During the past couple of weeks more "new friends" have emailed saying they were coming to Panama or are in the initial process of investigating Panama as a possible home.

We've also been privileged to be involved in a series of meetings recently regarding upcoming changes to the land ownership laws in Panama, particularly as they apply to the land on the Caribbean.

Check out Donna's monthly articles being published in Vivir Bien -- in Spanish and English -- so she is now published in English, Cantonese and Spanish.

Donna was in contact with Spay Panama and she has put their logo on the site to left in the hopes you will see it, check out their site and contribute. If you have been outside the city you know how many dogs and cats wander around under nourished and skinny. All of this can be prevented through birth control.
 

February 16th, 2008

This past week I  had the pleasure of spending 3 full days exploring the coast line of Costa Arriba. From Playa Blanca near Portobelo to past Santa Isabel, almost to the San Blas Islands. The coast line and the small towns are all different ranging from large sweeping beaches to rocky hills descending into the Caribbean. As i mentioned in my previous note we had done this trek by car.

I was there to see how the area Pedro owns compared to the rest of the coast, and i can now say without any hesitation, he has the two finest pieces if the beach and swimming are important. There are lots of pieces with spectacular views but no beach and others with great beaches but with very aggressive waves.

The week before we had the pleasure of meeting Alan & Geri from Canada along with their friend Jacob. We enjoyed spending time around Panama City in Casco Viejo and the Amador causeway. They went on to Boquete and other areas around Panama checking out various housing projects to see if anything might fit their lifestyles. Check out Alan's running commentary here.

i will have pictures online next week so check back.

So many people have asked us what things we see and do in Panama that we thought we would jot some things down once in a while. This area won't try and be a diary, but will try and capture some of the more interesting things we encounter.

The week of the 13th of January, 2008 we had the pleasure/privilege of seeing some amazing things – some things that just driving around you would never normally get a chance to see – we put on almost 2,200 km – and worth every single km –

We left Panama and drove the PanAmerican Highway to Boquete – about 5.5-6hrs – this meant we passed the Pacific coastal area from the city to the province of Cocle where it becomes inland area – mostly farm and sugar cane fields – then through Veraguas which is similar but it becomes hillier and greener. Finally Chiriqui where we came to the city of David. From there you head “up” to Boquete – climbing to over 1200 meters. We had rented a house in Boquete – 2 bdrm, 3 or 4 yrs old – clean – 40.00 per night all in :} – We visited the Boquete flower show and spent time at the house of an acquaintance of Wayne & Elaines. Interesting couple from Kelowna/Calgary who moved 4 yrs ago to Boquete and renovated a house. They have now bought in the Boquete Country Club area and will build their own home.
 
The next day we went back to David, further into Chiriqui and then “up” to Volcan and Cerro Punto where we visited an orchid “finca” (farm) with over 2600 varieties of orchids, but primarily known for their “Dracula Orchids” – hence their name Finca Dracula. Needless to say Donna and Elaine took almost 400 pictures and could probably fill 12 pages of descriptions on what they found in Finca Dracula. Back to Boquete and out for dinner at the old grand hotel, the Panamonte. Excellent, incredible meal. Before the meal Donna and Elaine had a facial and pedicure and would highly recommend that as well.
Then the next day back to Panama City for a day of rest.

Friday we left for the Caribbean where we met our friend Pedro and spent 2 nights at Ralph & Claritas house on the cove. We swam and drank. Hmmmm .. Ralph has a fellow, Porfirio, do all the yard work and cook when they or friends are out there. That evening Pedro arranged for us to go a neighboring town, Mirimar, where he arranged a local dinner, lobster, octopus and rice – and he arranged the towns “congo dancers” to entertain us – they had all of us up dancing – what a hoot … Pedro tried to arrange for us to go on his friends boat but the waves were a little too high for comfort so the next day we got up, had a Tom’s prepared breakfast (with the help of Porfirio who I am sure thinks we’re crazy) , then headed out to Pedros other land in Santa Isabel – virtually the end of the road on Costa Arriba – right on the edge of the San Blas islands.

It’s only 40 km but the last 20 are “unimproved roads”. I had no idea what that really meant when we headed out. All I know is Pedro asked me very casually at one point on our way, “have you ever tried your 4 wheel drive in the Mitsubishi?” I told him, yes, as a matter of fact I had just to see how easy it was. Well, we hit the unimproved – wow – we’re talking roads simply “plowed” over land, through farms, up hills and then ……. Across three rivers …. No bridges… true river crossings … we have pictures as no one would believe us.

Needless to say it was white knuckle for 20 km – we had to pass vehicles and one huge – I mean HUGE shovel unit – unreal. Another time we had to pass an SUV on the side of a hill on a single lane road. He got the inside by the mountain – we got the side that went down the hill for what looked like a mile:} We finally made it to his property – almost 400 hectares from the Caribbean beach to inland backed by a river that runs around the property. Pretty spectacular land. And in 10 years it will be surrounded by development as they are building a new road direct from the Tocuman airport to Santa Isabel. This will take the trip down to 45 -60 min from Panama City to Santa Isabel on the edge of the San Blas Islands. Back for a local fare lunch (and BBQ’d sausages) prepared by Porfirio, time to swim and then head back to Panama City.

January 20th we drove to El Valle de Anton about 1.5 hrs on the Pacific side right near Coronado but up in the hills. We had lunch reservations at a restaurant called Lourdes. It is owned and run by a lady who designed this restaurant and hotel to look like it was right out of Tuscany. She even imitated the olive trees in the back ground. The food was some of the best I’ve eaten anywhere in Canada, the USA or Europe – and 4 people, wine, appetizer, main course and dessert – 160.00