Trip 1: Itinerary

Canada

Before we start the actual trip we have a few days to relax and enjoy the city of Vancouver. Vancouver is a beautiful and modern city and is therefor also very expensive. During our four days stay we have plenty of time to explore the city and we might even go to Vancouver Island. Remember that it can get very wet in Vancouver, so come prepared and bring your raingear.

U.S.A.

The first day of the trip is spent in the city of Anchorage. Set on the shores of the Cook Inlet at the base of the Chugach Mountains it is an excellent point to begin exploring the Alaskan glaciers and lakes. Anchorage is historically a frontier oil and railway town and there are interesting museums reflecting the city's past.

Leaving Anchorage we head south via Portage Glacier to Seward. an idyllic fishing town on Resurrection Bay. This is our base from which to visit Kenai N. P. We can take a boat cruise through the park, enjoying the wildlife, rugged fjords and coastal glaciers.

Alternatively you could choose to hike up Exit Glacier to the Harding Icefields. We have time to look around Seward, which was almost entirely destroyed by fires and tidal waves during the 1964 earthquake.

We then visit Denali National Park, home to Mt McKinley, America's highest at 6.194 meters. You can take a scenic flight over the park and Mount McKinley. Denali is full of elk, moose, caribou. brown and black bears and over 150 species of birds that flock here during the summer months.

We continue to Fairbanks, which is the northern-most point of our journey and famous for the 'midnight sun' and gold rush days. Here we join the Alaska Highway and continue through Tok as we head for Canada.

Canada

Dawson is our next stop, and takes us back to the times of the Klondike Gold rush. The old pioneering spirit of the place is easily imagined. and boardwalks and boat cruises on the Yukon River all add to the experience. You could even go to the Klondike goldrush site, or perhaps hike to the Midnight Dome.

We also visit Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon, which has the feeling of a frontier town, and we visit the ‘SS Klondike', a historic Yukon River steamer.

U.S.A.

Heading south, for a short time we are back in Alaska as we drive from Hyder to Stewart on the edge of the Misty Fjords, hopefully catching sight of grizzly bears fishing for salmon in the rivers. The rivers come from a glacier called Salmon Glacier, and we can take a hike along here, or even on Berendon Glacier nearby.

Hyder is actually a dangerous place, as the local custom is to be 'hyderized' in the local bar. This entails knocking back a shot of some ferocious 150% proof local alcohol!

Canada

We pass through a few small Indian villages and will stop at one or two, such as Kitwancool, famous for making totem poles.

Following the continental divide we begin to head through the Canadian Rockies, with forested slopes and a myriad of lakes and rivers, on the way to Jasper. The Icefields Parkway, which is the route linking Jasper with Banff, is lined by magnificent deep blue lakes. mountains and glaciers. We can organize a trip on a 'Sno-coach' across the Athabasca Glacier, a tongue of the great Columbian Icefield.

Banff is Canada's premier ski resort, but there is always plenty to do during the summer months. We camp for two nights in the Banff National Park on our way south. Apart from taking advantage of the hot springs and bars, you could go mountain biking, horse riding or maybe even white water rafting here.

Next we will make time to visit a curious place called 'Head-smashed-in-buffalo-jump'. It is an uneventful looking place, but it was where Indians used to drive their buffalo over a cliff to kill them. The story goes that one day, someone thought they would watch this spectacle ..... from the bottom of the cliff!

We head towards the USA border now, spending a while in Waterton Lakes N. P. (called Glacier N.P. on the US side) where the Rockies rise out of the Prairie lands. We will stop for a short hike before continuing.

U.S.A.

Yellowstone National Park is famous as the home of Old Faithful, (and Yogi Bear!), however it has other claims to fame. Yellowstone was the world's first national park to be established - in 1872. It also has the highest density of geysers, hot springs, fumeroles and mud pots of any area in the world. Old Faithful (which is a geyser) can be seen spurting into the blue skies and we will have time to trek to various other geysers and mud pot sites. As we drive through the park there is a good chance of seeing moose, bison, elk and grizzly or black bears - don't feed the bears!

We enter Grand Tetons National Park directly from Yellowstone and find ourselves in a landscape of glacial lakes and incredibly jagged and inhospitable vertical peaks. There are a number of hikes we can do here which enable you to experience the wilderness just as the trappers did a century and a half ago.

