Saturday, February 20, 2010

Thai food, carnivorous plants and Los Quetzales

On the way to the mountain village of Guadalupe we found one of the few Thai restaurants in Panama. The owner is from Hollywood, appears to be tatooed from head collarbone to ankle, and has some very nice curry. He also has imported some very interesting carnivorous plants, which is he proud to show. World of carnivorous plants.







We stayed in the Los Quetzales lodge. It had a mountain ski resort feel, with a game room, reading room and library. The food was locally grown and organic, and was quite good.













This is a simple plate of vegetables which were outstanding. Much of Panama's vegetables are grown in this region of Chirqui, which borders Costa Rica. Each region is very distinct from its neighbors in terms of geography and plant life.











Our room was upstairs. Small but nice.














We stayed a second night, but could only get part of a cabin with no electricity. It doesn't get that cold, but since we were surrounded by forest, it gets dark early. We actually made a fire.

Birding is very big in Panama. We met many birders and even went on a bird walk. We haven't been birders, but the diversity and beauty is inspiring.

We were at 2000 meters, or about 7,000 feet, up from the 2,000 foot level for Boquete. The elevation change affected Jayne, and she spent time playing with the many humming birds, while I went on a guided bird walk. We had children in our group, so I think Jayne saw more birds than I did.

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