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 • October 11, 2026
During our two years of sailing we have had several Shipmates come and go for a variety of reasons. Their health, has sadly been the reason for many departures. Cindy Harvey , would have loved to have lived out her days here on the Odyssey and even bought a second cabin and had an adjoining door added, to have a care provider, stay with her full time. However, Cindy's limited mobility, pain and confinement got to be too much - so she left us a few months ago. She went to an assisted living facility, on the coast of Oregon, to be near her family. Tragically she fell, was trying to recover, slipped into a coma and sadly passed away this week.
By Pat Patrick • October 8, 2026
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum is the world's largest hand carved wooden castle, located on the coast of Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand . Conceived in 1981 by Thai visionary Khun Lek Viriyaphun the structure is built entirely from 4 types of wood - Teak, Mai Daeng, Mai Takien & Mai Panchaat and put together using Thai nailless wood joinery - mainly dovetails, carrying poles and tongue & groove. We started the tour in the workshop where the artisan, mainly woman, were hard at work. Since conception, the Museum has been an active construction site, thus we all wore hardhats! The artisans continue handcarving sculptures and columns, daily and will most likely continue for years to come.
By Pat Patrick • October 7, 2026
We just had 5 days in the Port of Laem Chabang , Thailand. When we were here in mid-July, we spent that time exploring Bangkok, which is about a 2 hour drive NW of Port. This time we went to explore Pattaya which is south of Port on coast just about 45 minutes drive. Our fellow shipmate, party planner Eddie put together a fun Friday night touring the Pattaya walking street drag shows. He even recommended a hotel he had stayed at before that was right in the same area and a great location for the beach, bars and restaurants. All we had to do was book a room, show up & have fun!