CANALS AND MOUNTAINS

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Arriving in Casco Viejo after 4 hours drive from San Blas, a Dutch couple was in the jeep as well with us, they stayed only a day in Isla Robinson cause the girl could not handle basic accomodations. We got dropped off first at Pension Colon, we rested a bit then hit the town, sightseeing again and also having a drink at Casablanca for some good piña colada as recommended by Martin the Dutch dude from the jeep ride back to the city. We had dinner again at the Coca Cola then went to bed, quite tired, we made a plan to go to Colon on the tourist train to see the Panama canal tomorrow so we have to get up early as the train departs at 715am.

Took the taxi to the Corozal Train Station for $4, we bargained hard. There was a queue already outside, it opened at 645am and we bought tickets, Healke was talking to a local Panameño in business suit, saying he has an interview at a town nearby, he welcomed us warmly to his country. The train is quite nice with free coffee unfotunately I dont drink it, no free tea! There was this annoying Japanese with a video cam that films every thing moving. The AC was in full blast inside and freezing cold so I went outside in between carriages where you can see the scenery as it passes by. Nice ride going through the Panama canal locks and the jungle as well, All this time the Japanese dude was filming the whole 1 hour ride to Colon, quite annoying as he was obstructing our view. Arriving in Colon we wanted to see an old Spanish fort but we were quoted $60 by the taxi driver so we quickly changed our mind, we decided instead to take a risk and walk around town, Colon is a dangerous town so says most travel books, but we were fine, then last minute we decided to see the Gatun locks this side of the canal, we took a taxi and got in the canal, it is quite cool seeing the ships go from different stages as they pass through the lock. Huge ships mind you with cargoes and all, 2 of them carry petroleum, we saw the boats going towards the Pacific and I think in the afternoon they do the reverse, they move ships on their way to the Caribbean, the locks were narrower than i thought they would be, looks very simple but a real ingenious creation. The Japanese guy came later and snapped and filmed away like a mad men, Healke and I just looked at each other in disbelief.

Waited for a local bus to take us downtown to the bus terminal, took ages, as they shut the road when a ship passes through. Back in Panama City we went to our regular hangout placem the Albrook mall, Healke is trying to buy a notebook computer and we spent most of the afternoon looking for the best price. Tired and exhausted we went back to Casco Viejo, traffic was bad took ages and we dont know where we were, good thing we remembered some landmarks. Dinner of course at the Coca Cola restaurant then bed.

Same thing today off to Albrook mall, Heilke finally bought his computer then we walked around town some more and bought some items necessary for travel. Healke slipped while walking downtown cause his flip flop is nearing its end, cussing all the way down to a farmacia, Healke bought things to clean his bleeding toe, and bought himself a sundae later and all is well again. Went to Luna hostel to book taxis to the airport, I will have to move here on Monday so it would be easier for me to get picked up for the airport ride. Free internet and they have open wifi so we chilled for some beer and people watching. Just my luck the annoying group of Israelis I encountered in Boquete are here in the hostel!! And am sure luck will have it that we will be in the same room as well. The next day we decided to go to El Valle de Anton to check out the Sunday market, it was quite annoying that after buying our ticket we have to pay $.25 to get through the turnstiles to be at the bus gate! Took 3 hours on a collectivo, the bus stops very often and we climb up then down te valley, very nice landscape, the market was not that thrilling, quite small and limited in the products they sell, we tried to bargain hard but no go, so we decided to walk and see the El Nispero Zoologico, with animals and stuff, we walked a good 3 km and found it after asking for directions one too many times, at the tourist police office, we were told a la izquierda at the turn but he was motioning to the right! So me and Heilke were confused, isnt it izquierda is left so why does he want us to turn right then?? After arguing with the local on who´s Spanish directions are wrong we just left and hope that there is a sign that would lead us there, we arrived at the place and bought the billete and some good pickled quail eggs! delicious, i wanted to buy 30 pieces it says huevos patios it turns out chicken eggs, so i pointed to the quail eggs, and the lady burst out laughing, saying i get my spanish mixed up, really?

Lost of animals here we saw different types of chickens and ocelot, tapirs, sloths, and off course the elusive and endangered small frogs that are apparently quite famous here, they were in a nursey of some sort so we can only peek through the window glass walls, we saw 2 yay!! There were 2 annoying old American ladies that follows us and keep pointing to the animals and quoting some facts about them, Heilke quickly got annoyed and so we left hurriedly and try to get away from the know it all retirees..
Walked back to town and bought a few souvenirs i got a free military patch that was used by the military during the Noriega regime, cool...Got back to town after 2 hours, we got confused where to take th bus the locals are pointing to different directions but we got on to the right one eventually. Back in Panama City we went back to Luna Hostel and checked the taxis for the airport, i saw the Israelis again playing the didgeridoo thing. Hopefully they check out tomorrow. Got woken up the next day when Heilke's alarm went off he got ready early and he got his good shower as he complained the day before about low water pressure on the 3rd floor where we are, the reception dude must have turned on something as it was good from then on, anyway he went out for breakfast then we said our goodbyes and he left for Peru, I left the hostel couple hours later and checked in at Luna's Hostel and I was told there were 2 other sign ups for the 4:45am taxi to the airport that means $7 per person which is quite cheap for me, yay!! My dorm room was on the 2nd floor, very nice view of the skyscrapers accross the bay, really cool and the room is clean and airy with a very nice veranda lookout. This hostel is big and busy lots of backpackers, I did not make an effort to be friendly and sociable, since this is my last day anyway and besides the Israelis are still there and am trying to avoid them. My roomies were mostly girls, apart from 2 dudes from Holland I think that leaves early tomorrow as well for San Blas. One thing I can say though is the reception staff are very very helpful!! I did not sleep well, I am always like that when i need to get up early to catch a flight or bus. I went to shower that night before bed and one of the Israelis hollered at me as I get out of the shower," excuse me, I want to wash but i don't have a soap can I borrow yours?" i told him sorry I only have a bar of soap, he just stared at me as if waiting for me to hand it to him," sorry but it is for my own personal use only" I finished and walked off, There is a small store nearby selling bars of soap for less than a dollar!! Vey hot night but the ceiling fan and occasional breeze helped to cool the room.

Early rise, got to the 4:45 am taxi with a Brit and an American from Utah, we are no more than 30 meters away from the Luna hostel when we got pulled over by cops!! I saw the taxi go through a red light but the driver insist it was not the reason we got stopped, he said they just want to check documents, took them a good 15 minutes paging through our passports, the Brit had a minor problem with his stamp and took ages to figure out what was going on, when the taxi driver came back and drove hurriedly he said the cops wanted us to go back to the hostel and drop off the Brit because his visa was not in order, overstaying or something, but anyhow he let us go , we are going to the airport anyway let the customs people deal with it. Check in was a breeze and off we go...

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