Tag Archives: Snorkeling

Day Trippin’ In Boquete

Boquete offers a lot of fun day trips and hiking, rock climbing, zip lining, and more.

There are several loop trips one can take in the hills around Boquete.

Boquete loops...
Boquete loops…

One of our favorites is the Bajo Mono loop. There are many fun stops and sights to be seen without hiking. There is a magnificent climbing wall

The climbing wall...
The climbing wall…

and various tour companies in Boquete have the equipment to take folks on a fun filled adventure.

My Beautiful wife at the climbing wall...
My Beautiful wife at the climbing wall…

For us, viewing the formation was very satisfying.

Climbing guides...
Climbing guides…

We did see several metal hooks in the wall that are permanent and can run ropes for the adventurous at heart.

Crimp-ons...
Crimp-ons…

A little farther along the loop is a wonderful waterfall

The waterfall...
The waterfall…

that we visited several times both as tourists then as tour guides.

Friends at the waterfall...
Friends at the waterfall…

Even farther is a castle that was being built by someone for his wife. Legend has it that his wife died and the castle has been abandoned

The castle...
The castle…

and just sitting vacant since then.

The castle...
The castle…

Then near the top of the loop is Finca Lerida

Finca Lerida...
Finca Lerida…

where there is a B&B and a wonderful restaurant with a relaxing, peaceful view.

Herb garden....
Herb garden….

There are herb gardens outside the restaurant where they grow their own herbs used in the preparation of the delicious meals served there.

Inside the resturant...
Inside the resturant…
Lunch with friends...
Lunch with friends…

We were so glad to have a wonderful lunch there one day.

One day we went to El Explorador.

El Explorador...
El Explorador…

This is a whimsical garden full of characters and scenes with inspirational quotes along the way.

IMG_3430 B

We had fun with our translators since none of the quotes were in English.

IMG_3415 B

We also took three different day trips to check out the beach areas within driving distance. One was a tour by Explora Ya, a local business whose motto is “We don’t sell tours, we provide experiences.” We took a van to Boca Chica then hopped on a boat for whale watching

Whale on the surface...
Whale on the surface…

and lunch on Volano Island where we swam, snorkeled and had a wonderful time.

 beautiful beach...
beautiful beach…

Another day we did about a 2-1/2 hour tour to Las Lajas beach which is a beautiful beach and had lunch at the very nice resort there.

Lunch at the beach...
Lunch at the beach…

Our last beach trip was to Los Olas

Las Olas...
Las Olas…

which is about 60-90 minutes away where we enjoyed a walk on the beach and a wonderful lunch at the resort. There is a gated community along the beach

Hi-rises coming...
Hi-rises coming…

and the start of phase one of a three tower condo development, phase one of which is anticipated to be complete in 2-3 years. This is certainly an area we will keep an eye on. It is only 30-40 minutes to all the shopping one could want in David. The only drawback is that it’s not a good swimming beach

Beautiful but dangerous...
Beautiful but dangerous…

as there are very dangerous riptides and the waves can be quite threatening. We were warned by many locals that this beach can kill you.

There is another castle just outside Boquete

For Sale...
For Sale…

that overlooks a beautiful hillside of coffee beans growing. We heard this castle is for sale for $1.5 million.

$1.5 Mil...
$1.5 Mil..

Here’s an opportunity for you.

We really enjoyed our time in Boquete and made many friends we will surely see again but the temps there were a little too cool for our taste and we really missed the beach.

Next stop, Costa Rica, coming soon!!!!

Island Life

We arrived at our new home for the next month, dropped off our suitcase and backpacks and ventured into town to check it out.

Main street...
Main street…

We stayed on Isla Colón (pronounced Cologne) and life is a very laid back.

Bocas Town...
Bocas Town…

Bocas is full of tourists, backpackers, surfers, hostels and happy hours.

Bocas Town...
Bocas Town…

Many of the restaurants overlook the water and, as a result, there were postcards everywhere we looked.

Across the bay...
Across the bay…
Restaurant Tom...
From Restaurant Tom…

We did some snorkeling and the underwater world here is as pretty as the sights above water.

