Last month my husband and I traveled to the beautiful country of Panama. We started the trip by meeting up with friends in the coastal province of Coclé. It was both a happy reunion and a massive lounge fest. We sat in the pool sipping on cocktails, we laid on the beach, we took a boat ride and snorkeled in the Pacific, and we ate far too much. After a few days we headed to downtown Panama City.
We had one day to explore this beautiful city, so we made the most of it. Panama City is a very modern, cosmopolitan city and the financial district is home to a respectable skyline. We discovered a promenade on the waterfront leading from the financial district to the fish market and continuing on to Casco Viejo. We walked about 2 miles alongside joggers, dog walkers, gardeners, skateboarders, schoolgirls skipping class, and shaved ice vendors.
By the time we reached the fish market, we were starving. We found a cafe upstairs serving fresh seafood. The place was busy and full of locals. We sat near a tourist taking selfies with his lobster and a man waiting patiently for his very late date. I ordered shrimp with rice and a side of fried plantains. The shrimp was fresh, delicious, and seasoned with the perfect amount of garlic.
After lunch, we headed toward Casco Viejo or "Old Town." This area is the historical district of the city and a UNESCO world heritage site. It's a colorful neighborhood with architecture reminiscent of New Orleans' French Quarter. Every so often we'd turn a corner and catch a glimpse of the city skyline. I loved standing in the old town peering at the new. There were tourist shops selling Panama hats and t-shirts and local kids playing soccer in the streets. Each time we approached, they stopped, cleared the street, and smiled as they waited for us to pass. The people of Panama are very friendly and helpful and somehow, they even managed to understand my Spanish! Well, maybe it was Spanglish. Here are some of my favorite images from our trip.
