Dolega 12 km Historic Walk

Map for the walk from Dolega to La Esperanza
Receiving an invitation in my email about a 12 km (7.5 mi) walk beginning in Dolega I decided to read on. It was part of events taking place celebrating the 160th. Anniversary of the Chiriqui Province. Being an avid outdoors person who enjoys a good work-out and knowing it would be supporting a worthy cause I decided to go on the walk with seven other expats from Boquete.
















“El Comite del Aniversario 160 de Chiriqui” organized the event “Rescue the Trails of Our Ancestors” by recreating the walking path of ancestors through the fields of Dolega and Gualaca
as well as strengthening the bonds of friendship and sharing on this day a familiar co-existence.

A friend Remi Bodet and I arrived at 7:15 a group had already started gathering by Dolega Park and upon our arrival with much enthusiasm we were greeted by some of the organizers. By 7:45, our trek began with eighty-nine more walkers lining up behind a fire truck with blinking lights to lead us on.



























The sun was out providing a beautiful morning and a perfect day for a 7.2-mile hike. Our hike past some beautiful landscapes the roads were clay colored soil and the back roads a bit rocky nevertheless we all continued on our trek. From Dolega Park, we walked to Dos Rios, Cochea, Los Cerillos, and El Higo to LaEsperanza we were then transported by bus our destination being Los Canjilones. Los Canjilones is a beautiful place with large rocks surrounding the water hole and with a natural rock water canal flowing into the water hole. Its waters were clear one could see the sandy bottom and small fish swimming along, the setting was just so perfectly organic.

The committee fed us lunch the menu consisting of "Mono" (Rice & Beans, fried plantain, and meat or chicken rapped in a "Bijao" Leaf for $2.00 a delicious feast served with refreshments. After meeting wonderful people, walking, and going for a swim it certainly turned out to be a most grateful rewarding day.
















We walked a historic route linking three districts Dolega, David, Gualaca in the Province of Chiriquí. The organization El Comite del Aniversario 160 de Chiriquí headed by Lic Maxi Barria did a great job organizing the itinerary and throughout the entire walk kept all of us motivated. Some were pointing out the different names of trees, among other important sites. The committee mentioned they are hoping to have more events such as this one in the near future especially since the turnout was so great.

While living in Chicago I became and still am a member of The Edgewater Historical Society and Museum a successful non-profit community organization with a dedicated board membership. I served on the board for two years and found it to be an enjoyable learning experience, which will stay with me forever. Taking part in this walk on Sunday made me reflect that it takes great dedication, good leadership, and a group of volunteers to make any event successful. It was a day of discovering, exploring, and learning.

Playa Las Lajas - Day Trip

We took another day trip on Monday this time to Las Lajas a beach area about 2 hours or so from Boquete and southeast of David. Driving we decided to take a friends advice and drive on the road to Caldera area and not driving in David with so much traffic. Another beautiful drive on a sunny day the smell of the country air is invigorating I just breathed it all in why not I wasn’t driving though I did on the way back. The road is much better than the road to David hardly any if any potholes the map directions were easy to follow which is a big plus when you do not the country that well.

I had read Las Lajas has not developed as much as Las Olas. There is just one community development getting started in the area and it is not close to the playa we visited. When making the turn into Playa Las Lajas it is an eight-mile gravel road drive until the beach appears. Upon arriving there are a few places like La Spiaza Hostel with shacks for whatever your comfort level is, Panamax has one room cabins, then there is a new place Playa Las Lajas Beach Resort. One of the owners Scot Arnold showed us around, it was modern, clean, and each room had a private bath unlike the other two. The resort is on the ocean and has a restaurant and bar. The eating area is outside as most places around here are. Unfortunately, they do not have a website but take my word for it is a great place to stay. The two owners are from the U.S. north of San Francisco they take turns spending time at their new business. Their business is just taking off and on the day we arrived; even though the Resort was not open for business, Scot Arnold very graciously showed us around.
We had lunch at one of the outdoor palapa (palm thatched roofed) restaurants along the beach. Lane had “filete de pescado empanizado” translation breaded fish filet and very delicious, I order a fried whole fish and disappointed fore it was over cooked and dry. However, my pina colada drink was very good. The owners had three or four “Pericos” Parakeets walking around. Pericos are all over Panama and fly around in large groups and making a lot of jibber-jabber noise. In Boquete, they come back during the rainy season since it is warmer and humid. During the summer in Boquete - January to May - it does not rain as much just a little of the Barareque and is cooler and windy a description of the how windy it becomes think Chicago. So when visiting during the summer months bring a jacket or sweater. Very few people wear shorts or cutoffs because of the chill. One morning this week it was 59 F and stayed cool in the 60s the rest of the day, normally it is in the 70s. Along the pacific, it is a different story, very warm with a comfortable tropical breeze.

Upon returning to Boquete that afternoon, it felt great getting away from the heat of La Lajas - so see we live in the best of both worlds - it was as if the air-conditioner had been turned on to just the right temperature.

