A travel note from Jeannette to a friend.
9 nights in Panama at least :-)
John (You are going
to regret you ever asked :) Take lots of shorts and t shirts, swimsuit,
jeans and a jacket for Chiriqui, at least 1 nice outfit for a killer
restaurant and casino night. (great seafood, paella, let me know and
will recommend. Promise it will be short.
Start off in Panama city and get around the city. Are you staying at the
Gamboa resort?
If you wish to stay elsewhere but have someone drive you around I can
introduce you to a friend who can give you a VERY special rate. The
guide can pick you up an take you to the Canal (there's a nice
restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat while watching the ships go
through. Will send you photos from my home computer. I took them in
2004. Visit the former US bases, Howard AFB, Albrook AFS, Clayton. Do
not miss the old Navy Base (Fort Amador) and seat of Noriega's bunker.
It's now a cruise ship port with restaurants, marinas, duty free shops
etc. Las Bovedas (this is the Panamanian King William being restored,
galleries, monuments to the French, art galleries, great restaurants (at
Manolo Caracol you pay a set fee plus your wine or drinks of choice and
wait for the chef to create and send to to your table his creations)
French cuisine, jazz, presidential palace (guide could arrange a tour if
asked on time) etc.
PANAMA CITY 3 NIGHTS
- Canal, former US Bases, Las Bovedas
http://www.panamacanalcountry.com/casco_viejo1.htm,
the ruins, banking center, don't miss Panamanian ceviche, arts and craft
stores by the old YMCA, Fort Amador,
http://www.panamacanalcountry.com/amador.htm
cruise ship etc. You can check expedia or orbits etc. This hotel is in a
shopping center, across from the bay, has casino, a nice bar called
Decapolis, and walking distance to night life and casinos.
The tour guide can take you anywhere. Taxis are a between 2-3 dollars if
you know one. forget tourist traps. I'll give you a name.
http://www.radisson.com/panamacitypan
There are many other nice and less expensive hotels. Let me know if you
need a recommendation.
COLON AND ISLA GRANDE - 1 NIGHT
Colon City only a few hours to visit Free Zone (one of the largest in
the world and great place to buy jewelry etc. Optional only if you care
to buy something. If you do then go to Isla Grande which is about an
hour away and stop at Portobello (ultimate diving place, where the old
Fort was built to defend the city from the pirates). Visit the famous
church of Cristro Negro (Black Christ) continue another 20 minutes to
Isla Grande. There you can do
1 of 2 things
Stay at "La Cholita" for about $40 per night, very simple and clean
place.
Ruben the cook will fix you great Panamanian breakfast with eggs, ham,
carimaņola, hojaldra (Panamanian fried dumpling) and great PMa coffee.
Wonderful view, patio with hammocks, you can walk up to the lighthouse
and take great photos (wear swimsuits and sneakers). You can wear
swimsuit 24 hours and go ceviche and beer hoping and if lucky the
islanders will play the conga and dance with you and Kay for a bottle of
Seco worth about $5.00.
Or you can go to a beautiful resort, all white, private pool, kayaking
included, trips to the island on the boat, top notch service I believe
about $100 per night. They bring the locals in for conga as well. This
is a beautiful resort. Check
http://www.bananasresort.com
BOCAS DEL TORO - 2 nights
(one of the 9 provinces of Panama and it's on the Atlantic) and leave
for Chiriqui (Pacific).
Fly to Bocas out of the domestic airport on Albrook Air Force station
(former).
It's a beautiful place. My grandfather was the governor for years.
Eduardo Thomas. He owned a hotel in the water until he died about 15 yrs
ago. Bocas was one of the richest provinces, home of Chiquita Banana and
oil company. It went down hill and is now emerging as a tourist
destination for diving, fishing, honeymoons, and just having fun. My
friends like this hotel.
http://bocasbluemarlin.com
On the third 3 day you can leave my motor boat to Chiriqui Grande (30
minutes) and catch a Mercedez Benz bus over the Mountain range to
Chiriqui.
It takes a couple of hours going doing the hill and it's beautiful. You
will see the hydroelectric and stop to see arts and crafts. You arrive
in David. Extremely hot so just stay long enough to be picked up by a
truck sent b the owners of Los Quetzales. Y
CERRO PUNTA, CHIRIQUI 1 NIGHT (just to spend the night on the rainforest
and explore it the following day.
The house is about 60 per night. There's a maid (must make arrangements
before you get there) let me know. She can cook for you what you want
including a great breakfast with fresh orange juice and trout from your
own pond on the property. You can go out on the town and buy the best
vegetables on your way there on the taxi and she will cook it for you.
Once you decide the plan let me know and will help make arrangements.
You can go on a rain forest tour to see the famous Quetzal. No
electricity, fire place, gas water heater, the most beautiful stars
ever, 50 degree temperature up in the mounts and great places for hot
chocolate with marshmallow, smoked ham and famous vegetables ,
strawberries etc. The girl from the town will give you a manicure for
$3, pedicure for $10. The owner has a bakery.
www.losquetzales.com
The owner, Alfaro is a famous artist and cousin of the girlfriend I
stayed on the East coast last week.
THE VALLEY OF BOQUETE, CHIRIQUI - 1 NIGHT
The next day and once you've rested the hotel's truck will take you back
to the City of David where you first arrived. There you can take a taxi
to go to the valley of Boquete. Not far at all. Can't remember right
now. Or maybe once you decide your trip I can figure out trips with the
tour guide.
(y friend. Make arrangements to spend one day and one night at El
Panamonte hotel. Try their infamous lentil and plantain soup. Get a tour
of the coffee factory and buy their home made breads.
The hotel (B&B) was built in 1903 by a Texan, and in 1947 the
Elliot-Collins family bought it. The parents of a Panamanian chef,
Charlie Collins. Rooms start at about 60 a night.
Go to:
www.hotelpanamonte.com
Back to Panama City by plane.
PANAMA CITY - LAST NIGHT
Fly back to the USA and take two days off to rest!
Jeannette