TRAVELLING IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
We arrived in Panama City by air, from Costa Rica, via El Salvador, with Avianca Airlines, which treated us with upmost customer oriented service. Would you believe, that the airline still offers a free on flight meal and snacks, snacks that actually contains peanuts. To our pleasant surprise, we got upgraded to first class, probably because our flight dates had been advanced from one day. Can not complain about that champagne service. Then from Panama City, to Coronado Bay, at the hands of our own private car and driver, specializing in transporting tourists to and from the city, to our final destination. A very nice bilingual Panamanian, born and raised in the city. Our driver, was very courteous in pointing out different points of interest on our way, driving right through and across the magnificent "New" and very rich Panama City, a pure architectural delight to see. We travelled the "Pan-Americana" highway, (hold on to your nickers) that runs right through the city and across the magnificent high level Bridge of the Americas, where you drive right over the entrance/ exit of the Panama Canal, obviously, right In the middle of where both Americas separate. On our journey in Central America, we soon discovered that travellers in this part of the world have a "travel etiquette". They all travel in shoes, pants, jackets or dresses. Even if the temperatures can reach scorching numbers, they do not wear shorts, tank tops or flip flops. Supposedly, it is only acceptable for tourists, to not comply. I figured, they must enjoy watching us freeze to death in airport lounges, planes and busses, where the air condition is working at full capacity. Talking about airports, I am still in awe about the El Salvador International Airport, where we had a connecting flight there. The terminals and gates where lined up with nothing but authentic artisanal gift shops. It was like walking into an art museum, more than duty free/gift shops. Beautiful hand crafted pieces unique to El Salvador. I could of spent a whole day in there, just browsing. Yes I did buy a small piece.
During our stay in Panama and Costa Rica, we learned to use the buses, just like the locals, making ones journey quite interesting. You can pretty well hop on a bus anywhere, anytime in those countries. It is very affordable, a cheap and practical way to travel or commute, as cars are very expensive to afford. Buses come in different sizes, colours or shapes. Some are new, some are old. The locals calls the red ones, the "RedDevils", as they cruise on the highway like sports cars. All buses are privately owned in Panama and have its own "Pavo", the person designated to load the bus. The word "Pavo" means "turkey" in Spanish, it is his job to: hurdle, direct, load passengers and collects fairs. He is the person that stows the large bags or suitcases on top or in the bottom compartment of the bus and the only one, that communicates with the driver. I had such a kick, watching these guys hopping on and off the bus that was literally still in motion, trying to lasso more fairs.
We soon discovered, that you can hail most buses, by pointing to the ground, not waving. If you wave at the on coming bus, the driver will pass you by, and leave you " hot and dry" on the side of the road. The same rule goes for cabs. I have to confess, it took us a while to figure that one out. Large buses will have no standing passengers, if full, it just won't stop. As for the small one, they will fill it as much as they can. Although being obvious strangers, younger passengers graciously offered us their seats with insistence. There is no talking on the busses, as most people, takes in, a little siesta. Young children on board were remarkably quiet, respectable and very well mannered, on top of being very "beautiful". Children would just stare at us, I imagine they must of thought we were very old, when seeing our white hair, as no one have grey hair in those country, unless they are 100 years old. You think airplanes are the only germ tube? Not so, busses in Central America are an excellent vehicle not only for passengers but for viruses. Flu season in those countries, are year round, just ask JP. Our trip back to North America was a very long one. We flew with "Copa" for a start, an other excellent airline that is also very customer oriented. Our itinerary included a stop in Jamaica where we almost missed our connecting flight, which would of not been so bad after all. We did step foot on Jamaican soil, as we had to collect luggage, go through customs (which included a health screening for tropical communicable diseases) exit the airport, only to find our way back to the departure terminal. Although I had my camera handy, there was no time for photos....
