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Background: With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by or on 31 December 1999.

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By BWIN
September 25th 2008

Countdown to Campo

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panama City

Hey Everyone! Not as much to report as last time and I'll have to make this quick because I should be working/sleeping now, but my time with reliable internet access is running out so I figured I should post. That's right, less than a week left here in Panamá City and then we leave for our great advernture into "El Campo", or the country. I finally feel pretty well accustomed to life here in the City, so it's kind of a shame to be leaving, but at the same time I'm very exciting to be getting into the interior of the [View Full Entry]

By 13jend
September 23rd 2008

Through Panama Canal!

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panama Canal

view from deck 8

Well… what a Panama I’ve been through…literally. I had been told about it by Mum and could not wait to go through the canal and see what Mum had seen on her own cruise. I was still asleep when we went under the Bridge of America (I believe it’s called!), but some other crew members got photos so it’s all good! It’s just a bridge anyway! He he. So anyway, I was so excited when I woke up and went to grab some breakfast. I was in the lab for the morning but was allowed to go up to the Captain’s [View Full Entry]

By mugenheimer
September 23rd 2008

The Sweat

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panama Canal

Our first stop in Central America was in the hot and humid Panama City. Whilst temperatures were in the low thirties, the humidity made the city feel twice that. Thankfully our hotel room had air conditioning which kept us cool during the night. So cool in fact that I woke with a head cold the first morning. Despite being on the 6th floor of the hotel we were awoken at 5.30 by the incredibly loud exhausts and the needless horn blowing of the local buses which passed by, many floors below our bedroom window. We decided to have a stroll before [View Full Entry]

By csparkes
September 22nd 2008

Robben Island

Central America Caribbean » Panama

Today we went to Robben Island. Many political prisoners were sent to Robben Island during Apartheid. We took a ferry to get to the island off the coast of the city. The Island now serves as a museum in remembrance of the terrible situation there only 15 years ago. Tulane, a political activist from the ANC and previous political prisoner at Robben Island gave us our tour. It really was an honour and privilege to listen to him speak for the morning. He was full of absolutely incredible stories. We heard all about what life was like while they were [View Full Entry]

By mugenheimer
September 22nd 2008

The Flight

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panama City

We waved goodbye to the cold and rain of Ireland just after noon as we boarded our Delta Airlines flight to Atlanta, Georgia, our only stopover on the way to Panama City. It was a pretty uneventful journey. The only event of note happened in Atlanta airport as we were strolling through the terminal on the way to our next plane. As we walked along I noticed a familiar looking Asian man sitting at one of the boarding gates. As I looked closer I was 100 percent sure - it was Jackie Chan. Only in the country ten minutes and I [View Full Entry]

By BWIN
September 18th 2008

Oh, What up monkeys?!

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panama City

That's right. Monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys. And sloths. And a mulititude of other awesome wildlife. The last two days we woke up and the crack of 4:30 a.m. to go hunting for "mamíferos" (mammals) and the loss of sleep was more than worth it. Tuesday morning we climb up a hill just outside the city called Cerro Ancon to search for sloths with our mammal expert guide, Professor Ariél Rodriguez. Probably about 5 minutes in we spotted our first sloth, sleeping (what are the chances of that!?) in a tree. I learned this week that there are two types [View Full Entry]

By Jess Daniels
September 16th 2008

Boquete and Panama City

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panama City » Casco Viejo

We stayed in a beautiful coffee town called Boquete for three days in the inland of Panama. The climate was really cool, and it was a nice change from all of the heat waves. In Boquete we found an animal rehabilitation sanctuary for domestically abused animals and those in the wild as well. It was by far the highlight of Boquete. The animals were so amazing. We took an 8 hour bus ride to Panama city a few days ago. I don't like the city at all, it's really dirty and loud and congested. Jen and I decided to go to [View Full Entry]

By BWIN
September 14th 2008

PLAYA!

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panama City

We finally made it to the beach today, and it was great! White sand, thatched roof cabanas, plenty of sun, and some of the warmest ocean water I've ever been in (almost too warm), and it was glorious. Took a brief nap in a hammock, didn't get sunburned, got there and back for about $10, what's not to love? It was great to get out of the city and do some hardcore relaxing. I think the beach will be a good weekend option given that our weeks are pretty packed and very exhausting. I decided yesterday that it's time for me [View Full Entry]

By linzcrowe
September 13th 2008

Welcome to Panama!

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panama City

Beautiful old hotel ruins
Left to rot, this hotel would have been incredible. Beach front, with its own private beach, indoor swimming pool, large dance hall up the top, views on 3 sides... wow! Now, its concrete ruins... anyw... [more]

Tim version: * Landed in Panama City and had an adventurous intro to Panama on the bus then taxi. * Checked out the Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo. The not too heavy, not too light, just right version: Panama City! Land of the... well.. new high rise building, colourful commercial signs, and the most incredible bus service around! Starting at the beginning, I landed at Panama Airport at night which is always a fun more adventurous start when you can't really speak the language, the dodgy characters are out in force, and you don't know where you're going! Thats not [View Full Entry]

By ilgiramondo
September 13th 2008

My Trip to Panama, Sept. 5 to Sept. 12, 2008

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panama City

Trip to Panama - Sept.05 to Sept.12, 2008 Pacific Coast Beaches Near Panama City Panama's convenient beach getaways It is hard to think of any metropolitan city anywhere with so many fine beaches nearby. Along the Pacific Coast just outside Panama City, begin a string of pretty beaches of white sand and sapphire blue waters. This lovely coastal area of Panama is home to two full service resorts, Central America's only beach front golf course, as well as simple beach front cabins, villas and an RV park. Gorgeous million dollar homes dot the [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Central America Caribbean » Panama