Boquete Flower and Coffee Fair

“La Feria de Las Flores and Boquete Café” The Flower and Coffee Fair in the town of Boquete is a tradition, showing off one of Panamas beautiful town in the highlands in the Chiriqui Province. The region of Boquete has six districts and the town of Boquete is one. I had read The Flower and Coffee Fair is one of the most attractive in Panama. The District of Boquete is known for its production of plants, a variety of flowers including orchids, especially coffee and from January 8 to the 18, thousands upon thousands will be visiting Boquete.

The Feria de Flores y Cafe has been held for 36 years with the very first one held in 1950 under the name First Coffee Festival, to celebrate the commemoration date of the District of Boquete paying tribute to its founders and producers. In the beginning, this festival raised awareness of what Boquete produces such as the coffee plantations, and some of the most beautiful flowers of Panama. Over the years, the importance and interest has grown. People from different the regions around Panama and the world come to visit the town of Boquete. There are fincas (farms) growing orchids, and other flowers, there are large coffee plantations throughout Boquete. Some roast the best coffee in the world out-doing Columbia. One of the best we have had in Boquete is Café Ruiz located up the road from where we live. Their coffee is much better then Starbucks and I used to enjoy a cup of Starbucks back in the U.S. But Café Ruiz’ coffee is truly much better. The Ruiz family provides tours of their coffee plantation “fincas” and production location, the tour ends at their coffee shop where everyone enjoys a good and fresh cup of coffee.

Getting back to the fair, this year the town officials were thinking of possibly cancelling the Feria due to the flood that took place back in November 2008 damaging the Feria grounds tremendously but many citizens came to help by volunteering their time in the restoration of the fair grounds. The fair ground is located along the Rio Caldera, which flows alongside the town starting from the Volcan Baru (an inactive Volcano) connecting with another river the Rio Chiriqui which empties into the ocean.

I have visited the fair three times. Deciding to visit the fair again on my own took place Monday, a Holiday Martyrs Day. I just wanted to get the true essence of the fair. It was another beautiful day the sun was out when a faint mist came down - this as I mentioned before is the “Barareque” it is truly wonderful to see and feel. Although there was, a program times were not listed a shame for those who would want to attend. Music plays at night on the weekend until four in the morning leaving residents who live nearby dreading the fair. Well Lane and I decided to visit the fair at night. Big difference at night compared to daytime it’s a younger crowd due to the music and a huge outdoor covered stage the charge was twenty balboa (dollars) to go in we decided it would not be worth it. Then there are strip of vendor stalls – run by Ecuadorians - on the outside take on different tone at night. Gambling is big in many of the stalls, from bowling made from makeshift carved wooden pins and wooden ball used of course to toss down the pins as in bowling. The floor – wooden board lies on the ground, one very narrow lane, not deep with men wagering a bet. Here is photo of outdoor bowling.

Then there are rings men toss trying make it land on a bottle of booze to win and then the roulette wheel.

Many years ago, the fair was in April it had livestock and more produce was available, coffee was available the coffee beans had already been picked but now that it is in January few produce is shown and you do not see livestock. I do not know the reason for the change.

I took many photos of the different food served, the children running to the storefront in which everything inside was selling for 25 cents, to the Peruvian groups playing their flutes and guitars while singing. There is a stage where children perform and sing to Folkloric dancing. I sat down for a while and thought how beautiful to have this fair on the river, surrounded by these magnificently tall trees, smelling the delicious aromas coming from the makeshift restaurants located thru out the fair, and snacking on thin pieces of crispy Platano (Plantain) cooked on the spot. Yummy! No one is in a hurry no pushing or shoving everyone walking lazily, just happy to be outside enjoying a fair in the small town of Boquete located in the highlands of Panama.

Day Trip, To Las Olas

On Sunday we drove to Las Olas Resort Hotel and Oceanfront Condos located on the beach of Playa La Barqueta 35 minutes from David. From Boquete the drive altogether was over an hour. Las Olas is located in a remote area in the south-west Pacific beach of the Playa La Barqueta area having 15 miles of beach and the closest to Costa Rica. We drove through lots of farmland, palm trees, and small communities, a perfect day for a drive full of sunshine and warm breezes even though as we got closer to Las Olas the road got bumpier, dodging many potholes.


Here are a few pictures of our wonderful day.

To describe the beach at Las Olas, it is a vast black sand beach, the sand is not coarse as some black sand beaches are, actually it is a very fine sand texture. Another thing so absolutly fantastic about the area is the lengthy undeveloped beach that it fronts. Even though it was a three-day weekend, the beach was not crowded which was a surprise. This is an ideal spot for surfing; however, I have read surfers do not like the heavy pounding waves. When the tide is low, one can wade far into the ocean. Lane took a dip but mentioned the riptide pulls you out even so he enjoyed his swim.