Jackson Hole on the edge of the Tetons was first settled in the 1880's by trappers, however due to early conservation movements the area was established as a reserve in 1897. We spend a couple of nights camping near the Hoback River close to Jackson Hole where we can go white water rafting, horse riding and maybe even try a chuck wagon meal!

Salt Lake City in Utah was founded in 1847 by a group of 148 Mormon pioneers in search of a region where they could freely practice their beliefs. We will have time in the city to visit the Mormon Tabernacle.

We continue south to Moab a stepping stone for Arches National Park. As the name suggests Arches National Park has amazing natural arches and sculptured rock scenery. These have been formed over millions of years of wind, water and extreme temperatures. Nearby Canyonlands N.P. is a superb place for mountain biking, hiking, white water rafting or jeep tours - all in spectacular desert scenery.

Utah and Arizona both have amazing desert scenery, none more so than Monument Valley which is on the border of the two states. Here enormous rock pinnacles seem to grow from the desert floor. As we enter Monument Valley we enter the land of the Navajo. The Navajo are members of an Athabascan group that migrated south from Canada in the 1400's. They were initially hunter-gatherers that lived peacefully alongside existing tribes. When the Spanish arrived in the 1800's, the Navajo acquired the horse thus becoming a powerful nation. Today the horse is still the best form of transport to get a feel for this valley - horse riding with Navajo guides is a great experience.

We pass by old trading posts being run today much as they were centuries ago. We continue south to the Navajo National Monument which is an area that has many ruins of Anasazi (a Navajo word meaning 'Ancient Ones', the name given to original native tribes that lived in these lands), such as the Betatakin ruins.

At Lake Powell we have the chance to relax, hire jet skis or cliff-dive into the blue waters of this man made lake surrounded by incredible canyons, cliffs and desert sands. Navajo heritage is proud here and there is an excellent museum and trading stores with hand crafted rugs, jewelry and earthenware.

Bryce Canyon has to be one of the most awe-inspiring canyons in terms of the colors of the weird rock formations to be found there - golds. oranges, pinks and yellows. A hike here is a feast for the eyes.

Crossing back into Utah, we follow narrow mountain roads climbing across the canyon landscape with amazing patchwork rock patterns to enter Zion Canyon. In 1863 the area was settled by Mormons fleeing religious persecution - naming it their Zion. The area was previously inhabited by the Native American Paiute people. Trekking in Zion is an assault on the senses - amazing colors that change depending on the time of day, cliffs that tower above you and trails that seem just as steep as you clamber up them.

Continuing through the south west deserts we arrive in Las Vegas a place once described as a huge cash register in the middle of the desert. Cruise down the lively "Vegas Strip" a boulevard jammed full of neon lights calling you to the various casinos, restaurants and live shows. Food, drink and entertainment prices here are incredibly low as each casino encourages you to "Take a Chance". Vegas owes its growth to the Hoover Dam which brought a large supply of construction workers into the area at the same time as the Nevada government legalized gambling.

Acclaimed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World the Grand Canyon is far more spectacular than "Grand". Here colors change from pinks and purples at dawn to a glowing golden hue at sunset. About 6 million years ago the Colorado River began carving a path through the Colorado Plateau creating a canyon that is now 445km long, as much as 27 km wide and almost 1850m deep. We leave the rim to explore the canyon, trekking deep inside, where there are different treks of varying length. There are ruins from the Yavapai tribes that inhabited this area and we have a chance to take a scenic flight over the Canyon.

Leaving the Grand Canyon we head south through Arizona to Tucson the frontier town on the Mexican border. The Saguaro National Monument situated just before Tucson has thousands of cacti some up to 50ft high, as well as roadrunners and coyotes. Also in the area is the Sonora Desert Museum which has an incredible collection of desert flora and fauna. The towns and folk in this area all have the feel of the wild west and we pass a few of the old Spanish settlements with their white-washed buildings and defensive walls.

Mexico

Heading south to the border we cross into Mexico at Nogales, and after having friendly exchanges with the border officials, in Spanish of course, we continue south through the Sonora Desert.

Driving through typical spaghetti western territory, we drive over the slow dirt roads to the Baseachic National Park. Here we trek to the base of the Baseachic Falls which fall over 300m. We continue through the rugged Sierra Madre, climbing to Creel, a Tarahumara Indian town close to the Canon del Cobre (Copper Canyon). The Copper Canyon is as deep as 2300m in parts and we can trek into the canyon for a day, relaxing at the Recohuata thermal springs at a mere 600m deep! The Tarahumara are the largest tribe in Mexico numbering approx 50,000, and they have maintained many of their traditions and beliefs due to living in such inaccessible lands. They are known for their incredible stamina, and having trekked in these canyons you will appreciate why!

