To Panama City

From Almirante in the northeast of Panama we want to cross the country to the Pacific side and make our way down to Panama City.  We planned our route and spoke to a girl in Bocas Town who described it as a very difficult and dangerous road across the mountains.

To this day I don't understand why she said that.  The road was "good" as far as we are concerned.  The rain kind of sucked while we crossed the mountains, but it was still awesome! We found a perfect lunch stop in the middle of nowhere.. always the best!

So ironic in the photo below.. there is chicken cooking on the grill above and there are live chickens pecking away right below their dead friends.  I think I'll go for an omelet with cheese and tomato, thanks!

There wasn't a whole lot of photo-taking in the rain, but once we got to the other side of the mountains near David, Panama, it was a totally beautiful day!

We finally arrived the Pacific coast and it wasn't what we expected.  Nice, but we decide to keep moving.

We found a place down the beach that would be awesome for camping!!  It's still holidays here in Panama, and there are heaps of cars and people camping.  Car radios are blaring at full blast and loads of drunk people.  Bugger!  It's so pretty, but we decide to keep moving.

We figured out that trying to stay near the beach at this time was the problem, so we went looking for a camping spot more inland.

On the way down a long dirt track, we found this house that offered accommodation.  Kevin decided to check it out.  (I didn't see the point, you can tell by looking at it that it's expensive).  He really loved the country and the view.

A quick look inside one of their two rooms?  I look at Kevin, and say "no way Jose".  He didn't think the cost was bad, I did.  Which is quite surprising really.  He is really careful with his money and I would not have guessed he was so willing to stay here. So I talked him into finding a good camp spot.  It's getting late, and we don't have food, let alone a camp set up.

Back into town we find a little restaurant.. there is only one of them too! And it is ridiculously cheap. 

We waited quite a while for dinner to take away and during this time, Kevin convinced me to go back to the house he fell in love with. He didn't want to look anymore and had his mind made up for that princess room!  I couldn't believe it.  He kept telling me how much he liked it there, it's okay to spend this money every once in a while, we are not in Panama very long.. etc etc. 

We took our cheap food and found a bottle of wine at the local shop and headed back to the Palace.

With some tunes, candles and a full moon it was a beautiful place to have dinner.

Now more than ever, I am glad I didn't press the issue and decided to agree with him to  'live a little'.  Until now, I have never seen him so passionate about where we stay tonight and cost didn't matter. Enjoy the best when you can get away with it, because you never know when your last day is.....

Sunrise.  For many weeks later he talked about this spot, and I'm so glad we stayed here.

So along with the Princess Suite came the Princess breakfast!

Not much luck in motivating him to pack up the bike when he is far too comfortable and happy to move.  As much as we'd like to, we have limited time.  We have a booking on a boat to get us from Panama to Colombia.  We've already paid our deposits, so we need to carry on to Panama City today.

Well he finally moved!  From the breakfast table to the hammock!!  Hammock man strikes again.  He only noticed this hammock and pool this morning.  He kept asking me, "why didn't you tell me there was a pool and a hammock last night? I didn't see it".  I argued that it was hard to miss as the pool was glimmering in the moon light!  The hammock I didn't see either.. It's not like we've done anything today other than eat breakfast, but we have a long rest in the hammocks fighting for the attention of the cutest puppy.. WE ARE SPOILED!!!!  And certainly making the most of this place.

C'mon Kev!  I'm packed and waiting by the banana tree and pineapples.

It was an easy ride down to Panama City from here.

Kevin confirms with the cafe owner at our late lunch where to go to find our hostel once we are in the city.  He's good like that, and little local advices are always a plus.

We were sort of able to find the hostel with my gps.  Kevin put this photo on his facebook and said, "The digs are going downhill"..  Compared to last night, anything would be downhill!!

Parked on the inside of the hostel and it wasn't so bad.. but still quite a contrast to last night.

 

We made sure the boat to Colombia was organized and paid (as many of you know, there is no road connecting Panama to South America) and then we set off to see the Panama Canal. What else do you do while in Panama City!

Kevin disappeared, I was wandering around taking photos and lost him. This is what I found..!! ;-) Trying so hard to be the snacker-man incognito.. with the "Oh no, I'm busted" kind of smile.

The lady kept looking at me and then at Kevin, and then me again.. and she wanted me to take her space so Kevin could take a photo.  We didn't need to ask her to do that.  She was too cute!

The little train cars are pulling the ships through the canal.

Absolutely fascinating to watch this and amazing that it even exists at all!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal

After the Panama Canal, which was super cool to see, we did something that I have not done in a VERY LONG TIME.. We went to the MOVIES!!!  That was a real treat.  The movie was in English with Spanish sub-titles, even better.

After the movie, a ride through Panama City old town.

There would be some serious stories these streets could tell.

I liked this contrast of the old building to the new.

Somewhat surprised in such a busy city to find the indigenous Panamanian ladies here.

We found a place to park with a security guard to watch over the bikes and went for a walk.

Along the way, Kevin spots a restuarant and asks the staff to put a table across the street on the water, so we can watch the sunset.  They agreed!  I was laughing and surprised and grateful.. how fun!

The good thing about Kevin is that he teaches me to slow down and enjoy more.  To get more out of each place we visit. I always seem to be in a rush and he says, "Relax, stop worrying, everything is fine.." Another superb dinner and another great night...

