ruthkennedysretirementblog

El Valle de Anton, Panama, 2020

El Valle de Anton, Anton Valley, is a little town nestled in an extinct volcano. We left Santa Catalina, another little town on the coast, and it was incredible hot. Four or five hours later when we arrived in Anton Valley the temperature was considerably cooler. Hot when the sun was shining, much cooler at night with lots of wind. The road either went straight up, or straight down, at least that is what it felt like.

El Valle de Anton is a walkable town, and believe me when I say we walked it. There are several hikes up into the mountains which apparently provide panoramic views of the mountains and the town. A little beyond my comfort zone, especially the hikes where you have to use ropes to pull yourself up.

The town itself is beautiful with lots to keep a person entertained. Even the bank has personality.

What would we do without our phones!! SIM cards sure help.

The sidewalks throughout the town looks like they were designed for everyone including bikes and both sighted and visually impaired walkers. There were a few glitches, I imagine it is difficult when you retrofit a road.

We really splurged this time and stayed in a hostel:) Although it is great when you have a private room. The added benefit is a kitchen. And you get to meet so many people from around the world…no, we weren’t the only old geezers staying in the hostel. Although ours was the only vehicle in the parking lot:)

This town has a lot of very fancy houses, most you can’t see behind the high fences and thick foliage. A local told us helicopters start arriving Friday to take people to their weekend homes. Sounds pretty good to me.

We had planned to visit this museum, but the power went out for an afternoon. We did not have enough time to go back.

The town seemed to close up shop by 6 PM. Finding a place to have dinner could be a wee bit problematic… but we managed nicely.

El Valle de Anton was pretty near perfect in so many ways. I liked the climate, just a bit cooler in the evening so you had to wear a sweater. I would definitely go back.

Cheers.

Ruth

El Valle de Anton, Orchids, Panama, 2020

Our road trip continued to Anton Valley. We went to visit an orchid “farm”. It was an incredible display even though many plants were not flowering, many were.

One of the things I found surprising was the number of tiny, tiny orchids. They could be so easy to overlook.

The flowers on this plant were so tiny you practically needed a microscope to see them…well not quite!!

On the rock wall there were many different orchids, all small.

This lady was very knowledgable, pointing out the different types of orchids with their names. It sounded like a labor of love.

Even the orchids that were not flowering were interesting to look at.

There were also many plant that were not orchids. The ornamental bananas were cute. And the gourds came in all sizes.

If you ever find yourself in El Valle de Anton while you are in Panama, going to see the orchids is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours.

And well worth the price!

Cheers

Ruth

Santa Catalina

We left Pedasi late morning and drove to Santa Catalina. It took us about five hours. The road was in great shape except for the last half hour or so. It is a small rustic town and the road ends at the ocean.

We stayed at Mama Ines hotel. The rooms were small but clean. The location was fabulous and the food was good. Would certainly recommend it.

Lots of crafts on display that was made by the staff using local products.

A quick refreshment and time for a dip to really cool off….it was a hot drive.

The hotel is right on the ocean with a river running into it. At high tide the water is chest high in the inlet. At low tide it barely comes up to your ankles.

We also saw a group of divers coming back with their catch of lobsters.

This is the first time since being in Panama we have seen the sun set over the ocean as in Pedasi we get a different view.

The next day while Daryl went diving, Marie and I went exploring. It truly is a small, colorful town with a most interesting sign posted near the beach.

We ended up stopping for coffee at a neat Peruvian bar/sushi restaurant.

At low tide we walked across the river to another neat resort…us and the horse.

Marie got to try her first paticonies.

And the next morning I was up early enough to see a glorious sunrise.

A quick trip to Santa Catalina. Daryl had a wonderful day diving, more to come on that later.

Would definitely go back.

Cheers

Ruth

Playa….beach…Nature 2020 Panama

Mother Nature has been on display for the last several days. The first time we went to Playa Rincon it was calm with a massively large beach area. A couple of days ago we went when it was windy, choppy and the tide was partially in. Almost unrecognizable as the same beach,

What a difference the wind makes. Who would even know the picture above and below are of the same beach.

The blowing sand was pretty, and desert like. Felt like ice pellets when it it your bare legs.

On the windy day even the rocks were not showing their face nearly as much as on a quiet day:)

The last three days when we have been out walking the beaches, even the birds are not wanting to fly away. I have never been able to get as close to the birds on all the prior walks.

We walked for kilometres on this beach….as most of the others. Unlike other times, this time we saw one other couple.

The next two pictures are basically the same spot taken on different days. both are beautiful, but I think the stormy seas are even more so….and powerful.

