ruthkennedysretirementblog

Birders Paradise, Pedasi Panama, Dec 14, 2021

Birding in and around Pedasi is paradise for those interested, but you need two thing that I don’t have, patience and a good camera.
Every day as I sit outside in the bohio, I hear all kinds of bird sounds and see flashes of bright blue or yellow or red as a bird goes zipping by. Hummingbirds visit hibiscus flowers not 20 feet from me. Am I able to capture any of it? No.

We are part of a Facebook group that has a member who posts the most incredible nature photos “Kathleen Howard Nature Photographer”. Kathleen has kindly given me permission to share her photos. The photos and bird names come directly from Kathleen’s posts.

The pictures show the variety of birds in this area, and the amazing talent to capture these incredible poses.

Kathleen posted quite a few pictures of this pair going through the mating ritual.

What amazing photography, to be able to catch this Keel-billed Toucan eating a berry.

As I sit here posting Kathleens picture of the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, I watched one just a few feet away flit from one hibiscus flower to another….to another…and then gone.

We have had an Egret come visit our yard on several consecutive days constantly searching for worms and bugs (I think). This photo by Kathleen captures the big bird eating a tiny little something!

And last but not least. This picture of a Great-tailed Grackle was taken at dusk and posted yesterday. The caption says it was flying up after taking a bath.

Okay, this little gecko is not a bird. but it is so darned cute. There are tons of geckos both inside and outside the house. Most I see are brownish or greenish. There is an occasional flesh coloured gecko but I have never seen this much colour.

This is just a sampling of the many pictures posted on Kathleen Howard Nature Photography Facebook page. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did.

Cheers

Ruth

Living in Pedasi, Panama in Dec 2021

Moving to a new country, even for three months, takes a bit of time to adjust to the day to day living needs. We have been fortunate to join a What’sApp group that posts throughout the day on what is currently happening. What we have found (from previous trips also) is shopping and eating local products is quite inexpensive. This week we visited a produce truck that was “loaded with everything you could possibly want”. All of the produce in the picture above cost $10.26 US (USA dollars are used here). At home the papaya alone would have probably cost that much. Imported products costs about the same as we would pay in Canada, maybe even more.

The oranges were 10 for $1. They were sweet and juicy, and well worth the effort to take the pits out. Might be time to invest in a juicer! The pineapple was also incredibly tasty.

In the past we have been able to buy fish out of the back of a truck. This year has started out similarly, just a few days after arriving a car came by with fresh shrimp for $3.50 a lb.

Daryl cleaned the shrimp, then we gently sautéd them in butter and onion. Just imagine, for $7 being able to eat all the fresh shrimp that you want.

For all the meat lovers out there, certainly no problem getting good beef. This ribeye at a half kilo, was definitely enough for the both of us. Cooked to perfection on a charcoal BBQ made for a wonderful taste sensation. Every bite was tender, juicy and flavourful. The only seasoning we added was salt and pepper!

Our neighbour makes mozzarella cheese…. 100% milk and a little sea salt. Very good!

We haven’t been out to eat much yet, except for one restaurant and a juice bar. But from what I have gathered there are minimal restrictions. Everyone wears masks practically every where. There are no restrictions on the number of people allowed in shops or restaurants. Even in Spanish the posted recommendations are the same: Keep your distance, wear a mask and wash your hands. Hate to say it, but I think Covid is with us for a while yet. I like that it is having minimal impact on our daily life.

As always we try to go for a walk every day. Mostly we have had the entire beach to ourself so easy to keep our distance:)

Cheers

Ruth

Coming back to Panama Dec 2021

After almost two years of not leaving Canada, we decided to “bite the bullet” and be a snowbird again. March 2020 we were in Portugal when we got the call to come home now or “you will have no covid insurance coverage”. At that time, who knew the world would become such a different place?

Finally, we are on the go again.

Booking airplane tickets and renting a house was the easy part. Doing the required documents to get out of the country not so easy… took the better part of two days. Maybe I am just not very savvy, but the information required to be uploaded was totally unclear. After many frustrating hours, a phone call to a real person solved the issue.

We were not able to get electronic tickets so had to go to the counter at the airport, where we were issued paper boarding passes for the three legs of our trip. In hindsight, the frustrating days spent getting all the documents approved was well worth it. The entire trip went effortlessly and smoothly, even arrival in Panama City (except for losing my Nexus card!!).

