Partial transit of the Panama Canal

Partial transit of the Panama Canal:

DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT IS FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2012

The Panama Canal, recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World,

will celebrate 100 years on August 15, 2014.

Before this historic day arrives you owe it to yourself to experience firsthand

the wonder of the Panama Canal transit.

Celebrate the 98th Anniversary of the Panama Canal

Alonso and Carmela Gobern

The Editors of the Panama Cyberspace News invite you to

Join their partial transit of the Panama Canal

Friday, August 10, 2012 at 9 a.m.

Departing from Flamenco Marina on Amador Causeway

Travel Route: The Pacific Ocean, Panama Bay, under the Bridge of the Americas, Panama Port Company, Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, Gaillard (Culebra) Cut, Canal Expansion Project, under the Centennial Bridge, Gatun Lake and Gamboa. 

This transit includes the following: lunch (does not include breakfast), water and sodas, a bilingual guide, four (4) hours on the Pacific Queen, a 300-passenger cruise liner, and a bus to bring us back from Gamboa.

Read about the Seven Wonders of the Modern World: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0923082.html

The Pacific Queen is a Norwegian-built cruiser, designed specifically for day tours and cruises, with a capacity for 300 passengers, measures 119 ft. in length and 25 ft. in width.

Passengers will enjoy the following:  Two (2) spacious, enclosed decks, with air conditioning and a comfortable seating, an open-air third deck with an ideal vantage point from which to enjoy your cruise,  television monitors with Panama Canal and Panamanian folkloric documentaries, speaker system for music and narration of the tour guide, six (6) conveniently-located restrooms,  a souvenir shop complete with local handcrafts and Panama Canal souvenirs, a lounge area on the first floor with bar where food and soft drinks are served. (Liquor on sale.).  Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, take your camera, dark shades, a hat/cap and an umbrella.

The Cost: Nationals and residents $80 – Tourists and visitors $115

Requirement: Cedula or Passport

Children 3-11 years of age: $50 Panamanians and $65.00 tourists (identification required)

Contact goberncl@cwpanama.net for reservations as soon as possible.

Coronado, Panamá: UPCOMING EVENTS

Coronado (little over an hour drive west of Panamá City): UPCOMING EVENTS
------------------------

PLAYA BEACH BUSINESS CLUB
Meet area businesses. Network, share information, make contacts. Join us for a 8am breakfast at Paraiso Restaurant in Las Uvas on Friday Aug 3rd.
http://www.playacommunity.com/en/events/view/189285/date/2012-08-03

LIVE JAZZ
Saturday Aug 4th at Mamma Mia, enjoy delicious Italian dishes and Sin Ensemble Jazz Quartet. Show starts at 8pm.
http://www.playacommunity.com/en/events/view/189292/date/2012-08-04

KARAOKE SINGING COMPETITION
Give your voice a workout and win prizes at Paraiso on Saturday Aug 4th. Entry fee $2 to pay into prize pool. Detail at link below:
http://www.playacommunity.com/en/events/view/189087/date/2012-08-04

There is a lot going on at the beaches, including Bible Meetings, Catholic Mass in English, AA and NA meetings and Exercise classes. Check the Events
Calendar at Playacomunity.com to see details and updates:
http://www.playacommunity.com/en/events/cal

Panama in the Olympics

Star performers

Irving Saladino is the reigning Olympic long jump champion and Panama's first ever gold medalist. He will return to the Olympics to defend his title. Alonso Edward won a silver in the 2009 World Championships, behind Usain Bolt, and has qualified for the same event in 2012.

AAL pilot's daughter is representing Panama in the Olympics.

