The Land where Northern and Southern worlds connect.
TravelJingles in a conversation with H.E. Mrs. Yasiel Burillo, Ambassador and Consul General of Panama to India, to know more about this beautiful country.
It is a country that has deserted islands, bright turquoise waters, ancient ruins, the world’s richest canal and surprisingly cosmopolitan cities.
Tell us about the three must-do things in Panama.
Firstly, one should experience the extraordinary engineering work of the Panama Canal operation which is considered as one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. Witness how the humongous post-Panamax vessels pass through, in a perfectly calculated synchronization system of locks that takes the ship 85 feet above the sea level.
Secondly, the capital of Panama is three cities in one. A historic district, a rebuilt district, and lastly, a modern area. Panama City is a dynamic urban centre in the middle of the tropics, so expect to see massive skyscrapers surrounded by breathtaking nature.
Last, but not the least- the one thousand polleras festival in the month of January is an extraordinary celebration in the town of ‘Las Tablas’ in the province of Los Santos in which more than 1000 Panamanian women showcase their best polleras (national dress) in a huge parade, with allegorical floats. During summers, the famous Panama carnival is also celebrated at the same place.
Panama is a unique country in the world where one can watch clearly the sunrise on the East and the sunset on the West.
You´re right, because of our privileged geographical position the general surface of Panama is plain and narrow, so you just have to be in Panama City and watch the sun follow its whole route. In addition, in less than two hours by car you can view the two oceans, the Pacific Ocean (from Panama City) and the Atlantic Ocean (In Colon City). And if you are lucky enough to have a clear day and love climbing, you can view from the top of Baru Volcano both oceans at the same time. So come and experience!
Panama has a massive variety of flora and fauna.
It is amazing. To start, Panama has more bird species and plants than North America in proportion to its size. That’s because Panama is uniquely located at the point where North America and South America connect, allowing plant and animal life from both continents to merge and flourish over time. This incredibly rich biodiversity combined with the fact that Panama is the most forested country in Central America at 68% coverage has made the tropical rainforests of Panama one of the most researched. In fact, the Smithsonian has been studying the tropical biology of the area for over 100 years. With such exuberant greenery, we are famous for being a carbon-negative country.
There are innumerable islands in Panama, including the most famous San Blas Islands. What makes it so special?
Because San Blas is an indigenous reserve in time, their natives have respected and preserved their nature. The community of Kunas lives there, keeping all their traditions, including the preservation of the famous art of molas. This is a traditional textile craft, made from layers of coloured fabric that are stitched and cut, using applique techniques to create patterns and pictures. It is beautiful to observe such an exposure of colours contrasting the landscapes. San Blas is located in the Caribbean side of Panama and it is a paradise with crystal clear beaches and white sands. It has 378 islands in total so our guests can visit each of them over the year.
Tell us about the water activities the country offers to water enthusiasts.
The majority of our surface is territorial waters, so we can offer a lot of possibilities for ocean lovers. We have been very famous for hosting International Surf Competitions and we are very well known as a desired destination for Sport Fishing. Also, we have the second biggest reef in the Oriental Pacific, the Coiba National Park, perfect for whale watching, diving, and snorkeling with around 800 fish species and 15 species of whales.
What is the gastronomy of the country?
Our gastronomy consists mainly of seafood and you may find different dishes according to the region. The most popular dishes are fried green plantains called ‘patacones’ or fried cassava ‘yuca’, fried corn dough called ‘tortilla’ and also ‘tamales’. Culantro, a kind of coriander, is a common herb used in food that makes a special Panamanian flavour. Other important dishes are chicken and rice, special beans added to the rice called ‘guandú’, chicken soup called ‘sancocho’ and much more.
Which is your favourite country in the world and why?
My favourite destination is Israel. I feel admiration for the Bible stories and suddenly they came to life in all their true colours. To visit Mount Nebo, the calmness of the Death Sea, the peace of the Galilee Lake, the vineyards in the desert, and finally the famous city of Jerusalem.
Do we have any similarities between India and Panama?
Panama and India are both melting pots. We have seven native indigenous groups that keep their culture. Later, we have the Spanish and from the Caribbean Antilles, the Africans. With the construction of the Canal, several nationalities came: North Americans, Chinese, Indians, among others. All of them mixed in time, and brought a new generation of Panamanians.