From Creel we continue on the Chihuahua - El Pacifico Railway, one of the world's greatest engineering feats, taking 90 years to finally complete in 1960. There are no direct roads in this area thus the train is the only alternative to foot or horseback. Leaving an altitude of 2340m we travel for 290km through 88 tunnels and over 38 bridges to the Pacific coast at Los Mochis. It is a spectacular trip which gives us a great view of the Copper Canyon at Divisidar, and the Mexicans are sure to provide lots of on board entertainment. The truck drives around the long way and meets up with us at Los Mochis.

Once on the Pacific coast we spend time at Mazatlan, with long stretches of sandy beaches. Mazatlan was one of the major Spanish ports in the early 1500's where galleons full of Sierra Madre gold left the Spanish territories. The old town is still very much alive and by night the beach front is swinging with salsa clubs and tequila bars. "Pulmones", very similar to a golf cart with blaring music, ply up and down delivering revelers from bar to bar.

We head inland to Guadalajara passing the town of Tequila. The scent of tequila is in the air as we pass fields of agarve, the plant from which tequila is distilled. We visit a distillery and imbibe a few "copas"!

Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico, which the Spanish first settled in 1530. The town center has many historic buildings including the twin towered Cathedral which has become the city's most famous symbol, the Teatro Degollado (opera house) and enormous markets selling almost anything. At night you can wander to Mariachi Plaza, sit at a cafe and be entertained by Mariachi musicians.

We spend a day at the small village of Anguahuan, where we can trek or ride horses to the Volcan Paricutin. This volcano developed in a field in 1943 and continued to erupt until 1954 when it ceased as suddenly as it had started. In that time the volcano engulfed two entire villages and all that remains are the eerie church spires protruding from the lava.

Patzcuaro is our last stop before reaching Mexico City. It is a picturesque town nestled on the shores of Lago Patzcuaro and was the capital of the Purepechan Indian empire in the early 14th century. The Spanish took the city between 1522 and 1529, and atrocious crimes were committed by them against the Purepecha people. Today the town is tranquil with Indian markets and outdoor cafes, a far cry from its turbulent history.

Mexico City is the world's largest metropolitan area and is home to a population of some 20 million. Despite its size the city center still has a colonial feel with a massive Hispanic cathedral dominating the Plaza de la Constitucion - the main square. The cathedral is built on the site of the ancient Aztec capital, the remains of which can be viewed alongside at the Temple Mayor and its Museum. Since we stay for a week in Mexico City, you may like to allow a day or two to take in some of the city's spectacular sights, such as the palaces, churches and temples, the anthropological and other museums, or to watch life go by in the Alameda Central - the central park.

Leaving Mexico City we visit some of the most famous ruins in Central America, Teotihuacan. Here the Avenue of the Dead runs for about 4 km through the site, connecting some of the most important features such as the Plaza of the Sun, where the massive Pyramid of the Sun towers above adjacent ruins and, further on, the Pyramid of the Moon. This remarkable complex of ruins was built by an unknown pre-Aztec civilization around 300 BC. The civilization must have been very powerful, judging by the size and the grandeur of these ruins and by the advanced hieroglyphs adorning the walls of the buildings, however they disappeared completely, leaving the Aztecs to name the ruins.

We now head past the foothills of Popocatepetl Mexico's highest volcanic peak on our way south east. We next come to the beautiful old colonial town of Oaxaca. Its graceful arcades and colorful markets are populated mainly by the descendants of Zapotec and Mixtec Indians, who come to sell their colorful woven blankets and shawls in the Zocalo. Here you can explore the narrow, cobbled streets which gave D.H. Lawrence the inspiration for his novel The Plumed Serpent, or simply sit in the square drinking the local mescal and tequila and watch life in this colorful town go by.

Nearby at Monte Alban are the ruins of pyramids, terraces, tombs and sculptures of the ancient capital of the Zapotec peoples, one of the most ancient of the meso-American civilization which inhabited the valley from 800 BC.