Panama at the 2012 Summer Olympics: American Airline pilot, Richard Carsten, daughter is representing Panama in taekwondo competition.  I met Rich at the AAL flight academy around 2001, he told me he met his wife while stationed in the Panama Canal Zone in the USAF, they have four children & I recently found out that his daughter, Carolena, is representing Panama in the Olympics. see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics   

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Tuesday afternoon seminar for July 31

Front entrance of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Ancon, Panamá

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Tuesday afternoon seminar for July 31, 2012 at 4:00 pm in the Earl S. Tupper auditorium:  

Speaker: Chris Jiggins, University of Cambridge and STRI Research Associate

Title:  A genomic view of speciation in butterflies

Upcoming seminars: 

August 7:  Allen Herre, STRI

Stability and Instability in the fig-wasp mutualism

August 14:  Helmut Elsenbeer, University of Potsdam

Title to be announced

August 21:  Hans-Ulrich Schnitzler, University of Tubingen

The impact of Elisabeth Kalko on field research in bat echolocation



Panama in the 2012 Olympics

Global Voices on Line http://globalvoicesonline.org/2012/07/27/panamanians-place-hopes-on-eight-olympic-athletes/ :

London 2012 Olympics 

Panama is getting ready to take part in the Olympics in London with eight athletes who will compete in athletics, boxing, judo, swimming and taekwondo. The representation is minimal but even so, it has generated expectation among Panamanians who, above all, have put their faith in Irving Saladino, current Olympic long-jump champion.

Wyndham Hotel chains expands in Panamá

Wyndham Expands in Latin America with Panama Resort at Playa Blanca

July 26, 2012 // PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with over 7,170 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the expansion of its upscale Wyndham® Hotels and Resorts brand in Panama with the addition of the Wyndham Grand Playa Blanca, a 220-room all-inclusive resort located on the Pacific coast in Panama’s Coclé Province.
The beachfront property, owned by Casa de Campo Farallon, S.A., and operated by RG Hotels, becomes the third hotel in Panama to fly the Wyndham® flag, joining sister properties Veneto – A Wyndham Grand Hotel and Wyndham Garden Panama City, both located in Panama City.
Wyndham Grand Playa Blanca is part of the prestigious Wyndham Grand® Collection, an ensemble of distinguished hotels within the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand that represent one-of-a-kind experiences in key destinations with refined accommodations, attentive service and relaxed surroundings.
“Adding a high-quality resort property like Wyndham Grand Playa Blanca to our company’s portfolio reflects our mission to develop Wyndham Hotel Group brands in key locations in this booming region,” said Daniel del Olmo, Wyndham Hotel Group’s senior vice president and managing director, Latin America. “Rapidly emerging business opportunities coupled with attractive beaches and cultural destinations have positioned Panama for exceptional growth in the hotel and travel industry. We are thrilled to be an integral part of this expansion and look forward to bringing additional hotels to the country to better serve travelers’ lodging needs.”
The resort opening strengthens Wyndham Hotel Group’s presence in Latin America, which currently consists of over 90 properties and more than 10,000 rooms in 13 countries throughout the region under the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Ramada®, Days Inn®, Howard Johnson®, Wingate by Wyndham®, Microtel Inn & Suites® by Wyndham and TRYP by Wyndham™ brands.
Located on a private stretch of beach, Wyndham Grand Playa Blanca is 90 minutes west of Panama City and 80 miles from Tocumen International Airport. The resort’s all-inclusive plan provides guests with unlimited meals, snacks and beverages, as well as non-motorized sports, entertainment and recreational activities, included in room rates.

Bistro Boquete, Restaurante in Boquete, Panamá

Bistro Boquete

Located in the Heart of Boquete across from Bruna Market
Hours:  Tuesday through Friday 11:00 am till 8 pm
Saturday 9 am till 8 pm
Sunday 9 am till 7 pm
Telephone: 6677 4289
Craig Jacobs, the owner, comes from an culinary family and is continuing the tradition in Boquete, Panama. He started out at the age of seven working side by side with his famous father, Chef Martin Jacobs. Martin has published many cookbooks, several of which have won the Julia Childs Award and the James Beard Award. Together, Craig and Martin spent time in Cuba and New Orleans and now Craig is bringing those exotic flavors to Boquete. Craig has also owned four restaurants in the United States.
Sample of Bistro’s Daily Specials:
Sizzling Chorizo
Teriyaki Tuna
The Boston Burger: 1/2 pound Burger, Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato & a Fried Egg on top with Fries & Slaw
Filet Mignon & Sautéed Onion Quesadilla
Personal Pizzas
Corvina or Chicken parmesan

