Ever since my early travel days (Nigeria and Europe in the mid 60's) I've always tended to take the road less traveled. Motorcycling in the bush (jungle), hitchhiking - frequently taking the fork in the road that had the fewest cars, and riding the train - where I would pick a destination simply because it was in a different color on the schedule board. I've always chosen the unknown over the familiar - hey, we're living in Panama, so I guess not much has changed.

When Jane had a little break from tutoring it looked like a good time to escape the bustle and noise of the city for some peace and quiet. Looking at the possibilities I picked Panama's Azuero Peninsula (we hadn't yet visited this area of Panama) and after checking out the small towns of Las Tables and Pedasi, I spotted Cambutal which certainly seemed to fit my "the road less traveled" criteria. Only question, what (if anything) was there? Turns out, not much - a great beach that attracts serious surfers occasional and lots of small farms. But as is often the case a surprise or two - most importantly, the Hotel Playa Cambutal. Read More . . .

Tags: Travel | Sights

Time flies . . . . as we start our third year in Panama a quick look at the year gone by.

Some highlights:
• The parades, processions, concerts and festivals. Always something happening in Casco.
• Dinning out - at affordable prices. Eric's hamburgers, Per Due's pizza, the prix fixe dinner at Renee's
• Dinning our - a splurge at Buzio's, S'cena or Ego.
• Going to the National Theater.
• Meeting Panama Notes readers on their vist to Panama.
• Talking to visitors in Casco Viejo and giving our little tours.
• Watching everyday life in our new neighborhood. Walking the streets. Relaxing in a plaza.
* Housecalls - for Jane's haircuts and by Wag's vet.
• Jane is tutoring English as a second language. It's hard keeping a former teacher retired.
• We bought a car.
• Managed to get our Panama drivers' licenses in a single day - major accomplishment.
• Roadtrips - shopping and exploring the countryside - big plus of having a car.
• BIGGEST SURPRISE of the year - Jane is driving herself around town.

On the practical side:
• Changed our stateside bank (our Atlanta bank was one of those failures you read about). Now banking with USAA - great service.
• Continue to be very happy with the quality of the health care in Panama.
• Progress on learning Spanish has been painfully slow on my part. Jane is, however, picking up the slack.

Hope you past twelve months has been as interesting as ours. Take care.

Tags: Living

I've returned from my little volunteer stint with the AYSO National Games (youth soccer) in Wellington Florida. We had over two hundred teams, 3000+ players, and 32 soccer fields setup on the polo fields at the International Polo Club. Teams traveled from across the country, from as far away as Hawaii, California, the USVI and Trinidad to compete in this bi-annual event. Plenty of soccer and lots of kids having a great time. Only major problem - it was HOT!

Highlights: The soccer. Seeing old friends - parents and kids from St. Croix and referees I've worked with in the past. Made new friends - a great group of volunteers from the local area. Even saw my first polo match. Fantastic event, people and memories.

Take care

Note: I'm hard at work on my "annual report" as we start our third year in Panama. Time flies!