Blue door in Cartagena, Colombia
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RTW Week 6: Panama City & Cartagena

This weekly wrap-up covers our journey from May 12 to May 18. We spent Sunday morning in Salento before flying to Panama City, where we met up with Megan’s mom, Patty, for a few days. Then all three of us flew back to Colombia on Thursday to explore Cartagena together.

Family at Las Hijas de la Tostada in Cartagena, Colombia
Patty, Megan and Jonathan before dinner at Las Hijas de la Tostada in Cartagena.

Favorite thing we ate: One evening in Panama, we met the owner of Sartori Cheese for drinks, which means we got to try some delicious cheese. The Black Pepper BellaVitano ended up being Jonathan’s favorite thing he ate all week! Patty enjoyed the various small plates we had at Mercao, also in Panama City, including seafood on patacones, ceviche, and chicken salad on arepas. Megan’s favorite single item was a shrimp burger from Las Hijas de la Tostada in Cartagena.

Favorite thing we drank: Patty introduced Megan to caipiroskas in Panama (like caipirinhas, but they taste good haha), but their favorite drink of the week was a lulo vodka cocktail at El Bistro in Cartagena [menu pictured above left]. Since arriving in Latin America, we’ve also been trying many different natural juices. Lately, Jonathan has been especially loving natural lemonades.

Jonathan at Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal
We watched the last boat of the morning going through the Miraflores Locks.

Favorite thing we did: Our main reason for meeting Patty in Panama was for Jonathan to see an engineering wonder of the world: the Panama Canal. It did not disappoint! We arrived at the visitor’s center just in time to see the last ship of the morning go through the Miraflores Locks [pictured above]. Megan’s favorite part of the week was spending quality time with her mom, who accompanied her on early-morning “Instagram walks” in Cartagena. 😉

Colorful buildings in Cartagena, Colombia

Biggest splurge: During our coffee farm tours in both Costa Rica and Colombia, we learned about “Geisha coffee,” the trendy new expensive coffee on the market. During breakfast in Casco Viejo (Panama City’s old town), Jonathan tried the Geisha coffee made in a Chemex. It was $9! But, we got to try it, and now we know it isn’t really worth the $9 over other coffee varieties. 😉

Megan floating in a Panama City rooftop pool
Escaping the Panamanian humidity at a rooftop pool.

What we’re reading: Megan read (and loved!) The Poppy War, and then returned to her travel-inspired reading with The World in Half by Cristina Henriquez, which is set in Panama City. It’s been fun reading about the characters visiting the Miraflores Locks and Casco Viejo—both places we also visited this week! Jonathan is reading Miracle Creek.

What we’re watching: Jonathan is almost done with all three seasons of Shooter already. And as soon as we get back to the U.S. later this week, we’ll be bingeing the final season of Game of Thrones. NO SPOILERS PLEASE!

Colorful buildings in Casco Viejo, Panama City
Casco Viejo, Panama City, was full of colonial charm.

Total walking distance: 22.75 miles

Up next: A few more days in Cartagena, then back to the U.S. for a short stint.

Megan

Megan is a librarian by training, currently on a journey around the world with her husband, Jonathan. She enjoys visiting bookstores, libraries and coffeeshops while traveling.

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