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Nice easy hike!
This is where it turns nasty Haven’t updated the blog since the fierce expedition known as the Los Quetzales trail Cerro Punta to Boquete. It was quite a traumatic for Rico but he’s just about able to talk about it now….
We said a sad farewell to Elle and Tash in Almirante. They were heading on their way back up to Costa Rica whereas we were driving on to discover more of Panama. They are continuing their journey from LA to Oz. We’ll definately be keeping in touch with them. Facebook is great.
That night we made our way on Panamas brilliant bus service to David. We then got a taxi to the well publicised Purple House Hostel. I’d like to discourage anyone reading this from going there. Yes I know more than the lonely planet that’s 4 years old. Think Andrea (the lady who runs it) may have gone a bit crazy since. The hostel is in her house. And everything is purple and there’s stickers on the wall everywhere about what you shouldn’t be doing. On our first night here we met Jen, Robert and Isahm. They were all doing an easy hike the following day and asked us if we’d like to join.
Yvonne in a Raincoat
I've been getting good use out of the raincoat. This is on Bocas where I hoped to get rid of those white pegs! Firstly we were interested in climbing the Vulcan Volcano. However after talking to these guys we said we’d join them for a warm up hike first. The following morning we were meant to leave at 7am but nobody set an alarm so we left about 9.… Bad start to a worse day. About 30 minutes into the walk Yvonne realised she was out of her league. Isahm is an Israeli soldier and the other 2 are marathon runners. The hike was also taking place quite high up in mountains so altitude didn’t make it any easier. But we all stayed together and the craic was good. The path started going downhill and there we smiles all around.
All until we came to a place where the path had subsided, A landslide down the mountain if you will. Here we paused and looked to our army man for leadership. He advised us to drive on and showed us a technique for running down through the rocks. So off we went like fools. It was a terrifying Jen and Robert both ended up rolling head over heels down the hill. Gary and Yvonne slid down the hill on our asses. Rico hd
quite a bumpy ride in Yvonnes daybag too. Gary broke he’s shades and tore he’s pants and we both have lots of bruises and cuts. Ivy’s first aid kit came in very handy. Thanks from everyone; Once we got to the bottom we looked about but could not see where the path continued. Back up the landslide we went. This was terrifying., Even for Rico in Yvonne’s bag, and we all know about garys climbing skills. Easier to see the funny side of that now than it was then. This is dragging out a bit so I’ll finish saying we didn’t get to the end of the path until after about 6, lots of it was washed away and we got lost several times. Once we got to the end the path we just came onto a road, Lonely planet recommended we get a taxi from here into town. No sign of one though. So we walked a few more miles up and down crazy hills. Then like a mirage a bus appeared and picked us up. Needless to say after this we chose not to do the hike up the volcano.
From here we went for a relaxing
Isaea
israeli soldier shows he's softer side break to Santa Catalina. This is a surfing get away. Lots of long haired dudes wandering talking surf talk. Our hostel was right on the beach and there was a brilliant Pizza place up the road. it’s a long ways up the road though and we forgot to bring a torch. It made the way home very slow. Gary stepped into some Massive mud puddles. Very amusing. We saw lots of fireflies and all the sounds of the jungle we even louder when you couldn’t see anything. The following morning we lid on the beach went for a little swim and sunbathed for about 10 minutes. Then it started raining. For the evening we lid in hammocks and watched the storm until the power went out. The storm finished but the power was still gone. We cooked dinner by candle light and then went to a bar and drank a few beers by candlelight too. Massive bottles of Altas beer for $1, best value yet. Nice night over all cool place to visit perhaps not in rainy season next time though.
The following day we got a but to Sona. Yes Sona the place from Prison Break. This is
All trekking along happily
For the first 30 minutes that is... a really cool redneck town. Lots of old men sitting around wearing Panama hats. We were defo the only Gringos in town. It was great for people watching but couldn’t really take the camera out. We were already getting enough attention with our glowing white skin. Anyways after 2 buses and a spin from a local guy we ended in El Valle. The town/village is actually in the crater of a volcano which means it’s surrounded on all sides by massive mountains. The weather was like an lovely Irish summers day here. We walked around all day. Went for a swim in a little baby waterfall. It was very refreshing after the 4 mile walk there in the sunshine. Went for beers in TY’s grill. It was happy hour but we and about 10 staff were the only ones there. The couple that own it have only been there 6 months. Hope it works out for them but I have my doubts..
Now were in Panama city. Its very hot after the freshness of the mountains. It’s very polluted too. It’s 7pm here and I’m tempted to have my 3rd shower of the day. Spent the whole day today
As close to a Quetzale as we got
Howler monkeys were howling and throwing stuff though. looking around shops and a wild goose chase for a post office. I’ve decided they’re a rarity in Central America. Hopefully I’ll have better luck in the south.
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