Craig Jacobs

Whale Watching in Panamá

Tell Anne Lou referred you and receive a discount:

Humpback whale watching in Panama

Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:41 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Anne Gordon de Barrigón" anne92857

We have been just begun our Humpback whale watching season here in Panama
and have had some amazing encounters, breaching whales, rowdy males vying
for the female’s attention, very young calves figuring out how their bodies
work. Even swimming under our boat!

We have also seen a lot of dolphins, a few very large pods of over 100
spotted dolphins. With dolphins bow riding with our boat, playing in our
boat waves and leaping all around us.

We have had 100% success in whale sightings in the Pearl islands. We have a
trip going out tomorrow with space for 5 more people. We also have regular
day trips going out from Panama city every Wednesday and Sunday, and we are
available any other day also. We also have day trips from Contadora as well
as 2-5 day trips from Contadora in the Pearl islands.

Contact me if you are interested in more information.

Anne Gordon de Barrigón

6758-7600

Anne @ WhaleWatchingPanama.com (remove spaces)

Anne Gordon de Barrigón

http://www.emberavillageto/urs.com

http://www.whalewatchingpa/nama.com

http://www.dolphinhealing./net

Anne Gordon de Barrigón

http://www.emberavillageto/urs.com

http://www.whalewatchingpa/nama.com

http://www.dolphinhealing./net

Social Event in Coronado (Beach area), Panama

 Coronado about 1 hour 15 minute drive west of Panama City on the Pan American highway: Playacommunity Mixer is on Wednesday, July 25th at Rincon del Chef (Main St. in Coronado) at 5pm. Its a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and meet up with old ones. Door prizes and more.

Bocas del Mar Resort, Boca Chica, Panama

Bocas del Mar Resort, Boca Chica, Panama: Bocas Del Mar Resort, in Boca Chica, is a boutique hotel with modern features including eleven large contemporary-style guest bungalows wich are set in tropical gardens surrounding. It is situated on the Gulf of Chiriquí Marine National Park which has many charming green islands with palm-tree-fringed white beaches and an a variety of wildlife. For more information see http://www.bocasdelmar.com/
Bocas del Mar Resort, Boca Chica, Panamá: Bocas Del Mar Resort, en Boca Chica, es un hotel boutique con las características modernas que incluyen once grandes de estilo contemporáneo invitados casitas cual se encuentran en jardines tropicales que rodean. Está situado en el Golfo de Chiriquí Parque Nacional Marino, que tiene muchas encantadoras islas verdes con palmeras de árboles playas de arena blanca y una gran variedad de vida silvestre una. Para más información, véase http://www.bocasdelmar.com/

Located about a 45 drive from the city of David.

View of the Gulf of Chiriqui

InterNations social event

InterNations (http://www.internations.org/) social event:

With our upcoming event getting closer, we would like to remind you of our InterNations Panama City July's Spanish Night!  El Manchego is a restaurant & bar where you can find Spanish and Mediterranean food and the traditional “tapas” which is the best type of food to be mixed with beer, wine or to share with friends and try different food flavors. The restaurant is located in the heart of the city just a block away from Hotel Marriott (Area Bancaria). In this special occasion, you will be treated with TWO free welcome drinks: A choice of cocktail drink or national beer on the house! Any choice of drink from the menu courtesy of your InterNations Ambassadors! There will also be classical Spanish “tapas” in promotion and special on Manchego’s signature Sangria! As usual, Albatross Members can join this event for free and Basic Members will pay a cover charge of 15 USD.
InterNations Panama City July's Spanish Night Location: El Manchego Date: Thursday Jul 26, 2012  19:00 Host: Diana Storin & Marcela Chavarria - InterNations Ambassadors Panama City

