Porta Rica means 'rich port'. This is a very loosely titled name as the coutry looks far from wealthy. The country's claim to fame is that they have do not have an army as they do not fight with anyone. ???? The funds saved from disbanding the army in 1946 are ploughed into education and every child receives a free education and can use this til finishing university. All citizens have a free medical and dental service and all homes have access to running water and electricity. Seems strange to see shanty's with satellite dishes and dirt floors. Rubbish is every where despite the governments $600 fine for littering. They are aiming for the tidiest city for 2025. Good luck with that. The average wage is $500 per month for menial work and degree holders can earn up to $3000 per month. Tax is 9 percent for workers and 14percent for companies. These taxes fund the education and aged pension.
They all seem like happy people and are keen to show off their country to the outside world.
Drugs are a problem in the country now and the infiltration of drugs and people from Nicaragua are changing the way the cou try has been run.
While there is not a lot to see they did their best to make our day enjoyable with a sightseeing bus tour of the countryside where we boarded an old train which did not make the whole journey. With smoke billowing from the engine they phoned our coach and after a short wait we continued our journey to an Eco boat where we glided over the muddy water to see heir environment. We saw a few baby crocs and heard a few birds but it was a nice day out.
Tonight is a BBQ on deck which should be fun.
Tomorrow is a day at sea and the next day we go through the Panama Canal.
My iPhone and iPad are not talking to each other at the moment so I am not able to transfer any photos for publishing. So no photos today.
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