Panama Pacific to Caribbean.

[PauloUK77]

During the Christmas and new year period of 2005/2006 I headed to Panama for a spot of adventure travel.I knew little about this country apart from it has a canal running through it.After visiting Panama city and Miraflores Locks on the Panama canal we headed inland to Gatun Lake.This lake comprises most of the canal with only a few sections cut out from the mountains.During construction the french lost 20,000 lives to malaria until the Americans took over.
The next destination was Gamboa where we stayed at a six star hotel,the travel company had done well to include this place in its itinerary for two night as the price must be through the roof.
From here we began our journey down the Chagres river to spend time with tribes in the rainforest living eating and hunting with them.By now it was Christmas day,and the strangest way I'd ever celebrated the occasion.
From there we hit the Caribbean coast visiting Portobelo where pirates used to attack the Spanish and spending a few days on Isla Grande an unspoilt Caribbean island.
Then it was to Colon for an amazing train journey back to Panama City.Then it was what seemed like the longest road trip ever along the trans america highway to get to the eastern part of Panama visiting El Valley and then La Amistad national park.
Overall the whole trip was an amazing experience,seeing Spider monkeys,Howler monkeys Three toad Sloths and even Leaf cutter ants in their natural environment is something I will never forget.Its just a pity that I had a cheap APS camera as I couldn't zoom in.

Panama City skyline

Bridge of the Americas

Spanish fort at Portobelo

Spanish fort at Portobelo

They are not called rainforests for nothing.

On Isla Grande Caribbean island.

With the village elders.

Panama City skyline from Hotel Las Vegas.

El Valley a town built inside a volcanos caldera.