Panama Calling

Do you know where the World’s Greatest Shortcut exists? Well welcome to The Panama Canal. This is nothing short of an engineering marvel. Intrigued? Read on.

The Panama Canal is approximately 80 km long between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The canal uses a system of locks or compartments with entrance and exit gates. The locks function as water lifts; they raise ships from the sea level (the Pacific or the Atlantic) to the level of the Gatun Lake which is 26 meters above sea level and ships then sail the channel through the Continental Divide. Interestingly the city of Panama is a study in contrasts. While you have a well-developed city with swanky buildings and sky scrapers including a shiny Trump Tower on one end, the old city still has a quaint charm with restored colonial structures.

The Old Quarter

The best way to see Panama is to head to Casco Viejo meaning Old Quarter in Spanish also known as Casco Antiguo or San Felipe. This is the historic district of Panama City and was completed in 1673, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While Panama was founded in 1519 it was burnt down after 152 years and rebuilt in 1672. This city had a defensive system of walls and still has some of the first institutions and buildings which is what is seen in Casco Viejo. Within the old quarter there is a mix of old almost dilapidated buildings and chic new coffee houses and hotels. The best way to explore the churches, palaces, plazas, restaurants, cafés and markets here is to walk through the many streets and alleys. The Herrera Plaza was originally for houses but after it was burnt in a fire in 1781, it has become a space for events like celebrations and bull fights. After this was prohibited in 1928, it is more like a square with an equestrian sculpture of General Tomas Herrera a prominent Panamanian patriot from the 19^th century and also has the former headquarters of the National City bank that helped finance the construction of the Panama Canal. The interiors have since been restored as a banquet hall with floors made out of wood from trees that were submerged in the Panama Canal. Walking around here you cannot help but notice the pop of colour in the various buildings that adds a quaint charm to the environs.

Spiritual Sojourn

When you are here stop by at the Iglesia San Jose or the Saint Joseph Church, an Augustinian temple with a rectangular shape that was one of the first to be built in Panama's old quarter. When an 1832 law abolished all convents, the Augustinians left Panama and their church was used a school chapel until the religious order returned in the 19th century. The temple's interior was renovated in the early 20^th century and has a beautiful gold altar inside. Around here you can also see the Compania de Jesus ruins of a Jesuit temple and convent that was burnt in 1781 and destroyed largely by the 1882 earthquake. The exterior facade still remains however and the brick facade makes for a great photograph. As you keep walking here you reach a large square that houses many old buildings and a beautiful church. This is where you can admire the Interoceanic canal Museum that was constructed in 1874 and was originally a hotel. Later it housed the main offices of the French and American isthmian canal efforts. From 1910 it became the headquarters of several Panamanian public offices and was refurbished as a museum in 1997. And there is enough street art through graffiti on the walls that you can admire here too.

Island Hopping

Panama has three main islands and the Flamenco marina is one of the nicer places for some rest and relaxation. Dotted with yachts at one end, there are restaurants and shopping places on the other. This is where families – local and tourists come to enjoy the city.  This is where you can also get Instagram worthy images of the landscape courtesy the rows of yachts that dominate the background. There are many eating joints here as well so that you can simply soak in the magic of the marina while you tuck into some delectable local food as well. There are several tiny kiosks as well as stores on the inside so you can be sure that all your souvenir shopping can be done here. The city of Panama is a stunning landscape of the old and the new so make sure you make your date with this city soon.

Fact File

• Panama is a popular cruise destination and many ships have their port of call here.
• For exact ship sailings do check out www.ncl.com for details.
• While US dollars are accepted, you may be returned change in the local currency so it is best to check with the outlet before you pay.