I was lucky, it was not a long wait to catch the bus to the
airport from the ADO station nearby the hotel, but as result, waited at the airport for
over two hours to board the plane for Panama City on a Copa Airline
flight.
Copa Airline was a stranger airline for me, however, they do provide good service, especially they were quite ready to provide a large plastic bag to wrap my backpack.
Copa Airline was a stranger airline for me, however, they do provide good service, especially they were quite ready to provide a large plastic bag to wrap my backpack.
The two hour flight was pleasant, although the lunch could
have been better, just a sandwich, but quite acceptable.
The only land I saw, I thought is the corner that is shared
by Nicaragua and Honduras.
 |
| Northern borders of Honduras & Nicaragua |
The arrival at Panama City could have been faster if their immigration officials were a little more efficient, however, that's the way it is.
When I went to the ATM to get some money, it spilled out US
Dollars, then I remember that this country uses US Dollars, but has only its coins,
which is called Balboas.
It was impossible for a foreign tourist to take the airport
bus, as it only accepts the prepaid local travel cards, so I shared a taxi with
another for a ride to the hostel.
As I walked around after dinner, I checked also the newly
opened metro train service, which is only just 5 days old. There are no route maps in the station, so it
was no way I could figure what to do with it.
I was the first few at the boarding point for the Pacific Queen early the next morning, which would take us through
the Pacific locks of the Panama Canal.
In the end, there were probably about 300 on the boat.
As we entered the Pacific side of River Chagres, which is part of the
Panama Canal, I noticed a lot of Pelicans ( brown or black/white colours) were
hovering and diving into the water for fishes
.
Later it was explained by the guide onboard, that this is a hunting ground for them, as the large volume of fresh water released by the locks, when mixing with the salt water, would stunt the fishes, causing them to be a ready “victim” for the fishing birds. This is a daily event.
Later it was explained by the guide onboard, that this is a hunting ground for them, as the large volume of fresh water released by the locks, when mixing with the salt water, would stunt the fishes, causing them to be a ready “victim” for the fishing birds. This is a daily event.
We passed under the Interamericana Bridge which straddles
North / South America, forming part of the Interamericana Highway, that
connects Alaska with Tierra de Fuerra of Argentina in the South.
An extension of the canal were under construction on the
north side, to add one more channel for those modern vessels which exceed the “Panama Max” dimensions.
Ostensibly ready to commence operation this year, 2014, being the 100th anniversary of the Canal, but now, it has been slated for opening in two years time.
Our boat was following a bulk carrier along the channel to the first lock of the Miraflories Locks.
Ostensibly ready to commence operation this year, 2014, being the 100th anniversary of the Canal, but now, it has been slated for opening in two years time.
Our boat was following a bulk carrier along the channel to the first lock of the Miraflories Locks.
The Pacific Queen, along side with another similarly sized
tour boat, was lifted up to Lake Miroflores through 3 separate locks.
It was really interesting to see how the big
ships were helped by the tug boats, to ensure they are cleared of the walls of
the locks, by maintaining a central position via cables on both side run by
“mule” trains.
For Panamax Max boats, the clearance on both side are only 22 inches, which isn’t much to play with, given the size and tonnages.
It was really interesting to see how the big
ships were helped by the tug boats, to ensure they are cleared of the walls of
the locks, by maintaining a central position via cables on both side run by
“mule” trains. For Panamax Max boats, the clearance on both side are only 22 inches, which isn’t much to play with, given the size and tonnages.
We were given information about the huge volume of fresh
water released by each lock, and the cost for passing through the entire length
of a Panama Max boat. The smallest fee
charges was 36 cents for an American adventurer / writer, Richard Halliburton who swam the length in 1929. Richard_Halliburton
It was quite amazing to see how the water rushed from below, and in a matter of minutes, raising us to the level for the next lock.
It was quite amazing to see how the water rushed from below, and in a matter of minutes, raising us to the level for the next lock.
After the transit, I was invited by Don ( a Canadian ) to
share a taxi and his wife Jodie, to visit the Canal Museum, the ancient
settlement of Panama City, and then the Old Town and its zocalo.
The Museum shown a short 3D movie of the history of the
canal, and we witness also the transit of a Panama Max bulk carrier, lowering
into the Pacific side.
And the old town of Panama City, which has a very interesting history ( Panama Viejo ), of pirate attacks for its silver and golds etc. which burned down the town in the 16th centuries.
And the old town of Panama City, which has a very interesting history ( Panama Viejo ), of pirate attacks for its silver and golds etc. which burned down the town in the 16th centuries.
And how can one not see the charming OLD Town and her zocalo ( center square ), especially at sunset, with a nice city view.
And these are the best knitted handicrafts in the World, so it says.
After a nice dinner at the Old Town, we walked through the
market, where both Don and Jodie had a local delicacy, the seafood ceviche ( raw seafood ),
however, I did not want to upset my already tendered stomach.
We walked a few kilometers back to my hotel using the help of my GPS.
Next Post: Walking around in Santiago
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