Our Family Moved from Canada to Panama: Part 2 The Flight to Panama

Make sure to read Part 1 here about our day leading up to our flights from Canada to Panama if you haven’t already!

We Are at The Airport

It’s surreal being at the airport, my mind replaying the last 8 months of planning, dreaming and anticipation. Finally we are here about to say goodbye to our old life and flying away to our new one. How did this even happen? Did we truly make it? Are we really moving from Canada to Panama?

Thank goodness the airport is empty and we didn’t have to go far because we are struggling. We have 2 car seats, 7 suitcases of various sizes, a golf case and 4 backpacks. Between Zach and I we were trying to keep everything on the carts and not lose the kids. Check in went almost as expected. The only hiccup was Zach’s golf case would have counted as a regular check in bag with no extra charge. If I would have known that I may have changed my packing strategy. No going back now, an extra checked bag fee and an overweight fee it was…the darn thing was 65 lbs. With the bags dropped off to security we went feeling way lighter. Much to our pleasure it was quick and easy as we literally were the only ones there.

The kids are amazing so far, listening well and excited to do all the airport antics. Running up and down aisles, watching movies and coloring. We decided to get to the airport early to have “bedtime” there rather than at home. So a 3 hour wait it was. After an hour everyone was starving. Thank you Chilli’s for some yummy evening appetizers…and by appetizers I mean second supper. Maybe it was the let down of anxiety from the build up of emotions over the last few days but man was everyone was famished. It was the perfect recharge and everyone was ready for the 4.5 hour flight to Toronto.

Boarding Our First Flight

Finally it was time to board! Hunter showed no signs of being tired but Nova was already fighting it hard. We got to our seats and I got everyone set up for the long flight. The best thing is I get to these travel foot rests I bought for the trip. They go on the floor in front of you and basically made a bed for the kids. They are great for sleeping but also increased the space the kids had to move around. I love them and would highly recommend them, here is the link to the ones we have. The kids very much enjoyed them too! Wouldn’t you know it once we got blankets and teddies out they both fell asleep with no trouble. Zach on the other hand didn’t need any help falling asleep and was snoring before anyone else.

We land in Toronto and just like that two thirds of the trip is over. It is 6am Toronto time and are hungry for breakfast. Thankfully good old Tim Hortons was right beside us when we deboarded. The kids seem to be doing good for only having 3 hours of sleep. They are loving their Trunki’s suitcases which is also making our lives so much easier. Find them here. Not only do they get to go for a ride but we can keep a good pace. Our layover was 2 hours, which may have felt longer if the food didn’t 30 min and our gate wasn’t on the other side of the airport. We barely got to sit down and eat before boarding our second and final flight from Toronto to Panama City. 

Flight Number 2

This flight I was hoping would go as smooth as the first but not so much. Things started good, everyone was occupied and overall happy. Hour 2/5 things started to go downhill fast. Nova was still exhausted even after the nap on the first flight and was now refusing to sleep. That is when she started screaming. We knew she was stubborn and had experienced her screaming fits before, but never in a place with no escape. There is nowhere to go…so when she got it into her head that nothing was going to make her happy things got bad. The poor people on this flight had to listen to her surprisingly powerful lungs as she inconsolably screamed for a solid 5 mins. After that she finally decided we were not the enemy and a few blueberries would make her happy enough…for now.

Unfortunately this only lasted until she had to go pee. We took her to the bathroom where she declared the bathroom was “yucky” and refused to go. No matter how many times we brought her to the bathroom she refused to use the toilet or a diaper. So the same screaming started again as she was too darn stubborn to pee. Now Hunter, my little man, is a trooper and was amazingly tired enough sleep through during Nova’s meltdowns. He slept until we woke him at landing to get off the plane, thank goodness. Nova did not sleep that entire flight! Zach and I were utterly exhausted mentally and physically from trying to keep her happy for 4 hours. If Zach and I weren’t already convinced of Nova’s stubbornness and sheer will power we sure are now, girl you are a force to be reckoned with! 

Landing in Panama

We got off the plane and the elation I thought I would feel was nowhere to be found. The reality of getting all our bags, passing customs and finding my parents was a bit intimidating. We had no 3G so no way to communicate in a foreign country we don’t speak the language of. Not to mention the exhaustion was making us feel more numb than anything else. We were now running on adrenaline. Thankfully I was able to muddle my way through Spanish instructions to get 30 mins of free wifi. I felt so much better now that I could message my parents to find out what door they were at. 

We made it through customs without issue and our bags were on the carousel. Unfortunately two bags are damaged, not surprising as it seems every time we travel something is damaged. Without proper communication we could not find the baggage claim center so we just took pictures and hoped we could put in a claim later. Right now we just wanted to go!

We walked out the doors and my parents were right there waiting, was that ever a relief. In that moment every worry and insecurity vanished. Getting to hug my mom after a long 6 months of not seeing her was the best feeling. Plus it was the final leg of the trip, thank goodness. Our drive from PTY (Panama City Airport) to our home in Nueva Gorgona. A short 1.5 hour stint compared to the 4 & 5 hour flights we just did. 

Our Drive from Panama City to Nueva Gorgona

Our last challenge. Getting all our bags, 2 kids and 4 adults into a compact SUV. Not sure how we did it but we did. Check out a video my dad made of our arrival. Finally on the road but we weren’t home free yet. Nova was still struggling. I’m pretty sure she thought my parents wanted a throwback to life with me as a baby because once again she screamed inconsolably…they may have nicknamed me “screamer” for a good reason. At least Nova comes by the grit and personality honestly. The screaming must have tired Nova out enough because screaming turned into sleeping the rest of the trip home. It was also my turn to catch an hour of sleep, which I desperately needed. It was a nice pick me up for both of us.

We got to our new building and it was surreal. We were feeling decompressed enough to get excited about our arrival. Walking into our home and seeing it in person was something else. Then we stepped onto our balcony, the view was breathtaking! Not only the view but the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was something good for the soul.

Side note

3 days before we left Alberta we learnt there was a technical issue with the booking system for our condo. Our unit had been double booked meaning we had to get a new unit to live in. Thank the good Lord there was another unit almost identical available, but only the day after we arrived. So we would have to spend our first night at my parents place. Alternatively we could take a larger unit, 1200 sqft vs 790 sqft and two baths instead of the one. We decided that the bigger unit was a better choice. It allowed us to move in the day we arrived and you won’t catch us complaining about having more room.

The Day is Still Young

It was only 4pm so we still had time to have some fun after a long day of travel. Even with the hiccups the kids both truly did amazing and deserved it. First order of business was gifts! My mom and dad or Memi and Pepi, as we call them saved Hunter and Nova’s Christmas gifts for our arrival. They were so excited to open a few more presents. They loved the new toys and pool floaties! It was definitely a highlight of their day.

After gifts we headed to Memere and Pepere’s (my grandparents) for a big family dinner, it felt just like home. It was much appreciated as we had skipped lunch and all didn’t realize how hungry we were. With full tummy’s we changed into our swim suits and headed down for an evening dip. Hunter had been asking to go swimming since we landed so we figured we would check out pool #1. Hunter loved every second of being at the pool, he had no fear. However Nova didn’t care too much for the cool water and much preferred going down the slide at the park.

Everyone was ready for bed pretty early especially after a swim. It had been long and tiresome day or two but it was all worth it. Excited to be in our new home and the adventure that lay ahead we all fell asleep to the sound of waves.