Leaving the hills we head down to the Pacific coast and we spend a couple of nights in the area around the village of Mazunte. This is best described as an 'eco-village', where there is a turtle museum, and you can go out with the local fishermen to see the turtles in the bay.

We continue along the coast and eventually climb up through fine mountain scenery en-route to San Cristobal de las Casas the administrative centre of the Chiapas region. We will get the chance to visit some of the surrounding Indian villages perhaps taking a gentle horse-back ride to get there. The villages are populated with Tzotzil and Tzeltal Indians who still show their tribal origins through their varied traditional costumes and customs.

Moving on through the Chiapas region we stop at the waterfalls of Agua Azul. Here, as the name suggests, bright blue water cascades into endless pools formed by the lime deposits in the water itself: the clarity and mineral content giving the water its rich colors.

Palenque, at the start of the Yucatan Peninsula, is sited on a hilltop in an area of hot jungle and hosts probably the most impressive series of Mayan ruins, which date back to AD 600. Whilst walking amongst the ruins it is quite often possible to hear the eerie calls of the Howler monkeys echoing from the jungle around us, which gives an added dimension to this magnificent archaeological site. In the Templo de las Inscripciones the excavators actually found an intact funerary crypt containing the sarcophagus of the Sun God. The temples are superb relics of the Mayan culture, and there are many ruins here still un-excavated and hidden in the surrounding forest.

On our way to Merida, time permitting, we will stop at another of the great Mayan ruins. The site at Uxmal demonstrates that each area of the ancient Mayan empire had its own distinct culture. The architecture of the great pyramid here, coupled with the intricate designs and facades are unique to this area.

Our next stop is at the colonial town of Merida, the Yucatan State capital. Here we get a chance to browse the excellent markets. This is perhaps the best place to buy a hammock to get into the swing of things, or even a Panama hat if you want to get ahead.

Further along the road we visit the famous site of Chichen-Itza where Toltec and earlier Mayan ruins lie alongside each other. The famous El Castillo pyramid houses a huge staircase to a crypt which is guarded by a jaguar statue. The crypt houses a throne in the shape of a jaguar, painted red and inlaid with eyes and spots of pure jade. The site has the largest ball-court from which any losing player taking part in the games would not have escaped with his head. The games are depicted in carvings on the walls. Nearby the well of sacrifice offered up treasures of jade, copper and gold as well as many human and animal bones when it was excavated at the start of the century.

We head for the Caribbean coast at Tulum. The ruins of the ancient city of Tulum sit up on the cliff top overlooking the white beach, the palm trees and the turquoise sea. It is easy to see why the location was chosen for these temples to the god of the Setting Sun.

Belize

Further down the coast we cross into Belize, a country where many Mayan ruins still lie un-excavated in the forests and jungles.

Our first port of call in the country is to an area known as Bermudian Landing. Here a fascinating conservation project has been set up by the locals. Rather confusingly named the Community Baboon Sanctuary, the reserve is, in fact, a protected habitat for black howler monkeys. You are unlikely to get better views of families of these indigenous monkeys in the wild anywhere in the continent. The sounds that they make are unforgettable and epitomize the sounds of Central American jungles.

From here we drive on to Belize City. Its old wooden buildings and its harbor and canals give the city a certain charm, but its reputation for crime means that we stay there just long enough to organize an excursion out to the beautiful Cayes.

The Belize Cayes are a group of islands a short boat ride away from the coast, where scuba diving and snorkeling are about the hardest work to be done all day. There are a number of these islands to choose from, but we will base ourselves on Caye Caulker which is one of the more popular islands with travelers. From here it is possible to arrange day trips to other Cayes and to the best reefs for diving, or simply take a local boat out to the reef of Caulker itself. Each island has its own particular character but all of them have the unmistakable Caribbean pace and charm.

Once back on the mainland we can stop at Belize Zoo on our way to San Ignacio, close to the Guatemalan border. We will try to make time to visit the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich before we leave the country.

Guatemala

Crossing the border into Guatemala we reach a country which is still very Indian in its culture.

We make for the Mayan ruins of Tikal and spend the night in the camp close to the ruins. This will enable us to see the spectacular sunset, or the sunrise early the next morning, as the light at this time of day gives the site a surreal quality. Giant pyramids and temples tower above the forest canopy over a vast area of largely uncleared jungle. Paths and walkways lead through the jungle to the different groups of buildings, each with its own historical significance. There is a host of wildlife in the jungle first thing in the morning and in the evenings, so you are almost sure to see spider monkeys swinging in the trees above you, hear the calls of unfamiliar birds around you, and perhaps see coati and agoutis foraging on the jungle floor as you walk past.

