I almost vomited last night when I set my alarm for this morning. 3.20am is inhumane. We were all set for a 4.20am start. Why not go out with a bang!!
Today we were making our final trip to our final destination on this tour. 7 weeks.... Central America almost done. We just had to get everyone from Boquete to Panama City.
It started off well, everyone was there on time and we walked the 50m to our chicken bus. The ticket man saw us coming, and by the time we got to the bus, the back door was open and he was ready to help us get our bags in!!
We were all in the bus and it started to leave. Lisa our tour guide started briefing the group..... 'Now when we get to David, no one go anywhere as I may need your passports'. This is where mcspewy pipes up. He had left his passport at the hotel. So today, mcspewy had an official name change to.... not-so-sparky. So sparky and his mate, had to get off the bus, go back to the hotel and get his passport, missing the chicken bus we were all on. Hopefully they catch up to us at the bus terminal in David. If not, we will see them in Panama City.
So we travelled the 30 mins to David in the chicken bus..... And what a great view we had whilst we drove. It was dark, and off in the distance we could see an electrical storm lighting up the sky.
We arrived at the terminal and were lucky enough to make the 6am bus from David to Panama City. Even more lucky, was sparky and his mate, who managed to get his passport, which he safely stowed from thieves under his mattress (?!?!?! Again not so sparky) and caught the next chicken bus which obviously flew to David as they too made it there by 6am.
The group was one big happy family again. Just like the partridge family we all climbed aboard the first class bus - although maybe with a little less singing... And let's face it at 6am, a few less smiles as well!! We had a 6hr bus journey to look forward to!!!
For some reason today, this bus trip felt long. Like really long. Maybe it was because we were all tired and no one had managed to get their caffeine fix. I did try to get some shut eye, but really found it hard. I would open my eyes thinking that I should have at least killed an hour with that snooze.... no, only 10 min.
I decided that maybe I should have some of the breakie I had bought with me on the bus. That surely has to kill some more time. Meanwhile the ticket man was collecting our tickets. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Lisa our tour guide for this bus journey today, and she told me to wait until the ticket man went back up the front as your not meant to eat or drink on the bus. Serious for 6hrs.... not even a sip of water. My question, so why does the bus have cup holders???? Anyway, I waited for the ticket man to finish collecting his tickets, and then I started to sneak in my breakfast. Lisa then gave me the heads up... Hide your food he's coming again. He then decided that his work for the day was done, and sat down in the seat across the isle from us. You have to be kidding me!!! No breakie for me. The one good thing was 5mins later the coast was clear.... ticket man was snoring!!! Brilliant, breakie time is back on!!!!
We arrived in Panama City, and travelled over the Panama Canal on a bridge that looks very similar to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We all sparked up then. The trip was almost over. We were all looking out the windows, trying to get a good glimpse of Panama City.
At the bus terminal, we were separated into groups of three and sent to the hotel via taxis. Our taxi, a hilux ute.... good for all of our luggage.
It didn't take me long to realise that Panamanians are crazy drivers. Our entire trip to the hotel, the taxi driver had either his indicator or hazard lights on. For no reason, just because. Cars were manoeuvring in and out of lanes, merging seemed to occur at every traffic light as it doesn't really matter what the light is, you just go.
The hotel is very nice and I have managed to get a single room for my last night on this tour. It's going to be a great night sleep tonight!!!
After a bit of time getting sorted in our rooms we all met up in the foyer. Not for an orientation walk, nooooooo, no orientation walk for us tonight. Instead we caught taxis to our farewell dinner and drinks.
We noticed a whole heap of tourist police at our hotel. Again, I feel safe that they are there, but a little nervous that they are required!!! They helped organise some taxis and took down the numbers of all the cabs we jumped into. Elena, Susan and I jumped in an awaiting taxi. As we took off the driver asked some questions in Spanish about where we were going for dinner, laughed like a crazy man... He almost seemed a little unhinged.
