The bus drove us a few hundred meters from the Gamboa Rain Forest Lodge to the base of the aerial tram.  There, in groups of two, we climbed into a wire cage for the ride up to the observation tower.

Panama-Gamboa rain forest-cable car

Panama-Gamboa cable car through the canopy

On the top of the observation, were incredible, stunning views of the Chagres River and the Panama Canal. 

Panama Gamboa-top of the observatioin tower with the canal in the background

Even though our guide was responsible for a group of 8 people on this part of the tour, he stayed closer to us.  I think maybe he liked Stephanie. 

I asked the guide a lot of questions.  He told me later how much he appreciated tourists that showed real interest in the area.  He said, “sometimes, people just shrug off the beautiful views and the flora and fauna”, so when tourists like Stephanie and I drill him with questions, it is his oppportunity to show off his beautiful country.  A good lesson here. 

We stayed up on the tower for about 30 minutes just taking in the views and shooting photographs. 

Soon, we headed back down, where we toured a butterfly exhibit with live butterflies, then a little orchid exhibit.

Panama-gamboa orchid farm

Panama-Gamboa butterfly farm

Later, we toured  the snake exhibit which was a little freaky.

Stephanie didn’t want to see the snakes, but I told her it was a once in a lifetime opportunity–I didn’t want her to go home and think, “darn, I wish I would have gone into that snake exhibit in Panama”.  She did it.

Our guide told us he had a pet boa that he lived with and it sometimes sleeps in his bed (how do you spell C-R-A-Z-Y?).  The guy was enamored with snakes, but told me he was increasingly afraid the boa was going to eat his pet chihuahua.  I remembered thinking, “that chihuahua would be the least of my worries if that snake was sleeping in my bed”–which it wouldn’t be!

The entire tour lasted from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.  It was very hot up in the Gamboa Forest.  We were glad when it ended.  We had a pleasant drive back to Panama City.  Franklin stopped several times and waited for us to take photos.  The entire tour, including the van  for the 2 of us to go up  to the Gamboa from the city, plus the tours of the forest was $170.  I gave him an extra $10 as a tip.  Later, I sent his boss an e-mail  telling him what a good job I thought Franklin did.

It was a great way to spend a day with my daughter.  Very educational.  Stephanie had a t-shirt on that day that says it all:

Panama-the back of Stephanies t-shirt says it all-"Not all who wander, are lost"!

Next-Food photos of Panama City, Panama

Steve Barrymore

ssb11@prodigy.net

After about an hour druve from Panama City, we arrived at the Gamboa Rain Forest Lodge.  Whoa!!!  This place was really nice.  An incredible view of the Chagres river and the surrounding forest as seen through the floor to ceiling windows in the main lobby. 

Panama -Gamboa Rainforest Resort

Panama -Gamboa Rainforest Resort pool area-steve barrymore

Panama -Gamboa Rainforest Resort lobby-steve barrymore

Panama -Gamboa Rainforest Resort display of tours-steve barrymore

The Lodge is a central point for people to stay who are taking many of the area side trips.  Have to admit, it is a very nice place to relax.  Stephanie was whining about why we had to stay in a big, hot, city like Panama City when this place existed.  If we had more time, the lodge would certainly be a good place to stay for a couple of days. 

 We looked around for the property for 30 minutes or so  until the shuttle came to take us to the aerial tram that was part of our tour package.

Next-part 12-more of the Gamboa

Steve Barrymore

ssb11@prodigy.net

The drive to Gamboa

Now remember, we arrived in Panama City, Panama on Wed. night about 8 p.m.—so by now we have done all those things that I have posted in my earlier blogs, and it still only Friday morning (Just for reference, I need you to stay with me on the time ).  Yes, we have been on a fast track.

I scheduled a trip for us to visit the Gamboa Rain Forest on Friday morning. The Gamboa is only about 1 hour from Panama City.  The tour company I used was:

At 9:15 a.m. our tour driver, Franklin, arrived.  He spoke no English, so again a great opportunity to practice Spanish.  It was a good thing we had toured the day before with Alberto, because Franklin spoke that real flast, blurry, coastal Spanish, and I was already somewhat used to it.  He was a tough number to understand, but a good guy.  We were the only two people in the van. 

On the way out of the city we drove through some of the same neighborhoods that we had been in the day before.  One in particular was El Chorillo, and Franklin told us it was a very bad area and we should never go there.  He made sure our doors were locked.  He seemed nervous. 

Outside the city we drove along the Canal for most of the way up to the rain forest.  A lot of big container ships and tankers were transiting this particular a.m.  Very interesting.  We stopped to take a few photos where there was some work being done on the Canal.  Below, Stephanie pokes her camera through a security fence to take a photo of some construction activity on the Canal. 

Panama Canal-Stephanie stopping to take a photo

One of the bridges we had to cross just before arriving in the rain forest was a one way bridge.  They have some kind of automatic system that alternately stops traffic, so only traffic from one direction can cross.  Then they change the direction of the traffic flow.  Interesting.  Here is a photo of it.

Panama-a one way bridge on the way to Gamboa

Next-The arrival at the Gamboa

Steve Barrymore

ssb11@prodigy.net

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