From Tikal we take the road south via the small town of Flores. The town is built on an island in Lake Peten Itza and connected to the shore by a causeway half a kilometer long. It is an interesting little town with narrow streets and well worth a quick visit.

We move on to another small town at Poptun. If the weather is wet the road conditions may delay us a little, but if dry we may have time to spend a day at Poptun. Staying at a finca which is a popular stopping place for travelers, we might choose to go horse-back riding or walking in the pine forests in this picturesque setting.

We then head for Fronteras passing the old Spanish fort Castillo de San Filipe at the point where the Rio Dulce enters Lake Izabal. The following morning we will take a boat trip along the Rio Dulce. The river flows through dense forests and the jungle comes right down to the water's edge. Tropical birds nest in the trees around us and fly overhead. At one part of the river hot water bubbles from a natural spring in the bank. creating a localized hot pool. For those wanting a hot bath or a swim, you can simply jump over the edge of the boat.

At the mouth of the Rio Dulce we come to the small town of Livingston. It has no roads connecting it to the rest of the country and as such has developed its own rather unique character with something of a Caribbean feel. After a short time here we rejoin the truck at Puerto Barrios.

From here we drive to Antigua, the old colonial capital of Guatemala, which is only a short distance from international airport at Guatemala City. Antigua is the cultural centre of the country and in addition to its Indian markets, the colonial buildings, cobbled streets and indigenous marimba music in the many bars and restaurants, creates a fantastic atmosphere.

El Salvador

After leaving the rest of the group in Guatemala City, we take an early morning bus to get to San Salvador. We drive in this very luxurious bus to the border with El Salvador. Crossing the border will be a peace of cake, since the hostess on the bus will take care of all the immigration formalities.

After a few hours driving we get to the capital, San Salvador. Despite of what you have been told, San Salvador is a very modern and Western looking city. The war has been over for years and so this city is ready to receive lots of tourists. Everything is there for the tourists: plenty of nice hotels, city tours, tourist shops,... There is only one thing missing: the tourists themselves!

The city tour is definitely a must. You not only do get to see the city and get a lot of very interesting information about the city (in Spanish and in English for those how still don't master the Spanish language), you will also visit El Salvador's National Park.

A very interesting thing you learn on this City tour is that Bishop Romero, whom we have been told was shot death in the Cathedral in San Salvador, was not even in the city when he was shot! He was actually shot in a little village a few hundred kilometers from San Salvador.

Leaving San Salvador, we take a bus driving us through San Miguel to the border with Honduras.

Honduras

Close to the border are the ruins of Copan. This ancient site is the southern most of the great Mayan sites for which Central America is famed. This particular site is unique because of the 21 stelae or columns that have been found there. These are heavily carved with reliefs depicting the passage of time and the lives of the Royal families. There are also a number of small pyramid shaped temples and excavated vaults.

We now head towards the Caribbean. From La Ceiba or San Pedro there is an option to fly to the famous Bay Islands for a few days. This archipelago of coral islands set in the Caribbean is known for its laid back atmosphere. The scuba diving around the reefs particularly by Utila Island is said to be some of the best in the world and extremely good value. You can even do your PADI licence if you stay longer and catch the group up in Tegucigalpa. If you don't want to dive, Roatan Island is probably the better choice.

Meanwhile those not wanting to savor the delights of the Bay Islands drive north to the palm-fringed beaches of the Caribbean where we base ourselves near the town of Trujillo. Here you can relax on the long white beaches and soak up the local Caribbean atmosphere, or explore the pleasant town which incidentally is the oldest town in Honduras.

Reef divers and beach bums reunite and our journey continues south, passing Lago Yojoa on our way to the capital city of Honduras, Tegucigalpa. The city was first set up as a mining town in the 16th century and still retains some of its old features and beautiful stuccoed houses. There are a number of high summits surrounding the city from which there are excellent views. One is El Picacho at the top of which is a small zoo of indigenous animals, and another is the Juana Lainez hill, at the top of which is a monument to peace. From here there is a good view overlooking the national stadium.

