A week in Quito, Ecuador-Part 1, The arrival
After spending a quick 3 days in Panama City, Panama, I flew south on Copa Airlines to Quito, Ecuador; while my daughter, Stephanie, flew home to Oklahoma City.
I had been in Quito once before about 3 years ago while studying Spanish in a jungle immersion program near Tena, Ecuador on the Napo River.
My plan was to spend one week in Quito, studying Spanish at the Academia de Espanol, while living with a local family to whom the school would assign me. I generally use langlink.com to arrange my schools. They always do a great job for me.
In addition to Spanish school, I would travel to as much of the surrounding area as possible. For example, I always wanted to visit the market in Otavalo, as well as the museum of the equator outside of Quito. This would be my chance.
Quito
A friend of mine from Oklahoma City, Jim Couch, already happened to be studying for two weeks at the same school in Quito. Some of our days would overlap. By the time I arrived, Jim would already know the city and would have a couple of days to help me get quickly acclimated to the area, public transportation, etc., before he returned home.
When I arrived on Saturday afternoon flight from Panama, Jim was at the airport, as well as Arturo, the representative from the school, Academia de Espanol. Arturo would take me to meet the family with whom I would be living.
Quito sits at 9,200 feet and was cool and rainy on arrival day. A far cry from the climate of Panama.
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Next-Meeting my new family in Quito
Panama (cont’d)-Part 13, Food photos of Panama City, Panama
Usually when I travel, most of the questions are about the type of food I eat, and is the water safe to drink?
So, in order to satisfy the curiousity of my friends, I always try to take photos of the food. A picture is worth a thousand words when it comes to food.
Other than eating breakfast in the Panama City, Panama, Marriott Hotel, we ate the rest of our meals out ,which only consisted of 3 meals. One of the lunches was in local pizza joint across the street from the hotel. I don’t remember the name of it, but it was very good. We had a huge pizza, salads, cokes and mineral water. With tip it was about $24 USD. A little pricey.
Our two dinners out were both eaten in local restaurants that I had read about on Trip Advisor. They were within walking distance of the hotel. Many of the restaurants in the area were open air or at least had an open air part to them. If you wanted the air conditioning, you could sit inside.
The first dinner out was at the Costa Azul , just a block or so from the hotel. It had good reviews. Stephanie had steak and fries, and I had the Corvina fish in a Creole sauce. She had a Balboa beer and I had ice tea that was heavily laced with lemon. We ordered tap water. The place looked clean so we figured the water was fine. We also ate a big order of Calamari plus a couple of salads. Total tab was around $25-a good value. We ate outside under an awning. It was an interesting place. There were a lot of locals, 3-4 Americans, and a mix of other foreigners. I got the impression it was a hangout for ex-pats.
Here are some of the pictures from the dinner at the Costa Azul restaurant.
The placemat from the Costa Azul
Steak and Fries from the Costa Azul in Panama City, Panama
Corvina in Creole sauce in Costa Azul-Panama City, Panama
Calamar in Costa Azul Restaurant-Panama City, Panama
salads and drinks at the Costa Azul in Panama City, Panama
Fish from the other table
If you wonder where this whole fish came from, it was actually another customer’s meal. He saw me snapping photos and wanted me to take a picture of his fish……whatever!
We ate our other dinner at a restaurant named The Terrace. I don’t have any pics of the food because it was so dark in the restaurant that we had to use the lights from our cell phones to read the menu. We split a hamburger and some chicken fingers. I didn’t figure you needed any photos of either of those. It was more of a bar than a restaurant.
Next-Leaving Panama and headed south to Ecuador
Steve Barrymore
Panama City-Part 12-The Gamboa aerial tram, etc
Panama City, Panama-part 12-The Gamboa aerial tram.
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
Panama City, Panama-Part 10-The drive to the Gamboa
(Cont’d)
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
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Panama City, Panama-part 9 Casco Viejo(more Photos)
Part 9-Casco Viejo (cont’d) More photos
We continued to stroll through Casco Viejo for a couple of hours. Here are some more photos of the area.
