Showing posts with label #panama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #panama. Show all posts

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Doors to Magnificence #ThursdayDoors

I am boarding the #ThursdayDoors train on time today for a change. This weekly event is hosted by Dan Antion. Follow the link to his blog for some really interesting doors and meet the other participants. While you’re there be sure to check the link to his newly published book, Knuckleheads, the first installment of his Dreamer’s Alliance series. You’ll love this book! 

We have taken a couple of fun adventures this week and as is typical in this part of the world, they are normally outdoor excursions. But we did pop inside for food so I have doors for you. I hope everyone is having a great week and will have an even better weekend.



Last week we needed something for the car…



While in David we tried out a different restaurant. It was a quaint place and the people were nice but the pizza fell short. Ah well….



Kitchen doors and pizza chef! 

Our next adventure…


My favorite viveros in town. 



Then we stopped to get the car washed. These hard working young men ‘tackled’ our little Alto. 



$4. Of course we tipped. And what a gorgeous spot to wait! 



Beautiful views in every direction in Boquete…



We headed over to new venue for some yummy Mexican food at Tacos.Rudos. This food was authentic and inspired. Alex was such a gracious host and we are looking forward to his new restaurant which will be opening soon right beside his food truck! 



I see doors in front of this amazing view! 



Pulled pork soft tacos with slaw



Queso Fundido with Chorizo and handmade tortillas



Slumming for crackers… Doors to the pool house behind Bella. 

Monday was a great day for a drive…


Okay we got out of the car using the doors to visit this beautiful little waterfall. It is located near Caldera.



We took a tour of El Rio Encantado, a beautifully transformed property owned and run by Frank along with Jose.  He talked with us awhile and told us about the history of his preserve. There are cabins and even a treehouse available to rent as well as day passes and hiking tours. 



They were gracious enough to serve drinks while we were there at the pool bar. Great value and all the doors were open! 😉



Who can resist a swing beside a rushing river? I know I can’t!



This was our first time trying The Garden Restaurant in Boquete. The owners are Americans originally from Texas but have been in Boquete for ten years. They have a nice little place, reminiscent of old store venues in the states. The service was wonderful and our burgers made perfectly. I have to say I have never had sweet potato fries that were cooked as well or that stayed crispy to the end before now! 



Traditional iced tea was delicious and if you like, it is served with sugar water! I was impressed by that idea. I love sweet tea but loathe having to add a half dozen packets of sugar that only falls to the bottom of the cold glass. 



😋😋



On to yesterday’s adventure…
Tree Trek! This magnificent place is about 4.5km up from Boquete. The ‘road’ is more like a double sidewalk and can be tricky with the occasional two way traffic, but in a tiny car we got it! 👍🏻



Some places don’t have the grassy shoulder.



Welcome to the porch at Tree Trek. In my opinion this is the best seat in the house! From here you have the mountain views, the sunset and you can watch the zipliners! 
That’s my sweetie there. 



Pssst… they make the best Long Island tea ever! 



We decided on wings and potato wedges, both excellent choices. That smoky chipotle sauce was a perfect accompaniment. Hubby loves the blue cheese! 



How about this view? You really just don’t want to leave.  They rent cabinas and it is my goal to stay overnight at some point.



Inside seating and the doors to the porch! 



View from the walkway below that leads to the tours salon.



Just… ahhhhhh….



I loved the sky in this photo!



The tours salon where all guided tours start. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed these doors and that you’ll have a perfect Thursday! You know I can’t leave without a gratuitous nature shot…



This is our new garden emperor, a Long Billed Starthroat hummer. Oh! I nearly forgot. 
I got a lovely gift from our landscaper’s wife. She knows how much I love hummingbirds and sent me this little treasure after it was abandoned. 


I suppose this would be the door to life! ❤️





Wednesday, July 13, 2022

When You Least Expect It #OneLinerWednesday

Some days are just magical…



We first encountered Owl Butterflies in the mangroves in Costa Rica. They grow quite large and appear menacing to predators. Once they open their wings the inside shows their gorgeous blue and beige colors. It is difficult to get that shot though. I didn’t get one yesterday. 




Sharing a meal with the malachite butterfly.



This was a real treasure for me. The owl butterfly, a Giant Swallowtail larvae and eggs. I’m not sure what kind the eggs are. The garden is full of many species that all exist together. We love this place! 



Taking hers ‘to go’!









You have to be very observant to see larvae, caterpillars and eggs. Once you’ve spotted them you see them everywhere! 
The leaf below looks rather plain doesn’t it? 



A closer look reveals life in process! 



Eggs like tiny beads of dirt lie in perfect little rows



These look like the yellow Swallowtail that I saw but I’m not an expert



This guy is the Owl Caterpillar. I’ve petted one. It’s quite furry, like a teddy bear. See how brilliantly it’s camouflaged on the leaf seam? 



Malachite giving me a photo op



Oh! Here’s my favorite species! ❤️



In one of my happy places. So much peace and tranquility exists in nature. So many humans don’t bother to notice. 😔



These are truly the smallest bees I’ve ever seen.  They might easily be mistaken for gnats or mosquitos! 



Another naturally crafted ‘hive’ for our winged friends



I’m pretty sure I saw this guy in a B horror film. I stopped for a photo and autograph, just in case..
🫢



We’ve never seen anything quite like this amazing plant. It is commonly called a Vining Jade and I think it comes from the Philippines




Bzzzzzz…..


This is likely the best video moment in my life. She’s laying an egg! 








Hubs has been craving Chinese food so we found some at Chopsticks. It was pretty tasty too! 



We both chose Kung Pao but I snag shrimp any chance I get! 

Boquete Bees and Butterflies has become one of my favorite places locally. Their honey is amazing and we just bought some of the coffee they farm as well. Locally sourced takes on a completely different hue here.



This one definitely looks otherworldly. I wouldn’t mess with it, would you? Those ‘eyes’ are actually on its back end. 




My personal favorite bee! The fascinating colorful Euglossa! We saw these two as we were leaving. 



There were a lot of fading beauties and they were busily laying eggs for the next generation of stunning residents to the garden





Banana blossoms are some of the most lovely on such ordinary plants. 

This post is part of #OneLinerWednesday, sponsored by Linda Hill

Happiness truly is….