Thank god we left San Jose - if you didn't get the vibe from the last update - it was a hellhole!
Anyhow we caught the legendary Tica Bus from San Jose to Panama city overnight - it was a long journey leaving at 11pm and getting in at 3pm the following day. The only problem we had was the border which we arrived at at 4am and had to wait for it to open - which was 6. We then had a full customs inspection and didn't get moving again until 8.30am. By this time we were all a little on edge! Except for the border the bus journey was pretty comfortable, and they served us food and drinks (like a plane). Of course sleepy head Tidey did what she loves the most - sleeping the majority of the way.

Anyhow "amen" we made it to Panama City, a huge metropolis of skyscapers and construction. Not what you would expect from Central America, although to be honest except for the Spanish, its like being in an American City (but a nice one).

The city itself is very easy to navigate, with any Taxi ride being $5. We made the call to stay in a nice apartment while we were here, and nice it certainly is. We are on the 21st floor, we have a pool and a gym, and a ocean view (where you can watch the huge tankers queue for the Canal enterence, and at night see the tropical storms cruise across the Pacific). Its great... Its also very cheap.

We have however been a little tight on the old money, so with Ange and Drew, we have visited the Old Town, Mira flores locks (on the Canal) and most of the inner hub of the city. The Canal itself is very impressive and in a few days we are taking a train from the Pacific to the Atlantic, but we will write about that shortly. The locks are very impressive and a must see while you are here, as is some of the local food - dave had a fantastic Seafood Pialla (sorry if the spelling is wrong).

So we are chilling and having some good R+R time after our trip through Central America, we are loving Panama's atmosphere, people and very humid weather (with the pool and aircon)...

This is a place we would really like to explore more of esp the Islands called Kuna Yala, Bora Del Toro and the Darien Jungle (bordering Columbia) but due to financial restrictions we had to keep it simple. Great city though - highly recommended...