A word of advice: think carefully about booking a flight that arrives at 3PM on a Friday afternoon in Panama City, if you intend to immediately leave the city. It took us about an hour to get through immigration, our driver was there to meet us and we started our journey to Pedasi. Getting out of the city itself was relatively painless as we took the toll highway, far away from downtown.

However, the next 100 km or so (seriously, I have no concept of distance) was stop and go, stop and go. We stopped for dinner and when we came out the traffic had thinned considerably. Still lots of traffic but mostly we were able to go the speed limit. Our driver gave an emphatic “NO” when asked if he would like to live in the city!

I hate to admit it but I have become a bit of a clean freak in my golden years!! The house was spotless but I still felt like I had to clean every drawer and shelf before putting away my personal belongings. Also I had to organize the furniture to my liking…. that and shopping took two days, but hey, no hurry. Unless our country goes crazy again and tells us to come home we have lots of time to do ‘stuff’. And if we don’t get to come home, this is a great place to be ‘stuck’.

Shopping and cleaning is thirsty work in the heat and humidity, and then it is relax time.

Now it is time to kick back and enjoy life in this lovely back yard…. rain or shine. Trying hard to not think about all the crap going on in the world.

This is our third trip to Pedasi and for the first time ever it really does not feel like vacation, we are just living the life!

Cheers

Ruth

Day Trip to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Taking a day trip from Calgary to Lake Louse, and then on to Moraine Lake is a full day, but so worth it. Just outside the town of Lake Louse you can take a “Park and Ride” shuttle which will take you right to Lake Louse, and then on to Moraine Lake when you are ready. Our trip was early in July, with Alberta just easing its Covid restrictions. There was a fair number of people visiting, however, no where near the usual packed crowds.

A very popular activity is taking a canoe ride on the lake.

Not everyone in our party went canoeing, some went exploring. There was lots to see and a quiet place to have a snack.

The views from the dining room were spectacular.

After lunch it was time to take the shuttle to Moraine Lake. Parks Canada has set up canopies/kiosks at both the park and ride, and Lake Louise. It was staffed with very helpful people.

The shuttle only took about 10 minutes. It had been years since I had been to Moraine Lake and had forgotten just how magnificent it really is.

A walk around Moraine Lake ended at a pretty babbling ‘brook’. Then a climb up the rock pile led to a spectacular panoramic view.

I do believe Alberta has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

A day well spent.

Cheers

Ruth

Fall Camping in Kananaskis

Calgary and area has had fantastic weather this fall. We were able to go camping twice in October which is practically unheard of. The yellow and green foliage was very pretty, red definitely missing.

We went to Gooseberry as it was one of only two campsites in Kananaskis that was still open, and it is close to home, plus it has electricity.

We did a bit of biking, and some walking, fortunately we did not see any bears.

Gooseberry has a lovely little path that runs parallel to the beaver ponds, I think there are five ponds that those industrious little beavers have built.

This little chipmunk was curious to see what we were doing….just cooking baby back ribs in the hot coals.

This deer practically posed for his photo.

The squirrels were busy little critters.

Elbow Falls is just a short drive from Gooseberry.

I am sure I remember the falls as being much larger. Guess we have to wait for spring run off to see lots of rushing water!

Sometimes we just get to sit back and relax.

And sometimes we just have fun!

Even the dead fall has its own beauty.

I searched long and hard for a bit of red…..not much!

Darkness comes early in the foothills in October. For a brief period the sky is glorious.

Our travel has been severely curtailed for this coming winter. I am thankful for the beauty surrounding us.

Until next time.

Cheers

Ruth

Kananaskis Country

Since we have been home from Portugal, in this summer of Covid, we sure haven’t been very far. This year is the time to showcase our beautiful backyard. Kananaskis Country is a short drive from our house with sweet camping. The drive has spectacular scenery, even on a cloudy day.

And what would be a drive on a country road without having to slow down for roaming cows.

We stayed at Beaver Flats campground, it is “first come, first served” and was packed, but luckily a family was leaving and we were able to pull in. Set up was quick and then time to enjoy the peace and quiet.

The meadow behind our site was full of wildflowers and birds.

