Welcome to Panama! I reached the Costa Rica/ Panama border around midday on the 08.02.'06. I cycled down the highway in the midday heat before being greeted by the army! They were friendly 'chaps' who just wanted to talk and remind me not to cycle through the dangerous Darièn jungle near the Colombian border. "We mean it! it is very dangerous" was said to me numerous times. It was just about 2 weeks ago that two Spanish guys got kidnapped. I did not have the intention to cycle down there in anyway because there is no road through to Colombia! I cycled on to 'David', the second largest city in Panama where I rested for a day and enjoyed a movie at a cinema. Something else for a change! After 'David', the countryside becomes very beautiful for the next 200km with only a few little villages along the way.
10.02.'06: Kruger National Park in South Africa or the Pan-American highway?
Like in most parts of Central America, one always finds a place to sleep! I hardly never worry about the next days destination. People are kind and let you pitch your tent under their patio, on their lawn etc etc. If things would go wrong I could always ask the police if I could sleep in one of their cells!
11.02.'06: The scenery along the Pan-American highway through Panama!
13.02.'06: I made it! 'Puente de las Américas' (The bridge of the Americas) over the Panama Canal, marking the end of my long 15400km journey through North America.
13.02.'06: Panama City with the 'Cocaine Towers' in the background! I will let you guess why these skyscrapers are nicknamed 'Cocaine Towers'!
16.02.'06: Panama City seen from the old section of the town 'Casco Antiguo'.
left: The renovated streets in 'Casco Antiguo'. 'Casco Antiguo' however also has another face! Walking down the side alleys is very dangerous and some sections look more like a slum than a beautiful colonial part of the city. However, more and more of the old section is being renovated, making this part of the city very special!
Not far south of Panama City, the Pan-American comes to an end and the jungle takes over! There is no road through the Darièn gap (jungle on the Colombian border) and to hike through on the trail is extremely dangerous. (My name is not Arnold Schwarzenegger on a mission to free someone!!!). My decision has always been to fly over this area and continue in Ecuador. I plan to start cycling at latitude: 0-0'-0" (equator) and then head south from there.
16.02.'06: It took me hours to dismantle and clean the bike and trailer, due to the fact that a number of screws were rusted into the frame! On arrival in Quito my bike will be reassembled with new gear/break shifters, front cog-wheel shifter and new cables due to wear and tear!
Something that one is not allowed to miss while in the Panama City region, is one of the biggest engineering works of the 20th century - the Panama Canal. I have a page regarding this, see: The Panama Canal. Previous stage see: Costa Rica, Next stage see: Ecuador
Welcome to Panama! I reached the Costa Rica/ Panama border around midday on the 08.02.'06. I cycled down the highway in the midday heat before being greeted by the army! They were friendly 'chaps' who just wanted to talk and remind me not to cycle through the dangerous Darièn jungle near the Colombian border. "We mean it! it is very dangerous" was said to me numerous times. It was just about 2 weeks ago that two Spanish guys got kidnapped. I did not have the intention to cycle down there in anyway because there is no road through to Colombia! I cycled on to 'David', the second largest city in Panama where I rested for a day and enjoyed a movie at a cinema. Something else for a change! After 'David', the countryside becomes very beautiful for the next 200km with only a few little villages along the way.
10.02.'06: Kruger National Park in South Africa or the Pan-American highway? 
Like in most parts of Central America, one always finds a place to sleep! I hardly never worry about the next days destination. People are kind and let you pitch your tent under their patio, on their lawn etc etc. If things would go wrong I could always ask the police if I could sleep in one of their cells!
11.02.'06: The scenery along the Pan-American highway through Panama!
13.02.'06: I made it! 'Puente de las Américas' (The bridge of the Americas) over the Panama Canal, marking the end of my long 15400km journey through North America. 
13.02.'06: Panama City with the 'Cocaine Towers' in the background! I will let you guess why these skyscrapers are nicknamed 'Cocaine Towers'!
16.02.'06: Panama City seen from the old section of the town 'Casco Antiguo'.
left: The renovated streets in 'Casco Antiguo'. 'Casco Antiguo' however also has another face! Walking down the side alleys is very dangerous and some sections look more like a slum than a beautiful colonial part of the city. However, more and more of the old section is being renovated, making this part of the city very special!
16.02.'06: It took me hours to dismantle and clean the bike and trailer, due to the fact that a number of screws were rusted into the frame! On arrival in Quito my bike will be reassembled with new gear/break shifters, front cog-wheel shifter and new cables due to wear and tear!