I'm enjoying wandering around this magical fairytale like old colonial city.There is so much history here and each building and street is a feast for the eyes that I can,t keep up.Photos just can't capture the charm.I have been wandering on the walls of the city...through tunnels in the fortifications ...ducking into numerous 400 to 500 year old churches/convents...walking along the beaches..cruising the twisting streets with gorgeous old flowered balcony mansions ..etc etc....Cartegena is very touristy though and it can be frustrating being hit upon constantly to buy souvenirs drugs or sex. After awhile you become reluctant to strike up a conversation with someone because you become leery of their motivations.Yesterday...as I was exploring Cartegena`s beach this woman came up to me and asked if i wanted a massage...I had noticed that many women were doing such ..giving massages right on the beach...well...she was persisting and I was trying to use my Spanish so I finally consented after she said just five minutes free demonstration.She soon signaled another woman to come over with a chair and before long my T shirt was off and I was being lathered down and in addition to getting a back and neck rub was receiving a manicure on my disgusting toes.I lost track of the time as I was utilizing my Spanish...after a while I figured well I,ll just pay for a massage...Well after 45 mas or menus minutes ...when they started on my finger nails...I figured this was enough and put a halt to things saying I had to meet a friend.Much to my surprise they then wanted 120,000 COPS..Colombian Pesos....about $60..I was a bit ticked off at them and myself for being sucked in but also I only had 80,000 on me as I don,t like to be about with much money.After a bit of hassling about...which included other people getting involved...I just walked away minus $80,000 COPS...A well...Today I wanted to go on a Garcia Marquez audio/map tour of Cartegena...he is my favorite Colombian writer and Ive read most of his books many of which take place in Cartegena.I opted out when the cost was $70,000 COPS...Anyway....the weather hear is sunny and in the mid 30,s...I think I,ll try to look up this 60 something sail bat capt that I met in Portobel.
Last night the Aussie back packers in the Marlin Hotel were whooping it up until 6 am in the common room which is three door from my paper thin cell. I've asked to move further to the back of the building.I was ticked off with them singing and carousing all night but realized I was just as bad when I was their age.
Tomorrow I am going to go to Mompos for a few days..I,ll leave my back back at the hotel and travel light.Mompos is an old town on the Magdelena river made famous in Marquez,s books.
I have been chatting to Aldous on EMAIL and he and some friends will be in Cartegena within a few days.I am going to try to convince him to go on the ""Lost City "trek...a six day trek through the jungle south of Santa Marta to one of the oldest and largest pre Colombian indigenous cities...
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monteria, Columbia Jan 31
I just arrived in Monteria after staying five great days in Medellin.I'm stayng the night at Hotel Monterrey and tomorrow morning will go to Cartagena.
I loved Medellin.Other than the flat valley Medellin in mostly steep hills up the mountain slopes that run north and south on both sides of the Antioquia valley.It is a very modern city with a great skytrain like Vancouver's.
Other than spending one day on a day trip to the old colonial capital Santa Fe Antioqia I mainly just roamed around the city.They have some great squares(complete with statues and modern scultures) and pedestrian ways .Parque Berrio was my favorite.It was always full of people with groups of men (and a few women) singing and playing guitars.bongos and on an assortment of rattles and srapping things..I thought Anna and perry would be at home here.One group of singers was particulary interesting.It consisted of two guys singing to the crowd about the people in the crowd and trying to outwit each other.They went on and on with a consistent melody pointing someone out and singing about them( couldn't fully understand but they had the crowd laughing)...they even pointed out me...they even referred to me as Canadiense although god knows how they figured it out.I don,t know what they said completely I but it garnered a few snicker and laughs.The square and surrounding walkway was abuzz with action...venders selling cellular minutos..women selling paper cups of coffee..Bono Ice Yogoso venders(like Dixie Dee but minus the cart.just a cooler strapped to them....deformed beggars, Chiclets sellers,shoe shine men and the like...
There are millions of motorcycles here and mini yellow taxis storming about.The women all wear the tightest jeans and highest heels imaginable whether it suites them or not( I'll reserve further comment)....Its funny..they have free portble banos some of them are large and can accommodate six men peeng.When one exits the remaining are left visible through the open door.
