Panama
- The first point of entry in Central America
- Ok. You've got two choices. Either scroll your way south and
enjoy the ride, or click on a link below that tickles your fancy.
The Eerie8 Crew ending
- Panama Moto Rally -
Panama Zoo - The
Streets of Casco Veijo - Veracruz
Beach -Customizing random
moto parts - Isla de Taboga
Puente de las Americas, Panama City, Panama,
March 2005
The first bridge to unite the North and South of Panama City.
I didn't quite manage a clear picture. I think there was an earthquake
hence the blur. Reminds me of the upper torso and head of a cartoon
eagle with sunglasses flying west?
Central Avenue in Casco Antiguo, Panama City,
Panama, March 2005
This lonesome Swiss traveler going by the name of Morro is actually
a six year old stuck in a 24yr olds body. Mesmerised by the gumballs.
For hours he stood transfixed, umming and ahhhhing as to whether
his mum would find out if he snaffled just a few...the balls were
winking at him, calling him, shimmering their rainbow colours
for all to see. As soon as the saliva worked its way from his
lips to his striped red and blue T, theit was in the bag. Just
another sucker...
Eerie8 Crew Ending...
Casco Veijo, Panama City, Panama, March 2005
Kristoff the Giant (from the previous Cartagena
to Columbia episode), was left chained to some Kryptonite
after trying to bite the head off Ju Punk. Obvious starvation
was getting the better of him.
Eerie8, Casco Veijo, Panama City, Panama,
March 2005
I managed to wrestle this mugshot from the local Police station.
The last known glimpse of the Eerie8 Crew. A fleeting bag of bandits
who arrived by boat from Columbia only days earlier. Front shot.
Eerie8, Casco Veijo, Panama City, Panama,
March 2005
Side shot.
La Casa Grande, Casco Veijo, Panama City,
Panama, March 2005
This random shower cubicle was actually Eerie8's Dr Who inspired
method of intergalatic transportation. Caught by a frightened
shower enthusiast just before the hatch was shut, for the last
time.
La Casa Grande, Casco Veijo, Panama City,
Panama, March 2005
Tyler Pirate, Mechanic for the Eerie8 Crews Intergalatic transporter
using the hotels electricity supply to save battery power for
the long flight to VIT$5^ their home planet. Unfortunately he
was electricuted due to a " The red wire or the blue wire?"
decision gone horribly wrong.
The streets of Casco Veijo, Panama City, Panama,
March 2005
The streets have been lonely ever since their departure. But I
am sure, soon, there will be light on the horizon.
Casco Veijo, Panama City, Panama, March 2005
The last known member of the Eerie8 Crew screaming for a dental
appointment but not quite finding the pennies to make it. Any
know a good dentist looking for some pro bono work?
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Panama Moto
Rally
The Suzuki mans house in Valle de Anton, Panama,
March 2005
Once a year the motorcycling fraternity of Panama rallies together
for a barbie and beerfest provided by Lincoln the Suzuki man.
A few late model Sukukis were on the prowl. This yellow number
was quite obviously baiting me with the sly eye. "Psst, hey
buddy, wanna go for a spin?" I took the engine by the horns,
and zagged out the gate. Lincolns face strewn with concern, quite
obviously questioning whether I had ridden one before. I hadn't.
After two hours I mastered the art. Tearing up the mountainside
and sliding my way back down, getting lost and almost losing it
off various embankments. But I did find an amazing cemetery. Pictures
coming up.
The Suzuki mans house in Valle de Anton, Panama,
March 2005
One of the Chiriqui Harley boys from Panamerican Motorcycle Association
grins the laid back wanderers Harley smile.
The Suzuki mans house in Valle de Anton,
Panama, March 2005
Harley add-ons. Some people can't get enough of them. Awesome
bike if you are a fan of polished steel, leather trim, serious
battery power and an engine with lots and lots of horses running
around.
The Suzuki mans house in Valle de Anton, Panama,
March 2005
A dark avenger tries to show up Nightrider in the background.
He's just biding his time.
The Suzuki mans house in Valle de Anton, Panama,
March 2005
One of the kids chasing after me after I tore off with an ATV
(All Terrain Vehicle). Thinking he was actually going to catch
me? Nitro.
Hidden Church and Cemetery in Valle de Anton,
Panama, March 2005
ATV banditry bought me here for some soothing thoughts and calming
visions. Then I got lost in the dark on the way back.
Hidden Cemetery in Valle de Anton, Panama,
March 2005
View from the left side of the church facing the sun
Hidden Cemetery in Valle de Anton, Panama,
March 2005
Gabriels resting place.
Overlooking the hidden Cemetery in Valle de
Anton, Panama, March 2005
The last rays of light before the sky turned black. Beautiful
place.
