While anchored at La Playita near Panama City, one thing I enjoyed was the 8 o'clock cruiser's net. It is VHF radio information time, where cruisers can talk to other cruisers, get information, give information etc.

Liam had been complaining of a sore tooth, so we asked if anyone knew of a dentist we could consult. We were given a name, but I wasn't able to get the address and phone number down, so after the net I radioed a friend who I knew had had some dental work done. She gave me the address and phone number. I called and made an appointment.

Two days later, we all jumped into a taxi and arrived for Liam's appointment. As I was announcing our arrival to the receptionist, I was confused by her confusion. She was frantically leafing through her appointment book, saying that she didn't have an appointment for us and, in fact, the dentist wasn't even in. But, but, I stammered, I called a couple of days ago.......We were all very perplexed and wondering what to do, when I remembered I had written down the address in my little book. That confirmed it. We were in the wrong dental office!

Another taxi ride and half and hour later, we arrived at Dr. Luis Torvas's office: the right dental office. He was very kind and understanding about us being over a half hour late (the other dentist office had called to say we were on our way).

He worked on Liam's 3 cavities for a couple of hours. Liam-the -brave hung in there. Not a complaint nor a single bit of flinching! By the time we got out, it was dinner time. We asked Dr. Luis, if he could recommend a good Panamanian restaurant. He and his wife, dropped us off at one near their home and then said they would return in a while.
After dinner, they joined us for dessert and then insisted on driving us back to the marina, where 'Wallace', our faithful dingy awaited.
We took the long way back. Dr. Luis, drove us all around Panama City; the old city, the new high rises - including the new Trump Tower. It was obvious that he was very proud of his city. After 11 pm, we said good bye. Liam still needed some work to be done, so we knew we would see each other again.
After Liam's second appointment, we invited Dr. Luis and his family to our boat for dinner. Unfortunately, the swell and waves were too boisterous for the dinner to take place on Gromit, so we packed up dinner, met them on shore and had a nice meal at the tables outside the marina office. We agreed to try to get together once more before we left.
We went bowling. Dr. Luis has a son around Liam's age. The kids had a blast.
We then went to the oldest part of Panama City, where the ruins still stand, and walked around feeling the history. The following is short description I found on the internet:

About two miles from the center of Panama City are found the ruins of the first capital, known as Old Panama or Panama La Vieja, founded in 1519. Fragments of walls and arches stand in an open park, recalling the splendor of the Spaniard's first settlement on the Pacific Ocean. From here, expeditions were mounted to conquer the Inca Empire of South America. All of the wealth from Peru, Chile and California flowed to Spain through Old Panama Not surprisingly, the enormous quantities of gold attracted pirates like sharks to Panama's waters. When Henry Morgan looted the city in 1671, Panama's governor ordered the powder magazine burned and the whole city went up in flames. The capital was moved two miles to the west, and present-day Panama City was founded in 1673. The most impressive structures remaining are the cathedral, with a massive bell-tower, and the Bishop's House. In front of the ruins, alongside the ocean, is an artisan's market, full of native crafts, and a small restaurant with a fine view out to a bay where Spanish galleons and pirate ships once lifted sail.


From there, we were going to go out to dinner. Dr. Luis's wife, Miquel and her daughter, Suzanna, though otherwise. They cooked us a fantastic dinner at their home.

There is more to Dr. Luis than just a good dentist! He is also an accomplished martial arts teacher and accordion player. Quite a mix, really.
Miquel, is a classically trained flutist. They play in their band at functions around the city.

In their home, they had punching post set up. This was just the ticket for Liam. Maia got in there, too! Dr. Luis was trying to teach them how hold their hands to defend themselves and throw a few punches. Liam spent almost the whole time wearing the punching gloves and practising the 'moves'.


Too soon it was time to go. As we were in the parking area, Dr. L uis said something to Miquel and she went back into their house. Moments later she came back out with the punching gloves for Liam. They had seen how much he loved them. It was a wonderfully generous thing to do! And it certainly made Liam's day!
They took us back to the marina and we said good bye.

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