A new iconic landmark in Panama

Underconstruction January 2012, Frank Gehry's Biodiversity Museum

07/15/2012
A new iconic landmark in Panama
by Tim Johnson
Think Panama, and certainly the canal comes to mind. But soaring modern architecture should, too. There’s the new Trump Tower that seems vaguely similar to the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, a building that takes inspiration from a sail.
Then there is the “screw,” the Revolution Tower that some have dubbed the “twist-scraper” because it is a 52-story structure coiling upward like a corkscrew.
Panama now has 11 buildings that are 70 stories or taller, and dozens just slightly smaller. Comparisons to Dubai and Singapore are not out of line.
But in my mind, after five days in the city, the most transformative piece of work is far more diminutive in scale. And its construction marks the arrival of Frank Gehry to Latin America. Gehry, of course, is the Pritzker Prize-winning architect of such iconic buildings as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio, and the Rasin building in Prague. He’s been called the most influential architect of our times.
His buildings lean, twist, contort and crumple. They are full of extraordinary color.
And what he has built in Panama is unforgettable. It is called the Biodiversity Museum and it is on the Amador Causeway that greets every ship and cruise line that passes through the canal. The building is an explosion of crimson, tangerine, deep yellow, avocado, navy blue and aluminum. The roof trusses hold up a creased aluminum panels that look like folded sheets.
Like it or hate it, and Panamanians fall on both sides, I believe it will come to represent the city. The museum will house seven major exhibits that will tell visitors how the Panama isthmus was formed and why it has made Panama such a biodiversity hotspot as a bridge between two continents.
The museum is not huge. It should open later this year although the inauguration already has been postponed more than a year. But already the talk is that it will become a major tourist destination in itself. The KPMG consulting firm says the museum may draw 500,000 a year, nearly as many as come to see the Miraflores Locks along the canal.
The museum won’t be just a class act on the outside. Helping design the exhibits is the Smithsonian Institute, the largest scientific museum network in the world and one that has a long presence in Panama.
So who convinced Gehry to design such a project for Panama? Panama-born Berta Aguilera had something to do with it. She’s Gehry’s second wife.
Read more here: http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/mexico/2012/07/a-new-iconic-landmark-in-panama.html#storylink=cpy

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Tupper Campus

 

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Tupper Campus revitalization moves foward

This plan aims to better integrate nature and the buildings on campus by means of enclosed walkways

A major revitalization of Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Earl S. Tupper Conference and Reseach Center in Ancon, Panama City on the site of the old Tivoli Guest House has taken another step forward with the architects’ submission of concept sketches to Director Eldredge Bermingham and project donors at the Office of Facilities Engineering and Operations, OFEO at the STRI.

This plan aims to better integrate nature and the buildings on campus by means of enclosed walkways, water features, a new entry for the campus, and a refurbished central plaza where the massive Corotu tree once stood.

OFEO Associate Director Aquiles Navarro said that in addition to overall site improvements leading to enhanced safety and security, plans include a new elevator, improved accessibility and a green roof. Architectural plans and construction documents are scheduled to be completed in March, 2013.

Bermingham says the goal of the Tupper Campus revitalization is to further advance the Tupper family’s vision of a campus that celebrates scientific research, tropical nature and quiet spots for conversation and contemplation critical to developing future generations of scientists.

