Monday, 9 May 2011 – Checking out Boquete

I got up, went down and had breakfast in the restaurant. Eggs, bacon and fried plantains for $3. I then took the drive over to Boquete. I had heard it was no longer as nice as it once was. A lot of North Americans had moved in and tried to make it like it was back home. Lots of development had turned it into a bit of a tourist town, and land prices have gotten really high there (by local standards). But I wanted to see it for myself,...

Sunday, 8 May 2011 – The long drive to Volcan

I got an early start, worked out, showered, packed, reluctantly checked out of the Gamboa Resort, and hit the road. I passed on their $18 breakfast buffet, and instead stopped at the same Kotawa Coffee place again. I headed out on the Panamerican Highway headed west for the seven hour drive ahead of me.

The little Kia I rented was amazing. I drove it at 130 kph on the straight portions, and got it up to 140 kph for a...

Saturday, 7 May 2011 – The Gamboa Rainforest

I woke up early, checked out of my crappy hotel, and hit the road, headed for the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. I stopped and got some coffee and empanadas (meat-filled turnovers) at a Kotawa Coffee, the local version of Starbucks (though they have those, too). It was pretty mediocre, about like Starbucks.

The drive to Gamboa was really beautiful. Gamboa is an old American settlement at the south end of Lake Gatun, a reservoir...

Friday, 6 May 2011 – Panama City

I woke up the next morning and was pleased to see light filtering in through the curtains. It was a bit gray, but getting lighter. I worked out, showered and got dressed. When I was ready to go out for my one full day in Panama City, the sun came out. It quickly got up to around 90° with 100% humidity. Fortunately that does not bother me too much, but you sure sweat a lot. As it turns out, the mornings are usually gray early, then the sun comes...

Thursday, 5 May 2011 – Travel

I got up early to get to Seattle Tacoma International Airport and make my 7AM flight. There was little traffic that early in the morning, so I got to the airport parking place and made my flight just fine, though I was running a little late.

The first leg was from SeaTac to Houston; about four hours. I had just brought carry-on and a large butt pack. I had stuffed the carry-on too full, and it would not fit in the overhead bins, so they...