It’s been 10 years since our last visit to Panama City and stay in the Casco Viejo area and we find it very much changed. There is a Starbucks now (but no McDonald’s- phew); the derelict building that once stood across the plaza from our hotel is now a beautiful condo; the hamburger joint where we unknowingly risked food poisoning for what we recall one of the best hamburgers ever is long gone; and good, inexpensive restaurants are everywhere.

There are housing bargains to be had here, rentals seem abundant and reasonable, they use the US Dollar as legal tender, and supposedly the health is very good and cheap. Hummmmm, a haven for the next four years?

Off to see the Miraflores locks on the canal (again) today. A real marvel of engineering.