Thanks for nothing Copa !

So up early this morning to leave the hotel at 05:30 and the transfer to the airport. Left with the group who were flying back to the UK whereas I was headed for Jamaica.

At the airport nothing on the board for my flight and after finally they opened the checkin found out they had cancelled my flight some months beforehand and I’d never been told !

After some “efficient” service (I’m sure there must be a Harris law here somewhere) they issued me with a rerouting and tickets after over a hour and a half.

So then on a flight to Miami and the joys of US immigration and then the baggage. Despite being told numerous times by several people at different airports that my bag would be checked though I thought I would check and sure enough it got unloaded in Miami. So another horrendous checkin experience including going through one of those new full body xray machines and then an extra special check as well. Finally got to my hotel in Jamaica at 8pm, so 14.5 hours to travel about 650 miles as the crow flies.

Anyway the Red Stripe called at the bar …

Panama Canal

Well, the cycling is now over and after leaving Boco del Torro we continued onwards to Panama City. A few more hills and still plenty of rain to contend with.

Bit of a struggle the first day after a day of cycling to get those legs working as well and 9 miles up the side of a mountain didn’t help either. Much nicer coming down the other side at 45mph, although a touch dangerous in the driving rain when you can’t see anything and a few hairpin curves.

We ended up in Panama City itself for 2 nights and the last days cycling alongside the Panama Canal. Saw several huge ships and how they navigate the locks with just 2 feet to spare on either side. A really nice way to finish the trip and my legs are very happy after 750 miles of cycling in the last few weeks.