Who was the 1st Chief Engineer during the construction under US administration?

On May 6th, 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed John F. Wallace Chief Engineer of the Panama Canal Project. The job awarded Wallace a $25,000 annual salary -- the highest of any government employee other than the President. On June 21, Wallace, along with assistant engineer William Karner, set sail on the Allianca from New York. After a rough weeklong voyage, the ship arrived in Colón, Panama during the rainy season. The streets were thick with impassible mud and houses elevated just a few feet above dirty, foul smelling water. Wallace and his men were not optimistic about the future in their new home.

Wallace realized almost immediately that the Isthmus' harsh terrain would be a serious obstacle to construction. The task ahead of him seemed impossible: to dig a channel 50 miles in length and 30 feet below sea level stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific coast. He would have to cut through dense jungle, control parts of the flood-prone Chagres River and haul away sections of the Culebra Mountain hundreds of feet above sea level. Daunted, Wallace asked for more time to survey the area, but Roosevelt's directive to "Make the dirt fly!" prevented any further delay

To meet the government's demands for fast, visible progress on the canal, Wallace attempted to excavate the spoil as quickly as possible, but flooding and landslides caused repeated setbacks. The delays damaged morale among workers already suffering from terrible food and living conditions.

Logistical problems added to the inefficiency. At the start of the project, the laborers only had at their disposal the antiquated machines left behind a decade earlier. Soon Wallace ordered newer equipment from the U.S., but the giant steam shovels excavated more spoil than the existing train infrastructure could remove, forcing Wallace to operate them at 25% of their peak efficiency or less.

Wallace also faced bureaucratic challenges from Isthmian Canal Commission (ICC). A seven-member presidential committee was established to help avoid the inefficiency and corruption that had plagued the French 15 years earlier. The ICC had to approve every decision Wallace made in the Canal Zone. With engineers filling out more than 1,000 work request forms weekly, even the simplest tasks often took months to complete.

Overwhelmed, Wallace resigned abruptly in June 1905. His successor was railroad mastermind John Stevens, engineer of the Great Northern Railroad that traversed the Pacific Northwest. Right at the start of his tenure Stevens did the one thing that Wallace failed to do -- stop digging.

Itinerary : Panama Canal Full Transit Tour

About 8-9 hours

  

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The tour starts at 7:00AM at the Flamenco Island in Amador Causeway in Panama City. You will check-in at the ship to start this adventure. The ship will cross under the Bridge of the Americas (Puente de Las Americas) and then start your transit through the Miraflores Locks, the first set of locks. While in Miraflores you will ascend 18 meters in two steps. After that you will find yourself transiting the artificial Miraflores Lake which is located just between the Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel Locks. You will still be in the Pacific Ocean.

At Pedro Miguel Locks the ship will ascend again another 9 meters in one step. While exiting Pedro Miguel Locks you will transit the Gaillard Cut (Corte Culebra). This area is full of history, is one of the most important points of attraction of this trip. Also, you will witness the works being done for the Canal expansion project.

Then you’ll find Gatun Lake. The second largest man-made lake in the world. You will find the Barro Colorado – Smithsonian Research Station and then you will transit the Gatun Locks the last and only set of locks located in the Atlantic side. At this point you will experience a 26 meters drop in three different steps which will complete your transit through the Panama Canal.

You will dock at Pier 6 in the Colon area where the transportation is provided to return to Panama City.

What's Special about the Panama Canal Full Transit Tour?

• English/Spanish guide-narrator.
• Continental Breakfast.
• Complete Lunch, bottled water and soft drinks
• Snacks
• Transportation by bus from Colon to Flamenco Island in Panama City where tour started

Albert Einstein brief Panama visit

On January 4, 1933 aboard the Steamship Belgenland Professor Albert Einsten Albert Einstein, one of the world's foremost scientists, and author of the theory of relativity cross the Panama Canal on route to California

Distinguished Travelers Visit Panama's Bazaars at the City of Colon : Professor Albert Einstein, with his wife, laden with packages of souvenirs for their children, purchased in the bazaars of the tropical city, where they stopped while en route to California Einstein insisted that the Hindu clerks be included in the photograph

Professor Einstein with Frau Einstein enjoying a horse-drawn carriage ride in Front Street Colon, Rep. of Panama.

