Soaking up the local atmosphere

Thursday 7th February

We spent yesterday travelling to and visiting Panama city and Gamboa rain forest park. Panama has an incredible variation in standards, from falling down slum dwellings to palatial mansions, virtually side by side. Nearly all the roads are in reasonable condition, but the drivers do swerve around a lot to avoid holes and each other. We went to see the Canal Museum in the morning, but it was closed for a 4 day break for Carnival. So as there was an emerald museum on the same square, off we went. A bit of a sales push really, and not that interesting. Off then in the bus for an early lunch in a restaurant on a main road out of tow. It was excellent and only $50 for 5 people.

The afternoon saw a visit to Gamboa Forest Park, part of a hotel complex. A very enjoyable aerial trip in a 6 seater pram with a guide to explain everything. At the top of the cable, about a kilometre from the beginning of the trip, there is a 30 metre observation tower. One side of this looks out over the canal, and the other the Chagres river. Both views spectacular. This was followed by visits in the same complex to a fish/reptile area, a butterfly enclosure and then an orchid nursery. All very interesting.

On Tuesday night most of the boat crews went into Panama and watched one of the big parades. Temperature around 28 and humid. There were the most spectacular floats with totally extravagent displays on them, and each of them had at least 1 attractive young woman hoping to be the Carnival Queen. St Patricks Day eat your heart out! No shouting, no smoking, no drinking, nobody getting sick, just warm friendly smiling people everywhere. After the parade we all went off to VIP seats for a major concert, starting at 8 and ending in the morning. We all stayed on till about 11 and then home to the marina.

I have been told that there is an electronics technician coming in the morning to look at various boats with problems so, ever hopeful, and fingers crossed, maybe we can get sorted out.