News

Count Microsoft founder and international philanthropist Bill Gates as a big fan of the Panama Canal.

The famed billionaire, who is apparently semi-retired, took his family on a trip through the Canal and he was so excited by the trip he had to share his home movies.

“I know it’s not exactly a typical vacation destination (and we did spend a few days at the beach afterward),” Gates writes in his blog. “But we had fun learning about how the canal was built – that in itself is an amazing story of ingenuity and hard work – and what it takes to keep things running smoothly today.”

Gates included a video of his journey to the Canal and he makes it clear that he endorses the Canal as a prime vacation spot.  And since he’s no ordinary tourist, he was given an inside look at the Canal’s operations.

“Of all the interesting things around the world, I’d put the Panama Canal in the top 10,” Gates says. “It’s this unbelievably unique thing that has an amazing story behind it.”

Gates’ blog and video are timely, with the Canal celebrating its 100th anniversary and the $6 billion expansion set to be a major driver for Panama City business.

You can read Gates’ blog and watch the video here. (Not surprisingly, Gates apparently doesn’t believe in sharing his video on YouTube.)

Duncan McGowan is president of Punta Pacifica Realty, a Panama real estate agency focused on Punta Pacifica, the exclusive neighborhood of 18 towers perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean.