Apr 11, 2009 - Boquete Orchid Fair

I visited amiga Kusi Q'oyllur from Peru at her booth at the Annual Boquete Orchid Fair which is always held during Holy Week/Semana Santa in Boquete. Kusi was selling works of art, jewelry, and hand-painted shirts and tote bags. There were also greenhouses full of specimen orchids for competition and for sale.

Apr 10, 2009 - Cangilones de Gualaca

My friend David McDonald told me about this little-known spot on the Caldera River. Today he invited me to go to Gualaca on his Harley to see Cangilones de Gualaca. This riverbed lava flow is named one of the three Marvels of Chiriqui and one of the Top Ten Wonders of Panama. Besides being a new experience for me to travel the highways of Panama on the back of a motorcycle, the riverbed was unforgettable. And no tourists were there even though it was Easter Week!

Apr 9, 2009 - Topping Off the Roof Fiesta

Finally! Bob and Andrea celebrate putting the roof on their house in Potrerillos with a party for the workers. The bricklayers made sancocho, traditional Panamanian chicken soup and we made submarine sandwiches. With lots of beer and rum, Bob and Andrea made it a festive afternoon for all.

Apr 8, 2009 - A Visit to Pedregal

After shopping and a haircut in David, I took a bus to Pedregal for lunch. The bus cost thirty cents! I can't believe how close the waters of the Pacific are to downtown David. Stella's Marina offers many delicious lunches and I opted for the mahi mahi and a copa of sangria.

Apr 3, 2009 - Birthday Celebration In Panama

Three celebrations in one day! That's how I marked my 62nd birthday in Boquete. After lunch at Bistro Boquete, Tom Finn and I went to happy hour at the gated community, Los Molinos. The bar hangs right over the canyon and offers one of the most unique happy hours I've ever experienced. Later we adjourned to Los Amigos Bar for wings and champagne. Finally we came back to the pension to find most of the guests in the dining room and a fiesta already in progress.

Apr 2, 2009 - Tom Finn Arrives in Boquete

Tom Finn, my friend from Chicago, arrived today at David Airport. He rented a car and we drove to Playa La Barqueta, the closest beach to David. After 45 minutes we were at a deserted beach in front of an equally deserted Las Olas Resort. What a contrast from the cool and green atmosphere of Boquete. The Pacific coast just shows me how narrow the country of Panama is and how close both the Pacific and Caribbean are from the interior.

Mar 20, 2009 - Caldera Hot Springs and Petroglyphs

A group of us took a trip to nearby Caldera today. We found a taxidriver, Nena, who said she could take us to the hot springs in Caldera for $20. She dropped at a bridge over the Rio Chiriqui and we walked 500 meters to the springs. As usual, it seemed a lot longer than 500 meters away to me but we made it. For two dollars, the owners of the springs allow you to enter and spend the day. There were various pools of hot water on their land alongside the Rio Chiriqui. We had the place to ourselves and enjoyed both hot and very cold...

Feb 23, 2009 - About Boquete

Here's what the Visitors' Center has to say about Boquete: Located in the highlands of West Panama, Boquete is a flower-filled valley village with gourmet coffee farms on its slopes, spectacular mountain views, nature-rich flora and fauna and spring-like weather year round. Founded on April 11, 1911, Boquete initially was populated by inhabitants of other districts in Panama, with Swiss, Yugoslav, Swedish, German and North Americans immigrants coming in the early 1900’s. Their property, farms and houses keep the styles of architecture of...

Feb 1, 2009 - Boquete Tree Trek and Super Bowl Sunday

LindaRose enjoyed an extreme sport experience today. Lordy, lordy the things she won´t do to conquer a fear.....of heights, no less! After 14 platforms and not being heavy enough to make it to about 5 platforms, she had to turn herself around on the cable and pull with both arms to get to the platform, usually around 10 feet away! She thought the photographer was being sarcastic when he asked her if she exercised as this was no easy deal....she´s still aching. The trip was via an open air truck which was adventurous enough! Since it was...

Jan 30, 2009 - Bagels and Cream Cheese at Shalom Bakery

More running around and shopping around Boquete....we found bagels and cream cheese! Also pulled a caper by taking a taxi with new met friend, Philip, to find a house owned by a guy we corresponded with before we left Mexico...he seems to have flown the coop ... last I heard, he was in Oaxaca. We found the house secured and his neighbors said he left in October, before the torrential floods in November that turned the rivers into rapids! Quite the scene with bridges washed out and mud everywhere.

Jan 28, 2009 - Shopping Spree in David

We took the bus to David today to go to the Free Zone for shopping. Here the prices are unbelievable, prices from a quarter to ten dollars for most items. On the way down to David there was a disruption in traffic due to a political demonstration. We hopped off the bus and walked past the demonstrators and got on another bus to town. I´m sure I´ll be shopped out after today! Regina located another suitcase. Let´s hope the third purchase is the charm. Will the wheels hold out? Will some bus line or airline destroy the handle? We´ll...

Jan 26, 2009 - Monday in Boquete

After our weekend in Bocas and moving into the hostel owner's deceased mother's house, and a lovely one it is, "Big Mama's House", we feel privileged to be here, but I feel like a bull in a china shop....moving carefully not to break anything and there's something EVERYWHERE! Another couple, Andrea and Bob Brunelle, is staying in the other bedroom. Andrea took us to the site of their dream home in Potrerillos, about 30 minutes from where we stay. They've bought 5 acres and are brave enough to construct a home, moving permanently here from...