A Panama Guide

The official transfer of leadership of the Panamanian government is now less than a month away.  Currently sitting President Martin Torrijos and member of the ruling PRD party are currently rushing too cross their final “t’s” and dotting their final “i’s” before the last remnants of their power slips away at 4 months and 10 months into power.

Back in 2004, the Panamanian Constitution was amended.  Their were several large changes such as the removal of the position of Second Vice-President (looks like Rubén Arosemena will be the last one) and most importantly the start date of new government was moved from a September 1 start date to July 1.

This however this did not stop the National Assembly from attempting to pay themselves for the extra two months of not working.  Considering legislators are paid handsomely above the general population – paying legislators two months of salary for sitting around and watching reruns on TV was not popular.  So much so that the Panamanian National Comptroller had to step in and say it would be illegal to pay legislators for working.  Nice try guys.

In the end, Panama gets a new president in Martinelli and gets to flush out some of the flotsam from its government a little earlier this time around.  Let’s hope Martinelli’s government won’t need a flushing in 5 years or earlier.

Tags: 2014, election, government, martinelli

According to a study conduct at the Field Museum in Chicago, several species of raptors were measured and the Panamanian Champ the Harpy Eagle, only placed tops on 1 out of the 7 measurements and that was for talon size.  Other studies have placed the Harpy Eagle as the largest due to it’s bulk compared to the Philippine Eagles (the top eagle on 5 out of the 7 measurements), however when compared to the Steller’s Sea Eagle that breeds on the Russian Kamchatka peninsula which has been recorded at weighing in at 28 pounds – the Harpy once again places second.

Philippine v. Harpy in Field Museum study:

Total Length (from tip of bill to tip of longest tail feather):
1. Philippine Eagle (average) = 1021 mm or 1.021 meter
2. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle (average) = 900.75 mm or 0.90075 meter
3. Golden Eagle (single) = 884 mm
4. Kenyan Eagle (single) = 855 mm
5. American Bald Eagle (single) = 829 mm

Bill Gape
1. Philippine Eagle = 73.66 mm
2. American Bald Eagle = 71 mm
3. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 64.75 mm
4. Golden Eagle = 60 mm
5. Kenyan Eagle = 55 mm

Bill Culmen
1. Philippine Eagle = 72.33 mm
2. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 51 mm
3. American Bald Eagle = 50 mm
4. Golden Eagle = 45 mm
5. Kenyan Eagle = 45 mm

Bill Height
1. Philippine Eagle = 50.66 mm
2. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 36 mm
3. American Bald Eagle = 33 mm
4. Kenyan Eagle = 33 mm
5. Golden Eagle = 27 mm

Tarsus (Foot length)
1. Philippine Eagle = 145 mm
2. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 121.25 mm
3. Kenyan Eagle = 115 mm
4. Golden Eagle = 110 mm
5. American Bald Eagle = 95 mm

Talon (Hind toe claw)
1. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 64.75 mm (yeah we’re number one!)
2. Kenyan Eagle = 62 mm
3. Philippine Eagle = 55.66 mm
4. Golden Eagle = 55 mm
5. American Bald Eagle = 39 mm

Wing Chord (from bend or shoulder to tip of longest primary feather)
1. Golden Eagle = 654 mm
2. Philippine Eagle = 608.66 mm
3. American Bald Eagle = 570 mm
4. Kenyan Eagle = 545 mm
5. Panama Champ/Harpy Eagle = 544.75 mm

Sorry Champ, you aren’t the largest Eagle, but I still wouldn’t want to mess with you!

Tags: harpy eagle, jungle, Nature

While in Panama City, you may come across someone mentioning the phrase “by Einstein’s head.” This has been, for the past 40 years, a famous point of reference for those giving directions.  The phrase refers to the sculpture of Dr. Albert Einstein that resides in the area that has always be named Plaza Einstein in honor of the famous scientist. In 1967, the Hebrew Central Common Counsel of Panama presided by Moses A. Mizachi decided to honor Doctor Einstein by commissioning Carlos Arboleda to create a monument.  The presiding, President Max del Valle, inaugurated the sculpture, which was composed of marble dust and cement, on January 25, 1968. Einstein’s Head is located at the intersection of three streets: Calle Arturo Motta, Calle F, and Calle San Juan Bautista de La Salle.  Presently, the Department of Ornato y Medio Ambiente del Municipio de Panama is in charge of maintaining the monument, which includes planting plants, cleaning, and painting the area.

One of the favorite meals to eat in Panama is sancocho.  While there are many recipes for sancocho, here is a simple one for you to enjoy.

1 entire chicken, cut into pieces
3 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon of minced cilantro
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3 garlic-minced cloves
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 large chopped onion
2 large carrots chopped
2 corncobs cut into quarters
3 lbs yucca/cassava chopped
4 cups chicken stock

Rinse the chicken.
In a bowl, mix the salt, pepper, cilantro, oregano, garlic, and olive oil. Rub the mix on chicken and allow marinading for 10 minutes.
Heat a pot over medium heat.  Place chicken in pot
Heat a large pot over medium heat. Place the chicken in the pot, place a lid on it, and allow it to simmer for 7 minutes.
Add onion and chicken stock. Allow soup to boil and simmer until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Add the carrots, corncob and yucca.
Bring pot to gentle simmer and cook until the carrots, corn and yucca are cooked thoroughly (approximately 10 minutes).
Serve with rice and enjoy.

Tags: Panama, recipe

Guarare town is the district head of the Guarare district. Its name is derived from a native chief who ruled the area in 1516.

Residents of Guarare are very proud of their traditions and rejoice in celebrating each year, the famous “Festival de la Mejorana”, with music presentations, competitions, folkloric dances, singing of “Decimas” (rhythmic singing), Panamanian style bull fights (the bull does not get killed or injured), an ox drawn wagons parade, and many other folkloric expressions. This festival was first proposed by the Professor Manuel F. Zarate and promoted by colleagues in 1949, and has been celebrated ever since. Another example of their love for their traditions is the grand variety of handicrafts created by residents of Guarare. At Guarare, one can find beautiful very fine embroidery and weavings. Some of the best “Fondas” (typical small Panamanian cuisine restaurants) in the country are found in Guarare serving the best: “Sancocho” (Panamanian typical chicken soup), “Tortillas”, pork and salads.

Lodging options are limited to: Hotel Eida (Tel: 994-5411) and Hotel La Mejorana (Tel: 994-5794).

Tags: carnival, folklore, Los Santos, Panama, parades

Located less than an hour from Panama City is Cerro Azul were you will find mist, fresh breezes, low temperatures, lush forests, and close contact with.  Cerro Jefe at 1,000 meters above sea level is the highest point in the Cerro Azul Mountains.  From this vantage point, one can enjoy spectacular views of the Panama Canal and if you are lucky, you will be able to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the same time.  Located in the mountains of the District of Panama, inside the Chagres National Park, Cerro Azul is extremely popular with vacationers during holidays.

Getting there.

Take the Via Tocumen or Corridor Sur towards the Tocumen International Airport, when you arrive at the Hotel Riande Continental located just before the Airport, take the bypass road to the right of the hotel.  Continue on this road towards the town 24 of December.  Once at 24 of December, go approximately 1.8kms and you will find the entrance to Cerro Azul on your right hand.

Where you can find lodging?

There are several options however I would recommend the Hostal Casa de Campo http://www.panamacasadecampo.com, a beautiful and quiet place to enjoy nature, but with class and style.

Tags: Cerro Azul, Escape, Humidity, Panama City

The creation of the Panama Canal that connected the two oceans meant that Panama would be divided in half. This created a problem at the opening of the Canal in 1914.

The creation of the Puente de las Americas in 1962 assuredly reconnected the two parts of the country and replaced the old cumbersome ferry system that has been in place. However due to population growth, it was recognized that an additional crossing would be necessary. After abundant diligence, the project to design and assemble the new bridge was awarded to two German companies. Bilfinger Berger was selected to create the actually span created by Leonhardt Andra and Partner. The plan culminated in 29 months with an absolute cost of $104,337,000 and was inaugurated by President Mireya Moscoso on August 15, 2004.

The arch is stretched cable stayed fabricated of concrete and steel with six lanes. The length is 1,053 meters and is 80 meters aloft from the Canal. The Puente Centenario is one part of a avant-garde artery arrangement the unites the Pan-American Artery in Arraijjan with the highway from Paraiso, the Corredor Norte, the Panama-Colon Artery and the Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro.

Tags: Panama Canal, Panama City, Puente Centenario

Coiba Island National Park was created in 1991. Reaching Coiba Island takes 50 minutes via airplane or 10 hours by car from Panama City. Located on the island are a biological station, two watchtowers located at Cerro Santa Cruz and Cerro La Torre, and some of the best scuba diving spots in the Western Hemisphere. Through the years Coiba Island has been the home of pirates, prisoners and even pre-Colombian inhabitants from as far as 2500 years ago.

To reach the island one must travel through Santiago, and then follow the road that leads to Puerto Mutis. From Puerto Mutis depending on the type of boat and weather a 2 to 4 hour boat ride is necessary to reach the park. A small airstrip on Coiba Island allows accession by air. Before visiting Coiba Island, permission must first be granted from the Penal Correction Division of the Ministry of Government and Justice and the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (ANAM).

The park on Coiba encompasses an area of several islands totaling 270,125 hectares, of which 216,543 are located at sea. Coiba at 50,314 hectares is the largest of these islands making it the largest not only in Panama but of Central America. Some of these lesser known islands Canal de Afuera, Pajaros, Uva, Jicaron, Brincanco and Jicaron. These islands combined with Coiba are 53,582 hectares.

As much as 80% of Coiba is covered by original vegetation as a former penal colony dating back to 1919 limited the amount of deforestation.

Tags: Coiba, Pacific Islands, Veraguas

Tags: Rain

In 1965, the United States of America Air Force built a tower to operate a powerful radar in order to protect the Panama Canal. Constructed on the very strategic Semafor Hill, inside the present day Soberania National Park, the Canopy Tower is very close to the Continental Divide.

The 4 stories high tower is the perfect observatory to appreciate the canopy of Panama’s dense jungles, the animals that dwell within and view parts of the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal and Culebra Cut.

The lower lodges level has six double rooms, each with showers with hot water for visitors. The ground floor has a gallery exhibiting a presentation by the Smithsonian Institute with regards to the diversity of flora and fauna inside of Soberania National Park.

Transportation is available for visitors to the Canopy Tower from the airport and from Panama City. For more information call: Tel: (507) 264-5720 or Cell: (507) 6612-9176.

Tags: Bird Watching, National Parks, Nature