Walking down the main streets you are continually passing cellular phone outlets or venders with phones and parts spread out on the sidewalk.Other than the ever present Zapata stores are venders selling vegetables and pie of banana mandarine orange an yes gayanabas( I can never says this).Guys walk down the streets with huge boards full of Sun glasses or watches.All type o pastries...empanadas..pasel de pollo......I could go on and on.Interestingly there were no American fast food chains in Medellin...no Macdonads ,A&W,Pizza Hut,KFC..etc etc.My hotel room t the Hotel Odeon down town (I moved from the Hostel.couln't stand all the young back packers) cost me $10 a night...that's about what I'm paying tonight...filling meals are about $5....
I took a side trip to the small colonial town of Santa Fe de Antioqia. It has a large central suare with cobble stone streets radiating out on a typical Spanish colonia pattern. In the square is the huge white stoned Santa Barbara Eglisa..The houses (strung along the street connected together in one constant band of wall) are all either one or two floors and are painted in an assortment of brilliant colours with ornate wooden doors and windows painted accordingly.Not much vehicular traffic..lots of horses and motor cycles.
Monteria must be in the mid 30,s....I'.ve noticed that there are not many stray dogs in Colombia.
The trip out of Medellin was very visually stunning...the road climbs up into the mountains( I guess this is the beginning of the Andes)...through a tunnel that must be several KMs long and then curves along the steep slopes over numerous steep ravines and far..far...far above the valley floor.The mountains are easily as high a the ones in BC but are softer less rugged with green vegetation all over.Unlike say Guatemala much of the land is used for grazing cattle and surprisingly one sees few houses or settlements....a lot of empty high green space..
OK...I,ll write in a few days once I settle in to Cartegena.
I loved Medellin.Other than the flat valley Medellin in mostly steep hills up the mountain slopes that run north and south on both sides of the Antioquia valley.It is a very modern city with a great skytrain like Vancouver's.
Other than spending one day on a day trip to the old colonial capital Santa Fe Antioqia I mainly just roamed around the city.They have some great squares(complete with statues and modern scultures) and pedestrian ways .Parque Berrio was my favorite.It was always full of people with groups of men (and a few women) singing and playing guitars.bongos and on an assortment of rattles and srapping things..I thought Anna and perry would be at home here.One group of singers was particulary interesting.It consisted of two guys singing to the crowd about the people in the crowd and trying to outwit each other.They went on and on with a consistent melody pointing someone out and singing about them( couldn't fully understand but they had the crowd laughing)...they even pointed out me...they even referred to me as Canadiense although god knows how they figured it out.I don,t know what they said completely I but it garnered a few snicker and laughs.The square and surrounding walkway was abuzz with action...venders selling cellular minutos..women selling paper cups of coffee..Bono Ice Yogoso venders(like Dixie Dee but minus the cart.just a cooler strapped to them....deformed beggars, Chiclets sellers,shoe shine men and the like...
There are millions of motorcycles here and mini yellow taxis storming about.The women all wear the tightest jeans and highest heels imaginable whether it suites them or not( I'll reserve further comment)....Its funny..they have free portble banos some of them are large and can accommodate six men peeng.When one exits the remaining are left visible through the open door.
Walking down the main streets you are continually passing cellular phone outlets or venders with phones and parts spread out on the sidewalk.Other than the ever present Zapata stores are venders selling vegetables and pie of banana mandarine orange an yes gayanabas( I can never says this).Guys walk down the streets with huge boards full of Sun glasses or watches.All type o pastries...empanadas..pasel de pollo......I could go on and on.Interestingly there were no American fast food chains in Medellin...no Macdonads ,A&W,Pizza Hut,KFC..etc etc.My hotel room t the Hotel Odeon down town (I moved from the Hostel.couln't stand all the young back packers) cost me $10 a night...that's about what I'm paying tonight...filling meals are about $5....
I took a side trip to the small colonial town of Santa Fe de Antioqia. It has a large central suare with cobble stone streets radiating out on a typical Spanish colonia pattern. In the square is the huge white stoned Santa Barbara Eglisa..The houses (strung along the street connected together in one constant band of wall) are all either one or two floors and are painted in an assortment of brilliant colours with ornate wooden doors and windows painted accordingly.Not much vehicular traffic..lots of horses and motor cycles.
Monteria must be in the mid 30,s....I'.ve noticed that there are not many stray dogs in Colombia.
The trip out of Medellin was very visually stunning...the road climbs up into the mountains( I guess this is the beginning of the Andes)...through a tunnel that must be several KMs long and then curves along the steep slopes over numerous steep ravines and far..far...far above the valley floor.The mountains are easily as high a the ones in BC but are softer less rugged with green vegetation all over.Unlike say Guatemala much of the land is used for grazing cattle and surprisingly one sees few houses or settlements....a lot of empty high green space..