Steamship Belgenland crossing the Panama Canal

Itinerary : Panama Canal Partial Transit Tour

About 5-6 hours

You will start the tour at 7:00AM from Amador Causeway in Panama City. You will take the tour bus which will transport passengers to the Gamboa area, where the trip starts. This transfer will take 45 minutes. Then you board the ship and you will be transiting the Gaillard Cut, this area is one of the most important attractions of the trip because it’s full of history.  

Then you will cross under the Centennial Bridge and that is when you will be on the way to transit Pedro Miguel Locks. Also, you will witness the works being done for the Canal expansion project. When entering Pedro Miguel Locks you will experience a drop of 9 meters in one step and find the Miraflores Lake, an artificial lake that connects Pedro Miguel Locks with and Miraflores Locks. 

Now you will enter the last set of locks called Miraflores Locks in the Pacific Ocean where you will be lowered 18 meters in two different steps. You will be sailing the Pacific Ocean on the way to the disembarkation point at Amador Causeway but before that, you will be passing under the Bridge of the Americas (Puente de Las Americas). You will be in the Panama Bay and that is the end of this unique trip.

What's Special about the Panama Canal Partial Transit Tour?

• Go through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Panama Canal Locks.

• See the famous Gaillard Cut
• Learn about the history of the canal and its strategic importance.
• Learn how transit ships navigate through the Canal maze.
• See the work being done to expand the Panama Canal.
• Enjoy a delicious Breakfast.

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Visit Taboga Island

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Located just off the west coast of Panama City, only one hour by ferry, Taboga Island is one of Panama's most frequently visited tourist destinations. Founded in the XVI Century by Spaniard Sancho Clavija, the island's original name was "Aboga", which means "an abundance of fish". The island became a very important location, as it was frequently used as a loading and unloading port, in particular for the North American and English fleets which used the island as a base for their operations. Taboga Island itself is surrounded by several other islands, including Isla Taboguilla, Isla Urava, and Isla El Morro.

Clean and quiet, Taboga Island contains a network of well maintained paths, many of which are lined with colorful orchids in a variety of colors; this is most evident on the main path which runs parallel along the beach front. Small eateries and grocery stores line the main path, where you can purchase soft drinks and a variety of food dishes. The roads are narrow, and were not designed to accommodate automobiles; there are very few vehicles on the island

Aside from the network of trails that crisscross along the water's edge, there are two trails of importance on the island for hikers.

The primary trail, known as Cerro de las Tres Cruces, takes you all the way to the top of Taboga Island where you'll find an observation area (mirador) offering panoramic views of Taboga Island, the neighboring islands, and on a clear day Panama City, El Amador and the Bridge of the Americas. As well, you'll see numerous species of sea birds gliding and resting along the southern side (coastal region) of the island where the Taboga Island Wildlife Refuge is located; between the months of December - July this area serves as a safe refuge for reproduction purposes. The hike to the top can last approximately 1 - 1.5 hour(s) depending on your physical condition and interest in the local flora and fauna. Virtually the entire trail is uphill with some small sections that flatten out momentarily. The trail is more like a road, wide enough for vehicle traffic and well maintained.

There is very little if any canopy cover along the trail and depending on the time of year you make the journey the vegetation can be somewhat sparse. The southern portion of the island is much more sparse than the northern part, all of which is clearly visible from the observation area. Blue Morpho butterflies, small lizards and a host of different bird species can all be observed while hiking up the trail.

The second trail, which is also part of the Refuge, is a much shorter trail and leads to the southern section of the island. It is much narrower than the Cerro de las Tres Cruces trail and has unfortunately become the chosen area on the island to dispose of garbage. The trail itself is lined with tons of trash ranging from ovens, refrigerators, stoves, bicycles, etc. It surprising that a trail within the boundaries of a Wildlife Refuge could be utilized for such purposes. Unless you want to witness the garbage for yourself it makes more sense to spend your time on the Cerro de las Tres Cruces trail.

Both trails begin just a short 10-15 hike from town where the cement trail ends and the dirt road begins. Just follow the main trail out of town until they fork. Turn right for the Cerro de las Tres Cruces trail and left for the garbage trail.

Some of the island's interesting attractions are the Church of San Pedro, Museum, and altar honoring the Christ of Buga, which contains a small garden exhibiting a profusion of flowers in different colors and species. On the back side of the island lies the Taboga Island Wildlife Reserve, containing various species of sea birds that use the island as a refuge for their reproduction during the months of December-July.
Kayaking, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving can be enjoyed.

