Week 13 Panama to Colombia

Week 13

Tuesday. Today we went to see one of the`Seven Wonders of the Industrial World - The Panama Canal. Luckily Roland had read the guide book and noted that the best time to see boats pass through was between 11am-12pm.  We left the hotel at 10:00am in a Taxi and we were lucky enough to see 2 large container ships pass through the Miraflores Locks.

Main routes of boats passing through the Canal

2 boats entering the Canal

Boats exiting the Canal

Locks preparing to receive more boats

Interesting fact

"Get those boats moving through, NOW!!!"

Sailing (or is it driving?) a container ship through the lock

As it was Christmas Eve, we decided to treat ourselves and dine at Tantalo Kitchen. The food was good and the cocktails even better!

Pre-dinner drinks at Havana - we were the only people in the bar!!

Drinks on the roof top

Much to our surprise the streets of Casco Viejo (old town) was completely empty except for a few families playing loud music outside their homes, sitting on plastic chairs. After a few drinks and a wander around we decided to go back to the Hotel. This was a mistake, because as soon as it was 12am (and we were tucked up in bed) the whole city seem to erupt with fireworks!!! Damn it!!

Wednesday. Merry Xmas!! To celebrate we decided to go for a walk around the Metropolitan National Park which seemed a good idea at the time. After an hour into the walk it started to pour down! We tried to avoid getting wet by sheltering under a rock which didn't work very well - we still got soaked from the neck down! We waited under there for about 30 minutes for the rain to stop and then went to the viewpoint to see Panama city from above.

Running for shelter

We had high hopes for a nice Christmas dinner but there was absolutely nothing open in the area we were staying! Everything was shut! Luckily we stumbled across an Italian restaurant which served the best Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil salad I have had so far! It was Yummy!

Note that we didn't bother to go back to the hotel to change after getting soaked!

I was meant to share this, but I managed to drink it all, Merry Xmas!

Yummy!!

Thursday To Monday - Travel from Panama City to Cartegena in Colombia.

Mamallena Hostel arranged all the transport from Panama City to Cartegenga ($650 per person for a cabin and $50 for Transport from Panama City to San Blas). This trip was booked 6 months ago while in the UK.

4:30am we had to make our way to Mamallena to catch a 4x4 to San Blas Islands. Once everyone had arrived we then caught a launcher to our home for the next 5 days - The Jacqueline catamaran.

There were 24 passengers on this catamaran (and a cat) from all over the world; UK, USA, Australia, Sweden, Germany and Italy. At first glance inside the catamaran I wondered where everyone were going to sleep!  I was very pleased that we had paid extra to have our own cabin with a private bathroom!

I can not recommend this boat enough!  The crew were great and food was plentiful and really nice!  

On the launcher to Jacqueline

Our home for the next 5 days

The first 2.5 days were spent sailing around the San Blas Islands where we swam in the crystal clear sea, snorkeled beautiful coral reefs and visited neighbouring islands.  The evenings was spent drinking copious amounts of rum and eating the most delicious food - including lobster on the first night.  We were taught how to play King Cup which was a great way to get to know everyone.

Tiny island!

The rest of the trip was spent trying our best not to `throw up´ over-board! As soon as we started sailing in the open sea, the big waves started coming in - it was really scary at some points!  Thank god that we brought sea sickness tablets in Panama City - they worked a treat!

Monday we arrived in Cartegena and we were all very pleased to get off the boat.  We checked into Mamallena Hostel and then spent the afternoon exploring the old town.