Came to Santa Fe on Monday, 4,000 metres up, next to the Santa Fe National Park and the Continental Divide.
Last night and this morning we had two guided walks into the mountain jungle forests; have seen all manner of strange beasts, incl red eyed and many other sorts of frog, grasshoppers, vultures, humming birds, flutterbys, frigate birds etc. And two jungle waterfalls, after a lot of muddy scrambling.
And visited the only coffee co-operative in Panama. They make and drink their coffee in this country! And it’s very good.
Dinner with family of three Californians (dad and grown up son and daughter), staying in next room at Coffee Mountain Inn, at the Cambodian restaurant around the corner. Great view over the mountains at the back, the food was rather awesome, though the ordering went a bit askew. Special highlight was the flying beetle doing circuits of the restaurant, promptly followed by a bat chasing supper. One of the diners screamed and jumped off her chair.
The real story is that of the proprietor, a beautiful 25 year old Cambodian who started the restaurant eight years ago with her Dutch partner. He left some four years ago. So, with her sister whom she summoned from Cambodia, she runs this restaurant, in this tiny mountain village which is only busy for the three high season months from Christmas to Easter. And to have a meal, you have to book a table by 2pm. What is to become of her?
Tomorrow, we’re down to sea level and off to the island of Cebaco, without broadband. You may not be hearing from us for a few days …..
Chris & Kath's Travel Time 