Entries by Jose Carlos Madrid

Last holidays with my brothers in Japan. Land of geishas, sushi and shoguns.

Mexico is gonna be, probably, my last trip in the Americas for this year. This was a flash trip to Mexico DF (the Capital City). Even I always say that I would remove all the capital cities in this continent, I should admit that these are the best places for visiting cultural places in a short period of time. Here I met the Mexicas (Aztecs), Mayans, Tlaxcaltecs, etc... and about their history. I also visited Aztec Stadium (America's football team), Anthropological Museum, Zoological (First time but NEVER EVER AGAIN!!! It's like the horror museum), Frida kahlo's house, professional wrestling,... And a couple of villages closed to the city (Malinalco and Cuernavaca).

I finally decided to visit Cuba before the end of Fidel's control. Cuba is still a magic mix of paintings. Varadero, La Habana, Viñares, Santiago,... Beach, Caves, Mountains, Old cars, education, all mixed, all turned upside down,... It is just to go and see it.

The Juan Sebastián Elcano is a training ship for the Royal Spanish Navy. A four-masted topsail schooner, at 113 metres (370 feet) long she is the third-largest Tall Ship in the world. The Juan Sebastián de Elcano was built in 1927 in Cadiz, Spain, and now is the older active sailing boat in the world.

We went invited by the Spanish Embassy to the reception before his cross to the Channel of Panama. We had the channel to starboard (right side) and the Bridge of the Americas to port (left side).

(See more pictures clicking the image)

    

Coiba is similar than Galapagos Islands, but this is just one and it has almost no tourists. This National Park has an amazing diversity under water. Have a look!

The most important event for the Panamanian every year is Carnival. It is a great celebration, much better in the villages such as Las Tablas, Chitre, Penonomé or Ocú, than in the capital city. But I already knew it [Las Tablas], so this time I took all my saved money and I made an amazing trip to MACHU PICHU (Perú). But not only Machu Pichu: Lima, Cusco, Inca Holy Valley, Aguas Calientes, Machu Pichu, Ica, Huacachina, Pisco, Paracas and Asia (all in 8 days, don't ask me how). And also the incredible cuisine (the best one in Latin America in my opinion).

[See pictures here]

There is no place in Panama like Kuna Yala. Where could we find a better place to spend the last night of the year? All dressed like a Fiesta Ibicenca (Ibiza style).

(See pictures here)

After the destruction of the first city as consequence of the attack by pirate Henry Morgan, a new city was founded in 1673 at the site today known as Casco Antiguo. A great deal of the wall that protected this coastal city from possible pirate attacks still stands, sheltering what UNESCO has designated as World Heritage Site. The streets and buildings in the old quarter served as backdrop for moments crucial to Panama’s birth as an independent republic, and witnessed the first footsteps as well the very last breaths of the nation’s forefathers. The Casco Antiguo is currently undergoing a strenuous restoration process in order to recover its original splendor. The cobblestone streets of this historical site guide its visitors through picturesque squares and opulent cathedrals to finally lead them to an invigorating cup of coffee or a robust glass of wine at any of its al fresco eateries. [Text: IPAT]

(See pictures here)

We had a "Good bye" party for many of our friends in this boat, just in front of Panama Bay. Tha background was the city skyline.

(See pictures here)

Every weekend we try to go out of the city looking for sun, beaches, surf or just keep the contact with the most beautiful places in Panama.

(See pictures here)