TARZAN AND JANE WANNABES

Just let the guide do what he does best

To zip line was a must do when in Boquete, per Driver Mar-veen (yes, the name changed because this is really what he was called for seven days).  I had found Boquete Tree Trek online, had been told this was a great company to take a tour with, and booked it---in early September.  I chose the morning tour to hopefully avoid the likelihood of afternoon rain.  We arrived to the Kowota Coffeehouse and Boquete Adventurist shop (all connected) at 7:30 am.  We had arranged to have our complimentary breakfast at the hotel at seven am (we had to tell them ahead of time that we would be eating breakfast one hour early), and this time, we ordered only bread and oatmeal.  We had a schedule to keep.  Once we checked in for the zip line tour and signed the "we know we can get hurt, and we can't hold you responsible" papers, we waited twenty minutes.  Early, as usual.  Could have eaten more breakfast haha  There were six of us taking the ziplining tour.  The other couple was from Holland and on their honeymoon.  We were put into the back of a pickup truck (sort of) and were driven five miles or so up the hill to the resort.  The last two kilometers of the road is horrible.  We knew this from making a test run the day before and deciding to let the tour guides drive us instead of subjecting our car to the rocks and ditches.  Once we arrived, we were put into zip lining gear.  We were then driven up another steep hill to start the downhill process of swinging through the trees.  First, we were told the rules.  We were given a demonstration.  And we signed papers.  We then walked another hill to get to the first platform.

Hoping I am suited up properly.

The zip lining adventure runs 3.5 kms (which is a little over 2 miles).  We were on 13 different lines with the highest being almost 280 feet off the ground and the longest being almost 1300 feet.  We could see trees, of course, and waterfalls, and a bunny (some did).  The guides encouraged us to look around while zip lining (easier said than done).  By line number seven, I think we were all getting comfortable with hanging from a harness. We agreed it was the best thing we had done, and it was a beautiful morning to be swinging through the trees.  Not a drop of rain.

Making it through a few lines already.

Overlooking Boquete

Talking about coffee, not zip lining safety here

Some confidence now.

Hanging on for dear life---not really!

Another view.

Back to the safety of the platform!

The cabins at the resort.

Poor Man's Umbrella

One of the healthier looking cows I have seen in Panama!

What a morning!  Such an adrenaline rush!  Yes, we were nervous.  None of us had done this before, but we all loved it.  And I think we would do it again.  Once we were down the mountain, and back at the resort, we sat on the restaurant porch talking to another vacationer.  He had zip lined before and was waiting for his group.  We found out he lives fifteen minutes from our house here in Chame.  We exchanged names and promised to keep in touch (remember this for later).

That afternoon, after eating a bigger lunch this time at Big Daddy's,  my "virtual friend" Holly picked us up from our hotel to give us a tour of her property.  What a wonderful lady she is!  I was so happy to finally meet her.  I have been following her blog for over eighteen months!  She and her husband, Scott, were open and honest about the process of building their workshop, garage/art studio and casita.  We were amazed and in awe of all that she and her husband have accomplished, and once we toured the grounds, she then drove us to El Parador for the views.  We drank batidos (milk shakes with milk or water) and learned more about Boquete from Holly and our lives in Panama.

Looking at Boquete from Holly's property

New friend, Holly!  (Yes, I have two long sleeve layers on)

Grounds of El Parador

The cute coffee shop and hotel

More flowers (see the heart by the building?)

Continuing with the day (!), the group decided we had to have those steaks at the hotel restaurant for dinner.  We invited Holly and Scott, and she in turn invited another "no longer virtual friend".  I didn't ask if I could include her name in this blog, so she will be "Ann".  I had reserved the gazebo by the fireplace for our dinner.  This time we had a blazing hot fire already started when we sat down.  And it was warm.  I didn't care though.  Rain came down.  Pouring rain.  But we were protected under the gazebo.  We had a delicious meal of red wine, salad, bread, and the best steak ever!  I think I have eaten an entire steak once in the last five years.  I usually don't eat red meat (cholesterol, you know).  But the bread story is this...Panama is known to have very slow service.  I have lately been surprised that most diners are served together, since two years ago this wasn't the case---meals would come out staggered.  The first night we dined at this restaurant I finally asked if we could have bread.  The waitress told me there were crackers.  But she never brought us any.  This time I asked her early on (I saw the bread plates) if we could have crackers.  The meal was taking a while, but I didn't mind since we were enjoying conversation and wine.  She told me there would be bread.  Oh brother.  But we did get bread!  It was warm and delicious!  Moral of that story is always ask, because you might eventually get something.

And that was Day 3 of our mini-vacation (if you include driving time).  The next day would be our final day that included a coffee tour and a seven hour car ride back to the interior of Panama.  But this is retirement.  Who knows what will happen the same day let alone the next day.