This will be the final blog for Panama City as we leave tomorrow morning at 5 a.m. to head to the yacht that will transport us to Cartagena, Columbia via the San Blas Islands. We have spent the last couple of days ….walking (yes, that’s a daily occurrence).Yesterday we moved to the Old City and a ‘basic’ hostel so we will be closer for the 5 a.m. departure. This really does remind me of backpacking through Asia 30 years ago but the people are really friendly and there is a ‘slightly eccentric’ older solo lady staying here – 74 years old and wishes to keep travelling for another 10 years!!!
We visited a contemporary art gallery yesterday and climbed a local hill to see the view. Today (after a lazy start) we have walked through several kms of a National Park – mainly seeing the local flora – some beautiful specimens.
Our mastery of Spanish is minimal but improving. We can get ourselves into taxis and to correct destinations. Buy ‘most’ things. If anyone can speak English they are very helpful but it is not common among the locals. A.J. has definitely advanced beyond ordering 2 beers!!!!
Well, this may well be the last communication before reaching Columbia – unless the facilities on this yacht are way more than we are expecting!!!!
Talk again after 25th April. There should be some more photos coming. I have got them to the computer but it all takes a while to transfer them to the blog. And wifi connections are not available everywhere in the hostel – I have to go the reception area.
Viv and A.J.
Hello from Whakatane. We have hopefully sorted out how to post now so we can reply to you. Talked with Matthew on Saturday; he has another 2 weeks before moving to England but all is going well. Had a wet Easter and the rain is continuing today. Tina back in Wellington this morning . Last 2 days rain has been 170ml and still going. As you can well imagine the paddocks are wet. Mae now driving again so things getting back to normal. Another big shake 10 days ago in ChCh but we texted Simon to check he and Emma OK. Simon commented 'it was just a small one'. ( not what the news said)
ReplyDeleteEnjoying reading your posts and seeing the photos. Have not managed to spot those islands on a map yet.
Aliso ( who is writing this) has all the girls home at the moment. Liz got 3 silvers in her novice rowing so she was thrilled. Mum and Dad skyped Deb and Sam while Tina was here. She is so cute!!! and very very alert already. Tina knitted her a little jacket over Easter and Mum doing a wee matching hat.
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ReplyDeleteHi . Just testing.
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