Hotel Iberia David

... it, passed them a bucket, they filled it with fish, <br>and off we went. One of the Panamanian men immediately set to <br>preparing the fish that would eventually be our dinner. After about 45 <br>minutes we arrived at the island that would serve as our home base. <br>The entire island was comprised of three thatched roof palapas near <br>the shore, one larger, very rustic structure set back about 200 yards <br>from the beach, various crops, two dogs, and one older ...

Whilst hanging around David pondering where to head to next, we bumped into Stephen (a guy we had seen waiting for a bus in Santiago) at the Purple House Hostel. He was looking at a website for the Lost and Found Eco Lodge, a place which we were also interested in going to as we had seen it advertised on Mamallena.com and various flyers in hostels throughout Panama. We decided to all go together and headed out there on Saturday to check it out. <br><br>The directions ...

... for San Jose<br>5:30pm: arrive San Jose, CR (at the bus station in the middle of the 'red light' district)<br><br>Wait, wait, wait for connection.....<br><br>11:00pm: depart San Jose, CR<br>5:30am SUNDAY: arrive immigration/customs between CR and Panama<br>8:15am: depart immigration/customs and head for David<br>10:00am: arrive David, Panama<br>10:10am: get directions from Panamanian policeman to hotel and head there on ...

... so shopping was quick. Next we headed to find the Coffee Estate Inn to pick up some goodies for our coffee loving parents, but alas they only opened their doors to guests of the Inn. So in route we stumbled across this place called El Explorador Gardens. We popped in for a look. WOW&#8230;.this place was beautiful and weird all at the same time. It was kind of like the Heidleburg of Panama. They used junk items all throughout the gardens ...

... taking us somewhere (it was too well maintained) but...where, and, most importantly, when??? The forest and the views where anyhow still amazing, and the rain made it even more beautiful. But unfortunately we were not in the mood to enjoy it. Suddenly, the forest ended (yujuuu) and we came outside in a valley, from where we were able to see the mountains, and therefore to orientate ourselves. We were exactly where we were supposed to be, but after having made a ...

... the wrong bus station, and seeing that I didn't have any small notes left (and taxi drivers don't have change for $20US) I walked in the vague direction of what I hopped would be the right terminal. <br><br>Third time was the charm, and I arrived only to find that they required our passports to issue the tickets, so I walked back to the hostel (only a 15 minute walk) to retrieve them, and finally after that ordeal and I had the tickets in my hot little hand I ...

... and what to do while we were here. Boquete is a great little town and not quite trouisty yet (we had difficulty finding postcards). Our first full day here was spent walking the Sendro de los Quetzals. It was an absolutely spectacular walk and we were very lucky to spot a snake and a Quetzal! I'd been waiting to see one this whole trip and it was even more beautiful than I had imagined! Pictures do not give it justice whatsoever. In the afternoon we headed to a local hot ...

... yet more eating at Arawak Cay. We also visited a nearby wildlife park, where we watched flamingos march in unison, and let small and vibrantly coloured lory parrots clamber over us to feed on the apple slices we held. Our holiday was over...now it was time for the real trip! Or so we keep saying! The journey to Panama, was a long one. Going via Miami airport, it was mad eup of two short flights and a six hour wait inbetween. After being kept on Panama soil, on the ...

... by such fabulous stuff. Okay, one more food thing....just one..... Zarzamora..... I had no idea what it was and while up in Volcan with Cesar and Olivia we stopped at a little local restaurant for breakfast. Cesar was excited that they had this "juice" and I jumped in too. Why not? Oh MY GAWD. Y'all.... fresh blackberry juice. No lie. Then they took me to this little roadside stand that they sold what they referred to as "strawberries and cream". (By the way, this altitude is ...

... of this beetle. Place your bets, I'm giving the spider. 4-to-1. Beetle wins. Yikes. At night, the bar/restaurant is rocking. There's nowhere else to eat, so everyone is here. The place is filled with backackers. Mostly twenty-something girls, with a few befuddled guys stuck wondering how to break through all of this girl talk. One other family too. The breeze has shifted out to sea, so we grab a spot on the 2nd deck facing the mainland. Strong refreshing ...