Not everyday you get to see the Atlantic coast and Pacific coast on the same day but today was one of those amazing days and fantastic journeys. The Panama Canal Railway Company transported us 77km through dense jungle from Panama City to Colon to collect our trusty Pablo from his Container. They run one passenger train a day along the original route carved through the rainforest over 160 years ago!
Stepping back in time we boarded a vintage carriage dating back to the 1850's. Mahogany wood panelling and individual leather armchairs. Lonely Planet say "the luxury train between Panama City and Colon remains one of the greatest rail journeys in the Americas". We were served freshly brewed coffee and a packed snack box to enjoy but it was no Orient Express!
Arriving at Colon the station was teeming with taxi tourist touts all vying for our business. It was raining hard - monsoon season! A large man with too many gold teeth latched on and said he'd take us to Manzanillo Port but it's a long long way (it wasn't), we'd have to share the cab with several other passengers (didn't want to) and that his price was $20 each, (Nahh, not paying that you rip off merchant).
We waited it out at the Station, monsoon torrent continued, we kept dry whilst watching the tourists being herded in to taxis, wading through raging torrents of flash floods carrying their luggage on their heads. 20 minutes later the rains subsided - David legged it out of the Station onto the main road, dodging rainwater two feet deep and reappeared in an official yellow cab! We tried not to look too smug as I climbed in to be whisked off to the Port for the grand total of $10. Ha!
We'd heard that Colon was 'edgy', but as our taxi drove slowly through the flooded downtown streets the place seemed more like a war zone!! The only sign of modern life was the Zona Libre (a Duty Free Shopping Centre with many western outlets selling at tax free prices - over 2,000 outlets actually - over a 2.5 sq km area - only open to Foreign Tourists) an island of consumerism amongst a sea of poverty! Didn't stop to shop!!
At the Port we met up with Santiago and Bellen, our Container sharing pals, and began what turned out to be a five hour process to liberate our vehicles from the stack of Sea Containers the other side of the barbed wire fence.
Rain didn't let up all day, and David & Santiago were soaked to the skin by the time they triumphantly drove the cars through the Port Gates and into Panama.
Leaving Colombia 5 days ago, in the queue for International Departures, Santiago realised he still had his Penknife in his bag - the one his Dad gave him 10 years ago! What to do? He was all for walking through the Airport Checks with it!! Bellen persuaded him to throw it in the bin. He was sad!
To thank Santiago for organising the Container Shipping we had bought him a new lock-knife in a Panama City Department Store (see photos). He was delighted!!
Knife presentation over, we hugged and waved and drove off in separate directions promising to keep in touch and meet again on our journeys to Prudhoe Bay. Their destination today a Free Campsite somewhere along the Pacific Coast, ours the Radisson Rainforest Hotel 60km south.
Amanda says 98% Humidity is way too moist for tenting!!!
