Blogs from Chiriquí, Panama, Central America Caribbean - page 2

EL RIO CALDERA The Rio Caldera is the main tributary that gathers the water from all the other rivers that flow down the surrounding mountains, in the region of Chiriqui. The City of Boquette is the center of this "horseshoe" of mountains and at the center of this valley is El Rio Caldera. Some of these rivers run through the city of Boquete before they reach El Rio Caldera. The Quebrada Bajo Grande flows down Volcan Baru, and has already been explored in this blog site. Others include Quebrada Cheche, Rio Pianista, Quebrada La Sumbona, Quebrada San Ramon, and Rio Palo Alto. Further downstream, as it flows into El Rio Chiriqui Nuevo, many others join this rushing mass of water, lined with rocks of all sizes. At one point El Rio Chiriqui Nuevo has been dammed ... read more

Dia de los Patrios In 1538 the Spanish invaders did not control much of Panama. This was due to the resistance of "Los Indios de Guerra" (War Indians), who refused to be missionized, conquered, or enslaved. On November 10, 1882 the residents of Azuero declaired their independance from Spain without the backing of the central govenment in Panama City. The Grito de La Villa de Los Santos (Cry From the Town of Saints), sparked existing separatist sentiment and brought the Spanish occupation to an end. For the first eighty years following Spanish occupation, Panama was a department of Columbia. Panamanian's began to resist the Columbian Government. In 1831 a thousand days war was fought. When Columbia rejected a treaty that would end the war, the United States began to give Panama support. By 1903, a new ... read more

We took a two and a half hour bus trip to the beach town of Puerto Armuelles. The road actually travels into Costa Rica for several miles. No passenger checks, there is a guard house and some barrels making the road appear like somewhat of a gate. I just saw the border personnel look into various cars and wave people through. It was rainng lightly most of the day but we didn't plan on swimming, not too keen on battlping under tows and rip tides. We passed more industrial areas but some farms and very modest homes along the way. There is quite a bit of road construction so the area must be booming. There are buses every 15 minutes and ours was standing room and packed at times. The town made an effort to put ... read more

El Rio Quebrada Bajo This river originates halfway down Volcan Baru. There the watershed from the frequent rains sends it's deluge of water into El Rios, through town, into El Rio Caldera, and melts into the sea. El Quebrada Bajo is seen at many locations through the town of Boquette as it passes under bridges and past stores and restaurants. Here I have included Video of a few of these popular landmarks: Refugio Del Rio, Mike's Global Grill, and Residencial Orquidea. The sound of this ordinarally tranquil river can be heard in many locations. However, when rain continues for days the river becomes a torrent. The sound becomes deafening as the boulders tumble across the river bed like pebbles. See Videos! Click below! v www.youtube.com/watch?v=quNQLFqgP8s www.youtube.com/... read more

We continue to wander around David to explore this crowded and hot city. We must be getting acclimated a little because it does not feel so stifling. We now carry umbrellas, as the locals do, to provide shade from the sun. Until about 9:00 in the morning it is pleasant and when the clouds move in in the evening. It is nice to be able to walk downtown at night without a sweater and to have a swim in the pool without the slightest shiver. We have a leisurely morning catching up on emails, Facebook and cook a nice breakfast after which we head downtown. We have looked for newer neighbourhoods but have yet to find one, but we do come up with interesting sights everyday. Yesterday we came upon an outdoor casket making shop. We ... read more