Panama Invasion 1

On December 20, 1989 U.S. forces invaded the country of Panama with four objectives: to protect U.S. lives, maintain security of the Panama Canal, restore democracy and finally to capture Manuel Noriega. On March 27, 2005 Travel Invasion invaded Panama with four objectives: to cross over the Panama Canal, enjoy a great beach villa, see if democracy has been restored and finally to take a look at Noriega�s former beach house which now sits abandoned.

I had read about the Panama Tourist Police before traveling, but was shocked to see that they arranged a police escort to help guide us to the Panama Canal. Denise and I had just arrived in Panama after an all night flight. I told the car rental agent that I was a bit apprehensive about the drive from the airport to the canal. From the canal I would be alright, it was the first 15 miles which confused me. The agent told me not to worry and immediately arranged the police escort. Within minutes, following a police cruiser with flashing lights, we begin to feel like we were on an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Nearing the canal, the policemen waved us over the bridge and into our adventure. Objective #1 completed!

We now had exactly 100 kilometers or about 65 miles to go to our final destination of Villa Yearwood, which is a vacation home located along the Pacific coast of Panama. The only problem was that the sky exploded in water once we had crossed over the Bridge of Americas. This was a rainstorm like I have never seen before which drenched the car, making it almost impossible to see the road. Over the next 20 minutes we witnessed at least 15 wrecks on the other side of the divider while I somehow managed to keep from running over crater sized holes gracing the pavement. The last wreck we came across appeared to be the worst. A tour bus lay on its side in the center divider with the wheels still spinning. Denise and I both seemed to be nearing panic mode.

Eventually the skies began to clear and we knew our dream villa was nearing. I was told to look for a green water tower which was a monument for our turn off from the Interamericana Highway. At the water tower we made a left and headed about a mile to Villa Yearwood. It was easy to spot the impressive looking Swiss style A-frame. Pulling into the gate we were greeted by the Jorge the caretaker. The next four days and nights at this piece of paradise were ours.

Dinner the first evening was in an open air palapa restaurant called Los Camisones which was a few miles from our rental house. Denise and I dined by candlelight with plates of garlic shrimp and rice. After dinner we were amused at the bill which was less the $20 including drinks. I was quickly learning that Panama was one of the cheapest places I had ever traveled to. After dinner I made a critical mistake and pulled out of the restaurant and onto the darkened highway going the wrong way. The situation was made worse by the fact that the road had a nasty gully in the center divider. Making the world�s fastest 3 point turnabout, we quickly escaped trouble.

The next morning we awoke and had a chance to check out the vacation pad. The place was amazing. The villa has three bedrooms and can easily sleep eight people. I was just happy we only were sleeping two. There is a beautiful swimming pool and basketball net surrounded by a palapa covered bar , hammocks and bathroom. The house was stocked with two stereo systems, a ton of music, wet bar, television and a DVD system. The property is situated on a nicely landscaped lot which less than 50 yards from Playa Corona beach on the Pacific Ocean. Everything we could have possibly wanted was available to us.

Soon we were off in search of Manuel Noriega�s beach house. About 15 miles up the road we hit the turn off for a village named Farallon. A few minutes had passed and we were near the water, but I was having trouble locating the house. After a stop for directions at a mega all inclusive resort, we knew we were very close. I drove down a road from the resort and within seconds Denise realized we had made it. No signs were present to identify it, but the scars along a protective border wall were obvious. American forces had attacked this home during the Panamanian invasion. Our media soon reported that during the invasion we had found over 100 pounds of cocaine in the house. The funny part of the story is that a few weeks later the military retracted the story and said the cocaine found was actually a flour based paste for making tamales.

The house was pretty much destroyed. I found out from some locals that after the U.S. forces attacked, the frustrated surrounding Panamanian citizens finished off the job by ransacking the place and stripping it of whatever was left. Democracy seemed to be restored. Objectives #3 & 4 completed!

IIt was time for lunch which included a stop at XS Memories. I had read in the Lonely Planet guide that this was a small property which featured a restaurant, bar, pool, campground and cottages. I expected to see and mingle with a mix of tourists from around the globe. Denise and I pulled up to the place laughing realizing that today we appeared to be the only tourists. Lunch was great and we enjoyed a guided tour of the property from the owner�s father which included viewing a few parrots and other assorted creatures. During lunch we were both fascinated and touched watching the owner nurse a homeless baby bird into shape.

I was beginning to realize that Panama is a diamond waiting to be discovered. Most everyone who travels to Panama only witnesses a small horizon drifting from the banks of the Panama Canal. Believe me, there is so much more! Click here for the rest of the story.