Panamá: Snorkeling, Ruins and Farewell Dinner (Day 7)

"Traveling makes me see things in a whole new perspective and it makes me realize all that we take for granted." - Panama Student 2017

Today we traveled two hours by bus to visit the Caribbean side of Panama.  We stopped in Portobelo, named by the Italian Christopher Columbus, to get on a boat and meet our snorkeling guides. After getting fitted for flippers, goggles and a snorkel, we lathered on the sunscreen and rode a boat to a private island just off of the coast. Over half of the group had never been snorkeling before so this experience was a first for many of them! I have been snorkeling before and these students received an incredible day for it! The weather was beautiful. The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. The water was gorgeous and we saw many different families of fish, schools of fish, sea urchins, colorful coral and anemones. I think we even found Dory! Nemo is still out there somewhere though. 

 After snorkeling with pelicans and underwater creatures, we took another small boat ride to a place for beach side soccer, shell hunting and swimming. What a wonderful way to end a great trip!

Before leaving Portabelo, we spent some time exploring the town. This included a church with a statue of the Black Christ (important to the history of the New World) and and one of the first forts in the New World. It is interesting to think about the feet that once stood in this fort, the dangers they felt, the missions they accomplished and the people that owned them. 

 

Next, we journeyed the two hours back to the hotel, showered, and get ready for our farewell dinner. As part of my group tradition, students dress up on the final night of our tour. We ate a fabulous dinner at El Trapiche, shared our favorite experiences on the trip and said goodbye to Alonso, our dear friends from Alabama (Christian, Max, Copeland and their teacher Mr. Scott), as well as or EF tour buddies (Jenn and Alex). It is so amazing to hear what the kids enjoyed and see how much they have grown in a week. I am really going to miss this group! I hope that many of them consider applying to be a Junior Counselor for my trips in the future! (Parents, we will talk!)

A Picture Perfect Panama Portrait...

Fun/Funny Quotes from Today:

I flop like a fish. 

Those look like fries. 

I'm so salty today because I drank too much of the salt water. 

I didn't get eaten by a shark.

You created an awkward moment for him. How? By talking to him. 

My life jacket isn't letting me sink. 

I don't know which is funnier, the face that it took me a minute to completely understand the joke, or the joke itself.

NOTE: I will be posting quote a few more pictures tomorrow throughout the day, as we have a lengthy layover in Denver and I am just too tired tonight to wait for them to download. These are by no means the best, only the quickest. I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog for this trip. I will continue to post about other things and will have about 3 more Panama posts before we are all safe and sound in Wichita tomorrow evening. Thank you for reading! A huge thank you to all of you who helped make this journey possible for these kids. You have provided them with one of the greatest gifts on Earth... the ability to explore.

Heather Potter - Student Travel Group Leader