Episode 7

January 2015

After all the Christmas and New Year festivities one of our priorities was getting hold of a car of our own. As in most countries, car hire is expensive for long periods and taxis even more so.

One problem in Panama is that it is difficult to open a bank account . Lots of rules and regulations etc. So it meant that we had to pay by cash. The ATM's only allowed us to draw $500 a time and the nearest cash point was 2 km away.

So I kept fit as we knew that to get something that wouldn't fall apart and the price would  be between $9k and $10k .

So I ran from our place to town and called my runs the cash run. Except in the odd occasion when I would get a call " Oh while you are out can you get a bag of potatoes " . So the run changed tempo ( no pun intended).

A car became available and the description given to me by the dealer was " Mint Condition" and if you have cash you should jump at it now as they go within 3 days. 

2009 Hyundai Tuscan .

Well our idea of mint condition is not Panamas or Canadian ex pats idea of mint condition.

Cracked windscreen top right corner

Missing interior light cover

Broken seatbelt 

Graffiti  on back seats.

The plus was a super clean engine (probably steam cleaned) very quiet running and a smooth ride. Also proof of service history ( rare here) and new tyres/ shocks/sparks/timing adjustment.

Forgot to mention that we had to go to Panama  City to look at the car ( 2 hour journey) so dealer took us in his car. No way we're either of us driving. They are aggressive drivers to say the least .

Positives outweighed the negatives, so we finalised paperwork and all went to the bank to pay cash. Dealer drove us to where he lives , which was not far from us and then said there was just his commission to pay - $250. Nice to get a hands up on that !! Contact was made for insurance , then ready to rock and roll.

Shortly after we got the car we moved rental from Anton to Gorgona. This was a 2 bed duplex in a small gated community and was 10 minutes walk to the beach and 5 minutes drive to the shops.

We were one of only three staying full time in the complex, so during the week, it was nice and quiet with full use of the pool. At weekends the complex was invaded by Panamaian families who come to party ALL weekend . This made it sooooooo noisy, during the day and well into the night. One time it was so bad with the unit that was facing us. They had so many people staying there they even had a bell tent on the front terrace. We only lasted there 3 months.

My running was able to take on a whole new meaning. The countryside and mountain views were amazing plus the beach was a 2 minute jog, 10 minute walk away.

In fact , one morning, the timing was just right as the tide was out and I ran about 10 to 15k along the beach to Coronado . I was lucky coming back as the tide is rapid coming in and just made it without going inland adding more distance.

Once I checked out the distance to the beach we both took a gentle stroll on a circular route encompassing the beach and returning through countryside views with lake and mountains as a backdrop.

Took about 2 hours I think. During the stroll we went past some local housing and heard amazing sounds. Reminded mean of yoga music, Anita thought spa,not the usual thump thump thump thump.

ARBOL CUADRADO

3 years previous when we first visited Panama we spent 2 weeks in an all inclusive resort called The Royal Decameron at Fallaron. We went on various trips to explore different areas.

During the stay we befriended a Polish/ Canadian couple Wlad and Gen and had kept in touch since then.

When we told them we had moved to Panama they were keen to re-visit. They booked the Decameron again so we booked a couple of days so we could catch up . 

In their second week we arranged to take them out for the day as we now had the car.

Wlad had asked if we could visit the SQUARE TREES - " Arbol Cuadrado. Anita researched this and discovered that they could be found in El Valle ( one of my favorite places).

So the day arrived and we picked them up and drove up to El Valle. It is actually in an extinct volcano and the drive has so many hair pin bends and goes up and up. Not good for Anita's vertigo as she has to sit in the back and brave it out . The views en route are spectacular. Please google it. 

There was a hotel that backed on to a woodland trail where the square trees were located. The owners said to follow the trail through the woodland and that it would take about an hour or so. Their small black dog decided he was going to show us the way and was really good , even waiting for us to take pictures etc.  It was a very picturesque route bridging small rivers and streams and we came to the famous square trees.

After the long walk we were famished so decided to have lunch at a small local restaurant . Wlad decided on a fish dish ( one of Panamas specialities). It was huge, had to take a pic.

We showed them the town including the fruit and veg market and browsed the souvenir shops and stalls.

Anita heard coffee calling so we went to Heavens cafe. Not only do they make decent coffee but they make the worlds tastiest smoothies. They laugh at me when I almost purr, it's so delicious. Another delight is their apple pie and ice cream. Mmmmmm.

Still with time to fill we decided to visit the Orchid Centre. Not expensive and it was amusing as the guide spoke little English ( why should she ) . It was fun trying to understand - we managed somehow. The variety of orchids was amazing with the range of colours and sizes. Some were so small that they could only be seen with a magnifying glass. 

Sadly, that was all we had time for but El Valle  has so many attractions that it is impossible to see in a day properly. It has 2 waterfalls, a butterfly haven, a zoo , and a mountain walk that is called THE SLEEPING INDIAN GIRL
( google it for the legend ). 

Our friends wanted to see our new rental in Gorgona before we had to say goodbye . Then I drove them back to the Decameron.

We continue to keep in touch and it would be nice to see them again, somewhere, somehow.