Panama-Casco Viejo #6
Panama-Casco Viejo #7--along the waterfront
Panama-Casco Viejo #8
Panama-Casco Viejo #9
Panama-Casco Viejo #10
Panama-Casco Viejo #11
Panama-Casco Viejo #12-another waterfront shot
If you are going to go to Panama City, you really should visit Casco Viejo. It is a nice change from the modern part of Panama City. It is a pleasant place to stroll, take photos, stop for lunch or drinks and feel like you are really a long way from home.
We would have liked to have spent more time in Casco Viejo, but the heat really start to get to us,. Since we were on such a tight time schedule , we decided to head back to the area around our hotel, get something to eat, and rest up for our trip the folowing morning to the Gamboa Rain Forest
Next-The drive to the Gamboa Rain Forest
Steve Barrymore
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Panama City, Panama-Part 8, Casco Viejo
Panama City, Panama-Part 8 -Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo is a very old, but yet interesting part of Panama City. According to the Lonely Planet guidebook : ” in 1904, when construction began on the Panama Canal, all of Panama City existed where Casco Viejo stands today”. The area is very historic and houses some nice restaurants. It was definately someplace we felt we should see while in Panama City, Panama.
Once we arrived, a street policeman befriended us and served as an unpaid tour guide for about 10 minutes.
As we walked through the streets I kept thinking “hmmm….this area seems familiar. Seems like I have been here before”. Then it dawned on me….with the old buildings and narrow streets, it reminded me of Cartagena, Colombia.
We spent some time taking photos in Casco Viejo. Here they are:
Panma-casco Viejo #!
Panama-Casco Viejo #2
Panama-Casco Viejo #3
Panama-Casco Viejo #4
It was very hot in Casco Viejo, so we stopped inside an ice cream store and while sitting there I noticed a street vendor outside, so I shot this photo(below) through the door from where we were stitting:
Panama-Casco Viejo-Street Vendor
I have a few more photos of Casco Viejo. I will post them on the next blog (Part 9)
Next-More photos of Casco Viejo, Panama
Steve Barrymore
Panama city, Panama-Part 6-More photos of the Canal
Panama city, Panama-Part 6-More photos of the Panama Canal
After a couple of hours at the Panama Canal, we jumped into Alberto’s taxi to go back to the Marriott hotel in Panama City. Alberto, being the businessman he was, said he wanted to personally show us other parts of the Canal and the city. We thought “what the heck? Let’s let this guy be our guide for as long as possible”.
There are two well known bridges across the Panama Canal: The Bridge of the Americas and the new Centenario bridge. The Centenario is quite an architectural masterpiece and after first seeing a photo of it a couple of years ago, it had always been my dream to cross it. Alberto must have read my mind because that was the first place he took us. Here is a photo of Centenario from the locks of the Canal and then a photo of it close up.
The Centenario Bridge-over the Panama Canal
Panama Canal-Centenario bridge
Panama Canal-close up of the Centenario Bridge after driving across
Panama Canal-a view from higher up
Panama Canal-working on a new set of locks
We stopped along the Canal and took a few photos of a large cargoship crossing from the Caribbean over to the Pacific side. 
After some time driving up to the bridge, photographing more parts of the Canal, it was time to head back to the city.
Next-Back to the city.
Steve Barrymore
Panama-Part 5-The Panama Canal-
Part 5, The Panama Canal
Entrance to the Panama Canal.
Alberto drove us through Balboa which is part of the Canal Zone. He showed us all of the original buildings, explained about how it was when the Americans were there, and basically just gave us a lot of trivia that we found to be very interesting. He seemed genuine in his effort to make us feel welcome to Panama.
When we arrived at the Canal, Alberto asked if he could just wait for us and take us back to the hotel. He said it would be better for us since we already knew him. We agreed, fully realizing that he wanted the opportunity to make a few extra bucks, which was really ok with us.
The entrance to the museum building is shown below:
Entrance to the Panama Canal museum
The museum is incredible. They show the whole story of how the Canal was built. There is also a short film of about 12 minutes in the auditorium. You don’t want to miss it. To really do the museum right, you need to allocate about 1.5-2 hours. There is lots to see—also a gift shop.
