Arrival

Well, we have arrived here in London, Dulwich in fact. In Chicago, we were delayed for about 2 1/2 hours while we waited for the log book, de-ice, ect... when we finally were airborne however, I noticed that the piolit changed our path slightly which resulted in arriving a little sooner, making up for a little of the delay. our drive from heathrow was exciting as we got views of London at 2am. we also drove through Kensington, our old stomping grounds. This morning we woke up and headed out to town where we promptly went to the half price ticket booth where we got tickets for Avenue Q tonight. There are many shows here that we all want to see: Phantom, Les Mis, Wicked, and Billy Elliot to name a few. we are also looking forward to seeing Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (despite the fact that we saw it last time we were here) because it features James Earl Jones (Darth Vader) and Phylicia Rashad (Ms. Huxtable). From the ticket booth, we found ourselfs by the National Portriat gallery, where we found an exhibit titled: The Beatles to Bowie- the 60's exposed. It had some amazing pictures unfortunally, i was unable to use my camera, so you'll have to take my word on that. so for now, dinner then off to the theatre!
-James

Mangrove corals

Jellyfish in Bocas

We are in Green Bay,arrived home at about 1pm,anxious to go get the cats. We were unable to post anything during our time in Playa Blanca. But we will add more now that we are home.
Our trip home was uneventful left panama at about 3pm went thru customs in Houston got to chicago at ten got to Milwaukee at 12:30 and slept there after watching a bunch of Inauguration stuff. will post more later.ellen

Remaining Time in Panama

Peter: Well after a grueling time in bocus del toro and fortuna, we left for gamboa and sorry grandma no umbrella bird this time! Gamboa is really sweet, all the birds a guy could hope 4 My favorite was the Mot-Mot it evaded all my photo opportunities. DAMN! We leave tomorrow for our resort and it has the second largest pool in the world and of course my fav all inclusive! HAHAHEHE. I am not looking forward to the cold and all the snow I have been hearin' about! Well bones is getting a little ant-see about me usein his pc for long periods of time so tottles

Peter Weidner

Pete's Photos

Sloth at the top of the canopy

Brown Booby

Purple Gallanule

howler monkey

Humming Bird

I am done with the science part of our trip. Yesterday I got up at 4:45 to go birding on the famous Pipeline Road. Saw a Mot mot(sp?) Boys are going birding once more today. Last nite Tony Coats(Smithsonian scientist that stayed with us 2yrs ago) came and gave a lecture to the students on the geology of the Ithsmus. They loved him. We had a few Gin and Tonics before to prepare. Tonite the boys and I are staying overnite with he and his wife in Panama City before he takes us to Playa Blanca the next day,for the last part of our trip. Tony says his house overlooks the whole city(photo's at 10) Playa Blanca is a resort on the Pacific (google it) they say they have the 2nd largest pool in the world. This has been a very different trip than anything we have ever done. The smithsonian really made the whole trip go very smoothly,they provided a cook for 3 meals a day for all but the 2 nights in the cloud forest in Fortuna(nobody up there).Pete has had an excellent trip and has done very well. He might need to hang out with scientists more.The early to bed early to bird has been right up his alley. He has been right there with Bob and Amy Howe at every opportunity with his camera and binocs. they say he needs better binocs, he says,"grandpa gave me these!"(I think he was in grade school) James has also had a good experience. Amy says he has done very well with upper level science students. I think he is not regreting his choice of history and political science. there was some confusion when he was handed a field journal,Bob explained later that they did not need to know how he felt about seeing a mammal, just the facts! I still have some gin left in the bottle under my bed,(I bought it on the 1st!) I think I'll give it to Tony's wife tonite,he says "we should get on well she likes gin and tonic and the beach" We are missing our cats, jim was hoping to add ocelot to his journal. We will post more photos The boys take pictures of orchids for you they are everywhere. ellen