Lost over 300 photos!
It was another trip to Panama. Actually # 27 in the last five years. Most of my trips to Panama have been on business with only one of the 27 having been a vacation.
Naturally, over the years, I have scouted and hunted for venues for hobbying. Having the benefit of locals to guide and direct me has been invaluable but the experience has changed considerably since the departure of the US contingent managing and supporting the Canal Zone.
What I found quite interesting on Hombre, TSM, WSA and other single travel sites was the lack of information and reporting on Panama. Most were brief reports on one or two locations, prices and experiences and many rehashed the same locales. I suddenly had a quest. Armed with a total of seven (7) reports on various places, I set about to explore and write about other places of interest in Panama. If you are to do business in South or Central America, one of these days, your travels will take you to Panama. Even if you are traveling to other South American destinations, more than likely, you will change planes or have a layover in Panama for some period of time.
OK, first a little history…very little. The French, in the early 1800’s, were awarded a contract to build a canal across the Isthmus of Panama so ships traveling from Europe to Asia could avoid the treacherous and lengthy voyage around the southern coast of South America. After 14 years of ill fated efforts, plagued by yellow fever, malaria, worker dissent and other maladies, the French called it quits having completed only a few miles of the canal. The Panamanian Govt. approached an American engineering firm to complete the project. The American firm first sent in teams of physicians to deal with the yellow fever and malaria problems which they quickly isolated and solved. Next, they sent in a brilliant engineer (forgot name) who quickly mapped out a plan for the Canal and put it into action. Within 20 years, the entire canal project had been completed and the first ship traversed the intricate series of locks and dams without incident. The first operations of the Canal depended purely on gravity and water flow to move millions of gallons of water from the upper lake into the locks only to be flushed out into the lower lake and into the sea. You see, one side of the Canal (Atlantic) is lower than the other (Pacific), so the ships move into a locke, whereby it is flooded to raise it to the appropriate level so as to continue its journey onward. The process is reversed for ships traveling in the opposite direction. All in all, about 55 million gallons of water are used daily to fill and is pumped out of the locke system as ships traverse the Canal.
Today, electric pumps are used to fill and lower the lockes; electric, heavy duty rail cars to pull the boats through the lockes and a lot of laborers to keep the Canal operational. The Canal is the second largest income producing entity for the Panamanian Govt. surpassed only by Banking. Some fun trivia facts about the Canal;
• Fees are based on the size of the vessel and the value of it’s cargo;
• The lowest fee ever charged was for a guy who swam the Canal ($.75) and the most expensive was for the QEII ($1.5 Million). Both were major publicity events.
• Only Panamanian pilots are allowed to take a ship through the canal resulting in ships waiting for as much as three weeks before making the crossing;
• Payments with ship lines are completed before ships are allowed to make the crossing;
• Most frequently missed Trivial Pursuit question: The Atlantic side of the Panama Canal is WEST of the Pacific side.
• And, yes, President Carter turned over the operation of the Canal Zone to the Panamanians after a 99 year lease agreement ended in the late 90’s
• Roughly 10 kilometers of the rain forest on either side of the canal is a protected area and no cutting of timber or cultivating of land is allowed. In this way, they ensure enough rainfall to supply the canal with its daily water requirements.
If you ever have a chance to visit, make sure you make a quick stop by the Canal at Mira Flores. It is an easy drive from downtown Panama City; has a very interesting historical presentation on the building of the Canal and if you can stick around for a while, you will actually get a chance to see a ship go through one of the major lockes coming from or going to the Pacific. After all, it is one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
One of the more interesting aspects you will quickly notice about Panama is the incredible number of International Banks in its downtown area. There are some 160 International banks in a ten (10) square block area of downtown Panama. Many are merely money and wire transfer establishments taking no deposits or having customer lobbies. Some are world renowned names you would recognize if you ever traveled in Europe, Asia, USA or South America. They all are there for one reason. Money!
During Noriega’s time, he used to let the drugs come through Panama but never stay there. What he let stay was the money. Unfortunately for Panama, the reverse is now true. The drugs land, stay there and the money goes elsewhere albeit, through the “system”.
