Anther day at Venao

Panama March 30, 2010
We rose early this morning after an interesting night’s sleep. Did I say sleep? At bedtime, we were kept awake by the croaking clamor of the numerous geckos in and around our cabana. Once we fell asleep, the AC and ceiling fan cut out in the middle of the night, and we found ourselves in a sweltering tropical heat until we were able to get them up and running again. At 4 am, it was time for the roosters to begin their wake up reminders to all forced to listen. But we needed to wake up early since the surf was supposed to be good at first light.
Dylan and I packed up our surf gear, and met another guest, Maria to head over to Playa Venao hoping for some decent waves. When we got there it was clear that our tidal knowledge was a bit off as it was nearly dead low tide, and although we all paddled out in the warm, briny Pacific waters, the waves were somewhat closing out, and quite inconsistent, even though they were running about waist high. However, Dylan was able to score a few good ones.
Returning to La Playita, we sat down as a family and had breakfast to plan our daily activities.
After breakfast, our first stop was to be a visit to the Achotines Tuna Laboratory which was up the road from our accommodations, and at the end of the bay we shared with this facility. The lab was named for the Bay—Achotines, translation unknown.
We tried to reach the lab by phone to set up an appointment, but due to no cell service, we decided to just head over there, and see if we could get a tour. We got to the facility, and opened the gates heading down to the Bay. Luckily upon arrival they were able to let us tag along a previously reserved tour with 3 surfers from San Diego.
The facility was pretty interesting, showing us a video about its history, purpose, and the local area. This location was chosen due to the fact that the Azuero Peninsula sticks so far out into the Pacific, and has ready access to the deep waters frequented by the tuna. We learned about the tuna life cycle and viewed the ample tanks of tuna at feeding time.
Returning to our cabana, we prepared ourselves for an afternoon at the beach, and headed once again to Venao. Our patience was rewarded this time, since the tide and wind was favorable for some good surf. Dylan and I paddled right out, and caught some great waves. I was also able to spend a little time in surf instruction with Rachel, who thoroughly enjoyed the inside rollers, and was getting her footing and balance refined. At the latter part of the surf session, Dylan and Ryan were charging really hard, and catching some clean faces in the offshore conditions which were head high for them.
On the Venao beach is a large bohio with a bar and restaurant which we relaxed in. It is a typical Central American surf camp with a way laid back vibe. As I chilled out there with Rebecca and Rachel, watching the boys surf, I don’t think I could be any more relaxed. What a great afternoon.
When we returned to the Playita, we tried but were unsuccessful to line up horseback rides for our crew. Before long, Richard’s family followed by Trina’s family arrived after their five hour drive from the Canal Zone. All 9 of the cousins quickly fell in to exploration of our new home, spotting howler monkeys in the trees, and all of the animals which Lester, the owner has on staff. We told all the newly arrived ninos to avoid the monkey that had escaped his cage since it had bit Maria that morning, and she had to go to the hospital and receive a tetanus shot.
Their activity quickly turned to the beach where the hermit crabs provided an endless source of amusement, as they captured and built pens of sand for them
Meanwhile the adults planned our strategy for dinner, and decided to load up the maxi van for a trip into Pedasi. We were able to load all 3 families into our rental van, and the 15 of us headed into Pedasi on a darkened swerving rolling road on the Panamanian coast, as the full moon gloriously rose from behind a cloud.
We stopped at the first restaurant in Pedasi, appropriately named Isla Iguana. Although the Panama guide from Lonely Planet gave this place two stars, we were disappointed in the seafood, although all who ordered steak were happy.
It was an enjoyable evening of family talk, as the adults sat at one end, and the cousins sat at the other end of the table. Those kids are having a blast.
The day ended on a bit of a down note, after returning from Pedasi, I cut the turn to park too tightly and scraped our rental van against Richard’s. I am quite certain that the dual bill for the damage will be a tad painful. Oh well, at least no one in our group got bitten by a monkey……………..yet. Hasta manana.