Yesterday was an interesting day for new critters.
I walked towards the woods behind our house and saw this little guy hanging out on a plant. He was nice enough to wait while I dashed to the house for a camera (I know, I know, never go anywhere without a camera!)
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Joel unfolded the hammock to find this beautiful little guy hiding in the folds.
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Joel got a great photo of him as he crossed the tile in front of the house.
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I’ve seen this interesting, tiny, baby lizard a few times on the terrace, but Joel got a great photo of him.
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I’ve been spending evenings on the terrace instead of going inside. Last night when I came out this beautiful sphinx month was sitting on my iPad case. The camera caught it such a way that the eye glows! I gently nudged it off the iPad and it spend the rest of the evening on the table next to my computer.
There is always something new around here, but yesterday we saw quite a few interesting critters all in the same day. I love being outside so much I’m spending less and less time indoors, and the wildlife is part of the attraction.
The days seem to fly by and I haven’t been writing as much. I’ve been out and about, spending time with friends, biking, and preparing for a party. I have minimal experience entertaining so I’ve been working on some of the preparations every day, but it should be a lot of fun. I will also check in here now and then and try to keep updated about anything new and interesting.
The Panama Adventure 
Once again, beautiful photos! It’s funny because Ron asked me today, “Are they ‘bug’ people? Or will they be afraid of insects?” I just laughed and said, “Oh, they are definitely bug people. No worries about scaring them off with bugs.”
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You have bugs?? gasp! Oh dear, we can’t go somewhere with bugs!
Just kidding!! You know I love bugs and if you have lots, I might have to change my mind and bring my good camera. I can spend all day chasing bugs! One more thing to look forward to in your area. 😀
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Love your pictures, you have a great camera. Thanks for keeping Panama alive for us, we are hoping to move there in the next year or so. Getting your e mails
keeps us motivated to the goal. Love the different wildlife in Panama, even the insects are different.
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Thanks 🙂 It’s just a little Kodak that Joel has had for a few years, but it seems to do the job. You would not believe how many different bugs there are here. They are all quite mellow and much less trouble than the bugs in Florida, but there is an endless variety of different sizes, colors, and patterns.
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Great pictures don’t come from the kind of camera used, but from the eye of the photographer!
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Yes, agreed, but I also appreciate it when the camera will focus properly and do more or less what I ask of it.
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And as for time passing quickly we were just commenting on that last night. We can’t believe it’s Feliz Viernes already! 🙂
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I know! How does that happen??
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I love that first guy. Of course we have critters like him (her) around my house, too, but I’ve never seen one like that bumpy lizard. Way cool.
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I haven’t seen that one before either. This one was tiny but I can’t imagine they change that much when they grow up, and I haven’t seen others of any size that look like it.
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Hi Kris C. I have been reading your blog for maybe a year. We have changed plans on a 2 week annual vacation to the mountains of California, the best…….we live in Cool, CA, a small town between Tahoe and Sacramento We bought tickets to Panama. Simply put we want to come and see it and would like just a few hints of must see places for ten days of driving and seeing places to visit and possibly live. We are used to heat but not humidity. We will most likely be drawn to the beaches and small towns, not the big tourist beaches……..can you pick 3 Pacific coast towns and 2-3 Caribbean towns that are must see. (I am bringing the boogie boards and fins. And of course maybe 2 interior Towns. We plan a tour of the canal while we are in Panama City………other than that we are driving everywhere……..and deDee is concerned……..is it safe to do that.
Thank you before hand. I am just planning this trip and your Blog made me do it. Hah. Oh, and is it nuts to think we can maybe drive into Costa Rica as well……..in a 10 day trip, w/o knowing the territory. Should we keep it more simple. BTW we have done these kinds of trips to India, Nepal, Thailand, and Chile, Spain, Italy etc. This time we really are looking to move, Just so tired of the idiots in CA and DC.
TIA and give me some help and pointers if you are not chasing BUGS.
Jeff
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Panama is humid, FYI, more in some places than others but nothing is dry except in summer on the Pacific side (Dec – April).
Hmmm… lets see… Caribbean side is mostly undeveloped Indian territory. Bocas del Toro is the only place you can realistically plan to visit. You can get there by air from Panama City, or by very winding road over the continental divide mountains from David. San Blas is another but you need to fly or drive in by 4-wheel drive and boat the rest of the way.
Pacific coast has a number of interesting areas. As you see on the map, the Pan-American Highway goes more or less along the Pacific side. Coming from Panama City there is the Gorgona – Coronado area, lots of expats there, good beaches. From there you may want to visit El Valle de Anton in the mountains. Then down the Azeuro Peninsula, Pedasi is known for nice beaches and you will pass through Santiago and Chitre, two very Panamanian towns on the way. From there I would recommend continuing along to the Boca Chica area (beautiful islands, fishing, boating, etc), or the two main beaches beyond there are Las Olas (caution, dangerous tides) and Las Lajas. Each has a hotel/resort or is a possible day trip from David. Now you will be fairly close to the roads up to the mountains – Boquete and/or Volcan – Cerro Punta area, either or both well worth a visit. Boquete has a lot more expats and tourist activities though.
There are other beaches in central Panama on the Pacific side but they are quite remote – like Santa Catalina but they are world famous for the surfing opportunities.
This is just off the top of my head. Keep in mind that being a tourist is different from living somewhere, and if you want the Panamanian experience you may get less of that in expat / tourist areas like Coronado, Pedasi, Boquete, and the like.
Yes, you can drive everywhere and it is safe. No place is 100% safe so don’t leave your common sense behind, but many feel safer here than in the US. Also, there is excellent public transportation. I understand the appeal of having your own wheels but remember that the insurance required here will about double the price of your rental car. People on the buses are very helpful and will take care of you and be sure you get to where you need to go. Driving in Panama City is a total pain! There is tons of traffic and minimal signs so you will spend part of your time getting lost. Maybe take a bus to Santiago and rent a car from there? or in David and explore the Chiriqui coast and mountains from there?
I will tell you where I live after I find out if you like the country so you won’t come get me for leading you to someplace crazy 😀 Seriously, I hope this has helped a bit, and you can see a little of what I love in this country. Also, if you know any Spanish brush up. That is very helpful. Happy Travels!
You cannot take a rental car out of the country, so if you go to Costa Rica you need to take the bus.
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While it’s true that Panama is a small country, I think your request is a bit unrealistic for a two week vacation…”3 Pacific coast towns and 2-3 Caribbean towns that are must see.” In addition you want ” maybe 2 interior towns?” You want to boogie board and snorkle? Then plan on three days in Bocas del Toro and hit a couple of the beaches and islands there. An interior town? Try Chitre (which would have been my second choice of a place to settle had I not done so in Boqueron outside of David) or Las Tablas for three or four days. Do the Canal and you should have a pretty full two week vacation. (p.s. Boquete is NOT the center of the expat universe.)
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I figured they would have to pick and choose. Probably anything on the Caribbean is unrealistic for such a short time if they want to spend time on the Pacific side and in the interior.
Boquete is not the center of the universe??? No way! 😀
Most tourists do at least want to see it though, and it is a beautiful area even if you don’t want to live there.
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Yep Kris and Old Salt. Looked hard at the map and agree with what you say about what can be done in 2 weeks. We are off soon……so thank you both very much for the input.
Jeff
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Have a good time!
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And keep us posted as to what you do end up doing during your ten days, where you get, and what you see. Don’t try to pack too much in, take it all in and remember things take extra time in Panama.
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