Panama: The Final Chapter

Here are a few random pics from the resort

   We took a second day trip into Penonome.  This was a shopping trip, that involved a trip to the grocery store, a craft store to get souvenirs and a cigar factory.

The cigar factory

I was a little disappointed in the cigar factory,. because I expected to see people actually making cigars and an explanation on the cigar making process (not that I smoke then, I was just curious).  When we got inside all it was was a room with cigars for sale.

Fruit Vendor

Sweets for Sale

Police office, flag is at half mass because an ex-prime minister had past away

Yummy snow cones, only 50cents!  I had coconut with real coconut shavings

Thanks for taking the time to check out my pics.  I would highly recommend Panama as a vacation spot, I had a great time.

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Panama: Part Deux

     When we last left off, I was on a half day trip to the Anton Valley.  On this trip we also went to a "zoo:.  Now I use parentheses, because this was really a property that was owned my someone and they have been given animals to raise.  I have to admit that I am not a fan of zoos.  The animals all look depressed and these animals looked anorexic.  It was really sad.

One thing I loved about Panama was that there were beautiful coloured flowers everywhere 

This is a tapir.  I have never seen one before this day.

It is about the 3 feet high. Tapir is a mammal, it is similar to a pig.

Beautiful lake, can you see me in the background?

After the zoo, we were off to a small rain forest.

We were lead to a beautiful waterfall.

This little frog's thoughts were too funny.

We then went to a mineral bath.  We spread mud all over us, wait for it to dry and then took a dip in the bath.

I know that this is not a fashion blog by any means.  But, I would like to that this time to share a few of my favourite outfits from the trip.

Love this dress! I think it is Jones of New York.

I love strips!

Tune in tomorrow for the third and final chapter!

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Panama: The First Chapter

     Well readers, the time that you have all been waiting for is here!  Last week I went to Panama on vacation.  I was a bit worried when I first booked because no one I have known has gone there before, but that was also part of the appeal.  I am so happy that I went, because it was a beautiful country and I would highly recommend the resort that I went to.  I stayed in Playa Blanca a resort town located 2 hours outside of Panama City.  I had a great time  outstanding time.  My travel buddy was a blast and I relaxed, read a few books, played some pool volleyball and enjoyed a lot of down time.  Before I began, a little geography lesson.  Panama is located in central america between Costa Rica and Columbia.  

Panama's main language is Spanish, followed by English and Indigenous languages (there are about 7 Indigenous tribes in Panama).  There main source of economic wealth is tourism.

The ride from the airport to Panama was very informative (that is where I got all my facts) and I really enjoyed learning about the country.  When we arrived, we checked in and were given our rooms.

Beautiful Bathroom

Everyday they left us fresh flowers as little accents around the sink or in the towels.  It was really a nice touch.  Bedrooms had two double beds and were clean with a nice flat screen TV.

The view from the room overlooked one of the pools

Once we checked in we headed to the beach.  I think that the beach was the ONLY thing that I was a little disappointed in.  My friends call me a beach snob, because I have been blessed to have visited many beaches around the world I always compare.  This because had brownish sand and the tide was super low.  The water wasn't as blue or as clear as some of the other beaches I have been to.  Granted this beach is located in the Pacific and usually you find nicer beaches on the other side of the country, on the Caribbean side.   We were also warned that because of the low tide, the sting rays liked to hide in the sand and to be careful not to get stung by one.  I REALLY don't like the feeling of being paranoid when I am in the water at the beach. Also it was extremely windy by the water and when we lay down to read the sand was slapping me in the face like I owed it money.

Ok, ok, I must apologize, looking at these pictures again, how can I saw anything bad, I'm sorry beach...

The second day, we took a half day excursion to a "zoo", a mineral bath, small rain forest and a small craft town called Anton Valley.

The bus stopped at the side of the road on the way to the "zoo"  for us to take pictures of the breathtaking view.  It is currently the dry season in Panama and the weather was great 30-35 C everyday , with no humidity.

This will continue on Monday, because this weekend one of my good friends is turning 30!!  We are heading to a chalet up north for the weekend to PARTAY!  The weekend will conclude with a cocktail party (Pearls and Pocket Squares) on Sunday evening.  The festivities began last night!

Happy Birthday A!

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I'm Back

Hello Bloggies and Bloggettes,
      I am back from my wonderful vacation in Panama.  I have a number of pictures to share with you, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I hurt my wrist on vacation (too  much pool volleyball).  It hurt so much that I couldn't hold anything in my left hand.  I went to the Dr. yesterday and he told me that I have severe tendinitis and gave me a prescription for anti-inflammatories.  I have decided to take the week off from any gym activity to make sure that my wrist gets back to 100%.
     I also gained 5 pounds, but I am dealing with that now.  Stay tuned...

**My apologies to the Spring Chick Crew.  With the vacation, I totally blew the last few weeks**

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The Bikini

As you know I am leaving for Panama on Saturday. I went to look for a bathing suit. I found a nice bikini that actually fit. With my large breasts it is hard to find a top that fits in any bathing suit, one or two piece. This one was nice, but I couldn't do it. It is the stretch marks that kill me. My child birth stomach ( note- I have no children)looked no bueno. I looked at myself and all I can think is that no one on the beach wants to see this. On one hand I am happy that I have made progress and I looked ok, but on the other hand I just couldn't do it. Maybe if I was the only one on the beach...

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FRIDAY!

     Yesterday after Parent-Teacher Interviews (which was a waste of 4 hours, but that is a WHOLE other story) we went to eat, I had a chicken Cesar salad and cauliflower curry soup.  I didn't get a dessert, but I did taste a few at the table.  After that I still went to the gym even though I was dead tired.  It was 9:30 pm, so I did 20 minute incline workout on the treadmill and 20 minutes on the Step mill.  I finished with about 10 minutes of weights.  By the time I was in my bed at home it was midnight.  

     This morning when I woke up at 6:15 I said," Haneefa, this is not going to work today, you are going to burn myself out if you go to the gym in the morning and tonight." 

So I didn't go.  I am off until my trip, so I can get the twice a day gym in until then.  Scale said 220, so I am back at it, fighting the never ending battle. 

      Today is the last day before March Break so the gym teacher at school got a friend who teaches Zumba to come in last period and anyone in the school can come to the gym and dance.  I can't wait it is going to be so fun!  I also have  a run planned with a co worker!

Happy Friday!

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The Weather Outside is Frightful

We got 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) of snow last night and it is still coming down.  This makes Panama look so much more enticing.  I went to the gym last night and did 30 minutes on the Step mill with 30 mins on the treadmill.  I was suppose to do weights, but I just couldn't, I was too tired and it was already 9 pm.  This morning I was exhausted and decided that I would not do my morning session, but go extra hard on my session tonight (I had even put out everything I was going to wear and bring with me to the gym this morning).  The scale said 219 this morning so things are moving.  While I was at the gym yesterday, I tuned into Survivor.  I have not watched that show since its debut.  I was kind of disappointed in the "girls" team, who kept complaining that they were cold and that it was raining and they kept going over to the men's side to get warm by the fire because they had a tarp blah blah blah.  All I could do was yell at the TV, this is SURVIVOR not a day at the spa! Get your f*&^$n' shit together and suck it up!


Tonight we are going to go out to eat after Parent Teacher Interviews.  I have visited the website and decided that I am going to have a soup and a salad.  I am going to ask them if they can add a piece of chicken to the salad for a small charge, if not oh well.


Hopefully, you are all having a great day!

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