The Finca (the Farm), and Other Interesting Sights

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Kris Cunningham

Saturday Jérémy, Lauren (a very recently arrived new expat), Cedo, and I set off to visit the finca. I hadn’t been there in a while so I was interested to see it again. First though, we stopped in Concepción where the government sells food every Saturday. Cedo and I both bought 20 pound bags of rice ($6). They also sell beans and a variety of other food items which I need to investigate at another time.

Bags of rice are unloaded from the truck to the waiting customers below.
If there are hot and thirsty people, there will be someone to sell them a cool treat.

After the market, we stopped by the dairy cooperative so Cedo could pick up a few things like a large bag of salt for the cows, and then we headed to the finca. It was a very beautiful day. Since we had left fairly early in the morning there were few clouds and the views of Volcan Baru and the mountains were magnificent. I was driving though so I waited to take photos until after we arrived. Don’t worry, there are plenty of photos 😀

Baru peaks out from the clouds.
You usually can’t see Baru from the farm so I really enjoyed this view.
The calves are doing OK. The dark one was attacked and bitten by dogs a while back but thankfully is recovering. The dogs had killed other calves and farmers were looking for them to shoot them, but I’m not sure if the dogs were found.
Cedo checks the calves nighttime stalls.
The cows come down the path for lunch.
The bull bellowed most of the time we were there. He was in a separate field (I’m not sure why) and he was not happy about it.
Lunch time for cows.
Lets go visit the pigs!
There were piglets everywhere.
Another mom and her piglets.
These piglets are small and very new.
It’s hard to count piglets when they are all running around.
Do I look good like this?
Or, is this my better side?

By the time we were finished at the farm it was close to lunch time and I was hungry. It wasn’t too hard to talk everyone into driving on to Volcan to visit Burricos, the really good Mexican restaurant on the main street. After lunch, we went on to Cerro Punta. Jérémy probably wouldn’t have another opportunity to see this interesting area, and I am always up for a visit. After that, we visited the Jensen’s Coffee Farm on our way back through Volcan.

I never get tired of seeing the vegetable farms literally on the sides of the mountains!
The views from the coffee house at Jansen’s Coffee Farm are beautiful.
Coffee berries and beans were drying on the cement pad.
Lauren, Cedo, and Jérémy stop for a photo op.
A photo by Jérémy of us gals.
Coffee berries on a coffee plant.

We finished our day with a visit to Macho de Monte, one of my very favorite places.

Jérémy and Lauren make us nervous by checking out the edge of the canyon wall.
Then, they make their way to the point overlooking the canyon.
It is dry season so there was very little water in the stream above, so it was easier for me to also make it to the point and look down at the canyon.

This is only part of the canyon and a spot where I don’t usually go. To see a bit of the real magic of the canyon check out some posts I have written in the past like THIS one, and THIS, and THIS last one.  The last one includes some videos by my friend Ryan who actually went down into the canyon and swam in the river. Take a look because it’s really incredible.

After Macho de Monte we took the new cross road over to Dolega, the one with all the steep ups and downs and sharp curves. It would have been easier to go back to the highway but this route was way more interesting.

Veggies are cheap and delicious in Cerro Punta. I think this bag full was $5.70.
On the way home we picked up this watermelon from a guy by the side of the road in Los Algarrobas. It was SO good, one of the best I’ve had. Summer is watermelon season here and a great time to enjoy them.

This was our full Saturday. On Sunday we took off for a few more adventures so that will be coming soon.

About Kris Cunningham

We live in David, Chiriqui Provence, Republic of Panama! This blog is about some of our experiences in our new country.
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10 Responses to The Finca (the Farm), and Other Interesting Sights

  1. schuttzie says:
    February 10, 2015 at 4:34 am

    Sounds like full and very fun day!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. daniellajoe says:
    February 10, 2015 at 8:14 am

    Fun!! Kris the name of the Cerro ends in a, so it is Cerro Punta, I think the name came because it is pointed? Who knows… But great pics and post as always 🙂

    Like

  3. lorrainebradley567 says:
    February 12, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    Thanks Kris! That was an awesome post. It’s good to see the sites close to where you’re living there in David. I’m entirely jealous and am eager to learn as much as possible. You’re doing a great job!

    How did you learn what is necessary to prepare move to and live in Panama? Do you ever share your personal email address and converse with people about the steps you took to move to Panama? Thanks.

    Like

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