Mom & Gram Come to Visit!

Mom & Gram came to visit!

It was awesome to have them here, and I couldn't wait to show them around.  Most of all, I was excited to bring them to the beach (Decameron Resort) for a weekend of relaxation and cold beverages!  For the first full day, we toured the city and hit the Miraflores Visitor's Center at the Panama Canal.  This is a must see, and turned out to be even better since it's recent renovation.  The weekend we spent at the Decameron Resort laying by the pool and drinking.  We used Gram as an excuse to get poolside rooms and we were pretty proud of ourselves!  On the last full day we walked and shopped around in Casco Viejo.  Unfortunately, it was a typical hot and sweaty day making it difficult to hit all of things on our to-see list.  I suppose that just means they'll have to make another trip down here again!

Here we are at the Miraflores Locks of the Canal

And then a surprise trip to the beach!

Above, Andrea and Mom

Above, us poolside (with drinks)

Out to dinner at Camisones

Above, Gram asked for a refill on her Piña Colada, and the server brought her back a double!

Below, back in the city touring Casco Viejo

Below, on the Amador Causeway

And here's what they had to say about the trip:

Mom: "I really enjoyed two very different attractions. I would have to say the most interesting and exciting was our visit to the Panama Canal.  I was so intrigued with the canal, it is such an engineering masterpiece, so cool! The other because of it's amazing beauty was the resort DeCameron. It was the most beautiful location with the palm trees, the pacific and the pools!  The city was very modern but the drivers craaaaazy!"

Gram: "On my recent trip to Panama City, I was surprised and pleased to see how modern the city was.  I was told that instead of being a third world country, it is now a "developing country". Natalie took us to many places and the newly developed areas (parks) along the waterfront were very picturesque.  I had visited San Blas years ago and it was fun to see the Kunas when we visited Casco Viejo.  The newly renovated buildings are absolutely awesome in the area.  I was disappointed that I couldn't visit the church with the golden altar since it was only open for three hours in the afternoon.  I had hoped it was open in the morning also.  I hated to leave as I am sure there was so much more to see."