Visiting Panama

Author Message   Tony Cabrera Senior Member Username: Tonyc Post Number: 1560 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 83.36.7.117 Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 07:26 am:    CanDoEZ, Agree with Dale. Unfortunately it's always been like that. I was at Albrook AB, adjacent to Balboa in the Pacific side, and it was wonderful. Happy travels!   Dale Jones Intermediate Member Username: Airmandale Post Number: 78 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 98.231.201.20 Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 11:00 pm:    Can Do, Sorry you went to the wrong place. Go to anywhere except Colon. I am glad your friends didn't stay in Colon! Don't worry the sun is still shining!   CanDoEZ Intermediate Member Username: Daytona_john Post Number: 123 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 97.104.246.40 Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 12:43 pm:    I don't mean to rain on this parade but we just got off a cruise that stopped at Colon, Panama. We took a tour to the Gatun Locks, went to the old Military Base, the Panama Canal civilian housing area, the old School of the America's and a portion of the new locks. In MHO Colon is no paradise. Can't see myself living here. Those who went to the Pacific side of Panama came back very impressed.   Tony Cabrera Senior Member Username: Tonyc Post Number: 1556 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 83.36.7.117 Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 03:01 pm:    Folks, too bad there aren't many space-a possibilities to Panamá, since we could have one of our future S&S's down there. It would be lots of fun. Happy travels!   Dale Jones Intermediate Member Username: Airmandale Post Number: 77 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 98.231.201.20 Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 11:04 am:    Denny, That was great info which John Brooks gave to you. Good job John! In addition, some of the hotels will give you a terrific deal for a long term stay. I booked into one a few years ago for a month and they cut the cost of room from $40 to $20. I forget the name of the hotel but it is across the street from the Martin Fierro Steak Restaurant in Panama City. Also there was a couple in a room across from me in Hotel California who stays there months of the year and I know they were not paying the same rate as I. They were retired and were probably getting the retired rate (please see below). Before you leave for Panama on your first "reconnaissance" trip, learn a little spanish (this will open a whole bunch of doors, wider)and then when you get to Panama, mix in with the locals. They will know where the deals are. As for transportation for a few months a year, unless the deal is fantastic, I would not buy a car for travel in Panama City. You can taxi to most parts of town for around $2. If you want to go out of town for a few days, there are plenty of rental car opportunities. Panama has some fantastic benefits for retirees and extend those further for tourist retirees. Mucho discounts on flights, hotels, restaurants, movie theaters, services etc. There are probably articles about this program on the Panama Guide.com website. I only have superficial knowledge about it, but I know it is there and I will become very knowledgeable in the near future as I will be applying for the tourist retiree visa. (Denny, I will probably be asking you about it!!!) Here is a website "Vivendo en Panama" (Living in Panama)which is a discussion board full of expats living in Panama who can explain the program better and has alot of info about other topics pertaining to Panama living. You will need to register, but is presumed safe to register. http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/viviendo_en_panama/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub =groups&sec=dir&slk=1 There are also several support groups/org's in Panama. There are several VFW Posts there. The VFW Service office is in Hospital Nacionale, Room 110. If you are not a VFW, they will still gladly help you. There is also a VFW Service Office in Hospital Punta Pacifica (new). These two hospitals are very proficient with VA Foreign Medical Program and TriCare Standard. They treat veterans very well. Here's a website (I think it is from American Legion in Panama) about Hospital Nacionale http://www.amlegion-mexico.org/ServiceOfficer/Health%20Care%20For%20Veterans%20i n%20Panama.html If you need dental work, I used Dr Charley Garcia's clinic on Avenida Balboa. When I filed my claim on US dental insurance, I was paid faster than when I went to my local dentist. I'm sure there are others there just as good, but he worked for the Army at Gorgas so I could relate to him. I hope this info helps.   