We have been driving up to Boquete a couple times a week for Joel’s band gigs. It’s almost always a very beautiful drive, and yesterday was especially gorgeous. It had rained in the morning which is unusual, but the sun came out in the afternoon and it was a travel magazine worthy scene.
I think I fell in love with Panama when I first saw the lush, green mountains from the airplane window. I still appreciate the beauty that is around us every day from the woods behind our house, to the view of Volcan Baru as we leave our neighborhood, to the many other scenes that we enjoy on a daily basis.
We stopped at the visitors center just above the downhill that takes you into the town of Boquete. This is the most well known view of Boquete from up there.
There was a large family of coati on and just behind the wall. They were very cute and totally unafraid of people. I’m sure visitors had fed them and tamed them, but I felt better keeping a little bit of distance.
Some days the beauty around you overwhelms everything and anything that might be bothering you.
Mi vida dificil!
My life, however, may not allow as much time for blogging. I have a trip back to the US planned in a few days, but maybe when I’m there we’ll have beautiful summer days and of course there will be the grandchildren. And, I have another huge project going on that is taking up all of my time. The bass player in Joel’s band likes to travel, but when he’s gone the band can’t play unless they can find a substitute which isn’t possible most of the time. So, I decided to step up and learn to play the bass. I have a lot of classical piano background in my very distant past but this is something new. My goal is to be ready to go by September which requires a lot of practice. But, so far it’s going well and this could be a huge amount of fun!
You just never know where life might take you! 😀
The Panama Adventure 
I can’t wait to hear the band with you on bass. We will be there in late October. We close on the sale of our house 10/13/2017 or sooner!
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Wow, that will be her before you know it, and I could be playing bass then too if the regular bass player leaves town for the worst of the rainy season like he says he will.
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Hope you pick it up quickly. I’ve always wanted to learn to play the bass guitar. Maybe I can take it up now that I’m in my retirement zone. Besides Sarasota is somewhat of an artsy town so I’m sure there’s an instructor nearby
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Sarasota? We lived there for 17 years before coming here. There are a lot of resources on line too. Google talkingbass. That might lead you to one I’ve used. Good luck!
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This is AWESOME news, Kris – a bass player now! First becoming fluent in Spanish, then becoming an artist and now a bass player! Yep – you never know where life will lead you,do you? I know mine will lead me to Panama full time one day – hopefully soon. But for now, I’ll be coming on visits and I can’t wait to hear you play with Joel the next time I come!
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That’s for sure, and it’s a luxury to have time to persue all these various things. I’ll look forward to seeing you again on your return visits! If the regular bass player is on the job maybe he’d let me sit in for a few songs.
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How heavenly your life!
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Yes, we are extremely fortunate to have this life here! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Hey Kris, what are the rents like in the Boquette area. not in town but a short taxi drive away. Thanks
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I’ve heard less than $400, or more than $1000. It depends on where, furnished or not, size, condition, all the usual factors. You might look at Alto Boquete. Eduardo is the guy to talk to though. That’s his business and he can answer your questions much better than I can. https://findingmyselfinpanama.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/need-help-finding-a-rental-in-davidboquete-meet-eduardo-horna-via-video/
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Contact Eduardo Horna email riochiriqui@gmail.com. He speaks fluent English. He found the house for Kris and Joel as well as our house. We pay $ 450.- unfurnished, 3 bedrooms, one we use as dining room. Fenced in a middle class 55 homes area, called Jardines de Boquete, Quite and nice. Water included. Electricity $20. Very highspeed internet available. Excellent water supply included in the rent. At least 1 year contract.
8 minutes to the centre of Boquete. 5 minutes walk to catch a bus or taxi.
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Great minds…. 😀
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We’re planning to be in Boquete for a week or so in August after we finish up our visa work in Panama City. Let us know where you & Joel will be playing and we’ll make a point to stop in to see you! How exciting!
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It will probably be Gary, the regular guy, in August but I might be sitting in a bit for the experience. They are mostly at Mike’s Global, Boquete Brewery, or Big Daddy’s. https://www.facebook.com/Me3-948056508572263/?fref=ts We try to keep their Facebook page somewhat updated so people can find them.
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Hola Kris,
So, mama played bass, daddy sang tenor?! LOL
Y’all could be the next Johnny and June Cash. Cool.
The coati fotos remind me of the herd we had on Ancon. They would come bouncing out of the brush as soon as anyone opened the door of the radio shack. We fed them way too much and they became pets.
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Maybe. Joel is an excellent singer, and also guitar player, and entertainer.
I know coati can become tame and even make excellent pets. They are very cute
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Safe travels!
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Thanks amiga 🙂
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You continuously amaze me, Kris! Enjoy your time with your grandkids, and make your bass playing debut on your blog!
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Thanks!
I may low at first until I see how it goes with the bass, but then we will see
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I love Boquete. I would love to be able to go there again someday.
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I hope you can too!
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Hey Kris, are you in Panama or state side now?? I will be landing in Panama, end of July, will be there for a few months, is it the rainy season now??
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I’m in the US but I’ll be back in Panama early in August. Yes, it is rainy season, and will be until December.
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Fantastic to read your blog, my wife and my self are hoping to retire in 5 years, at 60 and 55 and love what we have read about Panama, we are planning to live in Belize for 6 months and panama for 6 to see what we prefer
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Sorry about the slow reply. I’ve been traveling. Good luck in your travels! I’ll be interested to hear about Belize and how it compares to Panama.
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