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Panama

Ciudad Panama

A multicultural city with lots of expats working at large corporate branches.  West

Panama Canal

Just outside of Panama City: A must for each visitor, Panama canal is the landmark and a symbol of an influential American and European colonial history. It connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean since its opening in 1914. The best time to see ships in the Panama Canal is in the early morning and late afternoon  from the observation deck of Miraflores Visitor Center at Miraflores Locks. This modern visitor center features an interactive museum about local history, construction and nowadays life of the Panama Canal. 5 min North of Miraflores Locks, on the way to Parque Nacional Soberania  are Pedro Miguel Locks with a better view on passing ships.

A public bus runs every 20min from Albrook Bus Terminal to Miraflores Locks.

San Blas

Even the 2,5 hours  4×4 jeep drive from Panama City via dramatic scenic views in the jungle of Guna Yala – the autonomous comarca (territory)  – to Puerto de Carti boat terminal is a real adventure. With its winding route and steep hills, it feels like in a roller coaster and is not for the scared.  Halfway on a checkpoint the kuna tourist tax of $10 is due.  At the boat terminal, the boat taxis visit various islands and natural swimming pools with the opportunity to spot some sea stars.

Boquete

The small town lies west of Panama in the fertile Chiriqui Province and is a famous retiring spot for US citizens due to the humid climate.  Crossing the Rio Caldera bridge, East of Parque Domingo Medica, following Avenida Buenos Aires invites for a 2 hours circuit around town with a stop in Cafe Ruiz.

Bocas del Toro

The archipelago is better known simply as Bocas, with its Caribbean-style clapboard houses and laidback vibes, invites travelers from all over the world.

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Central America

The isthmus connecting North and South America.

Panama

Panama is next to Guatemala my  favorite country in Central America.  Embracing the Isthmus and more than 1,600 islands off its Pacific and Caribbean coasts, the tropical nation’s history seemed to start with the construction of the Panama canal.

Costa Rica

Pura Vida. With its lush rain forests and national parks, wildlife and myriad of creatures, breathtaking landscapes, volcanoes, Costa Rica is worth a visit. However, it is very pricey due to, amongst others,  labor laws, establishing a powerful middle-class. The result is a stable economy due to export of bananas, coffee, sugar and beef and tourism.

Nicaragua

It is about meeting many friendly and supporting people, on the road, in a public bus or a lancha, and listening to Nicaraguan life stories. A nation with a great hospitable heart.

El Salvador

Though El Salvador is the smallest country, it has  the 3rd largest economy across Central America.

Guatemala

Guate – one of my favorites – seems the only central american nation with ancient history.  It inhabits the most active volcanoes and a breathtaking scenery.

Belize

Go slow, but move. The small country at the Caribbean coastline is full of culture, diversity and adventures.

 

Why I will go back:

Vsit Honduras – after the governmental storms becomes quiet

Hike Atenango in Guate

 

 

 

 

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Lebanon

Best of 3 days in Lebanon:

The small country Lebanon is worth a visit. It’s major tourist attractions are along the Mediterranean coastline.

Beirut

Mohammad Al-Amin mosque

St George Pool

Pigeon Rocks / Raouche

 

Around Beirut

  • Jounieh & Harissa

Our Lady of Lebanon

The Shrine with the Maria statue is on top of a hill above Harissa, 20 km outside of Beirut. The 13-ton-statue created by French, has been placed in 1908.  Access to Our Lady of Lebanon by Teleferique of Lebanon,  a cable car, one of Lebanon’s oldest and most visited tourist attractions and a scenic view along Lebanon’s coast with Beirut in the South up to Byblos in the North.

Jeita Grotto

One of the new 7 wonders, Jeita Grotto is a system of two separate karstic limestone caves. The caves are situated about 18 km north of Lebanon’s capital Beirut. In a cable car, reaching the Upper Grotto. a visit on foot of some 700 m from the cave’s total length, show the beauty of the limestone formations. The Lower Grotto with its more fascinating short boat ride, in the turquoise shining water, takes about 10 min over a distance of 400 m from the cave’s total distance of 7800 m.

Byblos

37 km North of Beirut, the ruins of Byblos belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The  coastal area at the Mediterranean Sea has been occupied between 8800 – 7000 BC and Byblos has been built as the first city in Phoenicia. Byblos is also considered as the “oldest city in the world”.

Baalbek

Mainly visited by international journalists, the Phoenician city is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre and lies in the Anti-Lebanon foothills in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley, about 85 km northeast of Beirut. In the Hellenistic period, also known as Heliopolis, the site with its colossal structures has the Temple of Bacchus and other temples. These were the biggest ever built by Romans.

Baalbek,  dominated by Shi’ites, is a relatively poor and traditional town, yet better known as one of the Hezbollah strongholds in the country.  By the time of visiting in October 2017, Baalbek is considered as “quiet”, however, the safety in the city could not be guaranteed due to the unrest in Syria. Before planning a trip, it is advised to check the latest developments in Baalbek.

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Why I would like to go back to Lebanon: Visit Baatara Waterfall Gorges