Dream Trip Day 132-140: HK? Panama?

Posted On 03/08/2014

The transit from Costa Rica to Panama was soooooo long. Started early by carrying a huge backpack down the rugged path downhill. The bus towards the border came 1 hour later than normal. Freaking me out as the next bus is at 3pm... The closed post office at the border doesn't have an outdoor mailbox so I gotta ask the vendor outside to help sending the postcards for me the next day.

Was charged 7USD for exiting Costa Rica but the LP said there's no charge. Tried to play dumb and refuse to pay but failed so many times. Eventually checked online with a random Wifi signal and realized it's a legitimate charge only started this year (thus none mentioned in my LP Oct 2013 edition). The payment was to be made in a bank, but on a Sunday evening??? Walked back and forth with my backpack for so many times and finally found out that there's a tourist agency can help collecting the payment and issuing the appropriate documents with a 1USD charge.

Then got stuck by a full TicaBus at the Panama border. And the next bus to Panama city was full.... Finally, after 15 hours, at midnight, I hopped on the bus towards Panama city. .

Exhausted!

Panama canal! The shortcut that promoted international logistics. It's so grand and functional with excellent guided tour. Yea it's a little bit touristic but considering its a top-class tourist attraction, it's actually quite nice.

Funny shots:

1. A leg on the terrace?! Am I at the scene of a ghost movie?!
2. Hmmm... I don't feel like eating yogurt with the icon shaped like this.

The similar fancy colourful buses as in Guatemala, but much more modern and high tech with flashy lights. But the new sight is: High Rise Buildings! Really, haven't seen any since April... With this sheet of water and the buildings in the background, why I find it similar to Hong Kong???

Panama is quite expensive when compared with other Central America Country. But the seafood here in the fish market is so fresh and nice and still much cheaper than in Hong Kong. The 'marisco mixto' (mixed seafood) costs US$2.5 a pound. Good enough for a nice 'luxury' dinner in months.

I have reached the southernmost country of Central America. Moving on to South America by land is impossible. The only choices were direct flight, 5D4N on a yacht, or 4D3N San Blas Islands tour on a speedboat, with accommodation on the beautiful islands. Island tour of course!