OK...I,ll write in a few days once I settle in to Cartegena.
Medellin, Columbia
Well..I just got in to Medellin,Colombia 30 minutes ago...staying in the Tiger Paw Hostel.Last night I stayed in the Caribbean port of Carugana...just inside of Colombia.It was very picturesque...no cars...gravel and cobble stone streets.Only horses and carts...occasional motorcycle.Jungle in behind the town.This morning I took a launch with 50 others down the coast and across a bay into the Colombian Port of Turbo...what a sight as we cruised up a river to dock...all the boats were old and rickety...too many drug runs I guess.Many shacks out on stilts over the water.The bus ride to Medellin took 9 hours through incredibly steep mountains with fields carved out on the sides and the road curving over sharp cliffs.Looking down the valleys was like looking down the ravines on the Arenal hanging bridges only much deeper with raging river s far below.Small towns somehow clung to the sides of the mountains.Past Indian villages...houses made of clapboard and up on stilts.
The sailboat trip from Portobello to Carugana was marvelous.Sunny weather all the way.The San Blas Islands are 373 in total the vast majority uninhabited...just like the islands off Utila in the Honduras.The beaches were white sand and most had coral reefs surrounding them.I swam and snorkeled every day.We were five days at sea .It took getting used to being tossed and lurched around but I didn't get sea sick.Capt was Australian with a Canadian**pregnant one month girlfriend as first mate** a Russian couple in their late thirties , mid twenty Aussie,Norwegian,and Swiss male and me were the passengers on the Depentha.The sea was rough at times but I enjoyed playing pirate being tossed about by the waves.The water was warm and very clear.Swimming over the reefs and through some old ship wrecks was magical...like flying.I got quite sunburned but am OK now.The San Blas islands are only a foot above sea level and have only coconut trees on them.I swam to one small island that was about 20 x 20 feet with just one coconut tree on it.Like a cartoon island.Some of the island have Kuna Indians living on them...some just one or two bamboo and thatched roofed huts but a few packed tight and briming over with shacks.They go from one island to another in large dug out canoes called Ulu,s..None of the islands are large...Utila size.The Kuna sell lobster fish and coconuts and their women sell their colourful geometric designed mulas*I bought one...hope I don,t lose it...We couldn't sail all the way to Cartegena because the trade winds are too strong this time of year so we only went as far as Carugana.Hey..I even got a turn at the wheel of the sail boat in rough seas..the waves really toss the boat about and you are constantly needing to reconfigure your course.We caught a few barracudas along the was and ate them with the lobster.
I will stay in Medellin for a few days...they have a great sky train metro here...and then go to Cartegena and Santa Marta on the Caribean again.
The sailboat trip from Portobello to Carugana was marvelous.Sunny weather all the way.The San Blas Islands are 373 in total the vast majority uninhabited...just like the islands off Utila in the Honduras.The beaches were white sand and most had coral reefs surrounding them.I swam and snorkeled every day.We were five days at sea .It took getting used to being tossed and lurched around but I didn't get sea sick.Capt was Australian with a Canadian**pregnant one month girlfriend as first mate** a Russian couple in their late thirties , mid twenty Aussie,Norwegian,and Swiss male and me were the passengers on the Depentha.The sea was rough at times but I enjoyed playing pirate being tossed about by the waves.The water was warm and very clear.Swimming over the reefs and through some old ship wrecks was magical...like flying.I got quite sunburned but am OK now.The San Blas islands are only a foot above sea level and have only coconut trees on them.I swam to one small island that was about 20 x 20 feet with just one coconut tree on it.Like a cartoon island.Some of the island have Kuna Indians living on them...some just one or two bamboo and thatched roofed huts but a few packed tight and briming over with shacks.They go from one island to another in large dug out canoes called Ulu,s..None of the islands are large...Utila size.The Kuna sell lobster fish and coconuts and their women sell their colourful geometric designed mulas*I bought one...hope I don,t lose it...We couldn't sail all the way to Cartegena because the trade winds are too strong this time of year so we only went as far as Carugana.Hey..I even got a turn at the wheel of the sail boat in rough seas..the waves really toss the boat about and you are constantly needing to reconfigure your course.We caught a few barracudas along the was and ate them with the lobster.
I will stay in Medellin for a few days...they have a great sky train metro here...and then go to Cartegena and Santa Marta on the Caribean again.
