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Published: February 28th 2013
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Wednesday - 2/28
Good news, we didn't get lost today! Of course we only went to to the beach, but we made it there without asking directions! We traveled on Tuesday from San Carlos to Pedasi, and it was slow going due to road construction between Chitre' and Los Tablas. Panama is building a new highway, which is about 90% completed, and to keep traffice at a safe pace, they have set the speed limit at 40 km or 25 mph. That added an hour to our previously planned 3 hour trip.
Arriving in Pedasi we found a quiet little fishing village about a mile off the Pacific coast. It is clean, quiet, quaint and a melting pot of nationalaties. When we arrived at the B&B where we had reservations it was locked up tight, so we drove back into Pedasi and stopped at another B&B called Casita Margarita. I asked an elderly gentlmen who was sitting on the large front porch if the Cafe Limon was closed, and would this be a good place to stay? He smiled at us and said, "Hell no I wouldn't stay at this place." As it happens his name is Jack and
he owns Casita Margarita with his wife Sue. He also told us Cafe Limon was not closed and Dev, the owner (short for Devlin) had gone into Panama City but they would call him for us. Devlin immediately contacted a friend in Pedasi who opened the inn and we were in our room within 20 minutes. Cafe Limon is a beautiful establishment run but a multi-talented man by the name of Devlin Loughey from Pullman, Washington. We woke early Wednesday morning and enjoyed Panamanian coffee and a delicious breakfast seved by Teta on the back lanai, surrounded by some of the most beautiful flowers I have every seen. Then we headed for Playa Venao one of the world's renowned surf beaches, which had just hosted a round in the Red Bull Surf Competition this past weekend. The only word I can think of to describe this beach is huge. The tide was out so the beach was flat and ran for about 2 miles in either direction. Jim and I walked the entire length of the beach and enjoyed the waves breaking on the shore. We stopped at the on site cafe and had two soft drinks ($2) and then
traveled up the road to Resort Playita. Playita is owned and operated by an ex-Panamanian horse jockey and his brother. What I thought was part of the resort was actually the owners house which gives you an idea of the sheer size. Resort Playita is a sanctuary for spider monkeys, parrots, emu's and a variety of other animals. There was a great beach set up with hammocks, picnic tables and chairs so we snorkeled in the protected cove and just relaxed in the sun.
Upon returning to the B&B Devlin said he'd like to take Jim and I and another German couple staying at the inn to his "farm". The farm is 75 acres of undeveloped rolling hills and jungle that he hopes to one day sell when the market in Pedasi rebounds. It occupies the highest elevation in Pedasi, has a goregous view of the ocean and thick jungle foliage in the lowlands that is home to about 200 Howler monkeys. There are no words to adequatley decribe the view from the highest vantage point on Pedasi.
After returning to the property, Devlin, Jim and I went to dinner at El Patio in Pedasi, where once again
we enjoyed a delicious dinner then returned to Cafe Limon and enjoyed a violin concerto played by our talented host. Thank you Devlin for a memorable stay, and we hope your wife and baby girl return home soon safe and sound.
Thursday we head for Boquete in the western highlands. Unfortunately we have to go back through the road construction, but hey it's an adventure!
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