Fire Coral...
Fire Coral…
Fish...
Fish…
Scuba divers...
Scuba divers…
Starfish...
Starfish…

There are water taxis available to hop to neighboring islands and we enjoyed the fun of island hopping for lunch or dinner, sometimes hanging out and snorkeling.

Water taxi's...
Water taxis…
Water taxi welcoming committee...
Water taxi welcoming committee…
Cosmic Crab...
Cosmic Crab on Isla Carenero …

We spent a day on Isla Bastimentos with some new friends and had lunch at The Firefly.

Bastimentos Island...
Isla Bastimentos…
The view from shore...
The view from shore…
The Firefly...
The Firefly…
Island home for sale...
Island home for sale…
Smiles of the children...
Smiles of the children…

Life is peaceful here.

Tranquilo...
Tranquilo…

We toured Finca Los Monos Botanical Garden. This is a 25 acre privately-owned paradise.

Finca...
Finca…

The owners moved to Bocas more than 16 years ago and cleared jungle land to build a house and plant some flowers.

Flowers...
Flowers…

After six years of clearing and planting numerous varieties of flowers and palms, a decision was made to open the gardens to the public and provide tours.

Ponds...
Ponds…

The grounds have become a refuge for howler monkeys,

Howler Monkeys...
Howler Monkeys…

butterflies, iguanas, numerous species of birds and even several sloths.

More howler monkey...
Another howler monkey…

We were fortunate enough to see a group of howler monkeys hanging out and swinging through the trees.

Lyn...
Lyn…

Lyn, who owns the 25 acre refuge along with her husband Dave, provided a wealth of information. She is a self-taught botanist and her energy and excitement about the area and the plants is very contagious. It was a wonderful day.

Paki Point...
Paki Point…

We made more than one trip to Paki Point to relax and watch the surfers.

Surfing...
Surfing…

Besides good food and surfing, Paki Point is also known for the artwork

Artwork...
Artwork…

one of Panama’s premier artists, Ronaldo De Dedas (Rolo), has left there on the walls, tables, chairs and everywhere including several murals of his “mamis,”

Artwork...
Mamis…

visions of Mother Nature shown through symbolic representations of Panamanian and other Latin American women.

A beautiful setting...
A beautiful setting…

A trip to Bocas is not complete without a visit to Paki Point

2 Stays On Contadora Island

When in Panama, one of the places talked about about is the Pearl Islands. Panama has a rich history in the pearl trade, which is where the islands get their name. The best known island is Contadora Island. Contadora is said to have been used by Spanish Conquistadors to count their ill gotten gains before heading back to Spain. Contador means counter or bookkeeper in Spanish, hence the name.

The Pearl Islands...
The Pearl Islands…

And while there are several of the islands that are inhabited, only one or two have any real infrastructure set up for “tourists”.  We found an OfertaSimple offer, which is the Latin American equivalent to Groupon, for a discount on the ferry to Contadora Island that leaves from the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel. We got ahold of a friend who knows about all things Pearl Islands and he told us the discount was a good deal. So we purchased the deal and my wife got us a 2 night stay at the Trump. After all, we WERE saving money on the ferry, right??

Trump Ocean Club International Hotel...
Trump Ocean Club International Hotel…

We caught a ride into the city with some good friends, who dropped us off at the hotel. We were checked in to a room on the 19th floor. A nice room with a king size bed and a tub as an accent piece.

My Beautiful wife and our room at the Trump...
My beautiful wife and our room at the Trump…
Our view from the balcony...
Our view from the balcony…

The next morning, we made our way to the ferry dock behind the hotel.

Our ferry awaits
Our ferry awaits…

The ferry makes daily runs to the Pearl Islands. It takes about an hour by sea to get there. On the day we went, it was raining and the sea got rougher and rougher the closer we got to Contadora.

Watching videos on the ferry...
Watching videos on the ferry…

To quote a famous three hour tour, “The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed…”

Rainy seas...
Rainy seas…

We disembarked the ferry onto a fishing boat which delivered us to the beach at Contadora Island. In the rain…

Our ferry from the beach at Contadora Island...
Our ferry from the beach at Contadora Island…

And the rain continued to fall…

More rain...
More rain…

Even the cat was looking for cover…

Shelter from the rain...
Shelter from the rain…

Contadora is about a mile and a half long by a half mile wide and it does have an airstrip.

