November 30, 2024
What the heck! We’ve had 7 nights of wonderfully quiet sleep, but last night the loud club music we experienced back in 2022 was bumping. Whoever was partying, they continued rocking the music until 4 am. Makes it a little rough to then get up at 5 am to get ready, finish packing, and start our long day of travel. We were both pretty annoyed.
Chover came to get us at 6:20, and we gave him our leftover rum (who has leftover rum?) and he drove us to the ferry dock. We said our goodbyes, left our luggage with the attendant and got on board the ferry.
The ferry left right on time at 7 am, and it was a quick but rolly 1-hour ride to La Ceiba on the mainland. We sat in the middle seats of the open-air rear deck, and some people on the left side got splashed by waves! A ferry employee was handing out white trash bags, and I’m not sure if they were makeshift ponchos or barf bags. Either way, we didn’t need one.
At 8 am, we docked in La Ceiba, got off the ferry, met our shuttle driver Edwin, who collected our bags for us, and hopped on board the awaiting shuttle. He drove us 3 ½ hours, through the countryside, from La Ceiba to San Pedro Sula, where thankfully, the airport is on the near side of town.
At the airport, we deposited our luggage with Copa, passed through immigration and customs, before passing through a security screening. Our Nalgene bottles, still full of water, sailed through the inspection. Nathan’s lighter, for lighting mosquito coils, was promptly confiscated. Take it, we’ll not need it where we are going.
Nathan caught a quick bite at an airport cafe, and then we spent our remaining Honduran lempiras on chocolate bars. We’re flying home with 24 lempiras, or about 1 US dollar. Not bad.
The flight to Panama City from San Pedro Sula was uneventful, and we landed in Panama City at 5 pm. Our hotel here in Panama City offers a free airport shuttle, so I messaged them that we were on the ground, and we proceeded through the lines for immigration and customs before going outside to wait for the driver.
Rey swoops in a minute later, grabs our bags, and we hop in his car. He is a Panamanian, who spent 3 years living in Italy and came home with an Italian boyfriend. Together, they own this little boutique hotel we’re staying at, which is in the nice Marbella neighborhood of Panama City.
Once we arrive at the hotel, Dominico hands us two bottles of water, and we’re greeted by their friendly golden retriever. Dominico shows us our cute room and bathroom and explains the keys for the room and exterior gate.
We quickly change clothes and get settled, and then went down to ask Dominico where to walk to dinner. He set us up with a restaurant recommendation and gave us instructions on how to get there.
We chose a fish restaurant and cevicheria, and at first glance, I’m not sure it was what either of us expected. There were 6 outdoor tables, and a cold case, like for ice cream, but instead, it was filled with various types of ceviche. We stood looking in awe or disbelief, at the menu, which was just the take-out ceviche choices (up to a half gallon!?), and one of the waiters helped us out with both the wifi and QR code for the regular dinner menu.
We sat down, and ordered drinks: a passion fruit mojito for me and a Cuba Libre for Nathan, and also our dinner. It was so delightful. After a week enjoying a slow beach life, the gourmet options and big city, civilized feel of Panama City was a real kick.
After dinner, we passed by an ice cream shop and stopped to grab an ice cream cone before heading back to our hotel. Dominico wanted to chat and hear about our dinner, and the pup wanted a belly scratch.
Tomorrow, we fly home, and on Monday we get back to work. My juror number was excused, so I’ll pick Fibs up from camp and work a normal day.
