I was firstly woken up by the Swedes leaving at 4 am, then by cockerels, then by a French guy setting off at 5 am for the national park bus (his parents were from Venarey les Laumes) and finally an American lorry parked outside the hotel. Eventually, I gave up on trying to sleep and I jumped on the internet for an hour. My throat was not in a good shape, so had some onions with cream cheese sandwiches for breaky. Packed down and set off for a race with time. The first 20km was very easy and full of wild life (colourful parrots, lizards, iguanas and lots of birds singing like crazy). It was very hot and humid and the hills began to make my life difficult. I had only taken 2 litres of water and nearly ran out. A road side dilapidated drink store had some warm water (the fridge was turned off) … perfect for my throat. Got 2x 500ml (only size they had). Tried my rubbish Spanish and was told that there was another 22 km to the Panamericana road (the main trunk road from Panama City all through Central America to the States). Got to the cross roads and had lunch at the petrol station. A random ex Cuban started talking to me but when he started asking me for clothes, I had to run to get some peace.
Another 35 dangerous kms on a single track main road with no hard shoulder. Luckily for me, not too many lories, just lots of private cars with duty free stuff from Golfito. Finally, totally knackered after a sweaty 107km, I arrived in Palmar Norte. On the main junction I tried the bank (too late), bakery and pharmacy to find something to help my throat - a bit of a price shocker comparing to Panamas medical prices. The hotel was really good and an English speaking guy helped me bargain 4 dollars off the original price of 16. Air con and a tele, not bad. Had a snack on the bridge at sunset and retired to indulge myself in the BBC Entertainment TV Channel. I’d managed to burn my back and arms in the sun - falling apart like an old man ….
Another 35 dangerous kms on a single track main road with no hard shoulder. Luckily for me, not too many lories, just lots of private cars with duty free stuff from Golfito. Finally, totally knackered after a sweaty 107km, I arrived in Palmar Norte. On the main junction I tried the bank (too late), bakery and pharmacy to find something to help my throat - a bit of a price shocker comparing to Panamas medical prices. The hotel was really good and an English speaking guy helped me bargain 4 dollars off the original price of 16. Air con and a tele, not bad. Had a snack on the bridge at sunset and retired to indulge myself in the BBC Entertainment TV Channel. I’d managed to burn my back and arms in the sun - falling apart like an old man ….