Days 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, January 6-7
One night in this place is one night too many, and we follow the lead of an ad in the bedside yellow pages: a move to the El Panamá is the best idea we have today, just the place to have some semblance of cleanliness brought to our already smelly wardrobe. This leaves time to stock up on provisions and to double check last night's test of beer. It must have been sheer thirst that made us stomach the PANAMA, 'cos by the light of day the taste gives more of a hint of long aging in barrels made from cardboard. The Four take a vow to restrain their fluid intake to Daiquiris and Heineken.
Day 7
After Panama City, Panama beer, the Panama hotel and the Panamericana Highway all the Pan-tastic Four and their Panheads are missing is the Panama canal.
It being sunday, the guys get into sunday school mood and find out that the Panama canal is situated next to the picturesque country of Panamá, and that it winds for over 80 km across jungle and dry land, carrying 14.000 large vessels each year, some as large as the Q.E.2. Since 1914 the canal is in business, works having been started by the french, who sold El Canal to the unsuspecting Americans after 20.000 frenchmen had died from malaria. The U.S. finished the sonuvabitch and had the first ship cross the american continent on August 14, 1914. Ever since it's been business as usual, locks opening and closing day in, day out. For example Miraflores lock, which the guys had a closer look at. If you happen to be in the area with your super tanker or mega yacht, drop by El Canal. Just be sure to call in advance Panamá-252-5463.