I arrived at the Timucuan Airport in Panama City and was transferred to my hotel for the next three nights, the Riu Hotel Plaza Panama.  After checking in and dropping my luggage, we headed to lunch at Miraflores Restaurant and visited the Miraflores Visitor Center.  The Panama Canal is a lock-type canal, approximately 50 miles long, that unites the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans at one of the narrowest points of the Isthmus of Panama and the American Continent. 

That evening we attended an outdoor Shakira concert at the Figali Convention Center.  I was escorted to the front, next to the stage as credentialed media were allowed to stand at the stage for the first three songs.  Shakira unexpectedly started the concert from the crowd as she walked around the stage on the ground right in front of us.  I've seen her perform on TV, which is very different versus standing under her as she gyrates those hips with moves that could turn a gay guy straight.  She is amazing, talented, beautiful and super flexible (at least in the hip area). 
We drove to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort for the tour of Monkey Island.  I was looking forward to seeing the monkeys, but thought we'd be far away and they would look like black specks to the naked eye.  I was surprised to find out that we could park our boat under certain trees on various islands and the monkeys were right above us.  In fact, we got so close to one group of Capuchin monkeys that one jumped onto our boat and stole someone's bread.  

After lunch on the Causeway Amador, we went to the Handicraft Center that sells all kinds of souvenirs, hand crafts, and clothing made by Panamanians.  I was looking for a genuine Panama Hat, but was surprised to find out they are actually made in Ecuador and ranged in price from $25-$120 depending on quality...who knew?  But I got a lesson on how to spot a genuine Panama Hat (see video) and was thrilled with my new purchase.   

With my "Purchase Genuine Panama Hat" checked off my To Do List, we headed to Casco Antiguo, or Old Quarter, which is a part of town where the city was relocated to in 1671 after an attack by English pirate Henry Morgan.  The move of the city to a more appropriate place in terms of defense was carried out and the Old City was left behind.  The look and feel of this area is reminiscent of the French Quarter in New Orleans with beautiful architecture and various town squares with statues in the middle.  This is also where the President of Panama lives with three white herons that also reside in his "White House."  You can find merchants selling art and crafts in many areas in this part of town, which added some shopping time to my cultural exploration.  

The next day we visited Panama Viejo, or Old City.  The Panama Viejo Historic Monumental Complex, and specifically the Tower of the Cathedral, is one of the main symbols of the nation.  The Old City was the center of expeditions during the Spanish conquest and colonization, as much as the central point in the trade routes of the times.  Today, the Archeological Site is one of the most important offerings of the historical-cultural tourism of the country.  Since July 2003, the Archeological Site of Panama Viejo has become part of the World Heritage list of UNESCO. 

We drove to the Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa, which is located on the Pacific Ocean side of the country.  The resort is absolutely beautiful and caters to large groups with its various pools, watersports, and sandy beach.  We enjoyed oceanfront lunch and I found a beachside canopy bed so I could soak up some Panama sunshine. 
My last stop in Panama City was to the Trump Ocean Club, which opened July 2011.  It's an amazing 72-story building that's  residences (92% are sold) and 369 hotel guest rooms located on the Punta Pacifica peninsula with boutiques, restaurants and a casino located below.

Thank you to Newlink Communications and the Autoridad de Turismo Panamá (ATP) for hosting me and showing me the best of Panama City.