| Bright and early in the morning we were off to see | | | | showcase local flora and fauna as well as a replica of |
| one of the great Wonders of the Modern World, the | | | | an Embera Indian village. I have to say we were a |
| Panama Canal. The Miraflores locks, circa 1913, are | | | | little disappointed in the Canopy Tour. It was pretty |
| not far from the city center and always a highlight. | | | | cool but it didn't produce any bird or wildlife spotting. |
| These are the first of the canal's three sets of locks | | | | Our guide explained that we had come at a time of |
| which stand at the Pacific entrance to the Panama | | | | the year and a time of the day when the wildlife |
| Canal. They raise and lower ships over 16 metres (54 | | | | was quiet. Later we learned that one of the best |
| feet) in two steps. We were told morning was the | | | | tours was a visit by boat to Monkey Island. Although |
| best time to catch a cruise ship in transit, as they like | | | | we didn't catch it on our first visit, on a subsequent |
| to start early so their passengers get to experience | | | | trip to the city we hiked our way up Ancon Hill. It |
| the canal during day light hours. When we first visited | | | | rises 654 feet from the bay and for 400 years has |
| the canal there was just a simple room where you | | | | been a key geographical reference point in Panama. |
| could step inside and view a short film on the history | | | | The commanding 360-degree view of the city, Casco |
| of the canal. Now there is a large new Visitors | | | | Viejo, the Pacific Ocean and the entrance to the |
| Center (Centro de Visitantes de Miraflores) which is | | | | Panama Canal makes it a great place for taking |
| open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Adult admission is $8. Inside is | | | | photos. My wife always says, "A trip to Panama City |
| an impressive display of Panama's history. It's a | | | | is never complete without a day or two of shopping." |
| four-story museum with an observation deck and a | | | | We discovered two beautiful modern indoor malls. |
| theatre that shows documentaries on the canal in | | | | The Multi-Plaza and Multi-Centro are relatively recent |
| English and Spanish. There is a restaurant with a view | | | | additions to Panama City and boast some of the |
| of the locks and although it came recommended I | | | | best shopping in Latin America. The Multi-Centro is |
| found it a little pricey compared to other great | | | | located in Paitlla, one of the wealthiest areas of |
| restaurants in the city. Most people don't even notice | | | | Panama City. It's also billed as the largest shopping |
| the small snack bar on the first floor. You have to go | | | | mall in Central America. In Multi-Centro you will find a |
| out the other side of the museum on the canal side. | | | | casino, movie theatre, arcade, internet cafe, |
| The snack bar is a window opening from the building | | | | bookstores, 3 department stores and many more |
| immediately to your left. Be sure to hold onto your | | | | shops. It is also connected with the Radisson |
| entry ticket as there are separate automated | | | | Decapolis Hotel. The Multi-Plaza is similar and is |
| entrance turnstiles for the museum and theatre. On | | | | connected to the Marriott Courtyard (one of my |
| the first floor the museum has a history of the canal, | | | | favourite places to stay in PC). The Multi-Plaza has a |
| beginning with the failed French effort and following | | | | similar selection of shops and also has a couple of |
| through the completion by the United States. The | | | | great restaurants. Paladar serves a wonderful |
| second floor has an ecological exhibit demonstrating | | | | selection of dishes and for those missing home you |
| the importance of the Panama Canal watershed. It | | | | can check out Tony Romas. A great place to spend |
| includes displays on the flora and fauna found in the | | | | your last night in Panama City or any night for that |
| watershed. The third floor explains the operation of | | | | matter is the Amador Causeway. The night time |
| the canal and includes a full-scale simulator for ship | | | | views back to the city lights are spectacular. Go out |
| pilot-training. There's also a large topographical canal | | | | a little before sunset so you can stop by the |
| map which looks a lot like the one they had in the old | | | | Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. It's also fun |
| theatre room. The fourth floor display is a little | | | | to rent a bike and ride the boardwalk. Check out the |
| sparse and boring for the kids. It has route maps and | | | | shops on Isla Naos and after you have worked up an |
| discusses the importance of the canal and world | | | | appetite and the sun has set continue out the |
| commerce. A little further drive up the east bank of | | | | causeway to Isla Flamenco where you will find the |
| the canal you will find the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. | | | | marina and the Flamenco Shopping Plaza. Get a table |
| It's a pretty pricey place to stay or eat. But, if luxury | | | | outside at Alberto's. You can enjoy great food and |
| accommodations and gourmet dining in the rain forest | | | | drink while admiring the mega yachts in the marina |
| are not in your budget don't despair. You can still plan | | | | with the city skyline behind. Well it's time to say |
| a day trip to Gamboa and take in it's many ecological | | | | goodnight as we have an early flight to Bocas del |
| tours al la carte. On our first visit we took the Aerial | | | | Toro tomorrow. Ciao! Hasta Luego! |
| Canopy Tour and checked out the 5 exhibits which | | | | |