SAN BLAS ISLANDS II

There's so much to love about the San Blas Islands.

The stunning clarity and colors of the water that laps soothingly over the white sand beaches, which Liz could never seem to get enough of. The ubiquitous bead anklets and bracelets the local Kuna women wear to signify whether they're married or not. The lady below, preparing fresh fish for our dinner is married, as noted by the wide wrap around each ankle. 

The quality of food and accommodation varies from island to island. Since only Kuna people can run businesses in the San Blas Islands (no foreign-owned companies allowed...meaning the Hard Rock San Blas will not be happening there anytime soon), the hotels and accompanying restaurants are run by the same one or two families who inhabit whichever island visitors end up staying on. 

While this often means sleeping arrangements are rustic and meals can be culinarily-challenged at times, the overall experience is one that's becoming more and more difficult to come by.

Above, Liz stands in the doorway of our hut. Amenities include one naked light bulb hanging from the palm roof, one thin mattress resting on cross-cut palm trunks, and a hammock for when the bed filled with sand. After lights out, the darkness is profound, as are the starry skies and the sounds from the waves nearby and the palms overhead. 

For families or groups, there are larger huts with multiple hammocks.

But the main attraction can only be the islands themselves. Picture perfect, whether from a distance...

Or frozen in yoga pose atop one...

Or closing business deals just next to one.

If you have time, the San Blas are so worth a visit (or two). While you're there, take some time to enjoy the scene, learn about the locals, and consider a volunteer activity such as  a beach cleanup.

And of course, don't forget to take dominion over your own palm-crowned private island. It's as unique a place as we've seen on the trip and will definitely be making our Top 10 list, if we ever get around to putting one together. 

FUNNY MONDAY: PALM TREE JUMP

From live volcanoes to high bridges to the Taj Mahal, for some reason we like having our photo taken while jumping in the air. Tourists.

So when we saw this reclining palm stretching out over a beach in the San Blas Islands, we went right to it. More or less.

At least the sand was a safer landing than the one Kip would've faced if he missed this jump in Thailand...or if this jumping cat crash landed in a monastery in Burma. 

PHOTO FRIDAY: SAN BLAS ISLANDS, PANAMA

More than 350 islands...less than 50 are inhabited. Welcome to the San Blas.

THE PANAMA CANAL

A cargo ship passes beneath the Bridge of the Americas as it exits the canal en route to the Pacific Ocean.

Historian David McCullough in his book The Path Between the Seas wrote this about the Panama Canal:

"The creation of a water passage across Panama was one of the supreme human achievements of all time, the culmination of a heroic dream of over 400 years and of more than 20 years of phenomenal effort and sacrifice. The 50 miles between the oceans were among the hardest ever won by human effort and ingenuity, and no statistics on tonnage or tolls can begin to convey the grandeur of what was accomplished." 

As McCullough writes, mere statistics don't do justice to the marvel that is the Panama Canal. 

But let's give it a shot anyway, shall we? 

By the time the United States bought the rights to the canal from the French in 1904 following their decade-long failed attempt to build the waterway, $287 million had been spent and thousands of workers (20,000+) had died, mostly from yellow fever and malaria.

After 10 more years, millions of dollars, and thousands more lives lost, the canal finally opened to commercial traffic under U.S. control. 

A few stats:

• Construction cost in 1914: $375,000,000 (not counting the French attempt)
• Cost in 2007 dollars: $7.4 billion
• Number of workers to build: 56,000+
• Lowest toll paid: 36 cents paid by Richard Haliburton, who swam through in 1928
• Highest toll paid: $375,600 by the cruise ship Norwegian Pearl in 2010
• Time to cross: 1-2 days, depending on traffic; if a boat enters on time for her early morning appointment, she can make the passage in 8-10 hours, typically
• Boats per year: 1,000 (1915); 14,000+ (2010)

One of the canal's 3,000-ton, five-story tall gates closes behind a cargo ship.

For more stats, check out this page or the official page of the Canal de Panama. 

The Canal truly is a wonder of the modern world. If you ever get to Panama, you gotta head out to the Miraflores Locks and Visitors' Center and watch this feat of engineering in operation. 

It's so worth it. 

Liz on the radio in the control tower of a ship passing through the canal.
OK, maybe it's a simulator in the Canal Visitor's Center.

View from the visitor center.

The view from the bar of the Balboa Yacht Club. Great place to enjoy a sunset.

PHOTO FRIDAY: DIVING WITH SHARKS IN COIBA MARINE PARK

Liz gets a close-up view of a white-tipped reef shark in Panama's Coiba National Marine Park. 

FUNNY MONDAY: KIP WITH GOLD MEDAL WINNER KIPROTICH

Kip drinking Aqua Sipi water with Kip(rotich).

When we saw this billboard on a busy street in Uganda, we had no idea the man pictured, draped in a Ugandan flag, won the gold medal in the marathon at the London Olympics last fall. 

We also had no idea that when Stephen Kiprotich returned home from the UK, he was given a hero's welcome for winning what was Uganda's second gold medal ever (the first was in 1972 for the 400-meter hurdles). He also scored $80,000 in cash and a house for his mom and dad. Not bad for someone no one thought would medal.

What we did know was that we had to find out who this thirsty, patriotic person was, and more importantly, that Kip had to get his picture taken with a Ugandan who we thought was named Kip, or more specifically "Kip Siping."

As it turns out, "kip" means "keep" in Swahili (we think), and "Kip Siping" basically means "keep sipping." Oh well. Next time.

For more on Kiprotich, check out his somewhat dramatized life story in this minute long video/commercial for Aqua Sipi water, which includes a nice tour of Uganda.

PHOTO FRIDAY: ZANZIBAR RAINBOW

We thought we'd never see anything like the Photo Friday rainbow over Burma's Inle Lake from months ago. But an afternoon thunderstorm on our first day in Zanzibar produced a scene we thought was pretty close. 

Above, two men pole their boat through the shallows as another sails past in the distance. Welcome to Zanzibar indeed.

ROCK CREEK CLEAN UP

Ranger Scott Einberger briefs volunteers in Rock Creek Park as part of National Public Lands Day. 

Volunteer Liz Zipse daintily picks up an unknown trash item from the shores of Rock Creek. Dirty work, indeed. 

Liz and Kip getting in their 1 OF 7.

CANOEING THE ANACOSTIA

A few co-workers prep to hit the shores. 

Colleague Richard J delivers the goods. 

A boatload of river debris. Not to worry. There was plenty more.