Front entrance to the Smithsonian Tropical Rearch Institute

General Information about Panamá

Panamá is one of the world's most visitor-friendly countries. It has the highest rating for tourist safety from the prestigious Pinkerton Intelligence Agency. It's people are warm, friendly and unspoiled. Panamá has always been an international crossroads-Panamanians are accustomed to meeting people from other lands and English is a second language. The Republic of Panamá is a natural-rich land that makes it one of the world's prettiest regions. This is undoubtedly the new tourist multi-destination worldwide, a country featuring endless tourist and commercial attractions. Panamá is not just a giant canal. Its nature is fantastic, teeming with birds and flowers, inhabited by peaceful and happy people who welcome visitors nicely and show them around an incredibly beautiful country featuring waters almost ready-made for scuba diving and some of the best on the planet for fishing. Its varied flora and wildlife, as well as the number of indigenous communities put it on the map as one of America's most outstanding spots for ecological tourism. One place in Panamá, Pinas Bay, holds 170 world fishing records. There are five world class diving areas: Coiba National Marine Park, the Pearl Islands, Bocas del Toro archipelago, Portobello and for historical diving the Panamá Canal. Everything about this country is humble, serene and relaxing.
Local Information:The U.S. dollar is the official Panamanian currency. In the country, it is called the Balboa with the same denominations and exchange rate, 1 balboa = US $1. The centesimos coins are of identical size, denomination, and metal as U.S. coins, and the coins of both nations are used here interchangeably. If you have U.S. dollars or U.S. dollar-denomination traveler's checks, then there is no need to exchange currency. Unlike most other parts of Central and South America, it is relatively easy to exchange other major currencies also, due to the extensive offshore banking business in Panamá.
Local Weather: Days are hot, nights much cooler; temperatures range from 32C (90F) during the daytime to 20 C (70F) in the evening practically year-round. Humidity is always high at about 80 percent. The rainy season takes place between October and November, and the best months to visit are mid-December and late March.
Airport Information:Eight major US cities offer direct daily flights to Panamá City: Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando and Tampa. Please be advised that many destinations charge a departure fee.
Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens:Effective December 31, 2006, the U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security requires all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality. This information should be used only as a guideline and non-U.S. citizens should contact the airline they are traveling on, or their local consulate regarding the specific entry requirements that apply to their nationality.

Coronado Upcoming Events

==================
UPCOMING EVENTS
==================

Wednesday July 25th

- Playacommunity Mixer, at Rincon del Chef in Coronado. Starts at 5:00pm. Come out and meet new friends and catch up with old ones. RSVP here.

---------------------------------
Friday July 13th

- Rocky Horror Show auditions.  Want to be part of the theatre? The Panamá And Coclé Theatre Company want you. Details here.

- Learn to salsa or just come out and dance at Paraiso Restaurant and Bar in Las Uvas., starting at 7:30 p.m

- Carla & The Gorgons live at Mamma Mia, starting at 8:00 pm

---------------------------------
Saturday July 14th

- Local singer-songwriter Tara Wills is back with a set of original music at Picasso Bar & Restaurant. Book early and come out to support this incredible local talent. Starts at 7:00 pm

- Karaoke Singing Competetion at Paraiso Bar & Restaurant in Las Uvas. Starts at 8:00 pm

- Sunday Brunch at Paraiso, featuring Peter Schmidth’s pork sausages and patties. Starts at 9:30am.

- Spanish classes at Paraiso Restaurant, starting at 11:00 am. $5 a class.

- Catholic Mass in English, Sunday at 11:00 am



See you around town,

Jamuna
Playacommunity.com

Panama coffee sold in Costco stores

A Panama coffee my wife found in a local Fort Worth (Southlake), Texas Costco store.

How my grandfather's (Pasquale “Pete” Monaco) contributed to Panama-United States relations

