Panama City, Panama.
Leaving Bocas was a chore; I really didn't want to. Bidding farewell to our fellow housemates we embarked on a mammoth bus ride to the capital of Panama. The city is reverred as the Miami of the Americas (that's the real, original Americas.) Our hostel, Lunas Castle, was perfectly situated in Casco Viejo, the antiguo, old town recently given Unesco status, that provided a great skyline of the city's skyscrapers.
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| That hat |
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| Gossip girls |
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| Skyline with impending storm |
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| Casco Viejo |
The enchantment of malls, the cinema and shopping tugged at the westerner in us. A day spent in Allbrook Mall satisfied the tug, new havianas, rocking boardshorts and eating something other than beans and rice did the job.
That night we took our third and fourth ride in a police car on this trip. Lucy's stolen phone meant a two hour negotiation in the police station. Surprisingly, they were helpful and after a good few hours we managed to escape to a cool, local, police-recommended cafe for some delightful nosh. The fact we had meant the entire policeforce became quite cool. Being greeted and high-fived by officers when eating is always a bit different, locals looked on amused.
Our travel buddy Jack arrived and we hung out in a fish market, eating some quite delicious seafood. We lapped up his company for one last hurrah before heading to a plane.
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| Oh my |
And so Central America was being left behind for the last leg of the journey; a new continent and Colombia awaited.
Santa Marta, Colombia:
The beachy town of SM was the idea and beach is what we got. Vitamin D all the way. As I enjoyed the beaming rays, my mind drifted to what lay next. The distraction of Cartagena proved too much. I really couldn't wait to experience through my senses what I had read through the masterful, magical weaving of words of Marquez.
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| La playa in hot Santa Marta |
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| Ben´s beach life |
On a side note, the girls here are pretty special. On a total lad basis, I've been to Sweden & Brazil, and this is up there to give the top three, (although i think Canada has a strong case as well). What order, I'll let you know!
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