The real show is outside on the Canal when the ships come through. They announce them on a loudspeaker as they enter the lock. There is outside seating in a shaded pavilion to observe the passage of the ships through the Canal. It is quite a show. I was fulfilling a life long dream of seeing the Panama Canal.
As the ships pass through, the crew members on the ships are often times on deck taking photos as they pass the Miraflores sign on the locks. It is funny, they are taking photos of us and we are taking photos of them.
Here are some photos of the canal and of a ship as it passes through the Miraflores locks.
Panama Canal-Miraflores locks
Panama Canal-Ship enters the Miraflores locks
Crew members on the bridge of the ship as it passes through the Canal
Crew waves to the spectators as it passes through the Canal
Panama Canal-the ship moves on through the locks
Next-some other photos of the Panama Canal and two famous bridges
Steve Barrymore
Part -4 The skyline of Panama City, Panama-Incredible!
Part -4 The skyline of Panama City, Panama-Incredible!
At this point, we just let Alberto take us to where he thought was best. Up until now, we had only seen the skyline of Panama City from the ground. I was anxious to see it from up high. Alberto said he was taking us up on the high hill, Cerro Ancon, for the view we were looking for. It was a beautiful drive up to the top-lots of flora and fauna-several hikers on the trails doing birdwatching.
At the top of the hill was what we were looking for-breakthtaking views of the skyline of Panama City, Panama. It looked like Miami Beach-unbelievable! Panama City is the most cosmopolitan city in Central America and when you see it from Cerro Ancon, you will believe it! Also from the top, you can see all the ships at anchor waiting their turn to go through the Panama Canal. I think I counted 40 of them. If you go to Panama City, you have go up Cerro Ancon.
Panama City skyline-taken from the hotel room
Panama City, Panama skyline
the old part of Panama City
On the other side of the hill was a great view of the Panama Canal and Balboa. Alberto was very patient with us, wanted to give us lots of time to take pictures, and was interested in answering all of our questions-in Spanish, of course!
Bridge of the Americas-entrance to the Panama Canal
Entrance to the Panama Canal-container unloading area
entrance to the panama canal-container yard
After we took all the photos we wanted, it was off to the Canal.
Steve Barrymore
ssb11@prodigy.net
Panama City, Panama-part 3-breakfast and off to see the sights
Panama City, Panama(cont’d)-Part 3-Breakfast and off to the see the sights
Before we ventured out to see the sights, we ate a really good buffet breakfast at the Panama City, Panama, Marriott hotel. The continental buffet was $13.50 and the full buffet was $16.50.
Breakfast at the Marriott
The breakfast smoothie bar at the Marriott in Panama City, Panama
Breakfast at the Panama City, Panama-Marriott
We stuffed ourselves for breakfast–after all, it was a buffet! The plan on this day was to first visit the Panama Canal and then see different segments of the city as time permits. I had read on the internet, that if you ask the doorman the price of a taxi to anyplace, they will try to up-sell you a tour package, or charge you more than you would pay if you found your own taxi.
I asked the doorman for the price to the Canal and he said $20. BTW, the official currency in Panama is the U.S. Dollar which makes it easy. Anyway, I knew the $20 price was high based on my research. So, we went across the street and waited until a decent looking taxi stopped. He had a Jesus decal on his window so I figured he was safe. He introduced himself as Alberto and said $6 to the Canal. A good deal, so we took it.
Alberto did not speak English and spoke that fast Panama Spanish, which gave me some really good practice, and a really good headache. Good thing I had done some research before the trip because when he spoke of some places I was already familiar with, I was able to understand him.
Alberto wanted to up sell us on a couple of side trips, such as show us the view of the city from the mountain, etc, etc. for $20 for 2 hours including the ride to the Canal. At first, I said no, but Steph said, “for only $14 more, we can see some sights with Alberto that we might be paying extra for later”. So, we took him up on the offer and were really glad we did.
We ended up hiring him for 6 hours and saw sights we never would have been able to see. Otherwise, we would have been piece-mealing a bunch of little trips together, and would have wasted time. He turned out to be a great hire and a great use of our limited time.
Steve Barrymore
Next-part 4-The skyline of Panama City