Buenos Noches!

Baja California South, Todos los Santos MEXICO

We continue south in Baja California Mexico toward Cabo San Lucas.  Interestingly, many people told us not to bother with this town.  Far too touristy and expensive they say.

Luckily we have been offered a place to stay and camp by a Canadian couple Lars and Michelle. They live just north of Cabo in a smaller town called Todos Santos.  So that's where we head.

Lars is a keen Kawasaki KLR rider, and since I've seen him ride, that's an understatement! A true madman on a motorcycle!  I ask Lars why the spring on his brake lever is broken and not fixed and he says, I don't use my brakes anyway!  Okay then.. I could learn some skills from this guy! ;-)

We arrive their property so near the ocean and surf of the west coast.  I think I'm gonna like it here.

This is THE playground... and a real inspiration of a lifestyle I might like to strive for.  The cozy little camper under the palapa roof, a four wheeler, the motorcycle, the big ocean sand and surf.. they've got it all!

I set up my little tent in their yard and really really really wanted to go for a sunset walk along the beach.  I've been in northern North America most of the summer and fall, and only until we got this far south, can I take off my shoes/boots, walk away from the bike and enjoy warm weather on the sand.

But first, I must tell you these people are really after my own heart.  I haven't mentioned yet that the day before we arrived, they decided to rescue two abandoned puppies.  My heroes...

First job was the worm medicine, leaving their little fat bellies back to skin and bone.

I can't help but to want to hold them and keep them warm (not that they need it, but "I" needed an excuse to hold them right?).  They snuggle up on my belly while I try to do a little work on my computer..

Oh no....now I'm totally in love.....!!

James won't touch the babies.. I ask him why, because I know he loves animals too.  So much, he became a vegetarian at a very young age..  He's determined not to get attached to the puppies.  I understand that, but I can't help myself.  I might even have to sneak them into my bag when I leave in a couple days.  Actually, come to think of it, both James and Lars where both about keeping the distance. Both seemed to have the same philosophy not to give them much attention since this is not their permanent home.  Michelle and I are all about making sure they are happy and giving them all the attention and love they need to survive!  An eye opening difference between how some men and women think!

OK, must walk on beach now....

I found Michelle out here!

This is something Michelle enjoys with her dog every night.  I also take my dog to the beach every morning where I live in South Australia.  Every dog I've ever seen on the beach is happy, all of them!  I miss my boy, Luke.... ;-(  I've been away from him 2 years now, can't believe it.

How good is this??

Then our wonderful hosts make us a proper campsite meal, including the beers AND wine.  We are more than spoiled.. again!

 Can't help it.. I love these babies!!!

The next day they offer to take us around their neck of the woods.  Lars has a very damaged foot from a small KLR mishap (maybe he could have avoided with functional brakes?? ;-)), so he's out of moto commission for a while.  Instead we opt to all go together in the newest toy they have acquired.  A little and very used 4WD with a palapa style roof!

This man loves his toys.  Michelle and I know it's best to just hang on in the back for dear life!

(this will NOT be our accommodation for the night.. ;-)

Well, by the look of these roads, they would be good fun on the bike! The more they explain the area to us, it seems to be mostly a place full of holiday homes or trailers from Canadians or Americans during the winter.  


Regardless of the trouble this new little truck has, I love it anyway and have full confidence the boys will get it going again..  Isn't it cute?!?

They did fix it and we went to lunch for a reward!

I tried the fish tacos for the first time.  Everyone has told me Baja is a classic for fish tacos, but I have been so in love with the other stuff, I haven't gotten around to trying them yet.. today's the day!

And YUM they were !!

Okay, the tour is nearly over and we make our way back to camp..

I love love love all the hummingbirds in Lars and Michelle's yard.  I tried so hard to get photos of them but they are fast as lightening.

My first success was finding one on a fence, not actually buzzing madly around for something sweet.

Gotcha!

Well I want to take advantage of this wonderful place, one more trip to the beach..

I might even attempt to get some desperately needed color to my skin.

I suppose I should show a bit of the actual town of Todos los Santos.  They have a Hotel California here, as do most Baja California towns, but the one here claims to be THE Hotel California from the "Eagles" song.  Seems to not be proven though..

It's a great comfortable town.. Has most everything you need and from what I understand about Cabo San Lucas, we are much more content in a place like this.

We had THE best time with these two.. but we must leave, not only them but those gorgeous puppies! Thank you again for the most amazing hospitality, doesn't get any better than this!!

Update:  Lars and Michelle sent me this photo which was taken the day before they went to their new home several weeks after we left Baja.  Mission accomplished.  They still look 'oddly' cute AND very healthy. As I've mentioned before, Mexico along with many other countries have a huge stray dog population.  The dogs live on the streets, many of them starving with broken legs, tails, nobody cares (and if they did, they don't have the money or means to help them). I could go on about the sights I've seen with suffering animals.  On my way here, I saw a man run over a little white dog, pulled over laughing and went into a shop to get a beer.  I'm sorry to paint the bad picture, but it makes seeing the success and luck of these two dogs even better. Great job and even greater to know people like Lars and Michelle are still out there helping the animals, my true heroes..