John David Brooks Advanced Member Username: Johnb6597 Post Number: 362 Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 121.55.235.75 Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 06:02 am:    Greetings, Denny: A quick Google search for "Panama long-term rentals" revealed a wealth of information on housing options for an extended visit to Panama. You shouldn't have any problems finding something suitable to your needs. Many listings are available at rates below $50 (USD) per day. While speaking with any of these property management businesses, if you mention an interest in having a vehicle available for your use or buying one, I'm sure one of them will point you in a positive direction.   Denny Knott Senior Member Username: Degause01 Post Number: 1357 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 98.183.26.167 Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 02:28 am:    Dale, et al Thank you all for the information. I can hardly wait to get the opportunity to visit Panama. Regarding lodging I do have a couple of questions? 1- What can I expect in costs for long term lodging, e.g., 3mos or longer? 2- Is transportation readily available or what is the possibility of buying a jalopy if we were going to make a habit of coming back every year? Thanks again everyone. Dale, your last comment of your first post said it...now I'm need more info...... :-)   Mervin J LeBlanc Senior Member Username: Merv Post Number: 475 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 74.248.126.191 Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 02:08 am:    Dale - Thanks for the additional info, and yes, the President Carter/Torrijos agreement did us all in. I was there in 1984-1985, with the Engineers, and we flew in to Howard AFB, stayed at Ft Kobbe for awhile, then went to the boondocks via Santiago to build roads, bridges, clinics, small schools. I made a trip by myself to the Torrijos Airport one night, very unforgettable, to pick some soldiers who flew in commercial. 1984 was the first year that Panama had "free elections", Noreiga (don't know if I spelled his name correctly) was head of the Panama Defense Force, which included everything, the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police Force, Fireman, and he was one of the candidates running for President. I met the little pock faced squirt one day when he flew into our camp on his white Huey, one of the two aircraft in the Air Force. Also met the Communist canidate (he wanted to know where we were building the missle silo's). I can still see the Cuban trawlers fishing off the Pacific coast, and the Russion Sub that would come up about every three days to charge it's batteries (just happened to be near where we were working). If I am not mistaken, Noreiga was Torrijos' son in law. Rumor had it that he had Torrijos done away with so he could run for President, then this may be an old wives tale. Lot of good it did him, look where he is now. This story wasn't meant to be political, some facts, some rumors, and a little humor.   FHYL Advanced Member Username: Fhyl Post Number: 362 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 68.68.131.47 Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 10:47 am:    Rodman, fueling ships? Most likely, It was a location for US refueling before the PC turnover. FHYL Def Fuel Supply Center Fuel Fac. Engr., now Cat VI   Dale Jones Intermediate Member Username: Airmandale Post Number: 76 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 98.231.201.20 Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 10:10 am:    Mervin, Hey no problem about the typo. I knew exactly what you were asking. You are exactly correct about Dr. Gorgas. He did a tremendous amount of work to eradicate the malaria and yellow fever problems during the canal's construction and later, the Army hospital in Panama City was re-named for him. Here's a Wikipedia website about him http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_C._Gorgas I did a little research yesterday and now Gorgas Hospital is The National Oncologic Institute or ION (Spanish: Instituto Oncologico Nacional) is a specialized hospital for cancer treatment. Rodman Navy Base, as with all other US military installations in Panama, has been handed over to the Panama. This is per the Presidents' Carter/Torrijos agreement back in 1977, which was to be implemented prior to the year 2000. (Sorry, I can't get political here.) The ship was probably only going there for fuel as I think Rodman is now a fuel terminal, although I am not definite about that operation.   Mervin J LeBlanc Senior Member Username: Merv Post Number: 474 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 74.248.126.191 Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 02:17 am:    Dale - sorry I wrote Gorges instead of Gorgas, which, I think, the hospital was named after a physician associated with yellow fever when the Canal was built - am I correct. Also, is Rodman still a Navy Base for Panama?   