Around The World In 80 Waves

As a reward for making it to Panama City I wanted to treat myself to a decent hotel upon arrival, and was particularly hoping for a room with a bath. I had no idea where to go, but saw the tower of the Hard Rock Hotel from right across town and eventually found it at street level after a couple of very questionable manoeuvres on the toll road to avoid the fees.

I was quickly back in my car however when they wanted over $200 a night for a room, but their bell boy was a cool kid who surfs and pointed me in the direction of cheaper hotels so I gave him a block of wax for his board.

Thankfully just for once my phone actually worked when I needed it to and using the Internet to scan the lonely planet forum, I saw a recommendation for the Hotel Milan. (http://www.hotelmilan.com.pa/en/) Google Maps worked too and I was able to get there relatively easily.

After checking in for a week I completely unloaded the car’s contents into my comfortable room to get an idea of how much stuff I have acquired on my travels, but can admit to going a tad Howard Hughes afterwards.

I was exhausted upon arrival in Panama City and needed a healthy fix of TV and air conditioning, as well as a good internet connection while I got the ball rolling on a number of administrative tasks.

I have been doing the odd thing that required leaving my room, but have mostly been enjoying the HBO cable TV channel to catch up on Game of Thrones and enjoy a host of movies which I have not seen before.

I periodically raid the hotel’s ice bucket to get a stash of my own for an improvised fridge to keep the cans I Cuba Libres that I bought ice cold. I will be moving to more salubrious accommodation after the weekend but until then will enjoy the facilities here as much as I can. I have even persuaded the restaurant to cook up one of my tins of baked beans for me, so that in addition to their usual fayre I could complete a full English breakfast. It was good!