"Pete" Monaco with Panamá City, Panamá mayor Eliecer Alvarado in 1968

How my grandfather's (Pasquale “Pete” Monaco) contributed to Panama-United States relations is reported in the following newspaper article from the Panama City, Florida News Herald circa 1968.
Panama City
By LIDELLE SHANNONThe keys to Panama City (Florida) will be presented
this week to the mayor of Panama City (Panama) by
the mayor of Panama City, Confusing? Perhaps.
But it's true.
Eliecer Alvarado, the mayor of the Panamanian
Republic city of Panama, received
the keys to our city Dec, 17, 1968 when Pete
Monaco, special envoy from Panama City,
Florida's Mayor John W. Silcox Jr., made
the presentation on a visit to the Republic
of Panama.
The mayor of Panama City, Republic
of Panama will arrive here April 3, accompanied
by his wife, for a return visit and "Key
to the city" presentation to Mayor Silcox
in response to the friendly overture.
Goodwill ambassador Monaco arranged
the scheduled visit here of Mayor Alvarado
and his wife, Otilda Alvarado, when he revisited
the Republic of Panama last year after
an absence of several years.
Monaco, who spent 37 years dating from
1923 to 1960 on the Panama Canal as principal
foreman of the Municipal Engineering Division,
had long planned the return trip to
his old home place. He came to the stateside
Panama City following his retirement in 1960
because his son, Dr. Ralph Monaco lives
here. His daughter, Mrs. Adelaide Seldon resides
in the other Panama City, so he hasStaff Writer
ties with both cities.
Before going on his visit, Monaco, a friendly
fellow with personality plus, asked Mayor
Silcox for a letter to the Panama mayor.
"He did better than that," Monaco said, "He
made me his personal representative to
present the keys to the mayor, which I did,
and received a Panamanian flag in return,"
Monaco related.
"Mayor Alvarado took me out to dinner
and spent a great deal of time with me,"
Monaco went on. "At Christmas time he sent
greeting to the Panama City Lion's Club
from his country." he added.
"Before I left, I sent him a letter with
an invitation to come to Panama City. Florida
preferably in the spring in hopes he'd enjoy
the water sports and the weather," Monaco
continued.
"Then I went to the administration building
and requested permission to do something
for the mayor of Panama, I asked permission
to take the mayor on a guided tour at the
Miraflores. lock, my old stomping grounds,"
Monaco went on.
"He accompanied me on the trip and
when we went into the control house, he
was allowed to maneuver the controls to open
close locked doors for the ships to go through."
Monaco stated that the Panama mayor
was very friendly, personable and responded
to the overtures of friendship readily.
Also, Monaco related, "Tommy Thomas,
chairman of the Republican Party in Panama
City (Florida-LS), gave me a letter from (Florida-LS) governor Claude
Kirk to the governor (assume meant president-LS) of the Republic of Panama,
Walter Leber, conveying Kirk's special
Christmas greetings.
The link in the chain of friendship forced
by Monaco's- love for both Panama*, his old
and new homes, has resulted in a special
relationship between the two cities, the mayors,
and their governments.
When Mayor Alvarado and his lovely wife
visit here next Thursday, the Panama City (Florida-LS)-
Bay County Chamber of Commerce will host
a reception for the distinguished couple, at
the Four Winds Restaurant where official
greetings will be exchanged between the two
countries by its representatives.

"Pete" Monaco

Lloyd’s List  http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/ports-and-logistics/article402501.ece

Japanese ship owners join Panama toll hike protest

·                                 Friday 06 July 2012, 15:43

THE Japanese Ship owners’ Association has joined the growing chorus of Asian protests against Panama Canal Authority price hikes and is claiming to have government backing for its anti-fees fight .The move comes after the Asian Ship owners’ Forum earlier this week wrote to the canal chief...

Smithson Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Tuesday afternoon seminar

Announcing the Smithson Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Tuesday afternoon seminar for July 10, 2012 at 4:00 pm in the Earl S. Tupper auditorium in Ancon:  

Speaker: Richard Condit, STRI

Title:  Species-specific responses to soil nutrients and rainfall across a community of tropical trees

Abstract:  The distribution of tropical forest vegetation is limited by climate and by soil, but understanding individual species’ responses has been hindered by high diversity. We circumvented difficulties posed by large numbers of rare species with a  hierarchical Bayesian model of species occurrence related to precipitation and individual soil nutrients in central Panama.

The results are a quantitative assessment of the community-wide impact of each resource measured as the range of responses of 551 tree species. Dry-season intensity and soil phosphorus were the strongest predictors, both impacting distributions of more than half the species, including a variety of positive and negative responses to one or both. This is the first report to isolate the simultaneous impact of soil and climate on individual tropical tree species and the beginning of developing models of forest response built with species differences.

