The Canal... and more

Ahhhh. Panamá! 34 degrees and 90% humidity. The pool is clear blue and warm. Life is good.

On the evening of our arrival we gathered poolside at the El Panama for a welcome drink and a chance to meet the entire group. Actually the total congregation met for the first time on the bus from the airport. Many in the group had already had the pleasure of meeting on a very friendly KLM flight over the Atlantic. I sat in the absolute back of the plane with my back againt the lue, getting a little relaxing massage everytime they flushed. But I had 2 seats all to myself. It turned out most of our group populated the rear end of the outdated but fun to ride in MD-11. The MD-11 has similarities with Hans Solo´s spaceship, but it get you there. The pilot treated us to a vulture's eye view of the canal.

The Panama Canal

On day one we visited the headquarters of Teak Invest-Forwood. Nice people. Many in our group are at the age of retirement. Some "young'ungs" (any under 40) have come along too. Retired people today are alive, adventurous and rugged; I´m impressed! No "girly men" in this gang. And the women are even more rugged, but of course more girly.

Anna and Panama City 

Swedish conquistadores

"It's 9 to 5..." 

No girly men

Then it was the Canal, of course. America has really left its mark in history, and the Canal is not one of the least of America´s "greats"! Now is´s Panama´s very own and they have their own plans to develop it. After the Canal and great lunch, we visited a "tax free" shop out near the marina at the Calzada de Armador. Got a new "panama hat"! Salem, wait until you see this one! You´ll be drulling dude.

For a bonus guess who sent a text message on my arrival to Panama City? John Patton! He and his buddies were in the bus from Nicaragua, passing Costa Rico and were arriving in Panama city at 3 am (!). They were going to find a hostel in Casco Viejo. Well, our group visited Casco Viejo yesterday. We had 4 hired armed police who walked around with us for 2 hours! I tried joking with the policía and you see where it got me.

Friendly Panamanian policía

John Patton

John came by yesterday evening and we had a beer- in the security of my hotel. Seems the boys aren´t easily scarred; they are enjoying the true Panamanian spirit.

Tomorrow I leave for Torti and the Darien to see the teak trees. And the boys have their adventure cut out too. Henrik and Jakob are in Trinidad and sounds like things are "normal" there, and they´re looking forward to getting to Tobago. Enjoy the rum, man.



Hasta luego!

Ricardo Patton de la vega de Fresno (Putts)