We attempted to go for a hike after leaving the Boquete Garden Inn, but either the directions we were given were not accurate or we just don’t know how to locate a trail. Either way, the weather was beautiful for the short walking we did do.Bowing to our lazy genes, we hopped in the car, rolled down the windows, and drove up and around the surrounding mountains instead. What amazing views! You could see the whole valley from up there.
We wound our way back into town and stopped for lunch at a place on main street. Yet again, the menu was huge, but we were getting used to the routine of ordering what we really wanted only to be told no and having to settle for our third or fourth choice off the menu.
I ended up with a fried chicken platter that came with one piece of chicken, rice and black beans, vegetables, and sliced bananas. Wes got his usual, a club sandwich and a beer. Funny thing was, the entire meal only cost us $7!
We stopped next door at the Chiriqui River Rafting office and made arrangements to go rafting the next day. Then we were off to check out Valle Escondido, a housing development that we had seen on HGTV’s “House Hunters International.” Believe it or not, the sales guy turned out to be the same person from the show. In it, he and his wife were looking for a condo in Boquete’s Valle Escondido. Can we say marketing ploy?
No doubt, the community was gorgeous. The salesman took us on a tour of two attached condos, which started in the high $200s for a two bedroom. The floor plans were similar to what you’d find in the States with lots of tile and outdoor porches overlooking the golf course. In fact, Wes and I felt like we were in a typical Florida community except for the barbed wire that lined the surrounding fences.
Something to note: Barbed wire is everywhere in Panama, which was a bit disconcerting to me.Valle Escondido has a wonderful clubhouse with an indoor pool, fitness center, and spa. There was even this cool outdoor amphitheater and some little shops, plus a hotel. The surrounding single-family homes and estates were beautiful.
We stayed for a bit to see how the other half lives until the afternoon rains came and then we left for our $22 a night hostel.
2 comments:
I LOVE watching "House Hunters" -- whether it be in the states or internationally! Network television is so crappy these days (aside from a few gems like "The Office" and "Lost") that I routinely rely on the Food Network and Home & Garden -- when I do bother with the TV at all. And, yes, being around so much barbed wire would definitely make me feel a bit "confined," to say the least. The only barbed wire up here in my PA neck of the woods surrounds either one of the two state prisons or the cow pastures scattered throughout the countryside!
Put "barbed wire" in the context tha Chiriqui is an agricultural state, mostly cattle, then bananas and coffee, so barbed wire is just a normal part of farm life. You use it to keep your cattle in, your dogs in, uninvited visitors out . . . If you're Panamanian you hang your wash out draped over the barbed wire . . . don't ask me how you keep from ripping the clothes, but it works!
Enjoying your Boquete trip report!
Regards, Richard
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