Back in civilization - Panama City

Our arrival at the bus station in Panama City was a real culture shock! Many people, a huge shopping center, everything polished to a high gloss. Only then did I realize that I hadn't been in a big city for the past four weeks and had spent most of my time in nature. I had come to Panama City with Jonas and Domenique, and they stayed at the same hostel as me (Mamallena), so we shared a taxi.

Panama City was very hot again, and combined with the big city, the climate was quite uncomfortable. That's why we quickly made plans to leave the city. Jonas and Domenique wanted to go to the San Blas Islands, and I wanted to take the Panama Canal Railway to Colon. But first, we enjoyed the benefits of the big city for one more day. We went to one of the big shopping centers (I needed new sneakers because I lost mine in Boquete - yes, it happens!) and in the evening, we met friends of Jonas and Domenique on the rooftop terrace of the Hard Rock Hotel. Panama City from above at night is really impressive...

After a day of rest and planning, on the third day, I wanted to take the train to Colon and then take a bus to Portobello to spend a few days at the beach. I had seen a documentary about the railway some time before the start of my trip, and it impressed me so much that I was determined to take the train.

Originally, a freight train ran parallel to the current Panama Canal on the route. During the construction of the canal, trains brought construction materials to the respective locations. Today, there is a passenger train that mainly transports tourists and a few commuters between Colon and Panama City.

However, the train seems to be little known among (young) tourists and the residents of Panama City. Hardly any backpacker I told about the train had heard of it, and in my research, I read that the train station is not always known even among taxi drivers. Accordingly, I set off early to go to the train station. And indeed, my very nice Uber driver didn't know exactly where the train station was. But with combined efforts, we found it, and I think we were both relieved when I got out of the car.

The train ride itself only takes about an hour, which I found very disappointing. I think I significantly lowered the average age in the panorama car, but I didn't care. I enjoyed the ride through the jungle and along the canal.

In Colon, I paid way too much for a taxi to the bus station, but I found my bus to Portobello right away. However, in Portobello, I had to realize that it wasn't so easy to get to the beaches. You had to take a boat, which is outrageously expensive for one person alone. My hostel was almost completely empty, so I couldn't find any fellow travelers. Although I still planned to cross over alone the next day, when I woke up in the morning covered in mosquito bites, I abandoned my plans and returned to Panama City prematurely.

The last few days, I spent in the old town of Panama City ('Casco Viejo'). I wandered the streets, took lots of photos, and used the time to write postcards - to the amazement of some other tourists! My coffee consumption also increased drastically in the last days in Panama City, which was a good preparation for my next two travel destinations, which are known for their excellent coffee.