If you visit Panama, you will see a downtown landscape of high rise buildings, very upscale waterfront condominiums (unfortunately many empty), well paved roads (and many not in such great shape), premium cars and broken down wrecks, upper middle class housing and shacks. It is truly a conundrum of socioeconomic disparity. Many of the people are incredibly wealthy and many are incredibly poor. Casinos abound but are run by European operators; the telecommunications system was privatized several years ago and sold to Cable and Wireless who has raped pillaged and plundered the local businesses and residents; the withdrawal of the US contingent managing and protecting the Canal has impacted the local economy while providing very affordable housing to local Panamanians from the vacated military housing provided to officers and NCO’s. Tocumen Airport is an upscale airport and the new Toll road by the sea has provided much needed relief to inner city traffic congestion. There is still a very strong
Spanish culture but most Panamanians speak English since it is a required subject for 12 years of their education. They adhere to traditional Latin American school years of May through Dec. and Jan through April is their summer months where the kids can work the fields.
OK…What you are here for:
Hobbying in Panama!
It is there right in front of your face but if you are not real observant, it can pass you by in an instant. Panama is one of those South American countries where prostitution is legal. YES…Legal. You can go down to their equivalent of City Hall and get a license and permit to operate a brothel. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your religious/political persuasion, discretion is still tantamount to success. Remember, Panama only has 2.8 million people and only 800,000 of them live in Panama City. Although prostitution is accepted as a way of life, many of the Panamanians choose to ignore it’s existence….that is unless you have a little something going on the side (which most of them do) and you visit a love hotel two or three times per week. Drive into a private garage, room service through a dumb waiter; no-one ever sees your face and you just put your money down when you arrive. Whatever the scenario, they are very discrete about their extracurricular activities. It is a small town!
After 27 visits, IMHO the best place in town is Golden Time. Not Golden Times or Good Times as previously reported. It is Golden Time…..end of discussion!
Located in the garrulously lit Plaza Mirage, surrounded by shoe stores, movie theaters and other specialty stores, it is truly one of a kind.
The owner is Chinese (not Japanese as previously reported). He and his wife run the place as an upscale massage parlor. (She is Amerasian and a true lady).
Golden Time Report is in the archives under Panama; I am including a scanned copy of their brochure so you can see that big picture in the entry way and what the rooms look like.
The other two most reported places were Acuaruis (how they spell it) and River City: Both are located on Avenida Argentina just down the street from BlockBuster Video. You have to enter a walled off area that looks like a parking lot…well, it is! Acuarius is upstairs and R.C is downstairs. They both open around 4 PM but not very many girls there until 7:00 or so. (Little side story) On numerous previous visits, I spent many fun evenings in Aquarius with a really cute petite 21 year old Panamanian and actually developed a rather strong relationship. It got to the point where I would call her and tell her I was coming into town, she would meet me at my hotel and we would spend a few days together. There were also a number of times I was in Panama when I didn’t call her. She was probably the source of my self imposed 3X rule. We were having “too much fun” for me to handle. On one trip, where I had not told her I was coming to town, I stopped by to see her and was told she had gotten married to a gringo. Not sure the lady understood the grin on my face. Incredibly, not two months later, I was in a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale and in she walked, looking a little “embarrasada”. When she saw me her face lit up with a big grin and quickly turned into a look of fear. She quickly put her two pointer fingers together and raised them to her lips. I acknowledged the message. After she was seated for a few minutes, she got up to go to the bano and I followed her. We chatted briefly. She had been married for three months and was four months pregnant. Married a gringo stationed in Panama and now living locally. She said she was glad to see me but didn’t want to cause any problems with her new hubby. I said I understood and turned to leave. She grabbed me, gave me a big hug and a light kiss on the lips and walked away! I still had that grin on my face…..! Happy ending for all!
On the evenings I went by Acuarius and R.C., it must have been too early (9:00PM) because there were not more than 6 chicas in either place. None were above a 6 and most were pretty hefty. They both have about 50% Colombianas, 25% Nicaraguans, 20% Dominicas and 10% Panamanian. Aquarius charges $80 for an hour, sexo and massage. RC charges $70 for same. For my money, I would much prefer the selection, ambiance and cleanliness of Golden Time at the same price. Only good thing about these places it that they are within walking distance of the Hotel where I stay. Great for a late night quickie before going to bed. Do not expect upscale and they are both a little on the dingy side.
