Albrook Mall in Panama City, Panama
Yesterday was spent electronics shopping at Albrook Mall in Panama City, Panama. By electronics I mean more like a laptop and whatnot and pleased to say the prices were quite reasonable. If you’re not Spanish, your choices will be limited and as a result, ended up with a Samsung Core i3 loaded with 4gb of ram, 500gb hard-drive and Windows 7 for $675us taxes in…
Not bad. I had originally bought this Dell which looked superior but after I walked out of the store with a Spanish operating system, realized I had made a most egregiously erroneous purchase and immediately rectified the situation… This mall is right by the Albrook station where you’ll end up if you take a bus from Bocas del Toro to Panama City. If you’re on that bus and need to do some shopping, do stop in.
Shopping at Albrook Mall in Panama City
If you’re shopping for say a laptop in Panama City and opt for Albrook Mall, I suggest you visit MultiMax. That or PanaPhoto as they clearly had the best deals. Lots of shops that had lots on display but the prices simply didn’t compare. Let’s discuss Albrook Mall, yes? This mall is massive and each entrance has a different jungle animal as though “I came in by the hungry hungry hippo”. When I say it is huge I mean behemoth and if you are looking for shoes, it’s your jam. They had every New Balance I’d ever want! Also every type of Nike you can imagine for seriously 25-40% less than in North America. Sadly I already have a pair but such is life, just sharing some interesting facts about Panama with you. Who knew the shopping was so solid?
Mama Llama Hostel is nice
We never made it to a hotel, after searching we found most were musky and didn’t have wifi in the rooms. We ended up staying at the Mama Llama Hostel and guess what? I kinda love it here. They have free coffee 24/7, pancakes in the morning. Lots of interesting people from around the world, great lounge and their motto is “no rules”. It’s like anarchy but it works in a sublime fashion, it’s arguably the finest form of government. I seriously like it all from the finest in luxury to the most basic. They each offer pros and cons and a very different experience. One day I’ll be old, until then time to enjoy.
Interesting tourists in Panama City
I also ran into a gent named Jeff who is the Captain on a 65 foot sailboat that does tours of San Blas Islands and get this, trips from Panama to Columbia as you can’t drive it due to the Darien Gap. Supposedly Expert Vagabond crossed it on foot and I think a lady I know from Little Corn Island did it as well but I think I’d stick to sailing. Anyways we exchanged contact info and perhaps myself and the One World Sailing crew shall partner in the future, if not it was still cool meeting them.
Moving on to Coronado, Panama – popular among retirees
I’d stick around but I’m off to meet my friend who sails a ship with a destroyed hip in Coronado. Coronado is retirement spot, popular with expats. It’s where expats hang out in large homes near a golf course or wealthy people from the city come on weekends or holidays. It was my first taste of C. America in say 2007 and I was fixated on it. It’s where I wanted to go when I traveled but my dad said “it’s a big world, just go somewhere else”. Oh boy, I’m glad I did! Had I not, I may not have seen what I’ve seen and been where I’ve been, yes?
You can find anything in Panama City
I could ramble on but that’s it, if you’re in Panama City and need ANYTHING, hit up Albrook Mall and maybe even make a day of it. Also the food courts of which there are at least three have some incredible selection, I had a great time being a mall rat, I dare say… The bus to Coronado is roughly an hour from the Albrook bus station which is attached to the mall, looking forward to seeing old friends…
Tips hat,
