The Isthmus of Panama

I am in San Jose,the capital of Costa Rica now.

On March 20, I left for Columbia to pass the rough route, Isthmus of Darien which is the border of Columbia and Panama. The most difficult route to go to the Central America from the South America that I have been going back and forth for 25 years.

Catios National Park in Columbia side and Darien National Park which was recorded as world's national inheritance in Panama side are linked. It is an area left with untouched nature which is rare in Central/Southern America.

Because this area is the border, the marsh zone and a dense forest, it is not reached by police or the army. This is the area when the left wing guerrilla like FARC (Columbia Revolutionary Army), EPL (Liberation Army) and their drug organization, their smuggling organization are mixed. Last year a few hundred people were slaughtered.

On March 24, I left Tourubo by the boat for 2 people. The partner was Mr. Junichiro watabe who has paddeled Titicaca Lake, Amazon and Paagonia with me. We finished crossing the Uraba Bay in 90 minutes.

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