Indoors wanted a cycle ride along the Amador Causeway, a link from the eastern side of the mouth to the canal that joins up with three islands. The causeway was made out of the rock that came out of the canal’s excavations. So we made the journey, passing again the Biomuseum, in a (Indoor choice) metal chariot-type two-pedalling thang, could be alternatively called land pedalo, I suppose. After 90 minutes of inefficient travel, we handed back the keys and left. Not to be repeated (by me, anyway).
I wanted to visit Panama City’s only micro brewery pub, so after taking a bus to the city’s main bus station – that’s where the bus was going – we spent the next two hours experiencing the city’s brand new underground train and various locals’ opinions but, eventually, we found Istmo Brew Bar. Much refreshed, we hailed another Uber to take us ‘home’, leaving my so special Panama Hat made in Ecuador given to me by my youngest dottir. We’ve asked them to hang on to it until our return at the end of the month, but as yet await confirmation. Sorry, Phoebe!
And then we went to previously booked Maito restaurant. Flash, expensive, superb food. We had two courses and two bottles of their almost cheapest white wine (no wines are made in Panama, so most come from Chile). And as we walked in so we walked out. After paying the bill, of course.
Nearly everyone in Panama City with money drives a car; indeed the whole transport structure is designed around car driving, as are all the tower blocks, with the lowest five or so floors dedicated to parking. Unless you don’t have enough money for that, in which case you use the excellent bus services, which cost almost nothing and are everywhere. Then there are taxis, too, all honking for your business, all with negotiable taxi fares. There is, most recently, the latest effort to change that rut, the new underground train – one line, 25 stops.
Back to Maito: we arrived by foot – it is 11 mins walk from our hotel – to convince the car park security guards – there are security guards for everything, even empty property – that we had a reservation. If they had spoken any English they would like to have interrogated us, but confused, they let us through. Both in and out.
Chris & Kath's Travel Time 