7 de Febrero 2011

I have to apologize for my slightly negative review of Boquete before, this is actually a very sweet, beautiful small town set in a valley between green tree filled mountains with hot, dry sun during the day and cool crisp winds at night. The air is clean and pleasantly filled with the smell of flowers that grow abundently anywhere and everywhere. I can definately see why this is a bustling center of retirees. Its got all the elements of a great place to retire, if you enjoy the benefits of a small , quiet mountain town.



Yesterday, Mari and I visited a garden located about a 20 min walk away from the center of town. It was exquisitely filled with all types of plants, planted with thought and care. There were several Koy ponds speckling the area, and a winding path that made its way throughout - sometimes crossing bridges over the ponds. We saw daisies, hydrangia, orchids, and a hundred more that I cant name by sight. Later, we went to the local gringo bar to watch the superbowl and drink beer. Which actually entailed Mari using the WI-FI while I watched the first half of the superbowl with the other expats in the bar. We ended up leaving halfway thru because the we were sitting in the open air bar freezing due to the nightly temperature drop and heavy winds, only to watch the Steelers get destroyed. Thus we retreated to our warm, comfortable room. I learned today the Green Bay did win, but the score was a bit closer than I had anticipated after watching the first half.

Today, Mari and I headed out of town on the local collectivo headed towards the town of Caldera to visit some hotsprings. Even though the local volcanoe is inactive, there are still remnants of volcanic activity - ie hot springs. The collectivo dropped us off at the entrance to the dirt road headed towards the hot springs - about a 40 minute walk away. It was a perfect day for a hike as you can see from the photo.

Arriving at the hot springs, we found that we were on private property and paid the owners $2 each for our entrance fee. The land is still natural, and its simply a local family on farm land that has a few hot springs in their backyard. As we walked towards the springs we sighted a cute little monkey prancing about in the trees. Pulling a small honey candy from our pockets I enticed the monkey down for a treat.

He absolutely loved that candy. He sat licking and sucking on it for quite a while. Displaying all his cute and desirable qualities in the process. He was so cute. Look at the way he uses his tail.


Having put in our monkey time, we headed to the springs. The springs are in the same natural state they probably were 200 years ago. Its nice sometimes to compare the state of things here to the states. Here, it lies used, yet unaltered for all to use for a minimal fee. I know in the states, these natural springs would have been bought and altered by some company bent on creating a natural spa. They would have been excavated to produce clean, concrete pools and lined with benches for sitting. Possibly all of it would be housed in a rustic looking log cabin type building to insulate the heat within. All, most likely done in order to charge exhorbinant fees. Or.... perhaps I am just a bit jaded?

Yet here, its simply a pebble and dirt bottomed pond in the back of the house. They done sell soda, beer, water, or anything. You simply pay to use the ponds and leave. I read there were 3 ponds, but we only saw 2. Both were shallower than I had imagine, perhaps knee deep in the center. But they were wide enough to lay back in and enjoy. And the best part, both were very very warm. Surpisingly so.

We alternated between the hot springs and the cold water river flowing alongside, just for the pure juxtiposition of it all.

On our way out, we ran into this cute little two some. The little boy was barefoot and buck naked, running around the yard while his older sister looked after him. They were incredibly gorgeous. And Mari and I fell in love with the local children yet again, as we have in ever single country we have visited. We pondered why they werent in school, and what their futures were in this little village. But nonetheless, they live in a safe, beautiful stretch of Panama that looks and feels like a natural paradise. I think they have a lot to look forward to.

Tomorrow, we will leave Boquete headed to the coast. Possibly the Carribean, possibly the Pacific. Either way, this town will be missed as it has been one of the highlites of our entire trip. If you get the chance to visit, I would highly encourage you to do so.