Ecological Tour Package 10 Days 9 Nights in Panama

Day : 1 - Arrival to Panama City :

Upon arrival to Panama a representative from Panama Tourism & Travel will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your city hotel for your firs night in Panama.

Day : 2 - Bocas del Toro :

In the early morning you will be transferred from your hotel to the local airport in Panama City for your flight to Bocas del Toro. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airstrip in Bocas Town and transferred to the Playa Tortuga Hotel.

Day : 3 - Tour to Bocatorito Lagoon, Cayo Coral and Zapatilla Cays :

Today’s tour starts at the Bocas del Toro pier with a short boat ride to Laguna Bocatorito. In this bay, also called dolphin bay, the probability to spot dolphins is about 95%. You will spend some time watching them jump and play around your boat. You then continue to the Coral Keys to practice some snorkeling and to enjoy the colorful Bocas del Toro underwater world. At the Coral Keys there is a restaurant where you can have lunch if you want to (not included in the tour!). You will then continue to Red Frog Beach. It received its name thanks to the abundance of tiny red frogs that can be found at that beach. Enjoy the afternoon looking for the red frogs or relaxing at this clean white beach. In the late afternoon you will be taken back to Bocas del Toro.

Day : 4 – Embera Indian Village  :

In the morning you will be transferred to the Bocas Del Toro airport for your flight back to Panama City. There, your English speaking guide will pick you up and take you on a private tour to the Embera Indian Community

Day : 5 – Guna Yala Island  :

In the early morning you will be transferred from your hotel to the local airport in Panama City for your flight to Guna Yala and you will be transfer to the Uaguinega cabins

Day : 6 – Guna Yala Tour options  :

• Visit to the Achutupu, Mamitupu y Aligandí indigenous communities to observe their culture, lifestyles and traditions resides getting to know their local government style 

• Tour to the Cainora or Soskandup beaches  both have white sand and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.

• Birds and wild flowers nature tours in the Guna Yala This tour includes a thorough exchange with nature, you will see a variety of birds from different regions who have immigrated to our country, many of them endangered. The flora in Kuna Yala is one of the most important attractions, there are lots of wildflowers and herbs of all kinds. Many of these plants are used today by the Kuna to cure various diseases
• River tour

• Tour to Achutupus Historic Guna Cementery to see how Gunas bury their loved ones

Day : 7 – Monkey Island and Chagres River :

In the morning you will be transferred to the Bocas Del Toro airport for your flight back to Panama City. There, your English speaking guide will pick you up and take you on a private tour to

Link : http://panamatourismtravel.blogspot.com/2011/10/monkey-island-tour.html

 

Day : 8 – Anton Valley:

Visit to La Pintada, A Pre-Colombian Mysterious Petroglyph, Trekking and climbing to El Macho, A beautiful natural Waterfal, Visit to the Nispero Gardens and Zoo (Home of the rare "golden frog" and exotic birds, Visit to "La Casa de Lourdes", where the garden views are spectacular and the food  outstanding, Bathing on Hot Springs & Waterfalls, Visit to the Artisan Market, where attractive indian crafts are noticeably cheaper than in the city, Canopy Tour

 

Day : 9  – Aerial Tram  :

Discover the secrets of the upper rainforest canopy with a ride on the Resort aerial tram. The tram takes you from the shodowy rainforest floor through the under story, and into the sundrenched canopy. There you can enjoy a birds eye view of a thousand hues of green interspersed with the fluorescent exclamation points of flowering trees.

Link: http://panamatourismtravel.blogspot.com/2012/01/aerial-tram-tour.html

 

Day : 10 - Departure to Panama City :

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Tocumen Airport for your international flight back home.

