We arrived back in Panama City on the 29th of January. We made it from the airport to our hotel without incident. Our room was adequate but basic, what do you want for $35 a day. We arranged to go meet an old cruiser friend who sailed his boat down to the canal from Boca Chica where we sold Chrysalis. After a nice visit and meeting other old cruiser friends we headed back to our hotel. We try not to be out after dark and our hotel in not in the prettiest (safest) part of town. But alas we were out a little late with our visits so it was dark on the way back. On recommendation from our friend we took a local bus into town to save a little money but were dropped off in a really bad (dangerous) part of town, so we got in the next taxi and did not quibble about the price. We spent two nights at our hotel so that we could go get yellow fever vaccinations (required for our trip to Columbia). We took a rather nice bus from Panama City to Colon for only $3 each. When we got to Colon (known to be dangerous) we immediately got on the bus going to Portabello and out of the City. We felt a definite difference here from all other Latin Cities we had been to. No hellos or smiles here. We got on the bus but despite the fact that there were plenty of seats we were denied a set and made to stand. It was very hot and felt very hostile. Looking at the likely hood of having to stand for the next 2 hours we decided to get off and look for a taxi knowing if would be expensive. We tried to walk away from the bus terminal as taxis are notorious for charging higher rates at airports and bus stations. Before we got one foot from the terminal a police officer and a solider stopped us and asked were we going. We told them and were told not to leave the terminal as it was very dangerous! The solider then proceeded in trying to get us a cab for the price he said was reasonable $40. The first cab said good price for you $80! After several cabs we finally settled for $60 as we needed to get out of there. After a short while our taxi said problemo, his wife who was pregnant needed to go to the hospital so he would have to get us another cab, don’t worry. He did get us another taxi but worry we did when our taxi veered off the main road and down into what looked like a ghetto. I asked if this was the way to Puerto Lindo and they indicated yes. There was another man besides the driver, which is unusual and who just happened to be drinking beer. The driver and his side kick would not talk to us and were busy on the phone non-stop. We were starting to plan our escape. I told Leiann I thought I could take them and then we would have to steal the taxi. As we drove along in the ghetto groups of men nearly blocked our way asking for money. At each one of these “blockades” was a stuffed dummy (white bed sheets). We were getting very nervous. Finally we came out onto the main road on the coast and we could now see the Caribbean, we felt much better! We got to our hostel unharmed. We told our hosts of our experience and they told us the taxi took a short cut, the blockades were people trying to collect money for the fireworks on the New Year and the dummy was a tradition to burn as part of the celebration. We have now been at our hostel for 12 days and have enjoyed the laid back lifestyle. We are 15 miles from town so have to take a bus into town for internet so only go a few times a week, Say it isn’t so. We have enjoyed many walks in the jungle, seeing monkeys and a baby sloth and toured several Spanish Fort ruins. Columbus landed here on his fourth and final voyage still thinking he was in India. Lots of looted Inca and Aztec gold was shipped here after being trekked over from the pacific side. Stories of pirate invasions and cannon warfare abound in the local history. We have another couple weeks here before we make the crossing over to Columbia. So we have lots more to explore before we move on so we will post again before we leave Panama.
Stayed tuned for more Chrysalis Adventures