Diary/Photo Journal
Week of January 04, 2004
On our way to Boquete,
we stopped off at a (supposed) hot springs that is known for its therapeutic
qualities. We trudged Cindy over a rocky and eroded road and finally we
had to give Cindy a rest and make the rest of the journey on foot. What we
found was the property overseer charging $1 per person to enter the property and
if you wanted to take a picture of his prize bull, you had to pay another $1 for
the picture. We paid the entrance fee but refused to pay for the picture.
As the saying goes "you get what you pay for" because we certainly got one
dollar's worth, well almost. Sherrie was the smart one and did not pay and
instead, went back to the nearby river to cool off. We indulged the
"lukewarm" and sediment strewn springs and made our way back to the river as
well. But, at least we can say we were there - yeah, right!
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Our warm springs experience The three enormous pools |
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Sherrie enjoying the river (look to left of towel on the rock) David and Sherrie cooling off |
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Beautiful waterfall |
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Various bridge crossings |
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These cows are considered the camels of the cow kingdom. Those humps store water for days, perhaps weeks |
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We made a wrong turn and ended up in
Kansas. We just missed this storm |
Ahhhhhh, Boquete. "Bo-ketty" - means "little mouth"
(but the locals say it means "beautiful") because it is settled
at the mouth of a small valley, and it was a wonderful surprise. Even
though Boquete is only 35 km from David, a hot and dry town, this small mountain
town (about 4,000 feet) was sunny and warm all day (and breezy) and cool and
clear at night. A strange phenomenon called "bajareque" would occur every afternoon wherein
the moisture from the Atlantic side would collect at the mountains and provide
cool sprinkles on the eastern half of the town. The western half or as we
dubbed the "Pacific" side, would remain sunny and breezy, unaffected by the
moisture that did not have the motivation to go any further.
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Looking from the
Pacific side to the Atlantic side The "bajareque" occurs
throughout |
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Typical plate of pork, bistec (a kind of shredded meat), rice, potato salad, beans and sodas - all for a whopping $5. Very tasty! |
When we landed in town, unbeknownst to us, it was the beginning of the 10-day, Feria de las Flores y el Cafe (annual flower and coffee fair). The fair is considered the most important flower festival in Central America and it attracts hundreds of international exhibitors from Europe and the Americas.
An ironic side note about Boquete is that besides coffee, it is known for its navel oranges that are grown in and around the area. These navel oranges were first brought to the area from Riverside, California. A familiar taste of home.
We found a wonderful camping area in front of the Pension Topas and Sherrie and Dave roughed it for a night in a little gorgeous, riverfront hotel. And, they had hot water! As Dave said, it was so hot, that he had to turn it down, the poor thing.
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View coming into Boquete River alongside of the flower fair and our welcoming rainbow over the town |
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View from the hotel back porch and view from the flower fair to the hotel |
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This rose got my vote for the most spectacular - bright salmon pink color |
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The flower fair had lots of, how do we say, Flowers! |
I blame my being a flower fanatic on my parents that gifted me with a wonderful childhood nickname of "Flower" (ok, I can hear snickering all the way here) and being surrounded by these gardens was a feast for my senses. Also, David had a extraordinary affection for the gardens as well as he said it reminded him of his father's elaborate and beautiful gardens. So, with warm family memories filling our heads, we tip-toed through the tulips (so-to-speak) and soaked in the wonder of nature's offerings.
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Dave found a friend (his family will understand this photo) We had to report Gerson for fake dragon abuse |
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These bougainvilleas went on and on and on Different type of peacock |
Gerson and I took a walk around the outskirts of town and happened upon a
private home which opens their garden to everyone. They call their
paradise "Mi Jardin es Su Jardin" and I think you know how that translates.
The owners must be lovers of children because there were swings, slides, small
pools, children's statues, small bridges, etc. everywhere. A truly
wonderful place.
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Various views of this magnificent wonderland |
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Gerson skipping rope with the children of the garden |
Whilst we were posing with posies, David and Sherrie experienced
their own extraordinary adventure. So, with no further ado, I would like to
introduce you to our guest author,
Sherrie.
There still is a little more to add about Boquete. Gerson and I took a taxi ride around half of the town and what beautiful country.
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View of front and back of Boquete and view to volcano with seven craters and view to Pacific from Boquete highlands |
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Our taxi driver, Chachi |
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