Panama 2015 Week 4

Already finished the first third of the Panamanian adventure. We think nothing of hopping on a bus for short trips to Coranodo or longer rides to outlying villages.

Our bus stop in Bejuco to Sora on a busy Sunday morning

Driving on the highway it is quite scary....the little reindeer hanging from the sun visor takes the ride everyday and can't watch.... and neither can that cute passenger!

For fish lovers, a short early morning walk down the beach into a tiny little cove. You'll see small boats and larger fishing vessels bringing ashore catch of the day. Men unload the boats and carry bags of fish on their shoulders to be sold to locals, tourists and owners of local fondos (restaurants). 

On a trip to Altos de Maria,our friend Allison drove us through the mountains, high in the cloud forest. We also visited a nursery veiwed exotic plants of interest including a broad selection of orchids, saw hummingbirds, a Scarlet Tanager and butterflies. We are all still looking for a Blue Morph butterfly!

Red bananas, haven't tried them but told they are sweet.

A stop at El Valle Hot Springs found us having a mud facial and soaking our tired feet in the mineral springs, all for an entrance fee of $3 per person.

Awesome moment when Beth spotted a three-toed sloth on the side of the road. We were able to get some great pictures of the little guy (head to his short tail about 2')climbing the hill and yes, he was sloooooow! They live high in the canopy, climbing down once a week to defecate. Our lucky day.

Panama 2015 week 3

We started this week with a champagne toast, celebrating our fine choice of accommodation, gourmet food choices (no longer daily rice and beans dishes) and of course the end of a great day. Bill is wearing his new authentic Panama Hat.

On Tuesday we took the bus into Panama City, then jumped on a Hop-on Hop-off double decker bus and toured the canal, downtown and Casco Viejo (Old City). We plan to return and stay overnight so we can spend more time exploring. 

Panama Skyline

Drive thru for  fresh juice, ice cream and smoothies in Panama City 

Transportation in the city can be on "Red Devils". Owners bought old school buses, painted and decorated each with their own special taste, named them and then raced each other through the streets on what could be called suicide missions, trying to be the first to pick up passengers. The vehicles were in such bad condition with parts falling off and causing lots of accidents, the city tried to get them off the streets. The owners would not oblige so the city passed a law that all drivers had to have a driving license. Yikes! Only a few left on the streets today for the tourists.

We are convinced the driver on our bus home from Panama was an ex, unlicensed Red Devil. The ride can only be compared to Space Mountain at Disneyland only cheaper ($3) but they didn't post a warning about heart conditions! The good news was we were packed in the bus so tightly, no one could move or fall out of their seat.

Wednesday night was at Picasso's again with our Canadian ex-pat friends.

Thursday Bill and I had appointments at the dental clinic. Me for an excellent cleaning ($34 seniors rate) and Bill an extraction, bone graph and 3 implants all done by a world class surgeon. If all goes well with the healing, the caps go on. Normally it takes 12 weeks and we have 10 weeks left here. Cost savings are great here and retired persons are eligible for 10% to 15% discounts at restaurants, beauty salons, dental clinics and other yet to be discovered activities. They even have a line at the bank for retirees, you just have to prove your receiving a pension. We just love being old! But, we refuse to take part in "early bird specials".

Friday was a day to rest and it turned cool Saturday with an unexpected rain shower. We had wi-fi installed in our condo and that lasted 12 hours. Hopefully it will be corrected and bring us back to normal communication.

Downtown Panama

Panama 2015 Week 2

We had a very social week. Our Spanish vocabulary is increasing at sloth speed as we have been to dinners, Happy Hours and had several lively conversations around the pool and in the grocery stores  with ex-pats and vacationers from the U.S., Canada and UK.

Most residents are here for 3 to 6 months although the majority of condo owners are from Panama City, enjoying the beach on holidays and weekends. Technology has allowed professionals in North America to continue employment through their computers and using Skype.  Couples with young families are relocating for a warmer climate, relaxed working enviroment and a career with less stress. Others fell in love with the salt and pepper beaches of Coronado when Panama was their vacation destination 20 years ago.