We arrived in Panama City by air, from Costa Rica, via El Salvador, with Avianca Airlines, which treated us with upmost customer oriented service. Would you believe, that the airline still offers a free on flight meal and snacks, snacks that actually contains peanuts. To our pleasant surprise, we got upgraded to first class, probably because our flight dates had been advanced from one day. Can not complain about that champagne service. Then from Panama City, to Coronado Bay, at the hands of our own private car and driver, specializing in transporting tourists to and from the city, to our final destination. A very nice bilingual Panamanian, born and raised in the city. Our driver, was very courteous in pointing out different points of interest on our way, driving right through and across the magnificent "New" and very rich Panama City, a pure architectural delight to see. We travelled the "Pan-Americana" highway, (hold on to your nickers) that runs right through the city and across the magnificent high level Bridge of the Americas, where you drive right over the entrance/ exit of the Panama Canal, obviously, right In the middle of where both Americas separate. On our journey in Central America, we soon discovered that travellers in this part of the world have a "travel etiquette". They all travel in shoes, pants, jackets or dresses. Even if the temperatures can reach scorching numbers, they do not wear shorts, tank tops or flip flops. Supposedly, it is only acceptable for tourists, to not comply. I figured, they must enjoy watching us freeze to death in airport lounges, planes and busses, where the air condition is working at full capacity. Talking about airports, I am still in awe about the El Salvador International Airport, where we had a connecting flight there. The terminals and gates where lined up with nothing but authentic artisanal gift shops. It was like walking into an art museum, more than duty free/gift shops. Beautiful hand crafted pieces unique to El Salvador. I could of spent a whole day in there, just browsing. Yes I did buy a small piece.
During our stay in Panama and Costa Rica, we learned to use the buses, just like the locals, making ones journey quite interesting. You can pretty well hop on a bus anywhere, anytime in those countries. It is very affordable, a cheap and practical way to travel or commute, as cars are very expensive to afford. Buses come in different sizes, colours or shapes. Some are new, some are old. The locals calls the red ones, the "RedDevils", as they cruise on the highway like sports cars. All buses are privately owned in Panama and have its own "Pavo", the person designated to load the bus. The word "Pavo" means "turkey" in Spanish, it is his job to: hurdle, direct, load passengers and collects fairs. He is the person that stows the large bags or suitcases on top or in the bottom compartment of the bus and the only one, that communicates with the driver. I had such a kick, watching these guys hopping on and off the bus that was literally still in motion, trying to lasso more fairs.
We soon discovered, that you can hail most buses, by pointing to the ground, not waving. If you wave at the on coming bus, the driver will pass you by, and leave you " hot and dry" on the side of the road. The same rule goes for cabs. I have to confess, it took us a while to figure that one out. Large buses will have no standing passengers, if full, it just won't stop. As for the small one, they will fill it as much as they can. Although being obvious strangers, younger passengers graciously offered us their seats with insistence. There is no talking on the busses, as most people, takes in, a little siesta. Young children on board were remarkably quiet, respectable and very well mannered, on top of being very "beautiful". Children would just stare at us, I imagine they must of thought we were very old, when seeing our white hair, as no one have grey hair in those country, unless they are 100 years old. You think airplanes are the only germ tube? Not so, busses in Central America are an excellent vehicle not only for passengers but for viruses. Flu season in those countries, are year round, just ask JP. Our trip back to North America was a very long one. We flew with "Copa" for a start, an other excellent airline that is also very customer oriented. Our itinerary included a stop in Jamaica where we almost missed our connecting flight, which would of not been so bad after all. We did step foot on Jamaican soil, as we had to collect luggage, go through customs (which included a health screening for tropical communicable diseases) exit the airport, only to find our way back to the departure terminal. Although I had my camera handy, there was no time for photos....
I have to say, when we did land in Moncton, via Toronto, the cool fresh air felt absolutely delightful! Ha!
The photos I have selected to share were all taken in the country of Panama. The ones of Panama City were taken while in transit. I also managed to capture a glimpse the "Bridge of the Americas". Last but not least, photos of the buses where you can get a feel of what the Pan-Americana highway looks like. Enjoy!
The photos I have selected to share were all taken in the country of Panama. The ones of Panama City were taken while in transit. I also managed to capture a glimpse the "Bridge of the Americas". Last but not least, photos of the buses where you can get a feel of what the Pan-Americana highway looks like. Enjoy!
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