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  • Day 143

    Panama city - so much to see!

    April 10, 2023 in Panama ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    After we arrived Panama (to be more exact Povenir which is an island just off the coast of Panama) we had to take a 4-Wheel truck for 4 hours to Panama city. I stayed 4 days in Panama city 🇵🇦 and wow what a diverse city! First of all Panama city is very modern, you can also pay in American dollars and their local currency Balboa which is equal. Unfortunately this also makes Panama not the cheapest destination to travel to. Despite that I had a wonderful time exploring the city and the surroundings, also realizing that their public transport system is pretty epic. It is cheap and so straight forward. I therefore took the metro or bus almost everywhere. On my first day I rented a bike for the day and drove around the Amador causeway which is made from rock extracted during the excavations from the Panama Canal. It was wonderful bike ride and along the way are nice restaurants, coffee shops and even some museums like the biomuseum (Frank Gehry the same architect who also designed the Guggenheim in Bilbao designed this one). It was also beautiful weather and I just enjoyed the time for myself. The following day I met some girls from China and the Netherlands and we wanted to have a look at the Panama Canal. One of the „must dos“ in Panama City! Even though we didn’t go to the more expensive tourist center we still got a good view of the canal and were even able to see a big ship 🛳️ going through it. The US formally took control of the canal property on May 4, 1904. Apparently the Panama Canal is therefore also the reason why you can nowadays pay in dollars in Panama as the Americans brought their currency to Panama. After seeing the Panama Canal we went on a free walking tour around the city center. Getting some insight into the history of Panama City, seeing the oldest church, the oldest elevator or the oldest hotel where once gang members were in power. On the last day I went to the parque natural metropolitano which is a beautiful parque perfect for observing wild animals like sloths, monkeys and turtles. And in deed.. I was able to see all three animals! Loved it!Read more