We both woke up early this morning and soon had the Christmas music going on the boat. We relaxed, read and I got the dinner rolls rising. About 10 AM we headed into shore with some nice clothing in a bag along with the rising roll dough. Bill sat at the kitchen counter in Ornen’s kitchen using one of Ginny’s computers to check e-mail and purchase more books for the Kindles. I helped Ginny with some of the food preparation and finishing the set-up for her mid- afternoon party.
People started to arrive about 2 and at 3 we all loaded up our plates with too much food and sat down for a very nice Christmas dinner.
There were 19 people at the table, mostly from the island but they were all interesting and we enjoyed a lovely afternoon eating and visiting. Soon after dark most of the guests left but Bill and I helped with the clean up and stuck around until 8PM visiting. Two of the guests returned to join in the conversations. All and all – a very nice Christmas.
Yesterday we went to the Atlapa Convention center to visit the many booths set up by countries represented by Embassies here in Panama. We enjoyed the entire afternoon drinking Wine from Chile, Beer from Germany, and eating Tacos from Mexico, Pupusas from El Salvador, Pastry from Denmark, Baklava from Greece, Lasagna from Italy and Chili Dogs from the USA. We ate our way past the many booths, checking out the crafts as well and enjoying the bright costumes that some of the volunteers wore.
The wine from Chile was very good but the German beer was super; we bought it in 1/2 liter mugs, and of course had to go back for seconds. We got back to the Yacht Club after 7PM and enjoyed another beer with Victor and Debi before returning to Lanikai in the still-rolly anchorage.
Saturday night we went out for a late dinner at a Lebanese Restaurant.
Bill and I enjoyed an assortment of small dishes of typical Lebanese food with two large flat breads to scoop up the yummy treats. We went late to dinner as there was to be belly dancing that did not start until after 9 PM.
Several of us were ready for bed by the time the girls came out to dance, but we did enjoy it for a few songs before we asked for the check. We headed home, very stuffed after eating too much great food.
This morning Bill, Debi and I walked to Niko’s Cafe where we picked up coffee to go and a pastry before boarding a bus for a tour of the New Locks that are being built on the Panama Canal. We met Frank in the restaurant while waiting for our coffee so he joined the three of us.
Bill and Debi looking over the canal as Frank captures yet another photo.
It was a very interesting trip and the rain even held off until we got back to Niko’s Cafe and enjoyed another coffee. The rain then was so light that while walking home we only got the cooling and not a bit wet.
Today Shirley gathered a group of friends at a wonderful Italian restaurant to celebrate Frank’s Birthday.
We spent much of the afternoon enjoying visiting; with wine, clams and Ossobuco, followed by Italian dessert.
