More on Cinta Costera, Panama City, July 1st 2009

Today the new Cinta Costera walkways along Ave. Balboa were packed with holiday goers (located on the Pacific Coast of Panama). This morning, hundreds of people walked, biked, jogged, played, skate boarded, roller bladed along the new walkways.

Today is the swearing in of the new Panamanian President Martinelli at the Atlapa Convention Center so it is a National Holiday in Panama (Canada Day as well- a holiday in Canada!).

SCROLL DOWN THE BLOG PAGE 2 STORIES TO MORE CINTA COSTERA PHOTOS.

Cooling off by the Cinta Costera Fountains in Panama City

Great spaces to Walk, Roll, Bike….. Cinta Costera

Kids playing at the Cinta Costera playground

Balboa Statue on Cinta Costera Parkway in Panama City, Panama

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Snorkeling on Taboga Island in Panama

Snorkeling on Taboga Island

Two weeks ago we booked a “round-the-island” snorkeling trip to scout locations for our guests.

Parrotfish

I am a retired PADI instructor and have taught and guided excursions in Australia, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, and wrote a dive guide book for the Tourism Bureau of Curacao N.A. — I am critical of dive and snorkel sites for my guests, and don´t impress easily. Here is what we found.

Pacific snorkeling is quite a different than the Caribbean. Expect more current, less coral, and lower visibility. Don´t attempt offshore snorkeling unless you are a strong swimmer with your own fins, a buddy, and a guide.

Snorkeling by Panga, Playa Hobo Taboga Panama

We set off 8 am on a sunny day with a local guide in his panga, accompanied by a friend and guest from Australia. Conditions were almost perfect, visibility good at 15-20 feet with plenty of tropical fish around to entertain us including a very large parrot fish. We spotted a number of large brain coral and plate coral. Find an excellent coral guide at this link: http://coralpedia.bio.warwick.ac.uk/.

Snorkeling Buddies Taboga, Panama

Because of the strong current present the panga drifted with us as we snorkeled; “drift snorkeling” we dubbed it. We then headed off in the panga to the wild back of Taboga past the Brown Pelican Preserve and afterward to snorkel a shallow hull from a wreck by Isla Uraba. On the way back to Taboga our guide slowed and followed a large green sea turtle. We were thrilled, and strained to see the big guy who surfaced to check us out. A brown pelican was following so the turtle didn´t stay up long, giving us just enough time to snap a couple of photos. Almost back to the beach I asked to see the coral gardens nearby. There was a large area of coral, some clean but other parts unfortunately covered with algae or bleached due to the changing conditions in the area.

Sea Turtle Underwater, Taboga Panama

Back at the beach settling up, the trip took a total of 2 hours and we all agreed worth the effort of getting up early on a Sunday morning. $50 plus tip for 4 people without snorkel gear.

While Taboga is not the best area I have experienced, it was entertaining, at times challenging, and we enjoyed snorkeling amongst the island´s thriving ocean life.

To enjoy snorkeling by boat around Taboga island, Panama, contact B&B Inn Cerrito Tropical. We organize trips for our guests with local guides.
Email: info@cerritotropicalpanama.com
Tel: 507-6489-0074

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Vote for Panamanian Gold Medal Winner Irving Saladino for 2008 World Athlete of the Year

Vote for Irving Saladino, Gold Medal Winner in Beijing Olympics Athletics Mens Long Jump

Using the link below, you can VOTE for Panamanian Irving Saladino as 2008 World Athlete of the Year. Everyone can vote. The vote for the 2008 World Athletes of the Year will close at midnight on Sunday, November 9, 2008.

LINK: Athlete of the Year. http://iaaf.org/athletes/athleteoftheyear/index.html

It was a great moment for Panama as the country watched Saladino win the Gold Medal in August. When he returned a National Holiday was declared and people crowded the streets in the pouring rain to welcome him home. Irving Saladino won the Gold Medal in long jump the 18 of August, 2008 in the Olympic Games, Beijing, China, being the first sportsman to ever win the Gold Medal for Panama. He won with a jump of 8.34m.

Watch the Jump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuqxJY6hOyM&feature=related

Watch the Medal Presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yrChm9bvXk&feature=related

Saladino’s Biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Saladino

Le invitamos a accesar la siguiente pagina Web para Votar por nuestro panameño Irving Saladino como Atleta Mundial del Año 2008. La votación cierra medianoche el domingo 9 de noviembre de 2008. El 18 de agosto de 2008 en los Juegos Olimpicos de Pekin 2008, China, con un salto de 8,34m Irving Saladino logró la medalla de oro en salto de longitud, siendo el primer deportista panameño en conseguir subir a lo más alto del podio.

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New Nightspot for Families with Kids & Adults! or Bennigan´s All Grown Up

Just came back late from a terrific new night and day spot in Panama that is great for both families with kids and adults without (wow, how do you mix the 2 you might ask). Since it is quite late and my eyes too tired to type I will fill you in tomorrow…

I am back. Just had a fight with my cell phone trying to hook it up to my computer to upload the pictures from last night. Unfortunately my computer doesn´t see the phone even after the new driver was installed. So here is the scoop. Bennigan´s has grown up. They have taken a close look at the Panama market and are beginning to change their angle to become a complete entertainment venue. Just opened Bennigan´s Sky Bowling and Sky Bar is a super modern facility on the 10th floor on top of the Extreme Planet (movie theaters, video arcade, restaurants, kids party facilities) and Bennigan´s parking garage. It offers a spectacular ocean view of the Bay of Panama and Balboa avenue framed by Paitilla and Casco Viejo in the distance.

The bar was full of young professionals and the bowling area had both families and singles. I have been to some pretty upscale bowling alleys and this tops them all. The lanes have enormous flat screen televisions lining the back wall, lighting and design is clean and modern, comfortable lounge chairs. Although we did not eat, food looked like a Bennigan´s menu, which is very acceptable considering most food I have ever eaten in a bowling alley (usually not a pretty sight). I am told they have added sushi and pizza to the Sky menu. The design was elegant and reminded me of something from modern Tokyo.

The entire complex has a capacity of 1500 people. Without a VIP pass ($20 per month and includes lots of discounts on movies, food and now bowling), or other special pass, lanes are rented by the hour for $30 per 4 persons.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 4 pm to 1 am, Friday and Saturday noon to 1 am, Sunday noon to midnight.

Bennigan´s Sky Bowling
Edificio Extreme Planet, Ave. Balboa, beside MultiCentro Mall
Tel: 340-7020, 340-7030, 214-7022

Check out photos on this link, article in Spanish: http://dealante.com/nodo.php?nodoid=17002

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