ROADS TO THE CARIBBEAN

Want to go to the Caribbean by bus? In Panama, getting from the Pacific to the Caribbean overland  is a trip!

But there is no better way to really get a feel for a country then to drive down its roads. But you must wait with us in the 95 degree heat with the locals!

Leaving the dusty towns we head inland and feel the coolness coming on by degrees.

The landscape of Panama is so similar to us and yet such different details unroll… like these air plants aloft on the branches.

Along the way, we see the flavour of life unfold.

The local people don’t care where we are going or who we are.

Up we go into the green hills of Panama…

Then we reach the little town of Boquete:

Plots of coffee plants grow up the face of the mountains.

We drive around the country roads and stop for the views,

finding perfect bouquets of flowers mirrored in a rushing stream.

We stop to chat with those on the road.

…and marvel at the steep slopes where they harvest their crops.

Some of those bringing it to market don’t have a car.

We pass the ranchero and his wife.

….walking down from their pasture.

We greet the workers going home from the coffee plantations, their machetes in hand.

An old farm-house on stilts stands on a hillside,

and the daughter/mother nods from a window with dignity.

There’s a  family who waits for something at the side of the road…and we stop and chat with them for a while.

At a rock formation, kids are playing. Look out for the soccer ball flying at you!

Oh Boquete, you have a piece of my heart.

Back on the road  we wind ever upwards into the clouds.

Yet, looking back we can see the Pacific Ocean far away in the mist.

But we climb higher…

Oops, a truck of plantains slows us down.

At the top, strong warm winds blow across the land….across the ribbon between the Americas!

We start the plunge downward, every curve a thrill…

Now we pass tall gangly trees that look like flowers.

And there are different homes by the wayside.

Finally three hours of travel in a fantastic roller coaster of a ride, there  above the foliage is the Caribbean coming into view.

Panama, a brave narrow strip of land holding apart the waters of two oceans. We’ve crossed you!

 ♥ ♥ ♥