Portobello - waiting for the boat
I have been in Portobello for three days awaiting my boat departure for Colombia which is this evening.Portobello is magic.The town is 500 years old and at one time was the main port for the Spanish galleons taking gold from Peru to Spain.There are three main stone fortifications here - one of which I had to Kayak across the bay to get to.Lots of old bronze cannons lying about.In addition to an old church....within which is the "Black Jesus"...there is the 500 year old customs/storage house where the accountants used to count and store gold and trade goods.There is a strong air of history about Portobello...Sir Francis Drake died of Yellow fever here and was buried at sea off what is now called Drake Island.Portobello was sacked and attacked numerous times notably by the Pirate Henry Morgan and British Admirable Vernon.Since a lot of slaves were used to build the town site there are many black descendants living here in addition to Panameno mestizos.It is hot and muggy and during December Portobello received a lot of rain...the wettest in memory.There were several landslides near and in town killing dozens of people.That and flooding are a serious problem now in central and south America.
Yesterday morning I hiked a muddy jungle trail running into the hills out the back of Portobello up to a high clearing where amongst a heard of cows and cow pies where two old rusting cannons and a great view of surrounding hills and the bay.I could here but not see any monkeys..lots of leaf cutter ants and various birds.
Before I came to Portobello I stayed two days in El Valle de Anton... a few hours west of Panama City up in the mountains.The temperature was just right..California.The town sits in a valley within a 3,000,000 year old extinct volcano.I hiked up to the mountains and enjoyed great views.They also have a hot springs there.
In Portobello I am staying in a place called Captain Jacks.It is run by an ex patriot American from New Jersey.It is one of the few budget places in town and offers only dormitory beds..$11per night.It must have 20 odd beds.It is a local hangout for travellers coming and going to Colombia and has a real international air about it.In addition to Panamenos and other central Americans there are a number of sixty something American expats and numerous European and Aussie travellers.Last night I felt I was in a pirates den.Everyone speaking different languages smoking and drinking.
Panama is going through a real building boom fueled by south American drug money and American..European investment and expats buying retirement property.I have met Canadians down here looking for retirement property.Panama city is just booming.But what booms eventually busts.Yesterday I was talking to an Englishman about my age who just moved
from Spain where apparently unemployment is high after the European influx of investors and retiring property buyers dried up.Anyway...there is lots of money to be made and lost.
The boat I am on is pretty small..I kayaked around it yesterday.There will be six of us passengers and a crew of three.It will be interesting.I cannot imagine where he will put us all.We will be spending at least three days in the San Blas Islands which are run by the Kuna Indians.I'll need to buy some of their artisan works...I just hope I don't lose them...ha ha...After a few days in the san Blas Island we will sail to a small Port close to the Colombian border where I catch a launch that takes me to Turbo in Colombia.From there I take a bus to either Medillen or Cartegena.Due to the strong trade winds boats cannot sail directly to Cartegena from Portobello this time of year.
I will not be able to Email you for several days...There is poor Internet service in Portobello.I'm sending this note from Sabanista just outside of Colon.I came hear to get a new memory card for my camera and some oil for the captains boat.I came solo by bus...the buses hear are even more colourful than the Guatemalan chicken buses.They are literally works of art.The drivers cockpit is outrageously painted red with red bola strings strung about .I don't know how he can see out.Music is blaring loudly.Which reminds me.When I took the bus from Panama city to Colon they had this outrageously violent horror film playing in Spanish which really creeped me out as everyone warns about the dangers and hazards of Colon.
Yesterday morning I hiked a muddy jungle trail running into the hills out the back of Portobello up to a high clearing where amongst a heard of cows and cow pies where two old rusting cannons and a great view of surrounding hills and the bay.I could here but not see any monkeys..lots of leaf cutter ants and various birds.
Before I came to Portobello I stayed two days in El Valle de Anton... a few hours west of Panama City up in the mountains.The temperature was just right..California.The town sits in a valley within a 3,000,000 year old extinct volcano.I hiked up to the mountains and enjoyed great views.They also have a hot springs there.
In Portobello I am staying in a place called Captain Jacks.It is run by an ex patriot American from New Jersey.It is one of the few budget places in town and offers only dormitory beds..$11per night.It must have 20 odd beds.It is a local hangout for travellers coming and going to Colombia and has a real international air about it.In addition to Panamenos and other central Americans there are a number of sixty something American expats and numerous European and Aussie travellers.Last night I felt I was in a pirates den.Everyone speaking different languages smoking and drinking.
