End of Panama trip, beginning of idle time

Today marks the last day of the Intrepid Costa Rica to Panama trip. It’s been great. I think I enjoyed the Guatemala to Costa Rica better, but this leg was still awesome. 

Coffee

In the last few days we went to a coffee plantation and learned about how this plantation basically started the boutique coffee in Panama, because before them everyone had to sell their green coffee to the big outfits who didn’t pay very well. The original owner of this place built his own processing equipment and roaster out of old anything, repurposing a washing machine, a dryer, a car engine block, an old whisky still. 

Their coffee was amazing and I found it interesting that my whisky tasting experience lent me very well to the coffee tasting. I didn’t have the nose for the smell, but the taste I was picking very easily. The guide was very impressed. I was even able to show him a trick! 

The Canal

The next day was a very early start so we could make the long road trip to Panama City, where along the way we stopped at one of the Panama Canal locks, and went in and saw a ship going through and watched the IMAX movie about the history of the canal. Unfortunately the museum was closed for renovations. They widened the Panama Canal in 8 years, but it’s going to take 4 years to renovate the museum!

The Old City

Our Intrepid guide Rafa, who has been leading us for the last week or so.

After that we got to Panama City and the next day went for a tour around the old city. It was again quite interesting learning about the history of Panama, though there was some interesting colonial spin on some of the history (not surprisingly). 

The New City

Panama City today is a real metropolis. It’s quite huge, the biggest city I’ve seen in Latin America. The skyline reminds me of Singapore, and the wealth gap too. The Panama Papers movie was recommended to me multiple times. I’m well aware of the Panama Papers, but I will watch the movie as some locals hinted it tells some of the story as to the wealth gap.

Farewells

Last night we had our farewell dinner at a rooftop bar, and there was a beautiful blood moon.

Today I’ve checked out of the Intrepid booked hotel and am staying in a different one for the next few days. I head to Aruba next week, but between now and then is Easter, which is a big deal around here.