Yes, Mother Nature is powerful and beautiful. Not a good day to go swimming, perfect for walking.

Life in Panama is good for this retiree.

Cheers

Ruth

2020, Beaches and more, Pedasi

We had not yet been to Playa La Garita. This beach has rocky areas. The day we went it was super windy.

A beautiful day to walk the beach, always being mindful of the waves.

We also went to Punta Mala. Again, beautiful but oh so windy.

The picture above and below are basically taken in the same spot. The one above was taken a couple of weeks ago when the water was calm. It has been windy every day since the new year arrived.

We walked to the end of the spit….breakwater…. It sure makes for a nice calm bay.

This pelican let us get close before flying away.

Lots of fishing boats in this quiet bay. This large, fancy home must have quite a view.

Marie said she was too hot and needed to partially strip…. and yes, posted with permission.

Sometimes you have to do a bit of cleaning and then a bit of shopping.

Sisters.

We had chicken at a local restaurant, the patacones were fresh and hot!

Sometimes in the evening we play games. Daryl said he won….maybe he did and maybe he didn’t, but the game Phase 10 is addictive.

Yes, life is good.

Cheers

Ruth

2020, Going to Church in Pedasi

Sunday morning I went to a “gringo” church with Marie, we walked on the back road to avoid the heavy traffic…..the 3 or 4 cars that would normally pass us.. lol.

It is quite a scenic route, horse and all.

It is only about a 10 minute walk from the house. Even at nine in the morning it was quite hot. Thankfully the church was air conditioned.

The songbook had both Spanish and English.

I believe this picture includes all the ladies attending church on Sunday morning.

And then it was over. Time for the scenic walk home.

Cheers!

Ruth

January 2020, Marie visits Panama

December 30 Daryl and I drove to Panama City, we were picking Marie up the next day. There is a structure being built that has the most interesting siding. Ever time we pass it, it is a little further along. It is a long drive from Pedasi to Panama City, and we only stopped for food.

Christmas is still very much in evidence, this huge Christmas tree on the boardwalk in Panama City, with the changing light colours, was beautiful.

We picked Marie up at 10:30 in the morning, then booted it out of the city to get ahead of the traffic. We will spend time in the city at the end of the trip….only 3 weeks left.

We made it back to Pedasi. New Years Eve and we needed food. Sad to say none of us made it to midnight.

Playing in the fountain.

We ended up at Smiley’s restaurant for food and music. Marie said it was the best rice she had ever eaten!

Some of us had a pretty slow start to the new year.

New Years Day there was a Polar Bear plunge at one of the local beaches, Playa Arenal. There were bags of ice….

We walked the beach, just could not brave that icy water…haha

Next day we went to a different beach, Playa Escondido, thought we might be able to go swimming but no go. Way too rough for me.

What’s a guy supposed to do when you leave your hat at home and you need to protect your head from the blistering sun??

Next morning we did a bit of exploring. We went to Las Tablas, Tonosi, and then Playa Venao for a cold drink before heading home.

I would say somebody is not too impressed with the meat selection.

We kept an eye out for monkeys crossing the road, unfortunately we did not see any.

Playa Venao has a beautiful surfing beach, just not the best waves today. The drinks were great! Daryl would always say a Balboa is best on a hot day. My maracuyá and Marie’s piña colada were good too.

Enjoying life in paradise.

Cheers

Ruth

2019, Living in Pedasi

One of our favourite activities since we have been in Pedasi is walking the beach. The sand is fine and well packed, and seemingly endless. Yesterday we went for a walk and we were the only people, although lots of birds especially pelicans. There was also this little guy.

There are lots of pretty sweet houses here…affordable too! I love the backyard bohio’s….makes outside living quite comfortable in the hot sun. Everything grows so quickly, you have to keep on top of the trimming .

Going to a mall shopping, there are the same stores here as anywhere else…. This mall is very quiet, but in all fairness we were there as soon as it opened on a Wednesday morning.

For such a small town Pedasi has some really great restaurants. This little gem is Casa Bambu, we went there for breakfast, quiet that morning, I have been there when it was quite busy.

We both had the stuffed buckwheat crepes. The orange juice was freshly squeezed, the pineapple marmalade was so good… and the coffee was a taste sensation.

Terry’s is another delightful restaurant. We went there on my birthday.

Carrying on with the food theme, we went to a ‘flea market’. Our only purchase was hot, homemade tamales….hot as in just cooked and also spicy.

Hotel Casa de Campo…just down the street… has a little store. they have good wine, and we bought the best rib eye roast. It was BBQ’d to perfection, tender and juicy. And such a good price for a kg!