Central Avenue in Casco Antiguo, Panama City,
Panama, March 2005
Occasionally you come across a random sign that is calling out
to be broadcast to the world.
La Casa Grande, Panama City, Panama, March
2005
My 75cent lunches have finally got the better of me. After picking
pig hairs and cartilage out of my teeth I knew, this was the last
time I was eating at that chinese restuarant again.
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The Zoo
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama,
March 2005
This little critter is a Cusumbi
Kinkajou (Potos Flavus). The pint sized leader of the zoological
rebellion rippling through the animal ranks. He gave me an insightful
rundown of the recent events.
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama,
March 2005
Cusumbi pulled a huge scroll from his pouchlike secret
pocket with a list of animals ready to escape at all costs.
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama,
March 2005
His energy levels were so low from
his not so intensive diet that he barely made it back for me to
survey the list.
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama,
March 2005
Mono Titi the Tamarin (Saguinis Geoffroi) showcased the
origins of the mohawk.
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama,
March 2005
One of my new found friends was currently
being treated for a genital (seriously) infection by one of the
veterinarians on-site. To pass the time I taught him the basics
of photography. Click 1.01.
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama,
March 2005
A lazy Manigordo Ocelot (Felis Pardalis)
lazing around waiting for the break.
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama,
March 2005
Another monkey bored almost out his
brains. The darkened area around the top of his skull is actually
his brains trying to escape. Nothing that a StackHat can't keep
in.
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama, March 2005
I could not tell if this Puma was
fat, just had babies, or a recent bout of liposuction. Regardless
it was saggiest and slowest cat I have ever seen in my life.
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama,
March 2005
Another animal. I have no idea what
it is.
The Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Panama,
March 2005
The most attractive vulture I have
ever seen in my life.
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The
Streets of Casco Viejo (now known
as Casco Antiguo)
The former hangspot of Noriega's was heavily damaged in 1989 from
a US invasion designed to removed Noriega from Panama. Che Guevarra
collected his thoughts for a few months here, before he joined
forces with Fidel Castro in Cuba. The surface is marred by random
shootings, drug dealings, prostitution and various other illegal
activities. But it is very rich in culture and life. The Catholic
religion reigns supreme with a hint of Bahai and Muslim culture.
Semana Santa (Easter) saw more than 10,000 people march straight
past the front of my pad, La Casa Grande (The Big House) for the
a famous annual seven church walk through the streets of Casco
Veijo.
Casco Veijo
An old man meticulously meandering through a dump 50metres from
my room. People here always find a way to survive. The poor help
the poor. The people living on the street seem to have piles of
leftovers positioned abroad their lifeless bodies. Most of my
food ends up here. The look up with a smile, and you know you
have made someones days worthwhile.
Casco Viejo
All the buses in Panama are old school buses the the USA no longer
road legal in the north. Every single bus adorned with serious
spraycan art. Cops on every corner. Mostly good. Last Saturday
night two friends from Ireland and Australia were returning from
a movie in a taxi. The taxi pulled up next to a cop car. The cops
ordered the girls into the truck for no reason. Informing them
they were heading to the army barracks. Girls freaked out. One
managed to make it back to the hostel and belted the insects outta
ma door. I jumped out of bed (after almost falling through one
of the holes on my bedroom floor - rat and cochroach hangspot)
into some clothes and followed her out the door. We walked up
to the Police station where I interpreted the situation. We had
the Captain, Sargeants and Corporals on the case. Within 30minutes
we located the Pickup truck without the missing Aussie. Obviously
we both assumed the worst. Ten minutes later we discovered she
was being held by the Tourist Police down the road. We were driven
in the back of a police truck.
Just before we left the Sargeant says "Hey, are you the guy
with the motorbike?" (making revving noises and pretending
to do a wheely with a big smile on his face). "Chevere"
(Cool). He slaps my hand in salute and we roll down to Police
Station number 2.
The young lady was there. They held her for three more hours (waiting
for her to sign a form that she was not sexually molested or hurt
by a Panamanian police officer and a bribe), then set her free.
The don't have much respect for women here.
These very nice young ladies surprised me with a bottle of red
the very next evening. What goes around comes around eh?
Casco Veijo
This man has been living here all his life. Using the same ancient
printing press "Sheridans New Model". It wouldn't surprise
me if he used to print propaganda for Noriega back in the 80's.
Its the only machine of its kind in the neighbourhood. I am printing
a copy to put on his wall. I don't think he get many photos taken
of him at work.
Casco Veijo
This guy just hangs outside all day every day. on a little wooden
stool. Saying nothing, doing nothing. Just watching life pass
by.
