‘Bobby’ not

Posted: April 12, 2008 
Filed under: Travels
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Of course we were done for smoking on the beach in Tanganga, late at night.

The woman trying to sell us jewellery must have gone back to the police and told on us. What was her reward I wonder – US$5?

Whether true or not 15 minutes later we had 4 armed ‘coppers’ onto us determined to find something. They searched the water, our pockets and bags until eventually the first traces of rolling our joints were found in the sand and then they found the bag. After almost an hour of individual interrogation, threats of going to jail for the night and flashing handcuffs at us we cracked it and were brave enough to mention the word money. Surprise, surprise it worked and offering $15 each did the trick.

The next day some of us took a taxi to Santa Marta, only 10 minutes away from Tanganga and we got stopped again by a police checkpoint. One of the Officers recognised Matt from the night before. Hola! Mattheus! ….and waved us through. We figured that with our $75 we bought the local Police Station lock, stock and barrel and had a free hand in Tanganga from now on.
Airport – Standard operating procedure.

At the airport in Cartagena for a flight to Panama City my backpack got searched in minute detail which took at least ½ hour. Going through my toiletry bag the officer came across my stash of condoms – no! Not marijuana – I’m not that stupid!

‘Mucho’ he said. ‘Yo un optimista’ I replied. He smiled and put 3 aside holding them in his hand. ‘OK’ he said pointing to his pocket. ‘Si, porque no – mucho gusto’ I replied and the search was over. He very kindly helped me put everything back.

We were only six people on the entire flight. Unpacking my things in Panama I noticed he took the UK-Brand obviously the more expensive ones – bugger!

Funny Story

Booking my hotel in Panama via the internet was so easy. Only, when I arrived no one knew the Hotel which was suppose to be a 10 minute taxi ride away from Panama City airport and a 10 minute walk into town. 2 hours and many phone calls later I discovered I had booked Panama City near Miami, Florida, USA – When did they create this place? I did get my money back.

I have another funny story from Panama if you want to know…..