no, he wasn't dinner
female Barred Antshrike
sunset through window on our floor
sunset from the social area on roof
This week was quite busy for
us. Wednesday we did our usual Picasso Happy Hour and Thursday was my birthday
and after our morning walk we drove to the Playa Blanca area and spent the
night at the JW Marriott there. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ptyjw-jw-marriott-panama-golf-and-beach-resort/
We had a free stay there and
thought it would be a great way to see the surrounding area and celebrate my
birthday. Very beautiful area and we would consider living there except the
only shopping is back here in Coronado or Penenome in the other direction. The
roads are well maintained in there and it was nice not to see security gates
and razor wire or big dogs guarding the houses. Since we were only spending 1
night there the lack of restaurants or grocery stores was not an issue, but if
someone were to stay there for a week or more, it could get boring.
The Marriott is a beautiful
property with around a dozen pools on their huge grounds, as well as the beach
which was a pretty but not short walk to it. We had arrived to have lunch and
had planned to have my birthday dinner at their Steak House. There is a Japanese
Restaurant there, but it was not open for lunch. So, we ate at the only
restaurant that was open. Had a nice meal outside on the patio watching the
rain. We had wanted to rent an ocean kayak or go horseback riding, but the rain
persisted. We had some free perks and chose the fresh baked chocolate chip
cookies, 2 iced coffee drinks and a couple of diet cokes. After our refreshments
on our balcony, we changed into swimsuits as the rain finally stopped. We went
for a long walk on the beach and then grabbed some lounge chairs and relaxed
around one of the pools. Then it was time to freshen up and go to dinner. The
Steakhouse is only open on the weekend, so we again went back to the one
restaurant that was open. The Japanese restaurant was open for dinner, but the
menu didn’t look that interesting. We had a great dinner. I had Pollo Olla Tamal
and Greg had fish. We skipped dessert since it was exactly the same selections
as for lunch. (and we calorie splurged for dessert at lunch) We went for a long
walk around the grounds after dinner.
Next morning we waited for
the little shop to open that had fresh baked pastries. It didn’t open until
9:30 and the baked goods took a while to be brought out. We had some nice
pastries and then went for a long walk on the beach. Then, it was time to check
out and drive home. Since only the same restaurant was open for lunch we opted
to stop at Carlitos for empanadas on the way home. We did find out that the
Steakhouse was open for lunch, but isn’t on the same grounds as the hotel. It
is actually at their golf course. We drove around the area before returning
home and found it. We also saw some Black Bellied Whistling Ducks! We used to
see them all the time in Florida and these were the first ones we have seen
here.
That night we went to
another dinner & play at Picasso. This one was a British sitcom called “Smalls
Talk”. It featured locals and was hilarious.
Smalls Talk is a fabulously-funny English situation
comedy:
“5 girlfriends and the hostess' unwanted wimp of a husband, Rex,
get together for a Lady Lace lingerie party. Under the influence of Rex's
lethal Pea-Pod wine, the gals decide to give their dawdy colleague a makeover,
tongues (and shirt buttons) loosen and consequences are hilarious... Super!”
Claire (the owner of Picasso played a
judgmental woman), Greg’s barber Wayne played Sexy Rexy and his wife Lise
played the woman that was the Lady Lace Representative for the party of 5
girlfriends and Rex the wimpy husband who is snared into giving his opinion on
the makeover of the “ugly duckling” who wants to win back her cheating husband.
With the help of Rex’s Pea Pod Wine, much fun is had…… The dinner was Asian
themed and very good. The play was hilarious.
Saturday we went to the CASA
Christmas Party at Coronado Golf. There must have been at least 100 people
there! Music was provided by Poco Loco and a DJ played during the
intermissions. The food was good and we had great dinner companions. I sat next
to a wonderful lady named Sally. She and her husband also live here at Coronado
Bay. We both are travel/cruising nuts so we talked non-stop travel! Lots of
people dancing the night away. Very nice evening.
Tomorrow we are going to a special
menu Christmas Eve dinner at La Teca. I’m cooking dinner for Christmas. I went
in search of a whole chicken to roast and there are plenty of “Pollo Panama” in
all the stores. All come with the head still attached! Some included the feet……Cooking
is such a joy here!
All along roadsides are
these life sized dolls stuffed with hay and firecrackers. Panamanians celebrate
a tradition of burning 'Judas Dolls' at the end of the year. According to
tradition, Judas Dolls represent the passing year. They hold all that would
rather be forgotten and left behind. On December 31st, the dolls are loaded
with firecrackers, and ignited with fire at midnight. Panamanians
ritualistically burn the past and welcome a clean slate for the New Year.
For anyone interested, I have added a new album and added more photos to the previous one on Picasa.
Many thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes via email and Facebook.
Merry Christmas to all &
a Happy New Year!
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