PERSONAL SITES ON CANAL ZONE HISTORY/CULTURE AND PANAMA IN GENERAL

By William P. McLaughlin. History, photos, and memories of the Panama Canal Zone. Contains a section of military in the Canal Zone, with descriptions and photos of selected military installations and eras (Camp Otis and Cascadas 1910-1930; Fort Davis and Atlantic scenes 1930s; and early days of Fort Clayton).

Also includes "Zoning Out." By James Conway, Preservation – The Magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Nov-Dec 1998 at http://www.czimages.com/CZMemories/Articles/ZOPage1.htm.

By Lesley Hendricks and Virginia Hirons. History, photos, and memories of the Panama Canal Zone; also has links to many other Panama-related web sites.

By Dale C. Clarke. History, photos, and memories of the Panama Canal Zone. Contains extensive photo galleries, particularly extensive photos of canal construction and other activities from the the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Matthew Armistead's website. 

U.S. SITES IN PANAMA

NOTICE:  Based on WHO's experience with Aventuras Panama, anyone contracting with this company for its services should make sure of getting the cell phone number of the assigned guide or company individual assigned to transport you to the event(s) location(s).  WHO had arranged with the company's president Javier Romero, well in advance, for his son and friend from the U.S. the one-day "Chagres Challenge" river rafting on the Chagres River while they were here in December 2005.  Romero offered to pick them up at 4:30 himself  that morning at our home in Panama City (in the same neighborhood where he lives) to take them to the starting point up the Chagres.  Even though WHO had touched base with that office two days before (and had paid the $250 fee three weeks before the event), no one -- not even Romero -- showed up that morning nor called with any excuses.  WHO even tried to contact him at his house to no avail.  That event was to be one of the highlights of my son's friend's trip, even though my son had taken the same trip by the same company in 1995 (no problem then).  Thus, a day wasted.  The day after, WHO and his son visited Romero at his office to complain and demand return of the $250 paid along with an  explanation. He said the guides were changed the night before and someone must have screwed up and was going to be fired.  Not good enough said WHO, since Romero himself had offered to pick them up that morning.  He offered to double the refund, but WHO and his son said no, just what was paid which was done. Oh, yes, the event did go off as scheduled that day, but with two groups of tourists, not one as scheduled -- at least we were not told about the other group.  A totally disgusting experience, but not uncommon in Panama.  So be careful. 

Information Resources for Residents / Ex-Pats / Moving to Panama