garyandpearl

Puerto Amado, or Fort Amador, is an island connected to Panama City by a causeway. This is one of the Panama City ports that cruise ships dock at, so today we decided to explore the area.

We had intended to try the Hop on Hop off bus, but we were enticed by yet another air conditioned van with a guide since it was 33 degrees and very humid. HAHA, we thought, this time we will make sure that our guide speaks English! 😁 Natasha’s Jamaican accented English was very good, but we realized early on that she was not a professional guide! In any case, we made the best of it and managed to see a few of the sites.

We started our tour at the Miraflores Visitor Center.

Here we were treated to a view of some ships passing through the Miraflores locks: some completing their transit from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and some just starting.

An IMAX 3D movie narrated by Morgan Freeman gave us great insight into the history of the canal. We also had time to look through the museum.

Our next stop was the church of San Jose in Casco Viejo where we saw the golden altar.

Today it is just gold plated, but in the past it was supposedly made of pure gold. We were also able to view a very elaborate nativity scene that had been set up for Christmas.

A visit to the old city showed us more unique sights.

I loved the architecture of the old homes.

Here are various plants growing in the old bricks. As pretty as it is, Gary says it’s not good for the building’s structure. 😒

These are the ruins of the Society of Jesus Jesuit Temple and Convent which was started in 1673. The Panamanian people are planning to turn it into a museum for future generations.

Next stop, LUNCH!

Natasha took us to NAVAJA, a restaurant which served Panamanian food. Gary and I enjoyed this dish: deep fried plantains topped with beans and avacado. It was very good! We continued our tour.

A trip to the Cathedral Basicila of St Mary was next which took 108 years to build from 1688-1796.

After a bit more exploring, Natasha and Joseph, our driver, took us to a supermarket for some shopping, then to see this unique building.

This is the F and F tower, a 796 foot office tower which was completed in 2011.

We completed our tour and await our turn to go through the canal tomorrow!

We did hear some great reviews about an excursion that our fellow travellers had done. If you are in the neighborhood, you may want to try a visit with the Embera Indian people where you are able to travel to their village in a dugout canoe and enjoy the people and their food!

Until tomorrow…