Upcoming seminars:  

July 17:  Egbert Leigh, STRI

Title to be announced

July 24:  Rob Raguso, Cornell University

Title to be announced

July 31, Chris Jiggins

Title to be announced

Nicaragua to build canal as alternative to Panama Canal

From “The Voice of Russia”  http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_07_04/Nicaragua-alternative-Panama-Canal/

Nicaragua to build canal as alternative to Panama Canal

 The Nicaraguan MPs have adopted a law on building a canal that would prove an alternative to the Panama Canal, which is incapable of handling the increased sea traffic any more.

The new shipping route connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific is due to be built in the next 10 years. The cost of the project makes up 30 billion dollars.

The new canal construction was first thought of back in 1833. It is held that the project will prove a joint venture, with the Nicaraguan Government holding 51% of the shares.

Nicaragua said earlier that it hopes Brazil, China, Russia and Venezuela will also fund the construction. 

TASS

Panama City Trolley (street car) History

Trolley circa 1913

I’ve been wondering about the street cars (trolleys) for years since their tracks are still visible in the street of Casco Viejo and wondered when they stopped operating.  I found the following website on this subject, very interesting:   http://www.tramz.com/co/pa/pa.html   The last trolley stopped operating on Saturday night May 31, 1941 & had 20 trams & 11.2 miles of track at that time.  This article also notes that auto traffic was on the left side of the street British style until 1943.

Trolley route

Yvonne Baldelli, missing American in Bocas del Toro

Yvonne Baldelli

You maybe aware of the missing American, Yvonne Baldelli from San Diego, CA who disappeared in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Her family has been finances have been exhausted in an effort to discover what happened to her.

The following is from the http://panama-guide.com/
“family members have created a fund and are asking for donations to help them pay for travel expenses and legal fees. Most of them live in the United States and they have had to come down to Panama to search for Yvonne, and to speak with the DIJ detectives, the local FBI agents at the US Embassy in Panama City, and the prosecutors of the Public Ministry in David. In addition they will have to hire a local Panamanian attorney to help oversee and manage the case for them here in Panama. All of these things cost money, and this is not a rich family. Yvonne’s disappearance has already stretched them to the breaking point. Her father, James Faust and his wife Lillian are members of our community of English speaking expatriates here in Panama. Many people have said “…if there’s anything I can do to help…” – well, there is. Please visit this website - www.findyvonnebaldelli.com/Support.html - and make a donation.

High Tides Warning Between July 2nd & July 8th, 2012

From the U.S Embassy in Panama:

High Tides Between July 2nd And July 8th 2012
To: <llseldon@verizon.net>
The Director of SINAPROC has issued a safety warning to all persons living in Panama concerning the high tides of 15.7 to 17.3 feet that will be occurring between July 2nd and July 8th and the accompanying strong swells that may make it more dangerous to be on the ocean during that time. He is advising everyone to use caution and make sure that they are wearing the life jackets required by the Panamanian Marine Authority when they go near the water.
------------------------
For updated information on the security situation in Panama, please contact the American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy at (011)-507-317-5030. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located in Clayton, Building 783, in the Clayton section of Panama. The Embassy web site is http://panama.usembassy.gov/ and e-mails should be addressed to Panama-ACS@state.gov. The after-hours and emergency phone number is (011)-507-317-5000.

La Estencia B&B, best B&B in the Panama City area.



Owners' Gastavo & Tammy Lu, wonderful people



La Estencia B&B, Cerro Ancon

La Estencia B&B, conveniently located to good shopping, casino, restaurants/cafes, supermarket, drug stores, etc.  My favorite Bed & Breakfast in the old Canal Area is located on the old U.S. military Southern Command Headquarters area on Ancon Hill. Owned by a great Asian couple, Gastavo & Tammy Lu, it is an old U.S Military NCO quarters building converted to a B&B. Great animal watching at breakfast from their balcony.

Office: 314-1417&1604 email:

stay@bedandbreakfastpanama.com Website: www.bedandbreakfastpanama.com

www.panoramicpanama.com