Panama is going through a real building boom fueled by south American drug money and American..European investment and expats buying retirement property.I have met Canadians down here looking for retirement property.Panama city is just booming.But what booms eventually busts.Yesterday I was talking to an Englishman about my age who just moved
from Spain where apparently unemployment is high after the European influx of investors and retiring property buyers dried up.Anyway...there is lots of money to be made and lost.
The boat I am on is pretty small..I kayaked around it yesterday.There will be six of us passengers and a crew of three.It will be interesting.I cannot imagine where he will put us all.We will be spending at least three days in the San Blas Islands which are run by the Kuna Indians.I'll need to buy some of their artisan works...I just hope I don't lose them...ha ha...After a few days in the san Blas Island we will sail to a small Port close to the Colombian border where I catch a launch that takes me to Turbo in Colombia.From there I take a bus to either Medillen or Cartegena.Due to the strong trade winds boats cannot sail directly to Cartegena from Portobello this time of year.
I will not be able to Email you for several days...There is poor Internet service in Portobello.I'm sending this note from Sabanista just outside of Colon.I came hear to get a new memory card for my camera and some oil for the captains boat.I came solo by bus...the buses hear are even more colourful than the Guatemalan chicken buses.They are literally works of art.The drivers cockpit is outrageously painted red with red bola strings strung about .I don't know how he can see out.Music is blaring loudly.Which reminds me.When I took the bus from Panama city to Colon they had this outrageously violent horror film playing in Spanish which really creeped me out as everyone warns about the dangers and hazards of Colon.
Panama jan 13
Yesterday I spent the whole day in bed sick with diarrhea.I think I ate some bad Chinese food.I was so weak and dehydrated from diarrhea I couldn't get out of bed.Every few hours I needed to rush to the toilet which was no small feat as I haven't one in my room and sometimes the shared ones are either occupied or closed as there is a water problem in Panama.Too much rain has contaminated the water supply and whole sections of the city are without water for a while.This morning I felt good enough to take a taxi to the Panama Metropolitan Parque and walk around...I spent around 4 hours wandering the trails.Great lookouts over the city...lots of worker ants carrying leaves through the forest.They are really a sight to behold aye.Saw some Jacouti,s and those racoon type animals but no monkeys.Lots of Morpfu butterflies.
There is a jazz festival in Panama this week.This morning I was talking to a German fellow about it and if I'm around on Saturday I check out some of the venues in Casca Viejo where I am staying.I'm still trying to work out my boat trip to Colombia. I wanted to go to Darien province but there has been a lot of flooding there and relief operations are taking place so I would just be a pest and add to the troubles of the authorities if I went.I may visit some aboriginal communities in a few days if the Colombia trip is delayed but there again once I have some firm date on the boat trip I'll head over to Potobello.Lots of the travellers here are heading to Boga Toras...you know...that area just south of Manzanilla and Peuto Viejo on the Panama coast.It is probably similiar to where we were.Every day there is a rain storm...down ours for an hour and that is it.
Oh ya..one final thing...You know how other Latin countries have lots of stray dogs wandering about.Well in Panama it is cats.They are all over the place.The other night as I was going back to the hostel. I saw two small kittens scamper across the road and creep through a fence into an abandoned building.
The day before yesterday I bought another camera...pretty well the same one that I lost or had stolen...$200.00.I must have gone to a dozen different stores comparing prices.
Anyway...I need to get something to eat to get my energy back.
Talk to you later...
There is a jazz festival in Panama this week.This morning I was talking to a German fellow about it and if I'm around on Saturday I check out some of the venues in Casca Viejo where I am staying.I'm still trying to work out my boat trip to Colombia. I wanted to go to Darien province but there has been a lot of flooding there and relief operations are taking place so I would just be a pest and add to the troubles of the authorities if I went.I may visit some aboriginal communities in a few days if the Colombia trip is delayed but there again once I have some firm date on the boat trip I'll head over to Potobello.Lots of the travellers here are heading to Boga Toras...you know...that area just south of Manzanilla and Peuto Viejo on the Panama coast.It is probably similiar to where we were.Every day there is a rain storm...down ours for an hour and that is it.
Oh ya..one final thing...You know how other Latin countries have lots of stray dogs wandering about.Well in Panama it is cats.They are all over the place.The other night as I was going back to the hostel. I saw two small kittens scamper across the road and creep through a fence into an abandoned building.
The day before yesterday I bought another camera...pretty well the same one that I lost or had stolen...$200.00.I must have gone to a dozen different stores comparing prices.
Anyway...I need to get something to eat to get my energy back.
Talk to you later...