I was in desperate need of a hair cut, this “trying to grow it out” was a total failure as it felt like I was wearing a fur collar. A local stylist chopped off about four inches…. felt like freedom all over again. Have to say the straight hair only lasted a half hour. The back is a reminder of the colour in by-gone years:)

I got tired of looking over the top of my reading glasses, and after losing my ‘good’ sunglasses, went for new ones. So… this includes the exam, frames, progressive and transition lenses.

And then there are a few “out and about” pictures. Maybe this is Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”, and my favourite beer ad with the snowmobile.

Daryl and I wish you a Happy New Year with much peace, prosperity, health and happiness in 2020.

Cheers!

Ruth

2019, Christmas in Pedasi

Christmas in Pedasi is celebrated with gusto. By mid December the church and town square was nicely decorated. A large nativity scene was set up on one side of the church. The wise men were outside….and the road was blocked.

There was a Christmas Parade, the information said it was to start at 5 PM. Daryl and I went to the square. It was nowhere near ready!

We spent a couple of hours visiting, then on our way to a restaurant, about 7:30, the parade was just getting going. Now the floats were full of cheer.

I can’t even imagine how hot those kids must have been in the Santa suits… it was around 30C.

After dinner we stood outside the restaurant and watched an incredible display of fireworks.

Christmas Eve the church was full, hot…lots of fans but I was in danger of melting. It was very festive with the changing light colours.

We went to Chitre and there was a gigantic Christmas tree in the mall.

Las Tablas was the same. Even McDonalds had a tree…yes we went there. The picture is too dark, I was taking it into the bright sunlight….and no do overs:)

We had to go into the next town on Christmas Eve. There was a big display set up in front of this grocery store, selling baskets and such, and wrapping gifts. It was a zoo!!

Christmas Day we were invited out for a traditional turkey dinner. It was delicious! Someone said it was started years ago “for orphans”, sure lots of expats here without families. I think there were 40 people attending.

Merry Christmas 2019. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Cheers

Ruth

2019 Playas….beaches…Pedasi

This time of the year makes me wonder if I am crazy for not being home for Christmas. Sure miss those grandkids.

And then we go for a drive and as I look at the splendour all around I think maybe we are ok. This is just a random view from the car.

We have been to quite a few beaches since coming to Pedasi. Each one is beautiful and somewhat different. For the most part there are good size waves….but not always.

Thought this beach was my favourite…. up there for sure, but maybe no longer number one.

Playa Destiladeros is the first beach we visited, this is where we lost our sunglasses (my first pair of many) and hats. Wild waves.

We went back a couple of days ago and it was much calmer. I love how the road ends where the beach / ocean starts.

Playa Destiladeros goes on forever…I swear. According to my phone we walked 7000 steps, and still beach as far as the eye could see. At some point I had walked far enough….

Daryl was so far ahead I could not tell if he was coming or going. He did come back…lol

The scenery on this same beach changed so much, from wide sandy beach to rocks to large red pillars.

Playa El Toro…Bull Beach… is quite close to town, maybe a couple of kilometres. it is one of the more popular beaches, but a tad rocky. Quite windy when we were there and that kept me out of the water in conjunction with the picture about the crazy currents.

We also went to Playa Playita. During the entire month of November this was the calmest beach. Unfortunately we have no pictures of the beach itself, except one and the color is off.

Arenal is another beach close to town. Lots of fishing boats, also where you can catch a boat to go to Isla Iguana. We still haven’t been there but need to, supposed to be the best place around for snorkelling.

This trip to Playa El Arenal was on a Sunday, lots of families out enjoying the water.

What’s a person supposed to do when they lose their hat, haven’t yet found one that fits and it is blistering hot outside?? Umbrella’s work (it was $4 at the fish market in Panama City when we got caught in the rain).

Playa Venao, I heard it’s the best surfers beach around.

Early on we had been to Playa Escondido and it was quite rough. A couple of days ago we went back and it was absolutely calm.

This sign indicated there is a coral reef quite close to the beach. We went snorkelling. Sure nothing like Roatan last year. Felt really good to be in calm water.

The mask was so tight, I had marks on my face for two days….truth.

After Playa Escondido, on our way home at a fork in the road we turned left, instead of right…doing a bit of exploring. We came to another fantastic beach. There was no signage so no idea what it is called.

There was one other group besides us. Definitely could have gone swimming but we had just finished snorkelling.

The beauty surrounding us is outstanding. I am beyond thankful to have the opportunity, and the health, to be able to enjoy this experience.

There is still so much to do and see.

Cheers

Ruth