Captain’s Blog

It is a tradition in Panama to make an effigy to a well known person and either fill it with fireworks, or throw it into the fire on New Year’s eve.  Through the burning or, more fun, the explosions, they release the bad feelings that the old year contained, along with the old year.

Three guesses as to who this is…  and the first two don’t count…

That’s alot of bad spirits…  At first, I thought it was a family waiting for the bus…

These seemed to be more popular in the province of Chame along the Pan-American Highway.

Definitely an interesting tradition and one that you won’t see in any other country…

Capn Scott

I woke at 5am, and the full moon was just blazing in the sky.  I had to get the shot.

I caught it setting along the tops of the near islands.  There were sooo many stars.  This was a 90 second exposure on a tripod.

I’m up already, so, I waited for the sunrise and got some shots of it as well.

I tried to get several angles…  hey, I had at least 15 minutes…

I ventured to the other side of the island and explored the cove.  There were many howler monkeys making alot of noise, but hidden in the tree tops.

And…  the original intent was a little relaxation as well…  The guy who invented the hammock was a genius.

Tomorrow is another travel day back to Panama City.  Then, from there, back to the great white north and…  I believe the forecast is for snow…

Capn Scott

After the journey, we finally got settled in at the resort.  The best part of Panama is the water!

The view from the front of the cabin was breath taking.

I went down to the beach and got some shots of the water and surf.

There were many coconuts washed up on the beach, and some driftwood.

I even ventured down to the edge of the beach and out into the rock areas.  There were so many interesting pools of seawater filled with life.

And, of course, what would a great day be without a great sunset?  I never tire of shooting sunsets…

Capn Scott

After several days in David, We travel back to Boca Chica…

I travel again past the waterfall Chorcha.  I stopped to get a shot of this beauty…

Be carefull along the back roads.  This guy was loose and just enjoying the grass along the side of the road.

And then, as we near Boca Chica, there is a herd of cattle running down the road towards us, in the middle of the road.  At the back of the pack are the 2 caballeros…

Carlos from Buzos Boca Brava allowed me to park the car at his place and wait for the boat to the resort at his dock (YES! the sky is this blue!!!)…

There was a bit of a wind, but I’ve seen worse.  It was an interesting ride to the resort.  Sometimes the trip is as interesting as the destination…

Capn Scott

Things have changed since I’ve been to Panama, but thankfully, not too much.  One of my first questions was, “How is it different with the new President?”  I kept getting the same answer.  And that was, “things are better now”…  I rented a car in Panama City (a brand new Toyota Yaris with 45kms on the dial) and took the Pan American Highway to David.

Passing through the mountains near Tole, there were some clouds brewing in the distance.

The views here in the mountains are just stunning…

I stopped off in Boca Chica to catch up with old friends in the dive industry.  They say that it is getting better.  But, it’s been getting better every year anyway…  Nice to catch up with old times.  Also, stopped by my favorite watering hole in David (T.G.I.Fridays) and the old crew is still there.  And, they remember my typical order.  It was nice to see them as well…  It feels so good being home, it’s been too long…

Capn Scott

I’ve been in the airport at least a dozen times in San Salvador.  Many times with a long stop over.  This time, I had a 6 hour layover and decided to step outside.  I went to Pato Canales for lunch.  It is a small zoo.  The food was great…

Try to take this shot in a U.S. airport.  There will be a dozen officers trying to wrestle you to the ground and take your camera away.  This is a U.S. P3 being chased by a bunch of fire trucks on the tarmac at the airport in San Salvador.  I guess they’re using the fire trucks for security.

A full day of traveling…  Tonight, Panama…

Capn Scott

I got a chance to go to New York City and get some shots.

We left Philly early in the morning and took the train to New York City.

The snow in Central Park really set the mood.  Vibrant colors, snow, calm reflections.

Got a chance to go past Wolman Rink.  About 20 years ago, I lived and worked in the city.  I lived here for 3 years, and worked at a 60 year old skate shop.  It is gone now, but I have great memories of the days when skating was all there was to life.

The architecture and art are definitely world class.

I got a chance to go past all of the old hangouts and even met up with some old friends.  The area that has changed the most would be Times Square.  Way back when, it was just one large jumbotron and the scolling text around one building.  Now, it is totally engulfed in electronic screens.  If  you look real close at the top screen, it says, “10 days until New Year’s Eve”.  At that point, the ball on top will raise and drop for new years.

Capn Scott

Pretty healthy snow storm over the last day.  Somewhere around 22″ of snow.  One question…

Is my truck under all of that???  All I can say is…  I’ll be home (David, Panama)  for Christmas, if only for a week.  It’ll be so nice to get back.  It’s been almost a year and a half since I’ve been back.  Meanwhile, this is a clever diversion…

Capn Scott

The Christmas lights in snow are always spectacular.

Nice display, but with the snow…  close to spectacular…

Okay…  who ordered the snow for Christmas?  It really sets of the lights just perfect…

Capn Scott

Okay…  up north they have this white stuff that falls from the sky.  I haven’t been up here for over 20 years.  They’re forecasting at least 11 inches of snow.

The snow is colder than I remember.  It’s also less fun.

This is an HDR shot of the same scene.  Well, this coming week, I’ll be home, in David for Christmas.  It’ll be so nice to get back.

Capn Scott