PANAMA CANAL - with almost 0% tax - & 365 San Blas Islands owned by the Kuna tribe (Guna)

MON DEC 1 – DAY 53 – CARTEGENA, COLOMBIA TO PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

I woke up to a life lesson.  In Cartegena, I stayed in a mixed dorm hostel, first time in my life.  That means men and women, and 18 beds in my room.  I asked for an upgrade when I arrived, but they didn’t have solo rooms.  My pod was oddly very quiet.  EXCEPT, one girl.  Who happened to be sleeping above me.  I have hardly met somebody so rude.  She would talk and laugh in more than a 10 volume at all hours of the night.  The first night around midnight, I went to the washroom and told her – everyone else in here is sleeping.  She could have cared less.. she carried on talking w her boyfriend at full volume.  I stayed 3 nights and every night was the same – the room was fully silent, except this one girl.

Last night was a new level.  She started with a coughing fit – but overly dramatic – sounded like pretending to choke and this went on for an hour.  All the while using her phone as a flashlight everywhere, shining right into my pod as well.  Finally, she loudly got out of bed coughing loudly, all kinds of noise.. ultimately she ended up going to sleep in the wee hours of the morning. 

My alarm was set for 6:30am – I woke up at 6:25am as usual with my internal alarm clock.  I was not a very happy camper.  I got myself ready – super quiet – then as I was walking out I had a thought.. I should rattle her blind that closes her pod as a bit of noise.  This thought flashed around in my head.. that’s not nice.. but she kept me up all night.. that’s not the person I want to be – but she is unbelievably rude.. .. as I walked out I lightly tapped on her blind with my fingernails a couple of times.  It was quiet and most likely she never heard it.  Instantly I felt not great about my behaviour.

I was pulling in to the airport with my Uber at which point I realized that I left my shrimp parmesan fettucine in the fridge at the hostel.  Immediately I knew the reason.  Karma is alive and well folks.  I guess I should not have tapped on that girls blind after all.  I paid $42 for that meal last night as a treat, and I am craving it so much.. I hardly ate any of it- saved it for today.  Alas, I am at the airport and that pasta will end up in the garbage.  I remembered it this morning, but forgot as I walked out.  Too caught up in my devious rebuttle – had I not tapped on her blind, I believe I would be enjoying my expensive delicious pasta today.  Lesson learned.  Regardless of what others do, I must maintain love. 

My Panama arrival was unexpected. I was immediately more impressed than I thought I would be.  It is big, clean, and much more up my alley than I expected. I got dropped at my hostel, some guy on the street said they do not open till 4pm. Omg.. it was 11am.  Thank goodness there was a Crepes and Waffles next door.  I dragged my luggage in there, plugged my laptop and phone at a back comfy table and worked there till 4pm. 

4pm I checked in – to a room that left everything to be desired.  I asked if they had a single room to upgrade to.  They did – it was not much of an upgrade but privacy at least. 

I actually watched a bit of a show and fell asleep.

TUES DEC 2 – DAY 54 – PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

4:30am came early.  I got up at the first ring of my alarm.  Ready for my 5:10am pick up. 

We drove 3 hours, the last hour of which is a windy crazy road.  Then took a boat, and OMG.  There are 378 islands in the San Blas Islands.  49 are inhabited.  This was something I had not seen before.  Islands in every direction the eye could see.  We could count 25 just in one glance.  Each one had palm trees and a view to behold, just WOW. 

I met Kimmie from England, we hung out all day – along with others.  We had a 10/10 day just beautiful – lunch was great – company was great- weather was perfect despite rain forecast – a day to remember.

I came home, threw my laundry in the machines, showered and washed my ocean salty hair, had dinner in the hostel restaurant. 

WEDN DEC 3 – DAY 55 – PANAMA CITY, PANAMA TO GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA

Up at 6am to make coffee and wait for my pick up for Panama Canal tour. 

We started at the canal.  Super informative and interesting.  What they built here 100 years ago is quite a mind bender.  Incredible that the entire globe uses this passage for goods both ways.  This 8-10 hour passage for a ship saves 8-10 days around the southern tip of South America and the rough seas as well.  Thought it is pricey to pass through, it is super economical considering the extra 8-10 days of wages, time, etc..

We were able to witness a massive ship, a sail boat, and then a second massive ship pass through the locks.  Then watched a 45 min documentary on the locks. 

We made several pit stops throughout the day.  We visited the Panama sign, and went through Old Town.  It was a fantastic tour!!!

My phone died, actually died on the tour.  I had 45 min back at the hostel to charge and pack my bags.  Ubered to the airport, only to find out that they OVER-SOLD my flight.  I booked this 6 months ago, checked in online last night and arrived at the airport 3 hours early.  Insane.  Their only solution was to put me on the 9pm flight which had one seat available. 

I could not even find a decent restaurant to eat, I swear I walked over an hour to search for a bite to eat… feeling so done!

RECAP OF PANAMA

Panama City metropolitan area has approx. 2.1M people living there.  For soe reason I expected it to be much smaller than it was.  The skyline was a big surprise for me – I did not expect this city to be so modern and big. 

The impression was money… this city felt rich compared to most I have visited. It seemed very poor in some spots and ultra rich in many other areas.  It was evident this is a playground for yachts. 

The San Blas Islands were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.  It seemed incredible that 365 – 378 islands could exist in this clear Caribbean blue water, each with their own palm trees, and often one small cabin or some islands like a small resort.  The water was warm as a bathtub, and clear to the bottom. I felt like I could have stayed to island hop for weeks or months. 

The Kuna people (pronounced Guna) – this tribe owns the San Blas Islands, they are self-governed.  They decide what they allow for tourism.  Many of the Kuna children never go to school, they live on the islands and learn their culture.  Though many of the islands have generators for their iphones haha.  There are only 50,000 Kuna people left alive today – their art and culture is very strong and they sell it to preserve it in the world. 

The Panama Canal was a wonder!  How these people built this over 100 yrs ago is beyond me.  Today there is a 2nd larger canal as well to accomoate the massive ships we have in this age.  Incredible to watch the process of a ship coming through from the Pacific to the Caribbean side in 8-10 hours to avoid the extra 8-10 days to sail around the bottom of South America in rough waters. 

Old Town was nice – like a mild version of Cartegena.  Beautiful, charming, and a great contrast to the business downtown core area.

Panama City – I rate you 8/10.  I arrived thinking it would be a 5 for me – I suppose the fact your income tax is almost at ZERO also boosts the number!!

my 5 hour wait at crepes and waffles… lunch and dessert..

up early heading to san blas islands.. the kuni people have their own border with interesting flags, guns, and you must present a passport to enter their san blas islands… very interesting!

our group of 6 plus our guide.. had a great day! kimmie from England and eddie from orlando - thank you!!

365 - 378 small islands, 49 inhabited.. incredible!! they are the most beautiful little islands you have ever seen

old town, some whopping where i purchased a mola dress.. hand stiched by the kuna people

coca cola building is the only coca cola business in the world where they pay zero franchise fees as coca cola missed setting this up legally at time of start up - crazy story!! it is now a cafe

the twisty building that says pandora on the top was a huge law suit as they copied this from a dubai building.. except this one does not rotate.. they lost 2 court battles

another tower went to court, trump’s building that looks like a sailboat but he didn’t lose the court case

the last 2 photos show a small island in teh san blas, this one fully inhabited by the kuna people. this island called Gardi Sugdub. this island was home to 1500 people until one year ago many of them moved to mainland due to rising sea levels.. this past year leaves only about 200 people living there. fascinating