Dale Jones Intermediate Member Username: Airmandale Post Number: 75 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 98.231.201.20 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 08:08 pm:    Mervin asked, "I wonder is Gorges Hospital is still there." Mervin, Gorgas was given to Panama in the treaty. They have some medical projects going on there but I don't know exactly what they are doing. Research? Med clinics? Don't know, but it is there! Of course it has a new name. I forgot to say earlier, but I was on Amador about a month ago and was watching some ships at the mouth of the canal. One of those was painted battleship gray and my Panama Canal pilot friend who I was with, said it was a US Navy ship going to Rodman. I guess he knows since he has to drive them.   Tony Cabrera Senior Member Username: Tonyc Post Number: 1551 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 88.9.192.152 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 08:00 pm:    Anyone remembers visiting the San Blas Islands? Buying their craftworks? Something you must see if visit in the future. Happy travels!   Mervin J LeBlanc Senior Member Username: Merv Post Number: 473 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 74.248.126.191 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 07:37 pm:    Ahh - You guys have my mouth watering and my memories flowing - all thoes places, Howard AFB, Ft Kobbe, Ft Clayton, Colon, Rodman Navy Base: I wonder is Gorges Hospital is still there. I can still smell the outdoor market in Santiago. I would not eat sushi, but used to devour ceviche (made from the corvina fish I think) and Langastina (next best thing to crawfish I ever ate), lobsters as good or better than Maine, and good old Balboa beer (used to cost two balboa quarters). If you drive to Colon, drive down the coast to the small village of Porta Bella with the fort still intact and the Church with the pigs and chickens walking around in it - beautiful beaches in between Colon and Porta Bella. I remember driving accross the Ismus following the Panama Canal, at some point, we had to turn off the air conditioner and roll down the windows due to the climate change from the Pacific to the other side.   Dale Jones Intermediate Member Username: Airmandale Post Number: 74 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 98.231.201.20 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 04:15 pm:    Hey Tony and John, et al, Those senoritas are still there. (Anyhow they were last month!) I have never seen so many beautiful people in such a small place in my life! a. Albrook is now a major part of Panama City. It has the mini airport which was at Paitilla, a major shopping mall, bus terminal and it is unbelievable how the locals re-habbed the base housing. You should see Amador Causeway. That is part of Donald Trumps scheme. You would not recognize it. The old Yacht Club burned down (boo!). b. Clayton is a business park. The US Embassy moved to there from Avineda Balboa. It has some colleges on it, medical facilities and business offices. c. Howard/Kobbe is going to become a mini city. Malls housing etc. d. There are now a few major bypasses in the city. To the airport now is a piece of cake. Also a new bypass on Avineda Balboa from Paitilla towards Chorillo. You do not need to go through Avineda Central now to get to the bridge. e. The train and its tracks to Colon have been replaced. (The old one was more fun!) The purpose was to transport cargo across the isthmus instead of the ships going through the canal. There are mixed stories if the plan is successful. My friend who is Canal pilot says it's not working but he is biased.   Tony Cabrera Senior Member Username: Tonyc Post Number: 1550 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 88.9.192.152 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 01:51 pm:    John David, And.... some of the most beautiful "señoritas" and the "cumbia" came from the Chiriquí Province. What a dream...those old days!   John David Brooks Advanced Member Username: Johnb6597 Post Number: 360 Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 121.55.235.75 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 02:09 am:    I was stationed at Fort Clayton from 1996 to 1999 and loved every minute I spent there. Don't forget to order ceviche made right at your table with fresh tilapia!!! I'm not a raw fish kinda guy, but I'll eat fresh Panamanian ceviche washed down with Balboa all night long. If you're in country long enough to do it and you have wheels, driving up to the small town of Volcan in the Chiriqui province is worth the trip. 1 day to get there, 1 or 2 days to enjoy the local area, then 1 day back down. Great food, wonderful people in small villages, and tons of really nice shopping. The hand-crafted stuff they make is amazing up there.   REDLEG Advanced Member Username: Redleg99999 Post Number: 180 Registered: 01-2007 Posted From: 99.194.184.155 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 01:44 am:    I would have attached pictures but they have too many kilobytes.   