Judy and Joe in Panama: El Valle de Anton

El Valle de Anton

Once we got the car we were off and away from Panama City. We knew the Pan American Highway Bridge was a crowded mess as we had seen it from our hotel so we drove north along the canal beyond the Miraflores Locks to the other bridge that spans the Panama Canal. That road then heads south to the Pan American Highway. (We have a map!) The Pan American Highway crosses Panama from the bridge in Panama City all the way into Costa Rica and beyond. It's a lot like the old Route 1 with businesses accessed right from the highway. Easy to find lunch.

About an hour out of Panama City we turned off the highway and drove into the hills on a twisty, well maintained road. Our destination was El Valle, a small town in the remains of an ancient crater. El Valle is surrounded by high mountains and jagged peaks so we really feel like we're in a crater. I like geology so I think it's interesting! The climate is different from the coast in that it's much cooler, and in the evening you need long pants and a sweater. Since it's the dry season it is also extremely windy. The wind ROARS down the hills day and night.

After stocking up on a few necessary items like adult beverages and snacks at the super mercado we found our way to the Golden Frog, very nice hotel run by American ex-pats. This is the last of our reservations until the end of our trip. By the time we got organized, lounged by the pool which was very chilly, it was time for the hotel cocktail hour. We met our hotel neighbors and chatted with our hosts, met the ever-so-colorful resident parrot, then drove into town for pizza. How Panamanian.

In the morning we headed out for a jaunt to the local Sunday market where indigenous folks bring their wares and food to sell. After the incredible indigenous market we found in Ecuador, this one was a bit of a let-down.

But we wandered the town then found our way to the Orchid garden

and the zoo to try to see the symbol of Panama, the golden frog. There's a big habitat set up for this rare amphibian, but it is so good we couldn't find it anywhere. Oh well. Time for an adult beverage by the pool.

The following day we wanted to do a few hikes to waterfalls and maybe go to the mud baths and hot springs. Our hostess gave us a map with suggestions. We were off to see, of all things, the square trees. Apparently there's something about the environment in which they grow that makes these trees have square bases. Not much of a big deal but it was a walk in the forest. We were told to watch for snakes so we don't step on any. Great. I found a branch and used it to swish the trail as I went along.

Joe had to tease me about how the snakes weren't going to be lying in the middle of the trail but he let me go first! And what was lying in the middle of the trail??? A big green vine snake. No snakes on the trail, huh?

I also uncovered a newly shed shake skin, that in my teacher days I would have kept.

We also encountered a trail of leaf cutter ants carrying their over sized loads back to the nest. Most were carrying green leaf pieces like little flags, but some were lugging flowers. Joe thought they might be preparing for a festival.

The square trees are only square at their base.

After surviving the square tree trail we headed for Macho Falls and arrived just as a tour bus of Japanese tourists arrived. So much for that plan. There are more than one waterfall in town, and there's a panaderia, too. What delicious baked goods they have!The bread is wonderful, and so are the cookies and the sweet rolls and the cakes.