Nicaragua

Heading southwards we cross into the once war-torn country of Nicaragua. It is the largest republic in Central America and also the poorest. Its checkered history of civil unrest, of dictatorships, uprisings and US intervention have left the country with little social structure. The natural phenomenons of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes have further destroyed the physical fabric of the towns and the sagging economy is ill-equipped to cope with the necessary rebuilding.

Our first stop in the country is at the town of Leon. The streets are lined with derelict buildings and the walls are adorned with political murals and graffiti. Given this extraordinary setting it is a pleasant surprise to discover that you receive a cheery welcome from the locals in the market, though the variety of goods and foodstuffs available is limited.

Continuing our journey we camp on the shores of Lake Managua, with the spectacular view of Momotombo volcano providing a wonderful backdrop.

The capital city, Managua, again reminds us of the disasters that have befallen this country. The old city center was first destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and, having been rebuilt, destroyed again by an earthquake in 1972 and by war in 78/79. The remains of the city center have largely been bulldozed away to leave flat, leveled spaces of open wasteland. The Cathedral stands without a roof and with insufficient funds to allow it to be rebuilt.

Not far from Managua we visit the national park of Masaya. Here the twin volcanic craters of Masaya and Santiago are an incredible sight. At the bottom of a vast crater a glowing red fire, like a furnace, fills the air with a pall of pungent sulphurous fumes.

On lake Nicaragua we visit the country's third city, Granada. Though also poverty stricken, there are a number of beautiful colonial buildings and a cathedral rebuilt in neo-classical style. It was rivalry between the people of Granada and the people of Leon that finally led to the capital, Managua, being built halfway between the two. There is a museum in Granada that houses some 28 sculptures, dating from 800 AD, brought from Isla Zapatera, one of the larger islands in the lake.

Costa Rica

Crossing into Costa Rica we leave the poverty of Nicaragua behind and enter a prosperous country renowned for its wealth of wildlife and natural history. Around 11% of its land mass is made over to national parks and we waste no time in getting to see them. Seasonal variations will determine which of the national parks we decide to go to and the following description of the itinerary is an example of some of the parks we could visit.

We first stop at the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge, and camp near its long white sandy beach. Huge land iguanas share the campsite with us and inquisitive tropical birds watch from the branches of the trees around us. Walkers in the early mornings and evenings are bound to be rewarded with sightings of wildlife such as coatis, agoutis, armadillos or perhaps howler monkeys. It is often possible to take a boat trip into the mangroves from where you can get an even better view of the birds that live by the waterways. Between the months of October and March, at the nearby beach known as Playa Grande, it is possible to see turtles come up at night to lay their eggs.

We move on to the area of Lake Arenal. Here there is an active volcano and we may camp in its shadow watching and listening to the eruptions at night. The area is also known for its natural hot springs.

San Jose is situated in a valley surrounded by coffee plantations. It is a modem city with all the facilities that one would expect from a cosmopolitan capital. We spend a couple of days here, and for those wanting to try a day's white water rafting, this can be arranged from here. There are a number of things to see in the city including a chance to visit the excellent gold museum which shows off a fine collection of pre-Columbian artefacts.

Another of the possible activities to consider doing during your stay at San Jose is an optional excursion to the Rainforest Aerial Tram. This is about an hour's drive outside San Jose itself, on the northern edge of the Braulio Carillo national park. A cable tramway of 1.7 kilometers takes you through the rainforest canopy to give a rather unique view of the jungle. This highly acclaimed project was the first of its kind and is well worth a visit.

From San Jose we head south to take in more national parks. Different parks offer different interests according to the time of year. We may go to Corcovado or Manuel Antonio, but either way there is opportunity to see a host of wildlife, and both are situated on the coast with beautiful secluded beaches

Panama

Leaving the national parks of Costa Rica we cross the border into Panama. Panama is again a fairly western country with something of an American influence - so much so, in fact, that the Panamanians do not produce any banknotes of their currency but use the American dollar. One dollar has the same value as one balboa, though it is difficult to find out what exactly a balboa is.

Our route now takes us to the island of Bocas del Toro for a couple of nights. We will be visiting Bastiementos national park, and it is also worth hiring a bike to cycle round the island.

It is not long before we arrive at our final destination Panama City, and cross the bridge of the Americas at the mouth of the Panama Canal. We will get a chance to visit the first lock on the canal where a visitors center gives information on this incredible feat of engineering, and where it is possible to watch the vast cargo ships slipping into the water-lock.