We did a short, easy hike along Beaver Flat Trail. We only saw one old broken beaver house, but lots of beaver dams. Industrious little critters.

Our hike also took along the Elbow River.

Half the fun of camping is cooking over an open fire….rain, sunshine, breakfast, dinner…. it is all the same.

**Fall off the bone ribs cooked under hot coals** **enjoyed with Heather and Mike**

Our first camping trip of the year, sure makes me appreciate the beauty we have at home. We will do this again soon.

Cheers! Stay healthy.

Ruth

Home to Canada

When we arrived in Portugal on February 2, 2020, the coronavirus was not on our radar as a vacation changing, a life changing, rapidly spreading problem. A month later it slowly arrived in the Northern part of Portugal….we were in the South. It didn’t stay ‘slow’ for very long and the question we were asking ourselves, “should we go home now or wait and see what happens?” Sunshine and beaches vs snow and cold.

The decision was made for us when on March 13, 2020 we received an email from our insurance carrier with the message: come home. After 10 days we would have no insurance coverage for COVID -19 if we contracted the disease outside Canada.

Our flights home were with British Airways from Faro to London, then the next day home with Westjet. First we changed our flight with Westjet. If you discount the three hour wait to get through, Westjet staff were helpful and the process was smooth. We were able to book a flight home on the 19th of March. Then we changed our flight from Faro to London for the 18th. Although we were not able to come straight through on the same day, we were very thankful to have confirmed flights.

For me, then the hard part started. We self isolated, only going out for essentials, and watched the country close down a little more each day, until even the beaches were closed. The day I heard Westjet was cancelling all international flights midnight on the 19th my heart dropped even further… and I did not think that was possible. Daryl was much more relaxed and pragmatic than I was….I was running on pure anxiety!

The morning we left, the street in front of our apartment was so empty. The skies were crying.

The airport at Faro wasn’t crazy busy until we arrived at the departures gate. The bus we took from our gate to the plane holds 80 people. The maximum load has been restricted to 30.

Arrival at Gatwick was uneventful. The airport was not busy, except for people waiting for luggage. Thankfully we only had carry on so were were out of there in a flash.

We stopped at a cash machine as the shuttle to our hotel only took cash and we had no pounds….only to get on the bus and realize they took Euros. Trust me, it was not a free withdrawal:)

This was my biggest chuckle of the day. There is a KFC and a McDonalds within walking distance of the South Terminal, even though I didn’t see anything else close by.

On our way to the hotel, Daryl and I were the only people on the shuttle. And the streets were eerily quiet.

Next morning we left from the North Terminal. There were people everywhere. The flight was packed.

We arrived at our gate and there was the Westjet plane. My anxiety level immediately dropped several notches. My biggest fear through all this was getting sick in a foreign country, even though I had no concerns with the Portuguese health care. I had already tried it!!

After another uneventful flight we landed in Calgary. Felt like such a load lifted when we walked on Canadian soil. I personally thought the arrivals process was handled professionally and adequate information given out. We did have to attest we would go home to self isolate for 14 days.

Travelling with a Nexus card and carry on luggage is the way to go. We did not have to stand in the line ups to get through security or wait for luggage. We were out of the airport probably 15 minutes after landing.

Our kids have brought us food and on-line ordering works.

Please, stay home, stay away from people, keep your kids and your parents safe.

Let’s do our part to keep everyone safe.

Ruth

2020, Memories of Portugal

One more day and we get picked up to start the first part of our journey home. We have virtually been in self isolation for the last week, and I have had way too much time for social media. Need to stay informed, but I am saturated. Daryl is encouraging me to stay busy doing something I enjoy, hence this post. Our plans of many places to visit and explore has been curtailed. Our only visitors have been birds on the deck. Lots of the biggest, fattest seagulls I have ever seen, with yellow beaks and feet.

Travel is such a wonderful experience in so many ways. Sometimes it is the little things that make me go, “Oh, look at that, so neat”. So here are a few of my observations of “neat things”.

Garbage bins are underground. The truck comes around, lifts the bins up and the bottom opens up to empty! Seriously how cool is that. Not having to deal with snow or ice is an advantage here for sure.

