Chris writes:
We awoke to sunshine and set off at a reasonable hour on our trip up to the East coast of Panama.
Todays route was to incorporate a visit to the infamous Panama Canal development (of which we are experts on following our museum visit on Sunday) and also to some ancient old ruins [as I refer to them] on the coast.
Our first stop was after some 20 metres as the aroma of freshly ground coffee and pastries was too much and we succumbed to an early breakfast immediately opposite the apartment that we had just left!
This was a good idea as, no sooner had we navigated around Panama City onto the motorway that basically follows the lakes and rivers that form the Panama canal waterways than we hit a traffic standstill.
It seems that an exuberant bus driver had neglected to see that his vehicle was on fire until it was well ablaze. Thankfully, it appears that everyone escaped and watched the early Nov 5th celebrations, if only they knew what that was all about.
We were impressed by the way the authorities stopped both carriageways, had a truck demolish the central reservation so that the blocked carriageway could perform a ‘U’ turn and congestion was alleviated instantly.
We then arrived at the amazing Panama Canal, which actually was a little disappointing at first glances given all the hype that it had received over the past 100 years! However to cross the canal by ferry was FOC so all was OK.
Having crossed the canal, we headed to San Lorenzo an ancient castle established by the Spanish and attacked / destroyed by none other than Sir Francis Drake and then later by Captain Henry Morgan whose family were a pretty ‘rum’ bunch (and still are for those of you that partake in that substance )
It was a magnificent location, but was it good for an expat overseas posting in 1580’s? No newspapers, or radio, no International Women’s or embassy club with cheap booze and probably no additional hardship allowance. Why would you agree to go to this foreign land, located in a swamp and swarming with mosquitoes where you are occasionally being shelled by some pirates?
The road in and out our of the fort is deteriorating rapidly as it is not a key destination venue for Saga Club 18-30’s but Mike navigated it well and we had what has been a rare opportunity to see some local wildlife – very ferocious !
A coffee halt was taken at the Shelter Bay Marina which is a haven amongst decaying forests, roads and ex USA military base buildings.
The finale to our day trip of some 200 kms was our visit to the Miraflores triple lock on the canal where our timing was perfect to witness a couple of reasonable size vessels transit through the locks and onto freedom.
Our last few hours of our final full day in Panama were spent with hosts Lois and Alexandra in Casco Vieja where a massive storm didn’t detract from a very pleasant evening.
So, Hats off to Panama which surprised us greatly and turned out to be most enjoyable. Tomorrow we fly over the Darien Gap to Cartagena for the start of our South American adventure.
Our America’s Challenge Drive 