Blogs from David, Chiriquí, Panama, Central America Caribbean

David is Panama's second city. That's really hard to believe when you approach on the bus and even harder to believe when you are actually there. Most people don't bother stopping and just change bus to get to Boquete. They are missing out on something very different when it comes to city breaks, although speaking Spanish really did make it a more enriching experience. On arrival we fended off the ticket touts trying to get us onto another bus and avoided all of the numerous taxis as it was only a 10-15 minute walk to our hotel. Ok, it was a bit of a hot and sticky walk, but in David the climate makes that in the capital seem fresh, so you have to get used to it. When we got to the url=https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-gb.html?aid=1769628&sid=9a578de347668f45368f9dd1a856b6cd&sb=1&src=hotel&src_elem=sb&error_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fhotel%2Fpa%2Ftryp-panama-centro.en... read more

Jerry and I wish all of you a Happy New Year, we miss you all. We spent Christmas Eve walking around downtown David and stopping at our favourite bars. The merchants were still out peddling their wares passed 9:00. The streets were packed with shoppers, the kids fair was in full swing and the streets were littered with garbage. Wrapping paper, food containers, boxes and bottles were everywhere. The garbage continues to boggle our minds in a city with pick up twice a week. We headed back to our condo for a much needed swim and more Christmas cheer. At midnight, the skies erupted with fireworks coming from every direction. This is not an organized event, everyone simply sets off fireworks at will. It could be seen in every direction even way up in the mountains. ... read more

We continue to explore this busy and lively city. Panamanians are a boisterous bunch with all their fiestas. Last week end it was yet an other independence celebration, this time from Spain. There was music and dancing with firecrackers and fireworks going off all day and late into the night. Of course parades of chanting and dancing crowds as well as marching bands. They are big on drums here. I can't get over how they march for miles carrying these drums in this heat. We are joining the expat or as they are called, the gringos community. We enjoyed a lovely American Thanksgiving dinner at Hotel David. This is by far the best meal we have had here and the prices continue to be very affordable. The room was full, there are quite a number of ... read more

We continue to explore the surrounding area by bus. We are toying with the idea of renting a car as they are inexpensive but the insurance is costly. So far buses work well and cabs are cheap, driving seems suicidal in this city. We do a lot of walking as well which is a good thing because we sure are eating out a lot. I have the bus schedule on line so I locate places that are day trips, do a bit of research as to what is there and off we go to the bus terminal. We decided on Pedegral, a small suburb of David past the airport. We intended to go to the airport to check on car rentals as well. We get to the terminal and I ask about a bus to Pedegral ... read more

As I slipped I almost has time to plan my fall, almost but not quite. Luckily this peticuilar waterfall was not that tall and although it bruised instantly after a quick shake and a capture of my breath I was able to hike on... After leaving the surf camp and traveling to Panama via Costa Rica I wasn't inspired to write, Costa Rica was unexpectedly gloomy. After issues at the border and miscommunication at the bus station I was relived to arrive in Tamirindo and spend a few days with Sophie's mum and brother. We began our journey though Costa Rica on a 5am bus to San Jose, not at all what we were expecting we soon escaped to Purto veijo and over the border to Panama and Bocas del toro. We were re joined on ... read more