Our first stop was Panamá Viejo, Old Panama. This is the original settlement started on the footprint of an indigenous fishing village. Originally most of the structures were wooden but repeated fires lead to a gradual change to stone over the years.
Founded in 1519, Panamá Viejo was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Ocean. It continued to grow and was ultimately attacked by Henry Morgan On 1/28/1671. The city was either destroyed by Morgan or by Captain General Don Juan Pérez de Guzmán who ordered the gunpowder magazines burned. It has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1997.
Some of the ruins
Inside the ruins of the convent
Inside the ruins of the convent. These 3 might be looking for salvation.
The ruins of the bell tower
Inside the ruins of the bell tower
The girls in the bell tower with modern Panama City in the background
Looking back at the bell tower from where the cathedral once stood.
Black spines iguana checking me out. I hear you are delicious buddy.
The old staircase in the bell tower #anseladamsofblogs
A Panama tree inside the ruins
From Panama Viejo we traveled to Old Town Panama, Casco Viejo. It was completed and settled in 1673 after the destruction of Panama Viejo. It now preserves the Spanish and French influences over the architecture from 1673 through the French efforts to build a canal.
Typical streets in Old Town. Lots of small restaurants and small hotels
Walking the streets of Old Town.
Looking back at Panama City from Old Town
Shopping at an open air market.
This is a Memorial for all of the workers the French lost while trying to dig the Panama Canal. The number is estimated to be around 23,000. The US lost around 7000 in completing the Canal.
B&W is more dramatic?
Inside one of the Cathedrals
This arch and a stamp with the smoking volcano from Nicaragua supposedly convinced President Teddy Roosevelt that Panama had a stable tectonic plate and was the ideal place to build the Canal.
Ultimately the arch collapsed secondary to urban sprawl and traffic vibrations. I may or may not have been hit by a truck too. The piles are all that is left if the original arches.
The girls with some locals in beautiful Panamanian dress. According to our guide the purple one could cost as much as 80K. All handmade all cross stitch technique. The photo does not do the dress justice. They are beautiful.
It was hot so let’s get some shaved ice.
Street art.
The Carthedral Metropitana is beautiful
I love the look of this church
Up close in the center. These saints or sinners are watching you.
Back toward the plaza. The building on the left is the Central Hotel. President Teddy Roosevelt stayed there when in Panama.
Convention de Santa Domingo
After our tour it was back to the hotel. We packed ate a late lunch and the our driver Alexis tried to take use to the wrong airport. The girls didn’t know but after about 10 min in the car when I was finally sure we were going the wrong way, I asked him if this was the way to Albrook airport. I thought he might jump out of the car. Needless to say he turned it around and we made our flight to David and ultimately to Borgeta for the rainforest portion of our trip.
Panama air selfie. Instant classic. Let’s do this!!!
Pretty good ending to the day with a little grilled octopus.
Hiking tomorrow so we will see how many come back.
Ansel Adams pic is lit.
ReplyDelete