Waiting in the small airport in Bocas I struck up a conversation with a young woman and her parents. She was on a weekend leave from the Peace Corp. and had just finished playing in Bocas with Mum & Dad. Before heading back off into the jungle to work with one of the indigenous tribes, they were flying to the mainland for one last night together in David. She told me about this great movie theatre there. I never would have known! Another friedn met and off we were in the air for our quick 25 minute flight back to the Pacific Coast.
David, pronounced DA-VEED, has an airport which is considerably larger than Bocas. They have recently added flights direct from Costa Rica and plans are underway by Copa to fly direct from the U.S. to satisfy the growing passion ex-pats have for this area. When we landed I was surprised by the stillness of the air and the extreme heat. Later I discovered that David is one of the hottest places in Panama. It is inland, away from the Pacific and protected so there are no ocean breezes and no break from the suns heat.
Our rag tag family was quickly spotted by Dan and his lovely girlfriend. Dan was an ex-pat from Minnesota who discovered Panama via meeting his Panamanian girl friend in the Grand Cayman Islands. It's quite common to meet 'mixed' couples where the Panamanian side won out in their desire to return home. It's interesting to see so many latin american people trying to get into the U.S. and yet Panamanians, who often study and work for a short time in the States, always seem to return home. It's also a true testimony to the attractiveness of this wonderful country.
Dan had been referred to us by a connection in Bocas. One phone call later and it was all arranged. He would pick us up in David, take us up to Boquete and show us around. The hospitality and warm welcome throughout Panama was winning us over quickly!
We were pleased that Dan wanted to get out of the heat of David and back up to Boquete as quickly as possible. Just 5 minutes drive from the airport and we were on the Pan-American highway. Another five minutes past a hospital and some stores and we headed north up the well paved road to Boquete. It's a constant and steady climb but you wouldn't know it. Sometimes the homes appear on an angle but it is an illusion created by the long straight climb of the highway.
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Off to the west we marveled at Volcan Baru, Panama's highest peak at 11,400 feet above sea level. And one of the spots where you can view the Pacific and the Atlantic at the same time. It really is a stunningly beautiful mountain and view which becomes the dominant feature of many Boquete properties.
In about 40 minutes we arrived in the lovely mountain village of Boquete. At about 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level the air is cool and crisp. We were pleasantly surprised that in such a short drive we could lose the extreme heat and humidity and enjoy this perfect climate. At around 20c to 28c (68F -80F) some describe this as the World's Best Climate. For certain it is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, bird watching, golfing, etc and has attracted active retirees from around the world.
What a contrast this magical place was to the rest of Panama. It truly was like arriving in another country. We were thrilled, excited and exhausted! Another surprise was the lack of vacancy in town. Just one hotel had space and when we told Dan where to drop us off I could tell by what he didn't say that it wasn't the best place in town.
There is so much to say about Boquete and certainly more than I have space for here so watch for another letter about this community we would come to call home.
Hasta Luego!
Mark
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