Casco Viejo
"Tenemos Derecho Como Todo Ciudadano De Exigir Nuestras Necesidades
Derechos" (We have rights just like every other citizen to
demand our necessities and our rights). Every day there is a new
protest in the streets of Casco Viejo. Peaceful marches asking
for help, asking to be heard. Sometimes it is for Islanders rights,
Boatbuilders rights, Religious rites... they march for the peoples
right to be heard. 98% of the indian tribal areas live in abject
poverty.
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Veracruz
Beach
The closest beach to Panama City. As soon as I pulled out
my camera all the locals confronted me and recommended I leave
before anyone sees it. These are always the best places to take
photos. I had a group of seven kids chasing me around the place
peering over my shoulder at every photo.
Veracruz Fisherboys
They kicked a white worn soccerball in my ankles to get my attention.
Then guided me around their little beach for some photos.
Veracruz boats at low tide
Rubbish strewn across the sand. Lines securing wooden land locked
vessels pointing towards their watery master. Waiting for the
tide to guide them out.
Veracruz fishing boats
Strung together for a stronger tether. Many ropes make light work.
Or something like that.
VeraCruz fisherman
One late Sunday afternoon, I felt the need to get out of Panama
and enter the ocean and arrived here. The Fisherman pictured is
filleting his morning catch for my consumption on the bow of his
boat. 70cents a pound.
Veracruz tough guy
This kid was the leader of the gang. Watching the young 'uns and
keeping them out of harms way. Later on he performed a pretty
cool backflip, but my battery chucked it in midturn. I caught
a second less impressive flip with my new batteries. First ones
are always the best.
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Customising
random moto parts
Sawing off the front end of my Shoei helmet, welding new teeth
on an old sprocket, pillaging kiddy bike clutch cables, fabricating
asbestos (all they have) brake pads, $20 chains that snap in a
week, gaffa taping the front end, using windscreen cleaner lines
to fix my Scottoiler (automatic chain oiler)..
CJ the self proclaimed Pikey!
We tried for an hour with pliers, hammers, small children, monkey
grips.. getting no-where extremely fast. CJ aka Mr Car sawing
through the flipfront of my Shoei
helmet. It was so secure, the only way to make room for my new
flipfront was severing it in two. It worked.
Geovanny and Tha Man
The gents from Rectificadora Tecnica managed to forge these two
sprockets into one. Welding the teeth of the white boy onto the
body of the blue boy. Tha Man (left) even sprayed it for me.
Carlos sanding my all new sprocket
The almost finished sprocket. It was going to ready at 4pm. It
was ready at 8pm. Whats a couple of hours?
Metal Men
To make ends meet these men collect scrap metal off the street,
old cars, trucks, boat carcasses, typewriters, etc. The going
rate is $200 for a full shipping crate. Here a man is getting
his wheelbarrow full weighed. Probably collecting less that 50cents
for his hard labour.
Fighting sprit of the Metal Men
Their overworked bodies still glistern
with happiness. I am pretty sure one of them just farted. Farting
is funny no matter how you look at it. Unless its not yours.
And all those people who say they don't fart. You're lying.
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Taboga
Island
Settled by the Spanish in 1515, 20kms
offshore from Panama city, Taboga Island houses the second oldest
church in the Western Hemisphere. It has two average beaches.
The island secrets lay in deep caves occupying the other side
of the island where pirates are said to have buried their treasure.
Taboga Port
Yeah. Its a port. Nothing all that flash. Overcast. Rainy season
coming. The little island to the right joins the main island at
low tide, going solo at high tide. I broke a cool little Australian
kids brand new Christmas kite. Never lend me anything. I will
break it. Unless I am a really desperate. If you pick up on this,
refuse me again, make me beg a little, make clean your toilet
and make you dinner, then give it too me. That way when I break
it I wont feel so bad.
Taboga wannabe Popstars
Scrambling for prime lens. I started clicking and they started
trampling each other. I accidentally knocked one of them out with
my helmet (strapped to my backpack). They thought if was funny.
Taboga den
A crusty old house caught fire just recently. Nice colours.
Cannon fodder
In the old days they used anything they could lay their hands
on. They shoved this kid down the cannon same time last year.
They feed him through the opening for a year. Local lore says
that when he makes it out he is a man... if he floats. If he sinks,
he was never meant to be. The other kids are lining up for their
turn.
Cool Columbian family
Columbians are renouned smugglers. I arrived at 10:10am for a
10:30am boat ride to the island. No tickets. I pleaded but was
unable to persuade. This Columbian family took me under their
wings. As a group of nine they huddled me towards to boat, last
to go aboard. The company didn't count the numbers and I scored
a free ride!!! Columbians are cool.
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