Oh that overnight bus! Kudos to these Panamanians on a brilliant public transport system... Everything really does work! We could only get tickets for the midnight bus (bus station was packed!!) but we got on just fine and left on time! Unfortunately for me, my seat had a leaky aircon vent and I was being dripped on all night!! Hardly pleasant.. Bundled myself up in my hoodie and did what I could... I must have got some sleep in because the 5,5 hour bus ride went quicker than I expected, next minute we were getting off at Panama City bus station- honestly as big as an airport! It was about 5:30am and we needed to get a taxi to our hostel where the other girls had booked us in - called Magnolia Inn in Casco Viejo (old town)... $2 each ride into town and all I can say is wow!! The city of Panama is honesty breathtaking! I have never seen so many sky scrapers- the views we had were really spectacular- with the sun rising through the buildings as we drove past new town to old town... Our hostel is so so cool! My favourite place to stay so far! Luckily our dorm was free even at this ungodly hour so we were able to drop our bags and hit the beds for a nap until it was a decent hour of the morning... Our other friends were staying here so when we found them later on we had big catch up sessions in our dorm! They were leaving for their boat to Colombia today so was a bit of a tease as we weren't able to see them for very long but we'll catch up with them in Cartagena, Colombia soon again.... We also caught back up with DuP!

We finally decided to get our acts together and go find some food as we were starving!! Hadn't eaten since last night and it was now lunch time... So we set off in Castro Viejo to find an inexpensive restaurant (peeps quite concerned with budgets etc) - there is sooo much construction going on its insane! They are restoring and renovating the old town, paving the streets and building a metro so it really is crazy amounts of activity... The buildings are just gorgeous and the whole place has a stunning feel... We were being quite picky with restaurants but next minute the rain came pouring down (Jo'burg-style thunderstorm- it is rainy season here) so we literally just ran into a spot called La Rana Dorada for cover... Turns out its a pizzeria and local brewery so at this stage we were weak with hunger so beer and pizza it would have to be! Ended up having the most pleasant afternoon, eating delicious pizza, tasting their beer, watching the French Open and even getting a tour of their brewery! Loved it!! We were absolutely stuffed by the end of it and it didn't help the exhaustion levels so we made our way back to the hostel and slept like babies - best afternoon nap ever! We're in no rush here as we have an extra day due to our boat being delayed... It's also just so so nice to chill and relax for once!!

We had bought stuff to make dinner and for breakfast so at about 7:30 we got up (don't judge!!) and set about making a yum healthy dinner - chicken, salad and noodles! Delish... We then settled onto the couch and found a random channel that was showing an old episode of The Bachelor and we watched some mind numbing tv before heading to bed... (The Bachelor is so pathetic I actually can't!!) I have to be up at 5am for my interview so not too many hours of sleep ahead of me given its past midnight but it's all good... Can't wait to explore this place tomorrow!!

Lesson of the day: Bring an umbrella onto overnight buses ;-)

Moment of the day: Driving to Casco Viejo and looking back to see the sun rising through the new city buildings...