Moving On

Today, Monday, sees the end of our trip to the highlands as we move on from the Pacific side of the continental divide across the mountains to the Pacific at Bocas del Toro. The highlands here have been very pleasant with some warm, occasionally very hot, sun but also lots of rain. That is not really surprising I suppose as it is the rain forest here. The small town of Boquete is high up on the slopes of Volcan Baru and is surrounded by forested peaks with lots of trails for walking. The birdlife up here is wonderful but sadly we were never able to see one of the famed Resplendant Quetzals that inhabit the forests high up on slopes of the volcano. We have managed to see plenty of other birds though and have enjoyed hiking the trails.

Boquete is also home to a wide range of different peoples from the local indiginous population of Ngobe Bugle, that often dress in the traditional colourful clothes, through to successful Panamanians and many many retired Americans with a smattering of other nationalities.

The food here is very good with a large variety of international cuisine ranging from the ubiquitous Pizzaria to Mexican, French and lots of American type steak and burger bars but thankfully no McD or KFC has reached these parts (and hopefully never will). Last night we enjoyed and very good Italian meal high in the mountains at a little trattoria perched on a side of a stream by a waterfall. Not just pizza but exccellent pasta and lots of fish as well as good Italian wines. Could easily have been in Sicily and not Panama.

The visitors here tend to be either younger backpackers staying at local hostels and walking or catching buses everywhere with large rucksacks or rich Panamanians from the cities coming for a few days in their big 4x4 land cruisers. Very little in between. We have met many people as everyone is so friendly but some you have to just listen as they go through all their illnesses, therapists and problems. (You can guess which nationality these are!!!!)

OK enough of Boquete as we need to get on and pack the car before leaving

We suspect that internet connections may be a little harder to come by as we move to the next place so the blog may not be updated so much but we will see.