This weeks weather...winds seem to blow just below hurricane force. We had to laugh because opening the front door created a wind tunnel through the condo and out the balcony door that can send anything not held down to fly through the air. Beth opened the front door and her ball cap flew off her head and sailed a good 40 feet. You have to put your full body weight against the door to close it and the blinds in the bedrooms fill with air like a spinnaker sail under full speed.

On Thursday, Bill and I had a consultation with a local dentist. Several ex-pats have had extensive dental work done at this clinic and are pleased with the results and the 50% savings.

Meals - still on the beans and rice diet but we bartered for delicious sweet pineapple, avocados and mango from Señor Fruto at his local fruit stand.

Today we visited Beth's friend who has a home approximately 3000 ft above sea level. We drove serpentine roads through cloud forests, enjoyed amazing views and cooler temperatures. If you climb higher you could see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

We stopped for lunch at a Panamanian "fondo" (where locals eat) in El Valle which is a picturesque town situated in crater of a giant, extinct volcano that erupted 3 million years ago.

A view of the Sleeping Indian Girl. The myth, she fell in love with a conquistador who her father forbade  her to marry so she took her life and she was buried in the mountain which took her prone shape. She is still awaiting for her love.

At the market in El Valle purchasing Molas, traditional fabric pictures hand made by indigenous Indians

Stopped on road side to watch dressage competition. Note the sponsor's name on the blue tent!

Panama 2014 -2015 Week 1

December 29, 2014 - the four of us arrived in Panama City, a little tired (Beth and Nigel working on only a few hours sleep) and we were relaxing at our condo on the 16th floor just in time to toast day's end, sun setting at 6:20. We've met  some wonderful people in the Coronado Country Club resort. One couple lived 2 blocks from our home in Oakville and are now living on Glen Abbey Golf Course. It's a small world after all!

New Years Eve fireworks started going off around the coast area just after sunset. At midnight the whole coastline was on fire with bursts of colour, floating Chinese lanterns and on the beach, burning numerous effigies dressed to replicate your favourite person, movie star or cartoon character.

The pools and beach area are crowded with families enjoying the holidays and we have been told that after January 12 things will be quieter. Children are on summer vacation until the end of February but most of the units rented or owned here will be occupied by adults.

Getting around...your choices to go to town of Coronado (4.5 km) are walking, taxi ($6 US), bus (35 cents), golf cart, rent-a-car or the kindness of a neighbour already heading to town and willing to let us come along for the ride.

Meals... We bought groceries on our first trip to town. Because we have been getting up later in the morning, breakfast is finished just minutes before lunch is served with snacks in the afternoon. After sunset is dinner time. The first night we enjoyed black beans and pasta. Second dinner was black beans, pasta and pesto. Our New Years Eve dinner....sparkling wine, rice with onions, zucchini, tomato sauce and a side bowl of black beans. Fourth dinner...rice, chopped tomatoes, carrots and you guessed it!..frijoles negros = black beans.

Coronado Beach seems to be perfect for long walks but knowing the tide schedule is imperative as high tide may leave you stranded between rock formations. The sand is mostly black which, as you can imagine, can be very hot in the afternoon. We are situated in a small bay so the water isn't rough and it's safe for wading into the Pacific. The gardens are full of magenta and fuschia coloured bougainvillea and the pool is huge, divided into private cubbies.

When we first arrived the weather was very hot and humid. By day 4, we are acclimated and we feeling more comfortable.

Saturday we took the $.35 bus into town. We had lunch at what can only be described as a Panamanian Legion or Coronado's  answer to Hooters. Beth was pleased to find out that no matter what your shape, there are no spandex inhibitions. Beer was cold at $.90 a bottle and we ate a bowl of rice and lentils. Safe and Savory. Bill asked waitress to have all food on one check by circling our table with his hand. Misinterpretation - she brought us another round of beer. Oh well!! Pura Vidal!! total of 13 frio cervesa 4 bowls of rice came to $19. May just be cheaper to eat out!

We are in a very good place, non-threatening enviroment, warm and well fed, and oh yes, we have plenty of wine and well priced local beer in the fridge.