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
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
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.
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!
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.
The Canal
Money Laundering
We stayed in Malibu, a development that owes it’s existence to money laundering. Less then two hours from Panama City it lies off of a beach on which three separate gated enclaves overlook. Expats and wealthy Panamanians constitute their less then 50% occupancies. With only the random light on, nighttime transposes them into ghostly caricatures of what could have been.
