June 11 Panama City, Casco Viejo & Miraflores Visitor Center - Scott & Sonya

The Cinta Costera loop offers a great view of the city and the ocean  and Scott took some photos from the car windows.

 

We did a self-walking tour of Casco Viejo which is Spanish for old quarter (also known as Casco Antiguo). We also toured the Panama Canal Museum.

In 1671 Henry Morgan with a band of 1400 men attacked and looted the city, which was subsequently destroyed by fire. The ruins of the old city still remain and are a popular tourist attraction known as Panamá la Vieja (Old Panama), which we will visit on their last day. It was rebuilt in 1673 in a new location approximately 5 miles (8 km) southwest of the original city. This location is now known as the Casco Viejo of the city.

It's an interesting area in that it is a mix of the original buildings in total disrepair and newly restored areas. There is still a long way to go in restoring the area for restaurants and living quarters.

Luckily, we had a lovely sunny day for our wandering.

 Catedral Metropolitana was getting a face lift.

Plaza de la Independencia 

 History Museum of Panama

 

 

 Iglesia San Francisco de Asis

 Plaza Bolivar

Teatro Nacional

 Sonya

 Sonya & me

 Diabolicos Restaurant

 inside the restaurant

 kids playing futbol in the street

 

Iglesia San Felipe de Neri

 There was an entire room with over 3 million pieces depicting the birth of Christianity

We had a late lunch at Tantalo Kitchen where they serve tapa sized plates so we tried 4 different things and shared. We’ve eaten there before and really like the food.

 Scott & Sonya

 views from the rooftop restaurant/bar which is open at night

 

Then it was off to the Miraflores Visitor center to watch the ships transit the locks. As luck would have it we had to wait about 45 minutes for a ship to come through, but eventually 2 went through.  One ship filled one of the locks and the other had a smaller container ship, a couple of sailboats and a tugboat. It got pretty dark as it threatened to rain and it started to rain as we were leaving.

 Scott & Sonya

 

 

We drove to the Country Inn & Suites near the Balboa ferry where we spent the night. We got settled in and walked to the Balboa Yacht Club for dinner. It was quite tasty and had a great view of the ocean and the Puente de las Americas. (Bridge of the Americas)

 Marina



cat in the grass on the way to dinner

 

We made it an early night since we had to be at the ferry to check in by 6:45 in the morning. Though I think Scott & Sonya went back to Balboa Yacht Club. (smile)

Our next three days will be on the Island of Contadora.