Included

• Meet & Greet at the Airport
• 5 Nights s at the Country Inn & Suites Amador in Standard Room
• 2 Nights at Playa Tortuga Hotel in Standard Room
• 2 Nights at Uaginega Hotel
• Tour to Bocatorito, Coral Cay & Red Frog Beach
• Roundtrip flight Bocas del Toro Island in economy class
• Roundtrip flight Guna Yala Island in economy class
• Food (complete breakfast, lunch and dinner where you can taste from a variety of seafood such as fresh local fish, shrimp, king crabs and if you dont liked seafood also you can choose Chicken, steak or vegetarian dishes.(bottle of water at lunch and dinner). In Guna Yala
• Ground transfers on A/C motor coaches
• All taxes and service charges
• Avaliable two (2) daily tours, mentioned in Guna Yala
• Entrance Fee to Nisper Zoo
• Canopy Tour Entrance Fee
        

Not Included

• Airport Departure Tax (US$ 20.00 per person )
• Tourist Card (US$ 5.00 for certain nationalities)
• Optional tours
• Meals not mentioned
• Beverages
• All extras in the hotels
• Voluntary tips & gratuities
• Taxes in Guna Yala ( US $ $12.00 per adult )

Price $ 1940.00 per person  Reserve Now

Bocas del Toro Package 5 Days / 4 Nights

Day : 1 - Arrival to Panama City :

Upon arrival to Panama a representative from Panama Tourism & Travel will pick  you up at the airport and transfer you to your city hotel for your firs night in Panama.

Day : 2 - Bocas del Toro :

In the early morning you will be transferred from your hotel to the local airport in Panama City for your flight to Bocas del Toro. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airstrip in Bocas Town and transferred by car to the Playa Tortuga Hotel.

Day : 3 - Tour to Bocatorito Lagoon, Cayo Coral and Zapatilla Cays :

Today’s tour starts at the Bocas del Toro pier with a short boat ride to Laguna Bocatorito. In this bay, also called dolphin bay, the probability to spot dolphins is about 95%. You will spend some time watching them jump and play around your boat. You then continue to the Coral Keys to practice some snorkeling and to enjoy the colorful Bocas del Toro underwater world. At the Coral Keys there is a restaurant where you can have lunch if you want to (not included in the tour!). You will then continue to Red Frog Beach. It received its name thanks to the abundance of tiny red frogs that can be found at that beach. Enjoy the afternoon looking for the red frogs or relaxing at this clean white beach. In the late afternoon you will be taken back to Bocas del Toro.

Day : 4 - Panama City Tour :

In the morning you will be transferred to the Bocas Del Toro airport for your flight back to Panama City. There, your English speaking guide will pick you up and take you on a private tour to see the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Visitor Center

After the visit to the Canal you will continue with your guide to the Historical Casco Antiguo

Day : 5 - Departure to Panama City :

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Tocumen Airport for your international flight back home.

Included

• Meet & Greet at the Airport
• 2 Nts at the Country Inn & Suites Amador in Standard Room
• 2 Nts at Playa Tortuga Hotel in Standard Room
• Tour to Bocatorito, Coral Cay & Red Frog Beach
• Half Day Panama City Tour & Miraflores Locks
• Roundtrip flight Bocas del Toro Island in economy class
• Ground transfers on A/C motor coaches
• All taxes and service charges

Not Included

• Airport Departure Tax (US$ 20.00 per person - usually included in airfare)
• Tourist Card (US$ 5.00 for certain nationalities)
• Optional tours
• Meals not mentioned
• Beverages
• All extras in the hotels
• Voluntary tips & gratuities

Price $ 895.00 per person

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Gunas Handcraft

Mola Art, also called Guna Mola, is an amazing creation by the women of the Guna tribe from Central America. Living directly on the Guna Yala Islands of Panama, these women create some of the most gorgeous pieces of art imaginable. Using a special appliqué process called “reverse appliqué” the women take numerous layers of cloth, each of varying color. These layers are then stitched together loosely while the top layers are fine-tipped cut with special scissors. The cut edges are then folded back at which time they are stitched to the bottom layer.

The word Mola translates into “blouse”. Although Mola Art was originally artwork done on women’s blouses as a means of adding beautiful color and design, today you will find Mola Art done on more than just blouses and in many cases, used as an actual form of art that is framed and proudly displayed. The wonderful aspect of the Mola pieces is that they are all so unique and vibrant. Women have the freedom to create beautiful designs of nature, which today, has become an increasingly popular type of apparel worn in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Most pieces consist of some type of motif constructed on several layers. As the designs are made, the cutting process exposes the underlying colors. While it mightsound simple, once you have seen Mola art, you can see that this is truly a developed skill. This method of cutting instead of drawing is one aspect that makes each design unique. Once the piece is complete, the panels are then used to create both front and back pieces for the blouse. This way, the Guna Indian women looked beautiful both coming and going.