REDLEG Advanced Member Username: Redleg99999 Post Number: 179 Registered: 01-2007 Posted From: 99.194.184.155 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 01:43 am:    Panama is absolutly one of the most beautiful places on earth. I was stationed at Ft Kobbe ,67 to69, a stop in RVN in between. Kobbe was inland Pacific side next to Howard AFB.A Seperate 105mm How Btry DS to the 193 Inf Bde. Hq on Kobbe. Make sure you go to Taboga Island. Take the train(if it still runs) across to Colon(Atlantic).Check out the canal widening project.Maybe "EL BOMBARDE" at the El Panama.(huge organ). if it still there the Casa de Mariscos.Drink Cervesa Atlas or Balboa,Ron Cortez and coke. I remember the Observation Post overlooking the canal at the Galliard Cut. Great Army binos looking at bikini's on cruise ships. Oh well the good old days right. You will enjoy the trip. My wife and I love Panama. Too bad space a is not like when USARSO was there. Oh well!!! HaVE FUN   Dale Jones Intermediate Member Username: Airmandale Post Number: 73 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 98.231.201.20 Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 12:07 am:    Denny, It is my pleasure; it's always a pleasure to help a veteran.   Denny Knott Senior Member Username: Degause01 Post Number: 1352 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 98.183.26.167 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 11:13 pm:    Dale, Thanks much for your input and advice.   Tony Cabrera Senior Member Username: Tonyc Post Number: 1548 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 88.9.192.152 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 10:45 pm:    Dale, Yes I was at Albrook, assigned to the USAF School for Latin America, 1963-65. Very good assignment. Happy travels!   Dale Jones Intermediate Member Username: Airmandale Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 98.231.201.20 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 09:59 pm:    Tony, Thank you. I try to tell it like it is. Were you at Albrook? (I worked on Howard--civilian.)   Tony Cabrera Senior Member Username: Tonyc Post Number: 1545 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 88.9.192.152 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 07:39 pm:    Never seen a better description of a place to visit than this one presented by Dale Jones. I think it's excellent and for anyone wishing to visit Panamá now or in the future, just follow his instructions and you wouldn't go wrong. To Dale, thanks; to others, happy travels!   Dale Jones Intermediate Member Username: Airmandale Post Number: 71 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 98.231.201.20 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 02:59 pm:    Denny asked, "Where are some of the places for lodging in Panama? ... Also, what other kinds of activities are available?" Denny, Panama is really a secret paradise with sunshine, palm trees, oceans on the sides (and the ditch going down the middle). Their tourist industry has not really taken off yet, but they are trying really hard. Fishing for Peacock Bass in the canal or its lake (Lake Gatun) is fantastic, go early, fish until noon and sight see or beach or shop or eat or drink or whatever for the remainder of the day. Of course there's the canal which you could do an excursion or visit the locks (interesting) and watch the ships. MiraFlores locks is best for this as its dry land area is tailored for the visitor. Shopping in Panama is also fantastic. Cheap! Also spanish history and churches are interesting there. Dining out in Panama is great. Good food and cheap. I usually try to eat a meal or two per day with the working locals (for around $3). They also have the $25 per plate type of restaurants, which sometimes is mandatory fun to go to those. As with alot of places, keep your street smarts in place. No flashing the cash and gold! Oh and if you need some medical work done, you can get it there. It's top of the line, with US trained docs and I have always received better care there than in the US, (also, either cheap or free!). I just finished some extensive dental work there (my dentist previously worked for US Army!) and my US insurance paid. As for lodging, I usually stay at Hotel California in Panama City. There are big name expensive hotels like Sheraton, Hilton, etc, in which I have stayed but I prefer this 3 star. It is a basic clean room for around $38 (it was much cheaper a couple years ago). That is all I needed as I didn't go to Panama to stay in my room! There are also all-inclusive resorts for lodging and get-aways, few days trips, Decameron and Playa Blanca. Here's a website which will tell you much more. The owner is a retired USAF veteran and doesn't worry so much about telling the news politically correct (ie, you may find a swear word in a paragraph now and again, or again and again). http://www.panama-guide.com/index.php Also here's a Panama Canal website with live web cameras (click on webcameras): http://www.pancanal.com/eng/index.html I hope this helped. PS, Panama is also a good place to retire.