Panama, The Canal and Beyond
Day Three – 9 Nov 2014
Weather: The world is melting!
Gustavo had set the wake up for 6:30 and departure at 8:30 but I switched my wake up for seven and had my bag out by 7:30. I had another delicious omelet for breakfast and we were off by 8:30. Our first stop was to the original settlement of Panama, Panama Viejo.
It was founded in 1519 and sacked by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. The settlement was not well defended and Morgan easily defeated the Spanish, but was denied access to any gold that had already been loaded aboard a galleon.
The new settlement was then moved to the current location of Panama City to the west where the city could be defended.
We walked to the restored bell tower of the Cathedral of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion and had our group photo taken by a young fella who wanted it perfect – despite several people having a hard time holding the pose. Half are smiling and half are grimacing in the photo. LOL
After that, we were able to climb the bell tower on a set of steel steps constructed inside the tower. The view above makes it well worth the climb.
From here, we made a stop at the artisans market that Gustavo had wanted to take us to yesterday but the Panama Canal Authority nixed those plans. We got some time to look around the stalls but it wasn’t really a lot of handcrafted stuff. Every stall sold much the same thing and the prices varied wildly. I picked up a fridge magnet for $4 at one stall and another one had them 2 for $5. One girl paid $10 for a Panama hat that another stall had for $3.
We reboarded the bus and Gustavo noted that we were all very quiet. He said that meant one of two things. We were tired or hungry. He opted for the latter and our next stop was to the massive Albrook Mall.
This is the one that employs more people than the Canal. Each entrance uses an animal to identify it and we entered at the Dinosaur entrance. There was a small food court there and I had a quick bite at McDonalds then walked farther into the mall and found a massive food court that had everything including Taco Bell!
A thunderstorm blew through while we were in the mall. I went to one entrance and looked out. The water was white and blowing sideways like a mini-hurricane. It was a ferocious storm but by the time we were done at 1:30, it had blown over.
Which is good given that one of our next stops is a cable car ride.
From the mall, we headed to the Miraflores Locks Visitor Centre and we got until 3:20 to check it out. This gave me time to do the stuff I didn’t do the first time I was there. I went in to the theatre to watch the 10 minute video which explained everything about the Canal and the lock system and showed the construction of the third lock. Outside the theatre is a tv screen that shows one of the massive doors being moved into place. The new lock won’t use the traditional doors that open and close into the walls of the lock and form a V when they’re closed. The new one will have a massive water filled door that will simply move into the lock like a pocket door.
I looked around the museum again and checked out the bridge video on the 3rd floor. By the time I was done, there were ships going through the locks.
The people were three deep on the observation platform and I have to admit, there’s nothing worse than a tall person who won’t make way for a child to stand in front of them to watch the ships. (I stepped back to let the little girl in and the guy to my side slid in so that the little girl couldn’t take my spot). 
Again, just a pic or two at different points in the ship’s passing was more than enough to get an idea of what is happening. A cruise ship approached as we were ready to go.
From here, it was a short drive to the Gamboa Rainforest resort. En route, Gustavo explained what we had to do with our luggage and the response from some people made it obvious that they had not read the documents that we received. At one point, he made it clear that we have to take some responsibility and read the stuff we’re sent – and he’s absolutely right.
What is going to happen is that we will spend tonight (Sunday) and Monday night here in Gamboa. On Tuesday morning, we fly to David on a small plane that can’t take more than 35 lbs of luggage per person. He said if our bag was that light, no problem – but if our luggage was more, we’d need to send it on the bus to David and the bus is leaving Monday afternoon.
So, anyone that wants to send their luggage on needs to have a day pack with what they need for Monday night. We will see our bags at the hotel Tuesday night. So, essentially, keep out the clothes we need for Tuesday, our pajamas and toiletries. That’s it. We were all given reusable TT bags, so if one didn’t have a small bag to carry the few items, they certainly could use that.
Well, I’ve never seen a TD have so much trouble explaining this. LOL. And he did it with a smile.
By the time we arrived at the cable car, most had figured it out. We boarded the cable cars in groups of five with a guide.
The cars are open with a canopy and there’s even one that can carry a wheelchair. As we pull away from the station, the sky rumbles with thunder.
Yup. Open cable car on above the treetops and we can hear thunder.
The guide didn’t seem concerned. He said the cable cars are grounded.
I’m wondering if I am.
We don’t hear any thunder after that. On this ride, one might see animals like sloths but it’s too wet. We do hear the howler monkeys and the guide says he can’t imagine what the original Spaniards thought when they came to Panama and heard that noise in the jungle.
We rode the car to the top through and over the jungle canopy while the guide pointed out different trees and at the top we got out and walked a short trail.
It ended at a huge observation tower that had a ramp that climbed the whole difference. That made it easy.
From here, we could see the Chagres River and the Panama Canal with ships moving along.
Then someone with a really good eye saw a Toucan in the trees and my 30x zoom could just get it.
We returned to the cable car and took it back down to the bus. The hotel was only down the hill and we pulled in around 5:30. My room is on the seventh floor with an awesome view of the Chagres.
Even better, I can relax on a hammock and enjoy the view.
Love this room.
Dinner was at 7 pm and was a buffet with a pasta station where the chef would cook up the extras, add the pasta and sauce and we could put the parmesan on it.
Absolutely delicious.
After dinner, we had a talk given by a local scientist and her topic was biodiversity and the canal. It was a fascinating talk about how the rise of the Panama land bridge 3 million years or so ago completely changed the climate of the planet and allowed for animals to cross north to south and vice versa. But the canal essentially ended that crossing of species between the continents. To get across, land mammals have to cross one of the bridges, which is how they believe one species of coyote spread to eastern Panama. The talk was very interesting and like everything else so far, we’ve been absolutely immersed in everything about the Canal – from its construction and expansion to how it affects the wildlife and landscape.
After the talk, I changed my wake up call from 6 am to 7 am cause I don’t need a lot of time to get ready and by 11 I’m out like a light.
Go to Day Four
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