Now when I say this, I am telling you the truth. This guy has put all of the speedy drivers I have come across so far to shame. I honestly believe this guy thought that he was a formula one driver. He was hammering his s*** box.... at one stage I could smell burning oil and brake pads!!! I couldn't do anything but sit in the front seat and pray that I made it to our destination alive. At least I had a functioning seatbelt, which is more than I can say for poor Elena and Susan in the back seat. I couldn't even say my goodbyes and great knowing you to the girls in the back, as the radio was up so loud!!
At no point during our taxi ride did the driver go below double the speed limit. In fact, most of the time he was going triple the speed limit. He was missing cars.....just, and I couldn't look as a poor old dog tried to cross the road in front of him.... He missed it just!!!
We were flying over bridges, humming along streets, and going through round abouts at light speed. I swear all people would have seen, would be a flash, and a lingering cloud of oil fumes!!
We were driving and driving and finally we came to the end of the street on the marina. Ok, now it's official, this guy has no idea where he is going.
He gets out to ask for directions. We take total advantage of the situation and turned the car radio down. My attention then turned to the revision mirror. Hanging from it was a Jesus crucifix, and the car fresheners with the words relax on it!! Easier said than done in this car. I tried to regain my zen... which was a little easier now that the car had stopped.
The driver got the directions he was after and jumped back in the cab.... He spins the volume dial back up to 'blast your ear drums out' level, and takes off. I thought I was on a roller coaster he took off so fast. We drove back in the direction we came from for about 5mins and there we found it. The Yacht club. I fell out of the cab, (I'm sorry or this mum and dad) but all I could say was holy f***.
We joined the rest of the group at the table.... First job, order a mango margarita. That will take the edge off!!
It was a great restaurant, located on the edge of the Panama Canal. You could see all of the yachts bobbing on the water. Occasionally a huge container ship would plough on through, either making it's way to the locks for their transit through the canal, or on their way back out to sea.
Whilst we waited for our food, a few of us went down to the pier to take photos and just take in the beauty of what the canal has to offer!!
After dinner we had to face the unenviable task of again risking our lives by catching a taxi back to the hotel. We jumped in a newer taxi this time, the driving at least was at a reasonable speed. We weaved our way through the central district of Panama City. Again, I don't know why they have wasted their money on putting signs up, as drivers don't take any notice of them. We came to a T intersection, with a do not turn left sign.... So what does our cab driver do.... Turn left. We almost got collected by a couple of chicken buses. Oh my.... I didn't want to look but I had to. We arrived back at the hotel in one piece, although I think it took me a couple of minutes to pick my jaw up off the ground. Phew!!!
Tonight we said goodbye to our tour guide Lisa. She flys out tomorrow. We also said goodbye to half of the group that we wouldn't be seeing tomorrow.
We looked at our watches. 7pm.... It's still early. So 5 of us girls decided to go out and try and find a bar/coffee shop. We walked a few blocks around where our hotel was. We soon realise that this certainly isn't Kansas. We started to get looks and lightly hassled by some guys out and about. I was starting to get the feeling that this town isn't a place that a girl should go walking on her own. I even think in pairs you might be pushing your luck. I definitely didn't feel safe at all. Close to our hotel one guy started to walk behind us.
It was so disappointing.... We couldn't find anything.... no coffee shops or bars at all. The only place we found was mcdonalds. That will have to do. So we made our way into mcdonalds, where I ended up getting a cold drink. As we were leaving, a couple of the girls spoke to the security guard in Spanish. He gave us the low down on the hood. There was a second McDonald's close by, which we are lucky that we didn't decide to go to that one.... as he put it, it's dangerous.... drugs. He asked where we were staying, and said it was ok to walk back there, but any further we should catch a cab. And under no circumstances should we break up and walk alone. It's not safe. I did get that feeling!!! We scurried back to the hotel, and said our good nights!!! All in all I am thankful to be alive!! Panama City did it's best at trying to kill me today!! I survived, but I think it has taken 10 years off my life!!