Today it was time to celebrate another birthday. Yes, my friend Brenda had a birthday this week so we set out this morning to do some exploring and photo taking. We chose Panama Viejo (Old Panama). Here's a bit of history:
A settlement was founded on 15 August 1519 by Pedro Arias Dávila and other 100 inhabitants. At the time, it was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Ocean. Two years later, in 1521, the settlement was promoted to the status of city by a royal decree. Soon after its creation the city became a starting point for various expeditions in Peru and an important base where gold and silver were sent to Spain.
In 1539 and 1563, the city suffered a number of fires which destroyed parts of it but did not impede the city's development. In 1610, the city reached a population of 5000, with 500 houses and convents, chapels, a hospital and the cathedral.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the city was attacked several times by pirates and indigenous people from Darién. On 2 May 1620, an earthquake damaged many buildings in the city. On 21 February 1644, the Great Fire destroyed 83 religious buildings, including the cathedral. At this time, there were 8,000 people living in the city.
In 1670, the city counted 10,000 inhabitants. On 28 January 1671, the Welsh privateer Henry Morgan attacked the city with 1,400 men marching from the Caribbean coast across the jungle. Morgan's force defeated the city's militia then proceeded to sack Panamá. Either Morgan and his army started a fire that burned the city or the Captain General Don Juan Pérez de Guzmán ordered the gunpowder magazines exploded. Either way, the resulting fire destroyed the city. Morgan's attack caused the loss of thousands of lives and Panamá had to be rebuilt a few kilometres to the west on a new site (the current one).
Okay, enough history. Let the photos begin. It only cost $4 to enter the "park":










The park is really quiet with many beautiful, huge trees:


Back to the ruins:








The old and the new meet:

"Yes, I can grow way up here."




We had been seeing this tower since we arrived in Panama but had not had the chance to check it out.


This was posted inside the tower: "The Catholic church always had a privileged position in the colonial world. It legitimized conquests and it helped articulate American territory on Spain's behalf. The Crown required building at least one church in every new townsite.
This Cathedral began as a simple wood and hatch structure. It was destroyed in a fire in 1539. The stone church whose remains we see today was built between 1619 and 1626.
Since the bell tower served as a lookout, Panama Viejo's surroundings could all be seen from this level, located 22 meters above the plaza. The rebuilidng of the tower's inner floors permits a recreation of the views"
So up we went to see some of those views:







Sign about how the "cruel pirates destroyed Panama City"

This little dove was taking a rest inside:

A few of the scenes below:



The new stairs do have these old ones beat a bit:

Another view after we climbed down:




Interesting tree:

Saw this little group coming in:

They were going to have a picnic:

At this point I looked down and realized the lens cap to the camera was gone. Instead of being attached at both ends by a string, one end attached by glue and the glue let loose. Brenda very sweetly offered to go back and look with me but we had covered a LOT of ground - climbing up and over rocks, walking in grass, etc. I was pretty sure it did not drop off in the tower because I would have heard it hit the floor. So time to order a replacement!
And this little guy came to say goodbye to us as we were leaving:

Do you wonder what DID happen to that old pirate Henry Morgan?? "Because the sacking of Panamá violated a new peace treaty between England and Spain, Morgan was arrested and conducted to England in 1672. He proved he had no knowledge of the treaty. Instead of punishment, Morgan was knighted by King Charles II of England in 1674 before returning to Jamaica the following year to take up the post of Lieutenant Governor." What??? Lt. Governor?? Definitely better than being hanged!! ☺
After that it was time to have some lunch.

Brenda knew a fun place for soups and sandwiches and these wicked things....




We resisted. Instead we chose yogurt:

These are just a FEW of the toppings!!

Fun way to celebrate a special lady!!
