7. Tag Panama City - Gatun Lake - 04.02.2023

This time we had to get up even earlier because Rudy wanted to pick us up at 6:45 a.m. The van was already quite filled as there were two Americans besides the couple from Saudi Arabia. We headed back to Albrook to the gas station where we stocked up on empanadas and cappuccinos. Then we took the road northwest towards Colon, to the Gatun Lake. This is an artificially created lake that was formed during the construction of the Panama Canal. After about 1 hour of driving, we arrived at a large parking lot where our boat guide was already waiting. We put on life jackets and got into the boat. Then we were off to the canal at high speed, where we could see and overtake the large container ships. After a short time, our boat guide steered towards the beach where he spotted a crocodile sunbathing. We got quite close to the crocodile, which eventually moved into the water. Then we continued to the Monkey Islands. Here too, we approached the islands with their mangrove trees. Then the boat guide made "calling sounds" to attract the monkeys. At first, we didn't see any, but after the third island, we spotted Capuchin monkeys climbing in the trees. Our boat guide then brought out bananas and oranges, and the monkeys actually came to the boat to get the fruit. Besides the monkeys, we also saw many birds such as parrots and herons. We also saw termites and very well-camouflaged bats.

After about 2 hours, we headed back and drove to a sloth rescue center with the van.

There we had a guided tour that included a visit to a butterfly farm with orchids, a red frog enclosure, and of course the sloths. At the moment, they had 4 sloths at the center who had been injured and then nursed back to health. We got to watch the feeding of 2 sloths and learned a lot about their behavior. They looked really cute.

Then we made our way back to Panama City where we said goodbye to Rudy and the others. Pauline needed a break again, Anne and I went into the city for a little stroll. Right on time for happy hour, we went back to the Mojito Bar. The waiters greeted us with a cheerful hello and we refreshed ourselves with a cold drink. Shortly after, Pauline joined us and we enjoyed the view. Then we returned to the apartment. In the evening, we went looking for a restaurant for dinner. We had picked out a nice one with good vegetarian dishes. Unfortunately, it was already full and there was only a table available next to the busy street. We didn't feel like it, so we kept searching. The old town "Casco Viejo" was now very crowded with people and cars. No wonder, it was Saturday night. The temperatures had become bearable at this point. We checked out several restaurants, but either they were too fancy and expensive or too simple and cheap. The others were fully booked. After about 1 hour of walking around, we found the restaurant "La Rana Dorada Casco" where we got a nice spot in the outdoor area. They had a good selection of beers as it was part of a brewery. The food was delicious too and everyone found something for themselves. We then walked around some more and watched the hustle and bustle on the squares.