Colombian folk dancer

Reflection

The reflection off a lid of black grand piano on the cruise ship.

Let's go cruising -

on a ship, not down main street. The cruise ships today are mammoths. The Panama Canal passage fee for this ship was $230,000.00.

Long Beach, California port at dusk

Let's go shoping

Diego Rivera

On a remote side street high on a hill overlooking Acapulco, Mexico, the famous Mexican artist, Diego Rivera, created this mosaic on a homeowner's street wall.

Cliff diver - Acapulco Mexico

This was a fun photo op to use the telephoto lens, a rapid shutter speed andthe camera's ability to shoot multiple frames per second.

Panama City, Panama

A part of the impressive skyline of Panama City which has become a major banking and financial center.

Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena was a Spanish stronghold on the Caribean from which Gold and Silver from the New World was shipped to Spain. The Old City was heavily fortified against the enemies of Spain who would raid and attempt to conquer this strategic port.

Cartagena, Colombia

An interesting inhabitant of the Old City.

Cartaqena, Colombia

Churches in the Old City.

Cartagena, Colombia

Picturesque street in the Old City of Cartaqena.

Panama Canal - bridge over the canal at the Culebra Cut

This was the area where the original constructors of the canal encountered the greatest difficulty. You can see the recent construction efforts to widen the canal at this very narrow point. This is a part of the effort to widen the canal and construct an additional set of locks that will handle every ship in the world or on the drawing boards.

Canal operations

Ship in lock and gates beginning to close

Canal operations

Ship in lock and gates closing

Canal Operations

Gates closed and lock filled

Cabo San Lucas

The most recognizable geographic feature of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is el Arco.

Cabo San Lucas

We watched this and one other whale in the bay of Cabo San Lucas.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the most green, serene and nature filled places on earth. This picture is of the edge of the rain forest. Following are a number of favorite scenes from the rain forest.

Costa Rica

Alligators on the prowl. The locals call the two big ones Osama and Bill Clinton.

Costa Rica

The density of the rain forest is difficult to comprehend unless you are in it. From the floor to the top of the canopy, there is a myriad of trees, vines, flowers, ferns and moss.

Costa Rica

A common site in the rain forest is huge termite nest in a tree.

Costa Rica

Another unusual red flower from the rain forest. It attracts numerous insects and hummingbirds.

Costa Rica

This plant in the rain forest has beautiful red leaves.

This is for the birds

I was able to get this close up shot of an Ostrich with the long lens. Following are some of the best bird photos from the cruise.