Blogs from Veraguas, Panama, Central America Caribbean - page 2

Every great diving trip…starts actually around a dive…somewhere else! Back in April, with my friends in Koh Lipe, we had this talk about where to dive in Latin America. Then, Sergi came with this…there is this place on the Pacific in Panama….I don’t remember the name, but it’s a Santa something…and they seems to have a lot of the big ones. Went on google once back home to find out that it was Santa Catalina, and the Island of Coiba…and yes, it looks fun….thanks Sergi, it was actually pretty amazing! Santa Catalina was first known for the surf….than diving started here in 2003. This place looks like Asia must have been in the 60’s….way before I was born, when things were more…simple… Most people have actually never heard about this place….specially in the diving world…and to ... read more

Hola. We stumbled upon more wonderful places in Panama. The hiking trails in the other countries of Central America were riddled with tales of robberies and muggings, and guides were always being recommended. We wanted the independence of not having a guide and enjoying the trails and nature at our own pace - Panama has allowed us this. Thanks Panama! It is never too late to get in a hike or two and we both needed the exercise! We pretty much spent all of our days hiking. It was perfect! Santa Fe... The Santa Fe region has some awesome hiking trails. We hiked to many waterfalls, through thick cloud forests and farmland and enjoyed the very fresh mountain air. We were accompanied by wildlife on all of our hikes in the area. The scenery was gorgeous. ... read more

Apparently I was tired (or perhaps it was the Benadryl?). I slept for about 10 hours. Wow. Of course it poured rain last night, but is perfectly clear & sunny & hot this morning. So far the early onset of rainy season isn't bothering me at all. It's working with my schedule. Thanks! In the morning the bugs are quiet but the birds are on point. There are so many birds up singing & squawking & making all kinds of funny noises. I love the jungle (with the exception of the bugs that bite). I got out of bed & looked out the window only to see two monkeys jumping around in the tree next to our room. Awesome!! We could hear the Howler's off in the trees somewhere & the Green Parrots were going nuts ... read more

Up before 5a.m. to get ready to catch our bus. We headed to the bus terminal with 2 girls from London who are also going to Santa Catalina. Our cab dropped us off next to the bus heading to Santiago. 3 hours on this bus. The chairs reclined all the way back almost flat. It was great. We actually cuddled on the bus & slept well except for the fact that the A/C was on full blast & it was freezing. We are not accustomed to A/C & it was great for a few but then we were practically shivering, that's why we had to cuddle. In Santiago we took a cab to the other bus terminal. Always more than one for some reason. Organization is not a quality that is held in high regard in ... read more

3/2/11 (Barb) Skip is much better today and we took a ride in another direction toward Santa Fe near the National Forest. Of course it goes to dirt roads before you get there...so we turned around just outside of Santa Fe. The ride was certainly beautiful...we both agreed this was our favorite area..maybe cuz of the lack of trash??? We kept seeing this funny looking things hanging from some of the trees along the side of the road....red, shaped like a plum tomato with a nut like thing growing on the top. We stopped and picked one up and when we got back to the hotel....we asked the clerk there what it was..she gave us a name and indicated that we could just bite into it..so we did..and YUCK bitter taste..so we threw it away once ... read more