It seems everywhere we went, people find ingenious places to hang clothes. Most balconies have racks or clotheslines. Our first apartment had a washer but no dryer. I don’t know if that is the normal, however people do hang out their clothes. It could be due to electricity being expensive.

The first time we went grocery shopping was like going on an adventure. The store was massive and sold everything!

There are tons of wines from Portugal….full price range. We are about an hour from the airport. On arrival our driver was giving us practical information, including a list of the ‘good’ wines to buy. In anticipation of Heather and Mike coming, and the last day we were going to have a car for a while, we decided to stock up. Despite our best efforts we are having to leave some bottles behind. Our apartment has offered to store the wine until we come back, that is one way to age it!

Most of the towns we have visited have defibrillators on the sidewalks.

There are orange trees everywhere…well slight exaggeration. The oranges are the juciest, sweetest, tastiest morsels imaginable,

Standard issue. Definitely an alternative to the run on toilet paper:)

The heater in our bedroom, a wall mounted panel that gives off radiant heat. Really works.

Lots of wind surfing here. When people were still out and about this was a busy little area. Note the wet suit…. this Atlantic ocean is still too cold for me.

An elevator to the beach. Now that is the way to travel.

This town is really booming. Thankfully from this apartment we have an ocean view. From our first apartment we could watch buildings going up, at least eight cranes going at any given time. Also demolition happening.

I haven’t done any shopping here, when you travel with only carry on luggage there is no space for extras. However, couldn’t resist going to a cork store and getting one item. Have to be careful though, not all cork is created equal and not all made in Portugal.

For the most part we have similar trees and flowers. This one was interesting.

And we must not forget the beer bottle that comes with a built in opener.

I even got to try the hospital system. Would not recommend anybody getting sick, but if you have to….well, no complaints from me about the treatment or system. But it was busy and I sat in a waiting room with many other people with my IV running.

Another time when I am not being a germaphobe I will give this a try. Looks ticklish.

And last, but not least, we had to go to a shop yesterday. Many social distancing rules in place. The grocery store was only allowing 30 people at a time (trust me, when we were there that was not a problem), and there were lines on the floor indicating how far apart people needed to be while waiting to check out.

Our trip to Portugal has been shortened by half. It is an amazing place to visit and we will be back.

Cheers

Ruth

Sand City, Lagoa, Portugal 2020 (and a castle or two).

On our last outing before the world as we know it changed, we went to Sand City. the largest sand sculpture theme park in the world. It was absolutely incredible. Very few people there, we sure had no trouble keeping a good distance from others.

We talked to a couple of the artists. The sculpture starts out as blocks of compacted sand.

The sculptures last a long time, one artist told us some of the sculptures have been there for almost a year… although there is a wee bit of wear and tear showing.

I have at least “a million” more pictures. They all have detailed carvings and we spent an enjoyable couple of hours wandering around.

After leaving Sand City we went looking for another ruin. This one, the Castle of Paderne, was built in the 12th century. We drove country mountainous road for a very long time… I was sure we were at the end of the earth… until eventually we arrived. We could walk around the castle but it was not open. It was massive and is one of the seven castle symbols on the Portuguese flag.

Daryl is tall enough that he was able to see over the walls and get a picture of the inside. The place truly is massive.

Way down in the valley we could see the Medival Bridge of the Paderne. It dates back to Roman times. Apparently the date 1711 is inscribed on the central arch and is thought to indicate renovations to the bridge.

There is also a walking trail in the valley. We could clearly hear people talking but did not see anyone.

There was one more castle we wanted to see that was on our way home, the Castelo de S Joao Do Arade. We were sure this one was open to the public, except when we arrived at 4 PM it was all shut up. Not sure if this was the beginning of public facilities being closed.

This castle will be on our list on our next trip to Portugal. There is so much more we had planned to see, that we were hoping to do with Heather and Mike. This part of Portugal has been amazing and we will be back.

Cheers

Ruth

Albufeira, Portugal 2020

I read that Albufeira is the ‘premier resort town’ of the Algarve and has a crazy night life. We spent a very pleasant day there, but we were long gone before any partying started!. The beach was absolutely beautiful.

The beach is a long way down from the boardwalk. A first for me was an elevator to get to the beach and yes we used it….both ways.

There was a lovely short walkway starting just after you got off the elevator. Those really old steps that look like they are carved out of the rock did not go anywhere.