I also made it by the Caribbean Center. It is also in the El Dorado area right across the street from the “Do It” Center. Have your cab driver drop you there or at Shulas 2 right next door. The day I was there, there were only 4 chicas, 22-26 yrs. old, all Panamanian, nothing above a seven, six rooms, $70 for full service. They do have saunas and showers and the place was really clean. If you are a screamer or your girl is, everyone is going to hear you because the walls to the rooms were about two feet short of the ceiling. Just 4X4’s in the corners and the rest was wide open.
I tried for two days to find the Royal Elegance Center. Even though it has a map in the yellow Pages, I swear it just didn’t exist and two different cab drivers could not find it with the map in their hands. I had read it was behind a building that looked like a home, down an alley but we sure as hell couldn’t find it.
Hawaii Center-Did not make it but others had some OK comments on it.
Av. Justo Arosemena y Cl. 33;
227-1334
Magic Massage
Appears to be an in-call service to your hotel or home.261-9803, Bailarinas; 630-5771
http://www.revistapan.com
There was another place listed in the YP but I didn’t get a chance to check it out. Called the Sauna Horario and supposedly Oriental (there are lots of Orientals in Panama). It is also on Via Argentina, planta baja, Galerias Alvear No 7. Nice thing, it is open from 10:00AM till 2:00 AM. Might make a nice eye opener. They advertise that they will also come to your hotel. Maybe next trip?
There are a lot of strip bars in Panama the most famous of which is Josephines. One could really see the impact of the US departure. There used to be three Josephine’s within a three block area and now there is only one. I always found them to be a big rip off, very expensive and although I did get a couple of nice BJ’s in the private dance area, it is true “You won’t get laid in the Champagne Room”. You won’t get laid but you will get fucked in these places. They are for tourists and priced accordingly. You can take out but expect to pay $200+ and another +200 or so in the bar before she can leave. Lot’s of cute girls, mostly Colombianas and Dominicas.
Having been here many times, I thought it was time to do some scouting on the local scene. I asked the Bell Captain at my hotel (whom I have known for years and he has helped me out of more than one scrape) to find me the biggest, meanest looking cab driver he knew that knew his way around the city and could take me to clubs where locals go. I assure you, very few, except the very wealthy, hang out at the Josephine’s kinds of places. Well, did he ever come through? I was scared of the guy and he was my driver and body guard. After telling him of my quest, he grinned and gave me a price of $50 for all night. I told him he had to drive me and protect me if anything ugly got started.
First Club,
Capri Discoteque
Calle17 Rio Abajo No 22-69 Via Espana Final.
221-4262
$2.00 cover charge. Large L shaped bar with a dance area. Discothèque?? Only ones dancing were the strippers. Bingo. Combo place. Had rooms on site. Beer is cheap ($2), so are the girls. $25 for a 30 minute quickie. Had about 10 girls, all local. Three were doable. Had a real local ambiance and everyone was being very cool? A couple of the girls were very busy and quite popular. I noticed one and made a mental note to come back tomorrow and check her out. My driver asked if I like her and I said yes. He spoke to her and she offered to meet me at my hotel the next day. Wanted $50 for three hours. Sold! Probably could have negotiated for less but was ok to me. Showed up right on time at 2:00 PM the next day. Pretty nice session and I got tons of photos….unfortunately, now they are only memories. I give it one thumb up. Very different from your downtown places. Would I go back again? Probably but it is always more fun with another hombre!
Next Place,
Costa Azul
(sorry, misplaced the address)
A real bona fide dance club but with take out. Lots of people dancing and many were dancing with the strippers. Let me warn you though, you have to be able to Salsa. I found it very interesting to watch the patrons fully clothed dancing with nude and partially nude women. There were 14 chicas and some pretty nice lookers. I found out that many live on site and have rooms there where you can partake as well. Lots of loud music, flashing lights. You will think you are in a disco but with nude women. $2 cover, beer $2. Take out for a local is about $50 for the night. Take out for Gringos is $100 for the night. Forgot to ask about on site prices but I am sure it is low. My driver negotiated a $75 price for me but I passed. The night was still early.
