Thanks to our ever so kind and generous friend Michael, we made the Tramp, sorry, Trump, our home last week. It was a pretty boring week as you can tell.  

Let's talk about milk, which is something of a dilemma in our house(boat)hold. Personally I quit drinking milk a couple years ago, and have cut down drastically on the rest of the dairy products due to the fact that the levels of hormones and estrogen of cows milk makes my already sensitive skin getting negative reactions. Consumption of dairy products meaning cheese, milk, cream, sourcream, milk chocolate, ice-cream etc has always given me a tickling feeling under my skin, and very often led to pimples if digested in larger quantities at once, so obviously I've tried to limit consumption of dairy products as much as I could.

Now that I have spent months reading and studying further pros and cons of eating and drinking products from the animal kingdom, I've got an even greater reason to quit dairy altogether.

Not that the terms in themselves are that important and they are somewhat limiting to the ever changing and flexible human being, omnivores that I still believe that we are as long as we try to eat from small local farms rather than from the inhuman multi billion dollar factory farming. But I'd say that I currently live my life after a 70% vegan, 15% vegetarian and 15% pescatarian diet. Besides the physical side effects of ingesting milk and dairy products, I just can not stand the immense tragedy and sadness that the dairy industry stands for. 

If you are still drinking lots of milk and eating dairy products on a daily basis, I would love to give you the advice of always opting for organic products from a local farm rather than from the big guys (though I am still a little hesitant to the commercial organic business as well due to the fact that I do not know exactly how their animals are treated and how the products actually are being produced, so small local farms are always better if anything). I know it might be a couple cents more expensive right now as small organic farmers usually don't get the same subsidies as the large corporations. But as much as we can become more aware of how we can work towards at least one step better a world, the better.

So the dilemma we have in our home is more Alex's milk consumption. He's easily making use of half a liter/2,5 cups of milk per day in his coffee and occasional morning cereals, and can almost not imagine a life without it. After the horrifying videos I've shown and the books I've read out loud for him lately, he isn't happy about continuing spending money on a dairy cows milk but will probably do so till we find a more reasonable option. In search for substitutes, we've bought all the other sorts of milk we could get our hands on here in Panama, but the selection isn't fantastic, and we also haven't seen one farm since we got here. There is the regular soymilk of course, but since the commercial soybean is one of the most genetically modified (GMO) foods along with corn, and the soybeans are highly processed to that, it isn't a very good option.

Almond milk is much better for you but we've only found this very sweetened version which probably is more suitable for milkshakes, cakes and sweets. Haven't tried the rice milk yet as we can't find it here, but I'm thinking the best option is to perhaps make my own almond milk to get rid of all potential health, animal and environmental risks. Only problem to that is the taste, Alex doesn't associate his coffee with the flavor of almonds, so how to overcome that? If any of you have a good method in producing almond milk or any other milk substitute, please let me know. The challenging thing with these kind of life changing improvements, is to un-learn the patterns, flavors and behaviors that have lived with us since we were small. 

It was a while ago we had some time off the boat so right in time for our arrival in Panama, I begun my search for something cozy, romantic with a classic touch to it. A place to relax but also to use as a stepping stone into the culture and history of Panama City. Knowing that Panama have had a vibrant and fascinating history touched by several nations and a multitude of people in different eras of its existence, I wanted us to stay in a place which reflected both that past as well as the present. Something that felt fresh and new, but which paid respect to the old world. Having studied the neighborhoods online, we figured the old town, Casco Antiguo, would be our best bet, and it didn't take much investigation to find the right place in just that area of the city.

This hotel was all I had envisioned and more. It's funny sometimes in life when you have something exactly so specific in mind and you then suddenly stumble upon just that mental vision. Disguised as a coincidence, yet you know it was nothing but meant to be. Las Clementinas has been voted #1 hotel in Panama by Tripadvisor's members, and Wallpaper magazine elected it one of the best business hotels in the world in 2011. Given Clementinas popularity and the fact that this elegant boutique hotel only has six suites, we also happened to have luck on our side when receiving the confirmation that they were happy to have us already later in the same week of my request.

Located in a newly restored 1930's building and sitting on top of the original city-wall built by the Spanish in the 1700's to defend the old town from attack, this hotel has a classic old charm and sophisticated character. The suites are light and spacious with two balconies facing different directions of old town. I've already mentioned the ever so atmospheric and bistro-like restaurant downstairs and I recommend you visiting it on your next Panama trip even if you might not be staying in the hotel itself. Excellent food, super attentive service, and it seem to be attracting both locals in the know and smart travelers alike. A great buzz in there on Friday and Saturday nights and the live band and singer that performed were of absolute top class.

