january 2014
las cumbres, panama

i was pleasantly surprised when i cut into an ORANGE lime ! it was so beautiful and bright and lemony.

wine from spain that we got in panama and drank in california.

december 2013
bocas del toro, panama.

i was hoping to find panamanian sea glass on this trip, but i was surprised to find ZERO. instead, i found a LOT of coral. i became obsessed with the bounty of beautiful coral washed up on the shore.

flying over the panama canal.

flying over the caribbean side of panama.

this is where we stayed on playa bluff beach in bocas del toro, panama. the most amazing landscape ever. the rain forest jungle comes right UP to the beach. the clearness of the water and the colour of the sand are completely stunning and so inspiring.

this is what is known as the “panama hat” . . . though they are actually made in ecuador. during the panama canal construction thousands of these were shipped to panama from ecuador for the workers to wear. when theodore roosevelt wore one of these hats on camera while visiting the panama canal construction site, it quickly became a fashion icon and then known as the “panama hat.”

this is the actual panamanian hat. these are made in panama and unlike the “panama hat” (which is woven), these are braided and then stitched together. really well made ones can actually hold water. this is the hat i bought in panama. i found it much more unique and stylish and i got SO many thumbs ups from the natives because of it.

it was outdoor barbecue night on the beach !

i had the most AMAZING christmas day imaginable. it was spent surfing in panama on an epic day. the water was the perfect temperature, it was a perfect reef break, and the waves were JUST right. it was a magical day.

this fearless cat in panama walked RIGHT up to me.

how CUTE is this FACE !

we spent a fabulous sunset having a drink and watching ships cross the miraflores locks. this was a truly amazing sight. i have learned SO much about panama and the panama canal on this trip. much more than i ever learned in school. this is a fascinating country. we also swam and kayaked in the canal. unforgettable. 

i LOVE that the stick figures in panama have BUTTS !

i had the most wonderful and inspiring new year’s eve ever. we spent the day with the embera tribe, a semi-nomadic indigenous people living in panama far into the rain forest jungle. we spent the day with them eating, dancing, and learning about their way of life, their amazing art, and toured their jungle thick with medicinal plants.

we traveled by a long canoe to get there.

they made us a delcious lunch of fish and plantains served in in a banana leaf bowl.

these are the simple thatched roof huts they live in.

this is an example of some of the beautiful jewelry they make.
they live a life of simplicity, intention, and spend their days making art.
these are my exact goals for 2014.