Blogs from Herrera, Panama, Central America Caribbean

This morning, after an hour long bus ride south, we took a boat to Iguana Island Wildlife Refuge off the eastern coast of the Azuero Peninsula. We arrived in Pedasi on the small beach where open motor boats were waiting to take us to the island. There was a pleasant breeze as we walked, unsuspecting, through the water in groups of four to hop into our respective boats. Before we knew it we were off for a very choppy, painful twenty minute bone shattering ride to the island. Had I known how painful the ride would be I don’t think I would have gone. After landing we took a hike across the island where we saw a crater where a previously detonated bomb was once used as a preventative measure by the US during WWII. Some ... read more

October 29, 2018 Before leaving Panama City this morning we visited El Chorrillo Neighborhood. It is well known in Panama for an incident the Panamanians call Black Christmas. In 1989, the United States invaded Panama in an attempt to overthrow military dictator Manuel Noriega, who had been indicted in the US on drug trafficking charges and was accused of suppressing democracy in Panama and endangering US nationals. Noriega’s headquarters were situated in the middle of this neighbourhood. On December 20, 1989, 4 days before Xmas, the US bombed Noriega’s headquarters. But of course, being in the middle of a crowded neighbourhood there were a lot of civilian casualties. There is a painted sign on a wall that says « Santa Claus brought bombs, this Christmas, to avenue A, December 20, 1989. » We then proceeded out ... read more

2/21/2011 (BARB)Not much going on today...we took our dirty laundry down the street and it cost us $4 to have them wash, dry and fold them..of course the drying was on a clothesline in the sun..so there are closepin marks on the clothes...LOL...that's ok..just so funny... Went for a short ride and ended up on another beach much like the other ones... We saw a housing project going up and I wanted Skip to stop and pretend like we were interested in buying to see the inside of the house and the price..but he didn't go for it. Down below us is a panadería which is a bakery and a kind of a place to get quick food like pizza or an empenada (fried dough w/ chicken or cheese or beef inside). Anyway we went down ... read more

Travels of February 19th (Skip) Today pretty much started as usual, coffee near by, cool breeze gently passing by, the sounds of the town coming to life and me at peace just taking in everything and enjoying. Everything in our present reality has changed from the USA lifestyle to a country who's lifestyle harkens to a past lifestyle in the US. Not so much on rules, rules and rules but more on living. What comes to mind immediately are the electrical cable running from the main power line directly across the road to this Hostel; bare wires and plenty of jumper cables. (our bureaucrats would be aghast) Other areas of interest that I find pleasing are the open air cafe's found everywhere and how the food is served. Certainly not up to American standards but ... read more

February 17th (SKIP)Arrived at Mikes Backpacking Hostel early afternoon without much problem thanks to Miss Garmin.We checked in, hostel is located on the second floor of a main street, and our rental is parked next to the entrance of the hostel. Well, when I went down to the car for the purpose of collecting our packs I noticed that my drivers side mirror, glass only, was missing. I looked down to the pavement and there is was broken in many pieces. Should have pulled closer to the curb!! Anyways, another opportunity awaits traveling through the process of replacing the mirror, always assuming the price will be affordable. We are now in the town of Chitre and staying for 5 days at Mikes Backpacking Hostel and very quaint hostel on the second and third floor located ... read more