Panama

So…my wife grew up in the Canal Zone from 1964 to 1976…her dad was a canal pilot and later the harbor master. Her childhood friend , who was born in the Canal Zone, decided to bring her mother’s ashes back to Panama to rest with her father that was buried there. Initially, this was supposed to be a “ladies only” trip with all the friends that grew up there…but by the time the trip was formed, several of them had dropped out, leaving only my wife, her friend and her daughter. This is when they asked me to accompany them…after some thought, I agreed to go…but I was going to bring a couple fly rods with me.

 

[Brute]

These ships are waiting to transit the Canal…a canal Pilot comes out by boat and boards the ship and pilots it through the canal to the other side. While my wife’s dad was alive, he held the record for shortest transit through the canal in just under five hours…it usually takes about eight hours. A US Navy hydrofoil has since smashed that record by nearly half…

Her dad was buried at sea…

 

[FinLuver]

View attachment 109237View attachment 109238These were the original building that were residences in the Canal Zone…they didn’t have bars on the windows then.

Looks like military base housing…

 

[Driftless Dan]

I've heard that there IS trout fishing in Panama, up in the mountains along the Costa Rican border (there are trout in Costa Rica, too).

 

[rotato]

So cool!
I can almost taste the tropical air
The food looks excellent

I transited the canal in the eighties on my pops boat
Still remember a lot of jungle imagery and crazy electronics at the duty free shops

Is the small gauge train still running along the canal?
Peacock bass next?

Thanks for the report!

 

[Brute]

So cool!
I can almost taste the tropical air
The food looks excellent

I transited the canal in the eighties on my pops boat
Still remember a lot of jungle imagery and crazy electronics at the duty free shops

Is the small gauge train still running along the canal?
Peacock bass next?

Thanks for the report!

I’m not sure if the train is still running, but I should know in a few hours…we will be heading to Mira Flores lock , hoping to see a ship in it

 

[Brute]

So cool!
I can almost taste the tropical air
The food looks excellent

I transited the canal in the eighties on my pops boat
Still remember a lot of jungle imagery and crazy electronics at the duty free shops

Is the small gauge train still running along the canal?
Peacock bass next?

Thanks for the report!

If I had more time on the mainland, I would love to fish for tucanare…getting on a catamaran tomorrow to cruise the San Blas for a couple days, then on to Bocas del Tore for a few more before leaving…

 

[ifsteve]

Could have sworn this was a fishing forum?? No problem with posting a "travel" trip but you could have said in the title not fishing related.

 

[Driftless Dan]

Could have sworn this was a fishing forum??

Hey, I mentioned trout fishing!

 

[FinLuver]

Could have sworn this was a fishing forum?? No problem with posting a "travel" trip but you could have said in the title not fishing related.

He caught you…

 

[Brute]

Ok…I’ll only post if I’m fishing from now on…

 

[mcswny]

Ok…I’ll only post if I’m fishing from now on…

My name is Tim and I approve this thread.

 

[albula]

Could have sworn this was a fishing forum?? No problem with posting a "travel" trip but you could have said in the title not fishing related.

Somebody needs a nap.

 

[Mossback]

I have fished in Panama. Fishing was good...so a Panama fishing report is now included.
Thread is legit.
Have a good time... Panama is a great place.

 

[mcswny]

Somebody needs a nap.

ME! ME! I DO!

 

[Hem]

This is downright cool. Funny I was talking to my wife tonight about the best ceviche we ever had...in Baja. But your pic in the opening posts looked dynamite.
Liked seeing the photos of historic district and historical tributes.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[greenriver]

thanks for posting and sharing your trip

 

[Hobbyranch]

View attachment 109277These ships are waiting to transit the Canal…a canal Pilot comes out by boat and boards the ship and pilots it through the canal to the other side. While my wife’s dad was alive, he held the record for shortest transit through the canal in just under five hours…it usually takes about eight hours. A US Navy hydrofoil has since smashed that record by nearly half…

Her dad was buried at sea…

Great adventure, thank you for sharing.

 

[Brute]

Could have sworn this was a fishing forum?? No problem with posting a "travel" trip but you could have said in the title not fishing related.

 

[mcswny]

View attachment 109374

 

[Brute]

Could have sworn this was a fishing forum?? No problem with posting a "travel" trip but you could have said in the title not fishing related.

Some local fisherman coming by to ask if we want some fresh fish…I hope this counts, otherwise please delete the post