|
Our Panamanian pit stop started early on a still wintery morning in Toronto. My travel partner and I took a Copa Airlines flight from Lester Pearson at 9 AM, and by 2:30 PM, we were in Panama—just in time to shake off the last traces of Canadian winter. Not bad at all. Even better? Copa actually fed us. A real meal. On a plane. In 2025. Miracles do happen.  Panama's Casco Viejo. Copyright: aesta1 As someone in my seventies, I always assess a new place through the lens of “Would this be a good spot to age gracefully?” A friend of mine already made the leap, securing his Panamanian residence card after a year of paperwork. Meanwhile, he’s been basking in the sun while the rest of Canada shovels snow off their driveways. Not a bad trade-off. Flipping through Copa Airlines’ in-flight magazine, I realized Panama is a prime launching pad for adventures all over Central and South America. Europe and North America are also easily accessible, so you never have to feel stuck. In fact, our stop in Panama was a free bonus on our way to Colombia—an offer too tempting to refuse.  The View from the Rooftop Bar of La Compania. Copyright: aesta1 Old-World Charm in Panama City Arriving in the city, we went straight to a hotel owned by friends of my travel companion, located in the historic Casco Viejo district. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you can wander aimlessly and feel like you’re in a movie—cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of old and new.  Restored Ruin in Panama's Casco Viejo. Copyright: aesta1 After freshening up, we strolled around in search of a good meal. We stumbled upon La Compañia, a restaurant and rooftop bar promising spectacular sunset views and—most importantly—happy hour. An easy sell.    A footman (yes, a real footman, not just some guy in a uniform) guided us to the elevator, where we marveled at walls covered in old nautical instruments, making us feel like we were about to set sail for the New World.    The view was so stunning that we decided to stick around for dinner. The complex housed four restaurants—French, Italian, Spanish, and American (with Peruvian and Mexican influences). We opted for Spanish and dined at El Sanctuario, where I ordered paella. Now, I’ve been to Spain several times, so I consider myself somewhat of a paella connoisseur. Verdict? One of the tastiest I’ve had outside of Spain.    The next day, we returned for lunch at the Italian spot. The arancini? Perfection. The thinly sliced salami? A flavor bomb. The focaccia? So good we ordered a whole loaf to take home. But the biggest surprise was the pulpo—paper-thin octopus paired with arugula, a dish I never knew I needed in my life.  Our First Restaurant Stop in Panama. Copyright: aesta1  Appetizer Board, Panama. Copyright: aesta1 Afternoon Happy Hour & Canal Dreams Oh, and how could I forget our first happy hour in Panama? Fresh off the plane, slightly jet-lagged but thirsty, we found a bar and ordered an appetizer board loaded with ceviche, croquetas, plantains, and the star of the show--chicharrón with just the right amount of crispy fat. Because let’s be honest, fat is where the flavor lives. Of course, no trip to Panama is complete without visiting the canal. And yes, the next day, we joined the ranks of curious tourists ticking off that bucket list item. But that’s a story for another day. Comments are closed.
|
Archives
April 2025
|