Panama April 1, 2010
Today we have transited from Venao to El Valle, but first we experienced a full day’s activities prior to our departure and drive to El Valle.
Our plan was to wake up early to catch the mid tide for surf, but as we had a major wave day yesterday, that plan was a bit delayed. I took the early opportunity to bang out a session of Rodney Yee’s Power Yoga on the beachfront bohio. It must have been comical for the Panamanian cleaners to watch this middle aged gringo practicing yoga as the sounds of the waves coming into Achotino Bay highlighted the beautiful seaside morning.
When we were able to motivate, Richard loaded Tommy, Sophia, and Carly, and I took Ryan and Dylan over to Venao to surf. Sadly, the swell was kicking, but the tide was so low that the resultant wave was a thumping close out. I never attempted a paddle out, but Tommy and Ryan both had somewhat harrowing experiences in the shore pound. Luckily, we got multitudes of great surf yesterday, so we can leave Venao with our surf smiles onJ
After a quick milk shake in the Bohio Venao, we made our way back to La Playita, where the kids had been looking forward to low tide in the Achotines Bay. When we got there, the tide was perfectly low for tide pool exploration. Dylan turned over every rock he could find, and was rewarded with many specimens from eels to starfish to sea urchins.
Ryan and I made our way directly across the reef flats of the Bay to an island which creates the barrier for the lagoon/bay. Our intent was to climb the hill out on the island, and we made our best effort. However, as we climbed the hill, the higher we got, the looser the rock surface became, and the less our flip flops were effective. Additionally, as we neared the peak, the offshore winds of the Panama dry season kicked in, and we both called it quits before making a full frontal ascent of the island hill. We did get some great views out into the Pacific, and the waves crashing on the seaward side of this island.
On the way back to La Playita, Ryan found a beautiful helmet conch in the reef flats, and once arriving at the resort, Rebecca had already packed us up. We showered, paid up, and headed out onto the road.
It was about a 4 hour drive from Venao to El Valle, and it appeared as though the whole city of Panama was evacuating for the holiday weekend. The traffic inbound to the interior of the Azuero Peninsula was bumper to bumper, and the policia nacional had what appeared to be observation posts literally every few miles. We only made one significant stop at a favorite restaurant in Las Tablas, very affordable typical Panamanian food.
As we made our way up the access road to El Valle, we transformed from lowland dry season climate to a more temperate one, and descending into the world’s 2nd largest volcanic crater, we were awed by the cloud shrouded peaks and trees of evergreen.
We found our accommodations at Los Capitainos, a great family hotel owned by a German who himself was once a sea captain, hence the name. It appeared that we pulled in at almost the same time as the Grimison and Scott families, and the cousins had a joyful, exciting reunion after being apart for 4 hours.
I am feeling a little fatigued from the drive, especially the last 30 km on the serpentine, up and down road which leads us into this crater village of El Valle. A cool breeze negates any need for air conditioning, and we are all excited for a couple days of Panamanian mountain activities.
Today we have transited from Venao to El Valle, but first we experienced a full day’s activities prior to our departure and drive to El Valle.
Our plan was to wake up early to catch the mid tide for surf, but as we had a major wave day yesterday, that plan was a bit delayed. I took the early opportunity to bang out a session of Rodney Yee’s Power Yoga on the beachfront bohio. It must have been comical for the Panamanian cleaners to watch this middle aged gringo practicing yoga as the sounds of the waves coming into Achotino Bay highlighted the beautiful seaside morning.
When we were able to motivate, Richard loaded Tommy, Sophia, and Carly, and I took Ryan and Dylan over to Venao to surf. Sadly, the swell was kicking, but the tide was so low that the resultant wave was a thumping close out. I never attempted a paddle out, but Tommy and Ryan both had somewhat harrowing experiences in the shore pound. Luckily, we got multitudes of great surf yesterday, so we can leave Venao with our surf smiles onJ
After a quick milk shake in the Bohio Venao, we made our way back to La Playita, where the kids had been looking forward to low tide in the Achotines Bay. When we got there, the tide was perfectly low for tide pool exploration. Dylan turned over every rock he could find, and was rewarded with many specimens from eels to starfish to sea urchins.
Ryan and I made our way directly across the reef flats of the Bay to an island which creates the barrier for the lagoon/bay. Our intent was to climb the hill out on the island, and we made our best effort. However, as we climbed the hill, the higher we got, the looser the rock surface became, and the less our flip flops were effective. Additionally, as we neared the peak, the offshore winds of the Panama dry season kicked in, and we both called it quits before making a full frontal ascent of the island hill. We did get some great views out into the Pacific, and the waves crashing on the seaward side of this island.
On the way back to La Playita, Ryan found a beautiful helmet conch in the reef flats, and once arriving at the resort, Rebecca had already packed us up. We showered, paid up, and headed out onto the road.
It was about a 4 hour drive from Venao to El Valle, and it appeared as though the whole city of Panama was evacuating for the holiday weekend. The traffic inbound to the interior of the Azuero Peninsula was bumper to bumper, and the policia nacional had what appeared to be observation posts literally every few miles. We only made one significant stop at a favorite restaurant in Las Tablas, very affordable typical Panamanian food.
As we made our way up the access road to El Valle, we transformed from lowland dry season climate to a more temperate one, and descending into the world’s 2nd largest volcanic crater, we were awed by the cloud shrouded peaks and trees of evergreen.
We found our accommodations at Los Capitainos, a great family hotel owned by a German who himself was once a sea captain, hence the name. It appeared that we pulled in at almost the same time as the Grimison and Scott families, and the cousins had a joyful, exciting reunion after being apart for 4 hours.
I am feeling a little fatigued from the drive, especially the last 30 km on the serpentine, up and down road which leads us into this crater village of El Valle. A cool breeze negates any need for air conditioning, and we are all excited for a couple days of Panamanian mountain activities.
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