Costa Brava
Costa Brava was next on out journey. (again, lost address but in the YP) $2 cover, $2 beer (kind of the norm) $30 for a half hour. Had about 10 chicas and about 20 single guys. Now, I was intrigued by so many single guys and none of them seemed to be making any moves on the women. May driver and I sat down, ordered a beer (he was well known here) and we were suddenly surrounded by about 8 of the chicas. I had at least 6 sets of hands roaming all over my body and I was protecting the shit out of my cash. After giving most of them cigarettes I sent all but one away. Real cute, petite (my style) little 22 year old Panamanian. She spoke no English (funny, they have 12 years of it in school??) and later found she came from a remote city N or David. Really out in the country. Well, she had this really great set of tits (my downfall) and within a few seconds, I had my hands and lips all over them. She just pulled down her bra and let me go to town. My driver was getting a kick out of my actions and even asked me if I had some Hispanic blood in my veins. I guess that was a compliment. I finally just put her on my lap and ran my hands all over her. No secrets here. She was also playing with me and I was getting pretty hard. Finally, I told her we had to go. Obviously, she wanted me to take her with me or at least make arrangements to see her another time. I got her number and promised to call her. I gave her a $10 tip for her time and she seemed very pleased. When we left, I asked my driver why the guys were not making any moves on the girls. He said most of them didn’t have any money. This club is in a tougher section of town. Not sure I’d go by myself.
If you have ever been to Panama, you know there are really two areas of the city. Old Panama and New Panama. Old panama is in a very run down section of the city but now my driver was trying to impress me with his knowledge.
We parked on a side street that you would have a problem getting two cars to pass each other side by side. I felt a little uncomfortable but he kept telling me no problem if I was with him.
We went to a place called La Pena. Talk about going local and was this some kind of party place. Downstairs was a disco full of couples. We made a bee line for the stairs and up there was a full nude strip bar packed wall to wall with people. About 20 chicas in various states of undress and being pawed and groped by the patrons. Barely room to stand, my driver also knew someone here and within seconds, we were seated at a table. We ordered a beer and watched a little of the show. Much cuter girls (or was it getting late?) within minutes, I had a stunner on my knee. Bought her a beer ($2) and we chatted for a while. I asked her if she could leave and she said yes. I asked her how much and she said $25. I responded with TLN and she repeated $25. I asked about bar fine and she indicated she was independent…guess they all were? Anyway, I am not sure I even finished the beer because we were out of there. In the car back to my hotel we became very well acquainted with some DFK and me running my hands all over her body. I paid my driver/body body guard $50 plus $5 tip. He had driven me around for over 6 hours and taken me to some really neat places to explore.
In the room, a nanosecond after the door was locked; she was peeling off her clothes. She actually went up in scale by about a point. 18, firm body, great set of tits with puffy nipples, shaved and actually even prettier in the light (La Pena was very dark). Great session and a shower then to sleep. She woke me at 4:00 AM. I thought she wanted to leave. She wanted something else. This was a little hottie and gave a great BBBJ. She put on a condom with her mouth and climbed on top. I just laid there until she was through and then I finished her doggie.
Next morning, we had another go at it, ate breakfast and at about 10:00 went at it again. She stayed until 12:00. I gave her $25 plus a $20 tip. You would have thought I gave her $1,000 by her reaction. Obviously, the patrons of La Pena are not too generous. I figured it was just over $10 per session and well worth it!
Would I go back? Not alone and maybe not even without a known local with me but what a party place.
Next section will be about some of the fantastic restaurants in Panama. Again, since I lost all my photos, I guess the next best thing is a report on the second best thing to do when hobbying…..EAT!
Restaurants in Panama:
One of the first things you will notice in Panama is the abundance…..no, make that overabundance of restaurants in the city. Everything from simple cafeterias serving low cost local fare, to MacDonald’s to upscale 5 star restaurants with 7 course meals. Remember the number of banks here? Well, you can get anything from Italian to Korean, from German to Argentinean, from Swiss to American. The local phone directory has over 30 yellow pages of restaurant listings broken down by name and cuisine.
Not exactly an easy task to review or preview that many locations so I called the president of the local restaurant association, Raphael Carniglio. He was incredible in providing information (Ok, it might have been because I told him I was a travel writer, produced a business card justifying same) and he provided me a grand tour of the top spots in the city. The owners were falling all over me trying to get me to sample their fare and write good things about their restaurant. It helped having Ralph on my arm as he lent credibility to my mission.
Top Restaurants (and top dollars…remember, these bankers have expense accounts in order to attract big money)