• Panama

    A Canal Runs Through It

Unlike the previous countries we visited, Panama was to be a place of sojourn. We were on our own for the month of February, 2018, ostensibly to escape the Winter nasties. Where better; bright skies, highs between 88 and 93 degrees, no rain, beaches & ocean, and a stress-free life style? Ok, not so much on that last item. Driving was very stressful. Also, we did have several other objectives: traverse the canal, see Old Town Panama, and enjoy a weeks visit from Bret & family. Accomplishing all of that made for a very successful trip! The bridge in the picture above is at the Continental Divide.


Panama City

Panama City's skyline was unexpected!

Downtown
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A very new city. Most of it has been built up since 2006 with the addition of 50 skyscrapers and 15,000 hotel rooms along with many condos. Most however, remain unoccupied! The impact of money laundering!

Money Laundering
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Panama’s strategic geographic location, dollarized economy, and status as a regional financial, trade, and logistics center made it a target for money launderers as reflected in its skyline. It also had an inpact in other areas of the country.

Casco Viejo
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Also known as Old Town. It has been in existence since 1673 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We spent a full day exploring.


Home for the Month

About a mile off the Pan-American highway, along a narrow, shoulder-less, treelined, and potholed road lies Malibu. A development with a lovely, scenic location, a well designed lay-out, close proximity to the ocean, and no money. When external investments (read drug money laundering) dried-up, much development ended at what ever phase it was in. Malibu was at about twenty-five percent completion. Homes that are lived-in tend to be occupied only on the weekend or on holidays. It was very quiet at night. Part of the land is now used by neighbors to graze their horses. We found the experience to be both romantic and scary!


Beach Time

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Thanks to Bret, Yuri, and Myla, Grandenise & Grandpa finally got down to the beach to play in the sand and do a little surfing. It took a while for our sunburnt bodies to recover but it was worth it.

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Surfing
Panama Style

Gamboa

The day after Bret & family arrived we traveled to Gamboa Rainforest Resort where we spent the night. It is located in one of the permanent Canal Zone townships built to house employees of the Panama Canal and their dependents. Situated next to Soberania National Park and the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve it was our jumping off point to traverse the Canal.

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Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Aerial Tram ride to top of rainforest and hike to Observation Tower
Aerial Tram ride to top of rainforest and hike to Observation Tower
Aerial Tram ride to top of rainforest and hike to Observation Tower
Aerial Tram ride to top of rainforest and hike to Observation Tower
Aerial Tram ride to top of rainforest and hike to Observation Tower
Aerial Tram ride to top of rainforest and hike to Observation Tower
Tour of Butterfly House
Tour of Butterfly House
Tour of Butterfly House
Tour of Butterfly House
Tour of Butterfly House
The rescued animal shelter
The rescued animal shelter
The rescued animal shelter
The rescued animal shelter
The Orchid gardens
The Orchid gardens
The Orchid gardens
The Orchid gardens
Exploring Gatun Lake aboard a speed boat

The Canal

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