Aug 6 - Colon, Panama

We had opted to take the train from Panama to Colon because we had read it was worth the trip.  Albeit the ride took us though some jungle, then along the Canal before reaching Colon, it was not all that impressive.  I would argue it was barely worth the US$80 bucks for a family of four.  Regardless, they offered free coffee, the boys kept us entertained and before we knew it, we had arrived.  Colon is a major port city with a huge free trade zone, high crime and everyone trying to get rich quick. The only reason we were there was to pick up the truck and get back on the road.

I decided to book us at the Sheraton which has a large pool, great breakfast and good size rooms.  This isn’t the Sheratons best property I’ve been in, but again, we were in Colon.  

Once we were settled in, I started the process of getting the truck out of the port.  I called the shipping company only to be told they hadn’t received any release instructions from the shipper (ie: Company in Colombia).  Again, with my blood pressure rising, I called the shipper in Cartagena but they assured me everything was fine.  Sure enough, within a couple hours the truck was discharged from the ship. Meaning it was off the boat but still inside a container somewhere in the port.

Although I was told it would be best to go deal with the truck Tuesday morning and expect to spend at least 4 hours running around, I decided to try it on Monday afternoon.  So by 2 pm, I was in the reception area of Evergreen Shipping Company being told the people I was looking for were in Panama City not in Colon….details, details… but still Evergreen  released the car to me…on paper.

I will spare everyone the minute details, but by 5 p.m, I was soaked in sweat, had been sprayed with a mysterious grease smelling de-fumigation liquid after carelessly walking through the truck only exit, had paid all my fees, obtained several signatures, a handful of forms and was able to remove the truck from the Container.  Unfortunately, I was told by the customs agent that I needed an importation permit from a different office which had closed at 4 p.m. Oh so close…but I had made progress.   He assured me it would only take me 15 minutes first thing in the morning to drive my truck off port grounds.  I was happy that I was able to get 90% of the work done, but I was apprehensive in leaving the truck overnight in the port. 

The following morning, I attended the other customs office, obtained the importation permit and went back to the port. Half hour later, a couple more signatures, more stamps and a ‘mandatory fumigation’ fee which was code for extortion, completed…I drove the truck to the Sheraton and packed up.