Still in Panama City Jan 11 2011
Well...yesterday was a bit of a bummer.I either lost my camera or had it pick pocketed...I think it was the latter.Yesterday was a holiday in Panama...Martyrs Day...and everything was pretty well closed.I had walked over 20 kms the previous day...across Panama City to Panama Viejo ...and was,t into walking again much.The museums were closed ,it was raining periodically (what is new) but I did,t want to remain in my hotel room.I was walking down avenida central...something similar to the walkway in San Jose...looking for a money machine and taking the occasional picture of what I think are magnificent old colonial buildings.I had just taken a picture...put my camera back in my day pack... when I noticed a cash machine and entered it.After I got my money I walked to a park across the street to sit down in the sun and collect my thoughts.As I sat down I noticed the outside pocket to my back pack was open and looking inside discovered my camera was missing.I quickly retraced my steps thinking I may have inadvertently left it somewhere but to no avail.I actually think I was pick pocketed.I was dressed in my shorts and red Costa Rican T Shirt and must have looked like a real mark taking pictures.The thief was smooth though...I didn't notice a thing.I sulked for the rest of the day but what can I do.I had bought a new memory card and had all my pictures of the Panamanian canal and locks...Taboga Island and the Panama Viejo ruins on it.I find with camera, taking pictures is distracting and addictive.I always see something to take and it distracts me.....Today I'll stroll down avenida central and see if I can pick up a cheap camera...
Last night a fellow told me of an American who was robbed the other day at gun point of his,money,passport and back back nearby.There are a lot of desperate people in Panama ...Casco Viejo is beautiful but many squatters and homeless live nearby.When I walked to Panama Viejo the other day I walked right through the modern down town and high rise luxury apartment.Donal Trump has a new building going up.They are referring to Panama City as the new Miami.There are a lot of wealthy people here plus many foreigners...Americans and Chinese...
I am presently making inquiries as to going to Colombia via boat from Portobello.It is a four day journey through the San Blas islands...It is either that or fly to Bogata and then travel down to Cartegena.The latter would be cheaper but less of an adventure.One of the employees at Hospedaje Casco Viejo is a travel agent part time and has connections with charter boat captains.I would leave on the 17th so need to fill my time up til then.I wanted to go to Darien but there is flooding there and I here it is not advisable to go..
Last night a fellow told me of an American who was robbed the other day at gun point of his,money,passport and back back nearby.There are a lot of desperate people in Panama ...Casco Viejo is beautiful but many squatters and homeless live nearby.When I walked to Panama Viejo the other day I walked right through the modern down town and high rise luxury apartment.Donal Trump has a new building going up.They are referring to Panama City as the new Miami.There are a lot of wealthy people here plus many foreigners...Americans and Chinese...
I am presently making inquiries as to going to Colombia via boat from Portobello.It is a four day journey through the San Blas islands...It is either that or fly to Bogata and then travel down to Cartegena.The latter would be cheaper but less of an adventure.One of the employees at Hospedaje Casco Viejo is a travel agent part time and has connections with charter boat captains.I would leave on the 17th so need to fill my time up til then.I wanted to go to Darien but there is flooding there and I here it is not advisable to go..
more Panama City
You would really like Panama.The weather is similar to Puerto Viejo...hot and humid with occasional sunny periods.This part of the world gets a lot of rain.I,m staying in old Panama amidst old churches,mansions hotels and apartments all splendid in their architecture but in varying states of decay and renovation.Its beautifully weird.I have been eating in one of the most coolest restaurants I have ever seen...old and lots of character....aptly named Cafe Coca Cola.Such a great mix of people...Indians,blacks mestizos artists travellers you name it.It reminds me of that crazy restaurant on route 66...you know...the one we saw the movie about and have the CD on. Anyway today I went to the Miraflora Locks and watched container ships navigate the Panama canal locks.I couldn't,t tear myself away and got soaking wet watching and taking pictures.Yesterday I went to Taboga Island 20kms off the coast...an old island pirate hangout with a small colourful town with one narrow winding street and bountiful flowers and butterflies.I saw a tarantula a few snakes and one of those small bright green with black spots poisonous frogs.I went for a walk out of town into the forest and met a Panamanian family...woman and her boyfriend plus her retired father and together we hiked for four hours up to a lookout .Unfortunately we could barely see Panama city through the mist and then we got drenched in a down our...just like Manzanilla.This part of the world is really wet but the temperature is hot and you soon dry out.
Anyway...I'm signing off now.
Anyway...I'm signing off now.
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