December 23, 2024

PANAMA CITY - Day 1 - HoHo Bus ( hop on, hop off)

Panama City is such a huge place we thought the best way to get the overview would be the Hop On Hop Off bus. The down side was they only had 2 buses running the 16 stop route and there was a ton of traffic everywhere due to the holidays and the wait time at spots was really long with an app that did not give accurate info. Regardless a lot of other fellow residents had the same idea - so our core group of 8 was constantly fluctuating. 

Scott & I jumped off bus at Panama Canal Museum. They had an excellent IMAX movie on the history of the Canal narrated by Morgan Freeman - we had a lot of laughs, as we tried to see IMAX over 3 intervals - last 1/2 - first 1/3 then somewhere in middle - whille we tried to catch the next buses on route. After 2 failed attempts we took a taxi to Old City. We did get a nice Air Conditioning break, restrooms and cold beverages. Did I say it was stinking HOT with really uncomfortable seats on the HOHO Bus!?!

Old City was quaint with 7 churches all connected by underground tunnels, cobblestone streets, and lots of quaint shops, restaurants and hotels.

One of the churches had the most unique Cresh / Nativity Setups I have ever seen.

By Pat Patrick April 18, 2026
I was so excited to do my first night dive at Eco Cove Resort . It was a gorgeous night and we went into the water off the Resort jetty around 7pm. Each diver has a flash light / torch. It is a whole new experience in the water after dark, tons of activity from things that are generally hidden or sleeping during the day. I had no idea that lobsters dart / swim quickly thru the water, like an octopus - I thought they only crawled like a crab! We saw a two foot lobster, fly by right away. Lion fish were plentiful, floating in from all directions!
By Pat Patrick April 18, 2026
Raja Ampat is amazing - everytime I dive or even snorkel I see so many new fish or coral. The landscapes below water is so varied - walls, reefs, ridges, rims or plateaus and teaming with wildlife - it makes the Great Barrier Reef of Australia just so-so! Before each dive we get a briefing on the boat of the landscape, best approach and highlights typically seen in area.
By Pat Patrick April 18, 2026
Meal time is social time too! Our group occupies one long 10 seater - our 8 plus other Resort guest we have bonded with over the days. Drinks usually are a precusor to dinner, right after our daily dive / snorkel briefing 6:30 pm. Very few meals have been duplicated over our 2 week stay. The staff loves to make things fun, they always have big smiles and music for all to enjoy!