternoon at the Biomuseo on the Amador Causeway, and arrived just in time to miss the daily rainstorm. The Museum visit was fascinating as we learned about various aspects of biodiversity and how the emergence of the Panama isthmus joined the north and south American continents, which had significant impacts on both animal and human evolution as well as on climate change. We received audio guides for part of the tour, and I listened to mine in French. :-)

Unfortunately, the rain hadn't stopped completely by the time we got back to the hotel later in the afternoon, so no pool time for us. Mr. E went to work out in the Fitness Center, and I focused on getting us checked in for our Copa flight home.

The evening entertainment prior to dinner was a wonderful performance by a troupe of folklorico dancers with live musical accompaniment. All of the dancers were very skilled, and we also learned about the meaning and value/cost of the pollera costumes, especially all of the clothing and ornamentation worn by the women.

Our final dinner included a free glass of wine and a drink voucher for the bar, which I had redeemed for a Seco Sour to bring to the dance performance. After dinner, we set off on a stroll along the Cinta Costera overlooking the Bay and visited the colorful Panama sign. Then we made sure we were packed up and ready for the early early start tomorrow.