Playa La Barqueta and Las Olas is known for the annual turtle hatching. For several years Marcial has come to rescuing sea turtles from extinction. He helps to save the sea turtle eggs, helps in hatching by protecting them, and returns them to the sea. Volunteers arrive to this beach annually becoming educated about the release of the new hatchlings into the Pacific. When the time comes through their help the hatchlings rush to the water, safe from birds and other predators until they enter the Pacific.

What a magnificent site it must be! In the future we hope to be part of this annual event. The next time we visit Las Olas we will have to stay longer to take advantage of what it has to offer such as wildlife area, kayaking and great seafood.

Boquete Events 2009

As soon as the weather gets better lots of activities begin to happen in Boquete and the town just bustles with excitement. These are just a few events taking place in Boquete and David.



Boquete “Feria de Flores y Café”
- Flower and Coffee Fair, January 8-18, 2009


Boquete Jazz Festival 2009, March 13 to 15

Boquete Orchid Fair 2009, in April

David International Fair 2009, March 12 to 22

Boquete -"Feria De Flores Y Cafe" Fair of Flowers & Coffee

Ah, The Cuisine

I am fascinated and always have been about all the cultures in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the indigenous groups they represent. This all came due to growing up Chicano (Mexican American), traveling to parts of Mexico and having relatives who looked different from one another, some looking very Spanish than others, and then those who I thought somewhere in the family line were of African decent which is why I am so into the culture and it's cuisine. Ah, the cuisine!

My mother was a very good cook making the most delicious meals and so my love for food began at home. The cuisine throughout Mexico is so totally delicious and unique as it is true for Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, etc. All of these countries have an interesting culture, history, and cuisine and my quest to discover and experience them will eventually have me traveling to these places but for now, thankfully we are living in beautiful Panama. Cuisine is the food texture, flavor, aroma, and the time it takes to prepare these wonderful heritage meals, some taking a whole day worth of preparation.

It has been a challenge learning how to cook the different cuts of meat here. The beef in Panama is much leaner than the U.S. cuts therefore the cooking process takes longer. Another learning experience through trial and error is preparing delicious food from the Yuca, Name, Otoe these are starchy root vegetables, or the Platano (Plantain). Root vegetables are in abundance in every food market here. In some markets, the employee will cut the root vegetable for you and continue cutting it open until they find a good one. One would not receive this type of service in the U.S.

The food menu in Panama is huge it is not spicy but flavored with an array of different herbs, seasonings, garlic, and onion. Our next-door neighbor mentioned a bush with yellow flowers growing in Boquete and probably throughout Panama. The tip of the bush is where the pod grows inside is the bean called Guandu here is a picture of the Guandu or "Pigeon Peas” a popular food staple used in preparing rice dishes. I cannot begin to name and describe all of the herbs, chilies, and other foods that are part of this rich heritage; space is limited on a Blog. Here is a sample of Panama’s favorite foods.

As you probably can judge by now food is a passion of mine consider me a gourmet food aficionado. To discover a new recipe, experience a new restaurant, to tasting something new, from researching a new herb, being a food critic good or bad, or trying out something new when cooking this is my passion. The most simple dish from any country has to taste good and be authentic. No “taco bell” for me while traveling in another country and least of all in the U.S. taco bell is an insult to the Mexican culture have you noticed the "t" or the "b" are not capitalized only because it is yuckeee food! Just to let you know we do not have a taco bell in Boquete. A Subway sandwich shop is to open in Boquete now I am not sure if this is the real stuff or not and by the way, I am not fond of Subway just in case you were wondering.

We have had very good meals Panama's restaurants since arriving with only one bad experience, not bad. Panama has so many delicious items on its menu from one end of the country to other; it is truly a gastronomic experience between culture and food.

The Wonderful Foods Of Panama

Muñecos (Dolls) a Panamanian Tradition

Muñecos (dolls) is a one-day Panamanian tradition at the end of the year on December 31. I had read about this tradition but did not know too much about it. It is one of the quaintest symbols marking the end-of-year in Panama. These life-size dolls are a form of folk art from Panama’s Interior, depicting sometimes the most outstanding personalities of the old year like sports figures, beauty queens, politicians, etc.

They are made with hay, old clothes, and sometimes, plastic and wood, the muñecos have a short life span. Representing the year that is about to end, they are burned up at midnight, December 31. This tradition from what I have read had begun to die out but has now making its revival.

In Boquete around five or six in the evening on December 31,

we heard the sirens again, wondering what is going on outside.

I looked out from the second floor window noticed a car leading a parade I knew it was

"Los Muñecos”. The first muñeco was a 9-foot tall effigy of an Ngobe woman dressed in a red dress. Here is a picture. Other funny stuffed animals and robots were in the parade as you can see. The parade was heading towards town for the traditional December 31 gift giving to the children of Boquete, a big celebration as well. I love these traditions it keeps the heritage and culture alive throughout the land.

Indigenous People In Panama