I am on the early Marina bus into town and ask Senor Ranger to put me off at the Panama City bus stop. He helpfully point out 2 other passengers performing a similar trip.

We get off at the first stop some way outside of Colon. We wait an anxious hour for the “Express” bus. It’s standing room only for the whole trip.

The bus drops us at Albrook mall on the outskirts of the city where I decide I am in walking range of my accommodation rather than trying to navigate the available taxis or metro. Within 5 minutes walk of the mall I am saved from my folly by friendly local police. At first I am advised to return and get a taxi but when a 2nd police car passes by it is quickly flagged down and I am chauffeur driven by the excellent local constabulary to the safe part of town that I am staying. I did not have the courage to ask my saviours for a group photo!

Celebrating the taxi fare I have saved, I treat myself to an excellent lunch whilst I await the check-in time for my apartment. Bags safely dropped off I set out to explore the city.

There are armed police everywhere largely I think to protect the tourists. They often ride 2-up on motorcycles with the pillion passenger riding “shotgun”. The city is a strange mix of the old and the new and Spanish influences can be seen in the old town. You are never too far from poverty and neglect with many people obviously living on the streets.

After exploring the city on foot I retire to my apartment which is pleasant but sparse. I luxuriate with Netflix tv and air conditioning but my takeaway dinner is far from satisfactory. Could I be missing Al’s cooking already?