Panama City
We have to take several steps to transport the camper by boat.
When we entered Panama we declared the camper and obtained a TIP (temporary import authorization) which implies that we cannot leave the country without our travelling companion.
In our case, motorhome boat travel, we have to change the temporary authorization through customs.
The vehicle is checked in one of the darkest areas where customs officers only accept 25 vehicles a day. So to have a chance to have it checked the same day you have to arrive in the first. (experience of several travelers)
That’s how at 5:00 in the morning we went to the customs offices through huge traffic jams. (What are Panamanians doing on the road at this early hour?).
Arriving on the spot, Christophe is the first in front of the grid and he is joined by "Jason" whom we had met several times.
At 7:00 am an employee distributed a ticket for vehicle check at 8:00 am, we have ticket number 1.
At the time the employee returns to pick up the requested photocopies and check the vehicle serial number, then he gives us an appointment at 1:30 p.m. in another location ...... in the end there were only 5 vehicles and it is 8:30 a.m. ...!!!!!
Lifted at 05 :00 for an inspection of about 15 minutes at 0800 .... we think we are dreaming ....
Christophe and Jason go to the customs offices by uber but the GPS coordinates are wrong and the driver decides to plant them there because she does not want to lose money
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They are forced to take a taxi that will have a hard time finding the customs office.
To get the famous document indispensable for the transport of the camper they wait 2 hours because corrections are necessary .....
Finally we can take the next step!!!
Panama City
We take advantage of a sunny day to walk to the "Biomusée".
The steel building, known as “Puente de Vida”, has an irregular silhouette and bright colours reminiscent of the toucan beak, and is surrounded by a botanical garden.
Panama came out of the sea three million years ago, uniting North and South America. This disrupted the region’s biodiversity, displacing species and developing a new flora ... the museum tells its story.
Yes ! but it is closed from Monday to Thursday .... and today is Thursday!!!
This is not our chance. There is not much to see in Panama if in addition the centers of interest are closed...
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We have news of Thea : finally the boat leaves on May 22 ... and she sends us by email documents to fill out .... this is clear
Panama City
We return to the "Casco Viejo" district to visit the museums that were closed on Monday.
The convent of Santo Domingo, built in 1678, is a ruin whose remaining parts are due to two major fires that brought down the bell tower and the interior spaces of the church. The convent gained value during the construction of the Canal since its flat arch served as an example of the seismic stability enjoyed by the isthmus.
The Canal Museum is housed in an elegant three-storey French-style building with its attics, balconies and arcades. It traces the history of the isthmus from pre-Columbian times to the present day.
We are disappointed by this museum where we thought we could see the stages of the construction of the canal, but the focus is on American investors and financial montages only. In addition, part of the museum is closed, including the cinema.
The church of "San José" is erected between 1671 and 1677 and is known for its baroque art and its golden leaves (Altar de Oro). Its baroque details make it one of the most beautiful religious works of colonial times.
The rain always accompanies us ..... Quiet end of day
Panama City
Today visit of "Panama Viejo".
Founded in 1519 by the conquistador Pedro Arias Dávlla with a hundred inhabitants, it is the first European colony on the Pacific coast.
This fishing village quickly became an indispensable citadel for the exploration and conquest of Peru and a transit point for gold to Spain.
Its prosperity becomes the object of lust, especially pirates. In 1671, Henry Morgan, the Welsh pirate and his 1,200 men ransacked the city to leave nothing but ruins.
The site has been preserved and this historical monument is one of the tourist attractions of the capital.
Of course in the early afternoon a torrential rain make us find refuge in a famous Italian restaurant in the capital. (We had taken our umbrellas!!!)
New delay of our boat ... Instead of 15 May then 19 May its departure is announced on 22 May then 23 May!!!
How to organize a return to France with these changes especially as Théa informs us that there are strikes on the port of "Colon" (blocking access to the maritime port) ... The claims relate to the increase in the cost of living and the price of fuel.
Panama city
Christophe follows our new boat, the "Torino", on different sites and realizes that it has taken 4 days of delay.
He informs Thea who confirms it to him after taking information from the company.
What are we going to do? While waiting for more precise news, it is the weekend, we decide to stay and visit the capital.
We start with the "Casco Viejo" district of Panama City’s historic and colonial quarter.
This area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
It has many squares and alleys, historical monuments, churches, museums and cultural centres. Now a cosmopolitan place, it is the most visited area of the capital.
We go to the heart of the district on Independence Square where Panama declared its independence from Colombia on November 3, 1903.
To get there we cross, by taxi, a very creepy neighborhood.
We stroll quietly without a precise goal and visit:
The metropolitan cathedral. Formerly located in the old quarter, is rebuilt in 1674 on Independence Square But the elements will ruin it: fires and large earthquakes. It was finally declared a national historic monument in 1941.
The "Plaza de Francia" located at the southern tip of the Casco Viejo. This square built in 1922 pays tribute to the role of the French in the construction of the Canal. Its large stone tablets and statues are dedicated to the memory of the 22,000 workers who died during the creation of the Panama Canal.
In the early afternoon a torrential rain fell. We didn’t take our umbrellas ... Too bad !!! and we are soaked in two seconds to catch our Uber that takes us to a very popular Panamanian restaurant.
Back to the camper for the rest of the day
ROAD BOOK 110
MAVROS ODYSSEE
