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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 Max and Christine
September 30th 2009

A man, a plan, a canal, Panama! Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama Canal

Panama City skyline

Ah, my favourite palindrome of all time, and now I get to use it as a blog title - result! We arrived in Panama City yesterday, and thus came to the halfway point of our journey, in terms of: Miles - we have covered over 10,000 miles of the 20,000 (ish) from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Time - we are nine and a half weeks in, with nine and a half to go. Symbolism - Panama, and the canal in particular, represents the meeting point between the northern and southern parts of the continent, as well being a bridge [View Full Entry]

By RandK
September 30th 2009

And so we reach the half time oranges... Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City

Lady Bug Cafe

From Playa Hermosa we head to Volcan Arenal. The route plan is to take in the Cloud Forest (it is what it sounds like) but this is a gravel road and the recent heavy rains mean it is a no no. Only five people have done it in previous tours and two of them blew their rear shock absorbers. So we climb into the volcano range and the clouds close in and the humidity drops. We ride with Kevin and Julia and stop for lunch at a German owned café / gallery. It looks OK from the road but when we [View Full Entry]

By Armageddon Hammock
September 30th 2009

Over the Continental Divide Central America Caribbean » Panama » Bocas Del Toro

last Volcan sunrise

On to Bocas. Pacific to Atlantic in one bus ride. Ezequiel is going to caretake my property, and in exchange, he can use it for farming or cows, or whatever. I offered that arrangement, hoping he would take it, instead of me paying him to just upkeep the place. This way, no money out of pocket foir me, and hopefully, he can have greater benefit for his family. Sadly, I say goodbye to Omar and Ezequiel with gifts of wine, pack up, and head for the nearest road. Bus to David - one and a half hours. White knuckle express bus [View Full Entry]

By Armageddon Hammock
September 29th 2009

Dentist Central America Caribbean » Panama » Chiriquí

dentist next to casino

Today, I went to Concepcion, a town between David and Volcan. I saw the beautiful Dr. Gomez, who cleaned my teeth (first time in 4 years, thanks to lack of dental insurance) and also replaced an old cracked filling. Cleaning - $15. Filling - $25. I'm cheap. Panama's cheap. perfect match. [View Full Entry]

By Armageddon Hammock
September 28th 2009

Revisiting Cerro Punta Central America Caribbean » Panama » Chiriquí

cerro

This my favorite mountain town of the 6 that I've investigated. My first trip to CP three years ago, was a short trip, and my camera died after about 2 pictures. If I hadn't already bought 2 island properties, I would have tried harder to find something here. Things were just too expensive for the little money I had left. 3 properties in Panama - I'm out of my mind. See the videos of Cerro Punta at http://video.yahoo.com/mypage?s=6613427&public=1 [View Full Entry]

By Armageddon Hammock
September 27th 2009

About Time to Move On Central America Caribbean » Panama » Chiriquí

sunset

I went into town and found a cardboard tube for my precious $70 lot plans, copied a form off of my computer and prepared it for faxing (just need that all-important fax number now.....no rush...... whenever you CAn bReak away frOm Looking at chihuahuas and falico-shapEd vegetables......no big deal....... muy necesario el dinero at stake. ..........just kidding.....) Even in a 3rd world town of 11,000, they have USB memory sticks and fax machines. Shoot, there are probably people here who walk from their candlelit cinderblock shacks to their outh [View Full Entry]

By NessaMae
September 27th 2009

End of the trip: Costa Rica and Panama; Stuck between countries, Mountain villages and Cloud Forest Trails Central America Caribbean » Panama » Chiriquí » Boquete

Panama children

Costa Rica We took a very long (18 hour) but comfortable bus ride from San Salvador to San José, Costa Rica, crossing the El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua borders. We didn't stay too long in Costa Rica, just exploring the town center [which there are about 20 banks in a several block radius, and only ONE can change Nicaraguan money but only if it's in perfect condition, and it can't be an old printing or a new edition of the money]. We spent a few nights in Cahuita, which is a surfer/tourist paradise in the north of Costa Rica. We [View Full Entry]

By Armageddon Hammock
September 26th 2009

Llano Lindo Revisited Central America Caribbean » Panama » Chiriquí

Ten days in Panama, so we all know what that means. Time to change underwear. I cooked lunch for Omar, his lady friend (she added a nice salad), and Ezequiel, with intentions to get some things accomplished in town in the afternoon. But, it started raining hard, and continued all afternoon. So, I explored LLano Lindo. And I just want to make an unsolicited promotion for this place. This place is huge! I count at least 21 beds, many doubles, and 6 bathrooms. And that is not including Omar's living quarters. Out of respect for his privacy, I did not go [View Full Entry]

By jornkoelma
September 26th 2009

Boquete en Boca del Toro Central America Caribbean » Panama » Bocas Del Toro » Isla Colon

Rocky

Hallo allemaal, Hier een korte update en een teken van leven uit Panama. Lost and Found resort Na Panama city ben ik eerst naar het Lost and Found resort gegaan. Dit is een hostel midden in een 'cloud forrest' midden in een natuurpark vlakbij Boquete. In de middle of nowhere werd ik uit de bus gedropt en moest ik 15 min. een geitenpad naar boven lopen. Eenmaal boven was het zeker de moeite waard. Er zijn daar verschillende platforms waar de beesten overdag en 's nachts komen om bananen op te eten. Ook hadden ze een beest in groot hok wat [View Full Entry]

By Armageddon Hammock
September 25th 2009

Survey Says........... Central America Caribbean » Panama » Chiriquí

Beautiful AM in Volcan

<NOTICE: DUE TO THE INCREASING PROBLEMS DOWNLOADING VIDEOS HERE, I AM NOW SENDING MY VIDEOS TO MY YOUTUBE ACCOUNT. JUST GO TO YOUTUBE, SEARCH FOR MrSkulljuice, AND HIT THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. THEN CHECK YOUTUBE PERIODICALLY (almost daily) FOR NEW VIDS> I hired Senor William, senior surveyor, who concurred with my determination about the lot. William then took my paperwork to an office here in Volcan, and completed my lota plano. All that I have know at this point is that an amigo of Ezequiel's named Mississippi, was claiming and tending the lot. More to follow.... I need t [View Full Entry]

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