Panama…. Well this wasn’t on my to do list either especially at this point in my trip but if your ever trying to visit Cartagena in Colombia from within inside South America itself the only way you can do this is via Panama. Can mean changing there for an interchange flight into Colombia or spending night there. For what I did it was probably a good idea as the flight up from Buenos Aires was a very long time up in the air indeed. Nine hours to be exact. I got to discover Guava juice here though on the flight which was particularly nice. Very addictive.

It worked out better for me cost wise as my budget from missing the original flight previously to Cartagena had taken a big hit on my finances. I also gained a spare day amongst all the confusion with the flights so I used this as an opportunity to try get out and see some of Panama City. I had been asked by lot’s during my trip why I hadn’t come here earlier on. In truth I never really saw the appeal about Panama as Guatemala was so much cheaper and found a lot more worthwhile so I didn’t see the point at the time. Panama City I will say though is certainly a lot more different in appearance to Guatemala!

Huge skylines buildings of the city centre reminded me a little bit of Toronto in Canada but it’s what I picture Dubai to possibly look like if I ever get to go there one day! I’m scratching my head here. Where did Panama get all this cash money from I ask myself!? The place certainly has a lot of appeal to it and the water views of the Islands in the distance meant I was going to need a few days here to really be able to fairly judge the place but sadly though I only have the day here before my emotional and exciting trip to my beloved Colombia.

I only have just the two photos that I managed to get whilst here as it was hammering down with humid muggy rain for ages. Sucks as I only had a few hours here. Maybe it will calm down in a bit so let’s get some local currency out in the meantime…To my absolute shock horror it’s the return of the dreaded U.S. Dollar that I last saw back in Quito Ecuador. This doesn’t spell good for Panama!

Panama is the delivery point for various parts of South America hence why it looks rather well off here I imagine so that’s that mystery solved quickly. A lot of importing of various basic and other exotic fruit is delivered here first by places in Central/South America and then cargo shipped out to places in America and across all of Europe. Coffee also is another big one! At 48 miles long 400 plus boats pass through the Panama Canal every day and with it being based directly inbetween the Pacific and Atlantic oceans it is seen as the perfect place for outsourcing via boat. So when you purchase your lovely Colombian coffee, blueberries from Chile or blackberries from Mexico in your weekly shop at Sainsburys or Tescos back in England you now know where the food has been shipped in from. Panama most probably.

For me Panama struck me as a place that seemed a little bit unsafe at times particularly at night and me with my colour of skin I just have to understandably have to be a bit careful here. Survived so far ain’t I!

My hostel for the night was nice but purchasing food here was similar to American costs and I had become too accustomed to South American prices lol. No shame in that though!

So guys and girls this is probably my shortest blog post to date as I was only here a day before short trip over to the Colombian border. Sorry it’s short but my time here was very limited and Mother Nature ended up playing a big factor in why I was restricted on being able to do much or take loads of nice photos. Still though, it’s another place ticked off!

Next stop is Cartagena and great thing is it’s just an hour or so from where I am currently.

VAMOS COLOMBIA!!!