The nice aspect of Mola art is that so many different designs could be used. For instance, common motifs would include flowers, fish, crab, parrots, fish, squirrel, monkey, dolphin, and much more. Typically, you find the chosen design representing nature and things that are a part of the women’s everyday life. However, what is so stunning is that regardless of the design, the colors are gorgeous – bright and vivid. The detailing is what makes the Mola art so interesting, each design meticulously designed to impress. In fact, no matter how many blouses or other art forms are made, there are never two designs exactly alike.

Other things commonly seen in the Mola art is anything to do with medicine, politics, dreams, fantasy, legends, imaginations, and literally anything that the woman experiences or observes. Because of this, you see women using the things around them, as well as things important in their life, both pleasure and work. Then, these designs are constructed into magnificent geometric and abstract motifs. Since each woman envisions the completed piece in her own mind, they are all so amazing and different. Therefore, even if 10 women created monkey motifs, each would ultimately be unique.

The most important thing is that the Mola art should be beautiful, appearing realistic, and three-dimensional. The woman will take her design of choice, adding her own personality or feelings into the creation. For that reason, if she were happy one day and made a bird motif but sad the next day, again making a bird motif, each design would be different.

Because Mola art could easily be viewed along with a fine painting, there are many masterpieces hanging in museums as actual art. The stitches are perfect, making the completed pieces spectacular. Keep in mind that each of the Mola art pieces measure 16 x 13 inches, meaning whether the design were an elephant, flower, or something mythological, the size would be the same. Although difficult to find in most countries, getting your hands on a Mola blouse or piece of artwork is a lifetime treasure

Coiba Island

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Located in the province of Veraguas, the Coiba National Park was established in 1991 to protect the tropical forests and marine environment and its beaches of spectacular natural beauty. The magnitude of the park goes from Isla Coiba to its 38 smaller islands and it is considered one of the largest marine ecosystems of the world. It is paradise island for nature and marine life lovers.

One will be able to engage in many different types of activities in this park, like admiring spectacular animals like the huge humpback whale, the orca, the spotted dolphin, whale shark, tiger shark, sting rays and turtles that come to the warm sand to lay their eggs. One will also be able to admire more than 100 different types of birds that live in the area and some that can only be seen here like the “colaespina de Coiba (Cranioleuca dissita)” and also land animals that will only be seen here like the “ñeque” and howler monkey.

For those who love to dive deep into the waters and admire coral reefs, you will be fascinated with this reef that is the second largest coral reef in the Pacific Ocean. If you want to enjoy sport fishing this is also the perfect place, since you will be able to find all sorts of fantastic fish like the marlin, “dorado” and the yellow fin tuna. And if you only wish to lie down and relax and enjoy the sun and the warm sand, you will also be able to do it, since these white sand beaches are privileged. 

 

Visit the Pearl Island

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The Pearl Islands are a group of 100 or more islands (many tiny and uninhabited) lying about 30 miles off the Pacific coast of Panama in the Gulf of Panama.

The most notable island is Contadora Island , known for its resorts. Contadora was said to be used by the Spanish conquistadors as a stop for taking inventory of booty prior to returning to Spain, hence the name (contador means counter or bookkeeper in Spanish). Contadora is a resort island, with many homes owned by wealthy Panamanians. There is a large hotel and other cabins available. Most of the resort workers live on nearby Isla Saboga. In 1979, the Shah of Iran briefly took exile on Isla Contadora.

The largest island, at about 30 square miles, is Isla del Rey ("Island of the King"), its name probably a religious reference rather than a reference to a secular king. Isla del Rey has several towns, most notably San Miguel. It is easily larger than the other Pearl Islands combined, and is the second largest island in Panama, after Coiba.

Other islands are Bolano, Buena Vista, Cana, Casaya, Chepra, Chitre, Cocos, Espiritu Santo, Galera, Gallo, Gilbraleon, Lampon, Marin, Mina, Mogo Mogo o Pajaro, Pacheca, Pachequille, Pedro Gonzalez, Puerco, San Jose, Senora, Vivenda, Vivienda and Viveros.

The lonely island of Galera is beautiful beyond description, with its heavy facade of very tall coconut palm trees and a beautiful white sandy beach. However it is a very perilous area to navigate a boat in. There are very strong currents, combined with shallows and jagged reefs surrounding the island. Unless one is familiar with the marine topography of Galera it is best to keep a distance when navigating it.