Blogs from Chiriquí, Panama, Central America Caribbean - page 3

On November 10, 182 the residents of Azuero declared their separation from the Spanish Empire, without sanction of the cental government in Panama City. Their declaration was called El Grito de La Villa de Los Santos (Cry From the Town of Saints). The central government dismissed the action as impotent and meaningless. However, separatist sentiment had been speading, and El Grito had been heard by the entire country. Feeling out numbered, the acting Govenor General decared Panama City's support for independence, and the military stood aside. The Panamanian people were free from Spain. Now, though, Panama was a department of Columbia. It was not long before the Panamanians grew tired of a distant, government. They made several attempts to secede. War erupted, in 1899, as a reaction to a treaty with the United States. The battle ... 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

I've managed to get 1 hr kip in preparation for this hike - hardly enough after 5hrs of jungle hiking this afternoon before this rather epic challenge ahead. But alas, the show must go on, so Dan and I went for supper (including a cheeky vino) before being picked up at 11:30pm to be dropped off at the foot of the volcano. Our group is 7 in total: 4 Germans, an American lady and us two - enough people to talk to whilst walking for the next 10hours or so. As we set off, it rapidly comes to my attention that my head torch doesn't work. Great. Even though my mother made me eat loads of carrots when I was younger, some light whilst walking a volcano through the night would have been useful. It's a ... read more

The most wonderful alarm clock wakes you up here - a dawn chorus like no other. These birds are right outside the window, a singing away in the trees - it's something I won't forget! Over a pancake breakfast, I meet Oliver - an awesome Canadian who tells me about his time in a hostel called Lost and Found, and who's at a loose end this morning, so I try to persuade him to come on a coffee farm tour. It worked, and alongside and American couple and a Dutch lady called Evelyn, we went to the coffe... read more

Boquete spending the years end here. doing a few beautiful hikes.... read more