I don't know what exactly we had hoped for before arriving to Panama, but so far this city and country has exceeded all expectations on every imaginable level. And this hotel certainly sets the standard. 

* Check out Las Clementinas website here.

* All jewelry from We Dream In Colour.

Sorry for the lack of posts, we're just so busy enjoying a nice little vacation with our friend again so Internet activity and other regular must do's are low in priority. Back soon.

The juxtaposition between old and new is quite interesting here in Panama City. The modern side of town feels like an American city which isn't that strange as it was mainly built by American companies before they withdrew control over the Canal in 1999 -  and then the old town, Casco Viejo or Casco Antiguo as they call it which has a lovely mixture of Spanish colonial architecture and French and Antillean townhouses smartly blended with modern renovations. 

The old city doesn't have as touristy feel as Cartagena's historic center, and people are in general friendlier, or should I say more service minded, than what we found them in Colombia. Most of the people you meet here does also speak good English which is a bonus for anyone wanting to visit from abroad. The prices for food, dining, drinking out etc, are much lower than in Colombia overall. In Cartagena, we were often astonished by how local restaurants were so incredibly cheap (sometimes $1.50 USD for a meal) and the modern restaurants held a price-level similar to an European high end establishment. It was confusing, as while charging that high, they rarely or never met the same standards in terms of service, ambiance and attention for detail as you'd expect from such a price. Here in Panama City, the difference isn't that large and you can still get away with an excellent meal in modern, inspiring settings in a world class restaurant, accompanied by elegance and attentive, smart service - for half the price of what we paid back in Cartagena. Things make a little more sense in this city. Not sure how long this will last though as new places seem to pop up rather often and more and more foreign investment as well as tourists are finding the city. But here's to hoping it will stay just like this despite further cultivation and development of the city center. 

Actually, it is the first time in a long time that we have said, we think we could live here. That indicates how great the combination of things and events are in the city and its surroundings. The modern, interesting Panama City with fair price on living. Great wildlife around the corner and so many countries and places to explore within close reach. Excellent flight connections to Europe and the US. Friendly, smart people and there's that lovely feeling in the air, a keen interest and hunger for learning, developing and embracing something new which we haven't seen in any other place since we left Europe. Panama City definitely has surprised us and we're hoping to spend some more time in this capital before we'll continue our journey.

Pleased to found out that there's a (supposedly) good techno/electro party in Panama City tonight, has been hard to find the underground types since we left Europe behind two and a half years ago. Techno is not exactly what they listen to in the Caribbean islands. Hoping it won't be too much fun though since we're planning on picking up our friend Michael on the airport tomorrow around noon!

I've been without meat and most dairy products for a little more than a week now which has been quite an interesting time. I wish I could say "I feel great", because that's what you are supposed to say but I think I need more time to see what effect it really has on my body, health and mind. Momentarily I get a flashback from that divine Argentinian steak that I so much adore, the ever so wonderful confit de canard or a simple cheeseburger - and I think to myself "what have I gotten into, will I really be strong enough to resist some of the most wonderful meals on the planet?". Still feeling convinced my choice is the right one though and I love the fact that I am in charge of my mind and my choices, it gives me strength, but it is also a challenge no doubt. Old routines and lifestyle patterns always takes time to adjust and clean up, but it is all for the better in the end.

Thankful that it is easier than ever to be a vegetarian or a vegan and many restaurants encourage you to stay focused with the help of their well varied menus. Like the restaurant, cafe and bar in the very hotel we stay in this weekend. More than half of the dishes on the menu are suitable for a vegetarian like myself who complement meals with fish and seafood, but tries to limit the dairy intake. Yesterday's lunch consisted of a delicious lima bean soup for starters followed by a merete al panko (fried local fish) with yucca plant in garlic and herbs. Going to try out some of the other vegetarian dishes on the menu for tonights dinner. Finding it exciting discovering and experimenting with the new selection of food that has appeared before my consciousness. It isn't as hard to find good substitutes as some might wish you to believe, though certain countries and areas of the world haven't adopted the philosophy quite as much as others. I believe South East Asia and Asia will have a lot of wonderful choices whenever we get that far.