| Back to Panama City and Home |
5 to 8 March 2007
From El Valle Back to Panama City (5 March):
About 9:00am we were got on a minibus directly in front of our hotel, the Hotel Residencial
del Valle. The same small bus took us all the way to Panama City's Albrook bus terminal for
about US$3.50 each, arriving at about 11:15am. From there we took a taxi to the Hotel San
Remo, where we had stayed on two previous occasions during this Panamanian trip.
About 9:00am we were got on a minibus directly in front of our hotel, the Hotel Residencial
del Valle. The same small bus took us all the way to Panama City's Albrook bus terminal for
about US$3.50 each, arriving at about 11:15am. From there we took a taxi to the Hotel San
Remo, where we had stayed on two previous occasions during this Panamanian trip.
After lunch we walked down to the Plaza Cinco de Mayo to visit El Museo Antropologico
Reina Torres de Arauz. We found the museum closed; a bystander told us the museum had
been moved away but he did not know where. So we took a walk back to our hotel.
Reina Torres de Arauz. We found the museum closed; a bystander told us the museum had
been moved away but he did not know where. So we took a walk back to our hotel.
Excursion to Taboga (6 March):
Early in the morning we took a taxi to La Playita de Amador, which was the new departure
point for the ferry to the island of Taboga. The ferry with about two hundred passengers
left the dock at about 8:20am and we arrived at Taboga about an hour later. The village at
the shore, nestled at the foot of the green hills, was a beautiful sight.
Early in the morning we took a taxi to La Playita de Amador, which was the new departure
point for the ferry to the island of Taboga. The ferry with about two hundred passengers
left the dock at about 8:20am and we arrived at Taboga about an hour later. The village at
the shore, nestled at the foot of the green hills, was a beautiful sight.
Approaching the island of Taboga, Panama
Taboga seen from the ferry upon arrival at the dock.
After getting ashore we ambled down the concrete pedestrian walkway from one end of the
village to the other. We saw two small churches, both of which were closed. We saw a
memorial to the French artist Gauguin, who lived on Taboga for a few months. We visited
the cemetery. Saw a few guest houses and small hotels, noted some visitors on the beach but
almost nobody in the water, made a couple of stops for refreshments and had lunch.
village to the other. We saw two small churches, both of which were closed. We saw a
memorial to the French artist Gauguin, who lived on Taboga for a few months. We visited
the cemetery. Saw a few guest houses and small hotels, noted some visitors on the beach but
almost nobody in the water, made a couple of stops for refreshments and had lunch.
A small church on the island of Taboga.
Mural copying a Gauguin painting of Tahitian women.
Taboga youth resting on a wall.
Taboga view of the sea with commercial fishing boats.
Like the rest of Panama's Pacific coast, Taboga has a tidal range of about fifteen feet (4.5
meters). While the tide was very low Virginia and I relaxed on the beach and also
discovered some very large old anchors and a mysterious huge iron wheel. Judy looked for
shells to add to her extensive collection. We watched while a hill which at low tide was
connected to Taboga by a low neck of land became a separate island at high tide.
meters). While the tide was very low Virginia and I relaxed on the beach and also
discovered some very large old anchors and a mysterious huge iron wheel. Judy looked for
shells to add to her extensive collection. We watched while a hill which at low tide was
connected to Taboga by a low neck of land became a separate island at high tide.
Mysterious metal wheel.
Anybody know what it is?
Anybody know what it is?
At about 4:30pm we took the ferry back to Panama City. Our visit to Taboga was OK but
we probably could have spent our time better in Panama City.
we probably could have spent our time better in Panama City.
On the ferry from
Taboga, returning to
Panama City with the
seagulls keeping us
company.
Taboga, returning to
Panama City with the
seagulls keeping us
company.
Visits to Miraflores Locks, Anthropologic Museum, Shopping Mall and Lottery Drawing
(7 March):
Shortly before 9:00am we took a taxi to the Miraflores Locks, about fifteen minutes from
Panama City. From a very good observation platform we watched several ships go through
the locks, after which we visited the museum explaining the Canal's operation and expansion
plans. The visit to the Miraflores Locks was one of the highlights of our trip to Panama.
(7 March):
Shortly before 9:00am we took a taxi to the Miraflores Locks, about fifteen minutes from
Panama City. From a very good observation platform we watched several ships go through
the locks, after which we visited the museum explaining the Canal's operation and expansion
plans. The visit to the Miraflores Locks was one of the highlights of our trip to Panama.
Next we found a taxi driver who knew the new location of the Anthropologic Museum, and
took us there. The museum was in a large modern structure, but the exhibits were few.
took us there. The museum was in a large modern structure, but the exhibits were few.
Then we took a taxi to the Albrook Shopping Mall, which was just like any major shopping
mall in the U.S.A. We bought nothing except ice cream.
mall in the U.S.A. We bought nothing except ice cream.
After that we took a taxi to the National Lottery Building across the street from our hotel,
and watched the drawing of the winning numbers which happened to be taking place.
and watched the drawing of the winning numbers which happened to be taking place.
Interior of the new Anthropological Museum.
One of the few displays in the Anthropological Museum.
Early morning view from our hotel-room window of the lottery
sellers on the sidewalk of the National Lottery Building.
sellers on the sidewalk of the National Lottery Building.
Winning numbers being drawn in the
National Lottery Building.
National Lottery Building.
We had a late lunch in the restaurant of the Hotel Acapulco, a block or so from our hotel,
where we had eaten several times. We found it to be the best nearby restaurant.
where we had eaten several times. We found it to be the best nearby restaurant.
Click here for the next page, "Panama Trip Comments".
Click here to return to the "Panama Trip Menu".
Click here to return to the "Our Travel Journals" Main Menu.
Click here to return to the "Panama Trip Menu".
Click here to return to the "Our Travel Journals" Main Menu.
Return from Panama City to the U.S.A. (8 March):
Fortunately, everything on our return trip home went smoothly according to schedule. The
only noteworthy event was that when changing planes in Atlanta we had the opportunity to see
in the terminal an excellent exhibit of sculptures from Zimbabwe. A few examples are shown
below.
Fortunately, everything on our return trip home went smoothly according to schedule. The
only noteworthy event was that when changing planes in Atlanta we had the opportunity to see
in the terminal an excellent exhibit of sculptures from Zimbabwe. A few examples are shown
below.
On one of our Panama City
walks Virginia observed
this man on the park bench
reading very intently to
his female companion.
Virginia approached them
and in the ensuing
conversation learned that
he was reading from the
Bible.
walks Virginia observed
this man on the park bench
reading very intently to
his female companion.
Virginia approached them
and in the ensuing
conversation learned that
he was reading from the
Bible.