Contadora Island...
Contadora Island…

As the day wore on, a couple of planes flew in, passing right over our heads to land.

Coming in for a landing...
Coming in for a landing…
The airstrip...
The airstrip…

As the afternoon wore on, the rain kept falling. Just not a good day to go to the island.

And the rain continues...
And the rain continues…

So we boarded the ferry and headed back to the city. Sad, but not defeated…

Fast forward the clock a month, and we were ready to try another trip to Contadora Island. The rainy season is over and we are hoping for a much better time. We made our reservations at the Hibiscus House, a bed and breakfast on the island. And as a special treat, a friend arranged for us to FLY to the island with the owner of the Hibiscus House. We arrived at the Chame airstrip at 9am and found Allan, our pilot, gassing up his plane.

Allen and his plane...
Allan and his plane…

Once the plane was fueled, he loaded our luggage and his supplies.

Packing...
Packing…

Next, time to load the passengers.

Watch your step...
Watch your step…

Once inside the plane, Allan went through his check list, warned me to keep my knees and feet out of the controls, and we’re off.

DON'T TOUCH!!!
DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING!!!

Once up in the air, it’s a short 30 minutes to Contadora Island. Along the way, we saw Panama City off in the distance.

Panama City...
Panama City…

All too soon, the airstrip on Contadora Island came into view and we got ready to land.

Landing...
Landing…

Can you spot the Iguana on the runway? The pilot did…

Obstructions on the runway...
Obstructions on the runway…

Once we came to a stop, and I got my 6’4″ self OUT of the plane…

Unfolding from the plane...
Unfolding from the plane…

we headed up to the Hibiscus House, a very peaceful place on a quiet street on the island.

Our island "home"...
Our island “home”…

We settled into our room to unpack…

Home sweet home...
Home sweet home…

We then got our golf cart, the preferred mode of transportation on the island, and set out to discover what Contadora Island had to offer.

Beautiful beaches...
Beautiful beaches…
Quaint hotel...
Quaint hotel…
The Honeymoon suite...
The Honeymoon suite…
Regular rooms...
Several small villas…
Shells...
Shells…

Yes, those are shells in the walls…

Flowers everywhere...
Flowers everywhere…
Wildlife...
Wildlife…
More wildlife...
More wildlife…
An old hotel...
An old hotel…

With interesting tile work…

Tile work...
Tile work with some faux tiles made with rocks…
The moon...
The moon…
An old ferry on the beach...
An old ferry on the beach…
bare-throated Tiger Heron
bare-throated Tiger Heron
Ocean views...
Ocean views…
Did we mention flowers...
Did we mention flowers…
Low tide...
Low tide…

On our second day on the island, our host arranged for a local fisherman to take us out for some snorkeling. The fisherman took us around to several of the different islands in the area, including, the island that was used for theTV show Survivor, Panama. At one point, we were escorted by a couple of dolphins.

Dolphin off the port side...
Dolphin off the port side…
And he's brought a friend...
And he brought a friend…

The snorkeling was amazing…

Yours truly...
Yours truly…

Our last morning, we spent just riding around, enjoying the beauty of Contadora Island.

Birds on the beach...
Birds on the beach…
3D fence...
3D fence…
More fence...
More fence…
More tile...
Abandoned beach bar…
Iguanas were running around...
Iguanas were running around…
Watch for Tarzan...
Watch for Tarzan…
Another hotel on the island...
Another hotel on the island…
Somebody's paradise...
Somebody’s paradise…
Pelican over the water...
Pelican over the water…
More flowers...
More flowers…
Same flower, different color...
Same flower, different color…
Rock bells in concrete...
Rock bells in concrete…
Quiet streets of Contadora...
Quiet streets of Contadora…

Our time on the island came to an end and we loaded back up in the plane for the short flight home.

Packing us in...
Packing us in…
Ready for take-off...
Ready for take-off…
Goodbye Contadora Island...
Goodbye Contadora Island…
Our Gorgona home from the air...
Our Gorgona home from the air…
Chame airstrip...
Chame airstrip…
The welcoming committee...
The welcoming committee…

Our 2 days were over too soon. We will remember our trip to the Pearl Islands and the Hibiscus House and will count it as one of the many highlights of being senior nomads.