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I had so much fun watching these 2 characters playing in the trees and making many different kinds of sounds. They kept watching me and I really think they were putting on a show for me. They are such beautiful birds, and watching them fly was amazing. I would see this big long bill flying through the air with a bird behind it! Quite a sight.
This tree is amazing. When it is young it has these large hard thorns to protect it from the animals who would push on it and knock it over to get the fruit. But when it gets larger and stronger it will drop its thorns! 
One view of the gardens.
A huge bamboo!! Largest variety that grows in the world. Grows about 4 inches each day. 
Ever heard of pink furry bananas??? Well, here they are. Not eatable, but very pretty and unusual. What a place!! 
When I first arrived here at Wilson's Botanical Gardens in Costa Rica, I walked through my room and onto the deck overlooking the gorgous gardens and trees. I was wondering how long would it take for me to see something really cool. I am staring into the trees and right in front of me, kind of hidden inside the tree was this beautiful long tailed bird. I had only been there less than 5 minutes!! I looked it up and its a Blue Crowned MotMot. A good sized bird with a beautiful long tail. And my stay here was only just beginning!
In front of my balcony I could see these Agouti running around. I think a family of them lived under the large tree because every once in awhile a mom would come out with her twin babies. Too cute for words. They Agoutis here are very happy as their favorite food is the palm nut and this botanical garden has one of the largest collections of palms in the world.
Always one of my favorite flowers. Passion Flower. I had these growing at my home in Cambria California when I lived there. One of these days I will plant them at my new home (where ever that will be!)
I just could not catch a clear picture of the hummers. There were so many different kinds, and so many color combinations. I love the one that was mostly purple and green.
This appeared to me to be the city square. Saturday there were venders selling and music.
This is the balcony off the back door of the hotel in San Vito. Very lovely view off the balcony, but it was only big enough for barely 1 chair if you sat sideways (looks much bigger in the picture) and there was no other window in the room to look out of at the view. The room was like being in a box. Something I don't like. I like windows, the more the better. There was a window on the opposite wall, but it opened into a hallway (open air hallway, but still a hallway) which meant you had to leave the curtain closed or folks would be looking right in at you. So with that closed there was only this small door that opened to the balcony and this lovely view. However you couldn't see it from the beds because the bathroom wall was in the way, so, like I said, it was like being in a box. To see outside you had to walk around the wall and stand by the door. Hard to explain, but I hope you are getting the picture. For those of you interested it was 49. a night american dollars.
I had been hearing about Wilson's Botanical Gardens even before I made my trip, but I thought it was on a completely different road, another couple hours away. Can you imagine my joy when I discovered it was only 15 minutes from where I spent the first night! What a beautiful, amazing place. It is a ecological study center and they only rent a few cabins to help offset their expenses. I was so afraid it was going to be closed 'cause this is the slow (winter) season, but I found out they are open year round. 
The restaurant was family style and had several long tables inside and 3 outside on this large patio with an absolutely breathtakingly beautiful view. You sat with the other guests and it was quite interesting. I met a lovely couple from Austria who were here studying frogs. I really learned alot about frogs from them in the 2 days I was there, and believe me folks, it is not good news. They say that we can learn the health of the planet from the health of the frogs. And I am sad to say, that they are dying off in many parts of many countries.
MY ROOM!!!! Look at those windows! The whole wall is windows! And a private balcony that overlooks the beautiful gardens. I feel like I am in heaven, and I haven't even told you about the plants in the gardens yet. I could have stayed here much longer. Serene, peaceful, birds everywhere, and Agouti running around like crazy. A mother and her twin babies lived just below my balcony. I will post a picture next time.
One thing my friends and family know about me, is that first thing in the morning I HAVE to have my cup of java. Not just want, but,I am a bit crazy until I get down the a couple good draws on a nice foamy latte or cafe con leche. Best not to talk to me until then. So after a lovely night (not) in the best hotel in town (good news and not so good news) I throw myself together enough to walk downstairs to the lobby and restaurant to get whatever kind of coffee they have available to drink while I finish getting ready. 
Later in the day I find this bakery, really, a very nice bakery (much better selection than any bakery I have seen in Panama). And they have a wonderful espresso machine and I think this is a good thing, or maybe its very, very bad!!! yum yum
And the best part of the trip is still to come. 
I love checking out venders on the streets. This man was selling banana chips in the hanging bags with different kinds of spices on them. Most of them I noticed were hot spices with the bananas. I bet they were good, but I didn't try any. He had a nice friendly smile. 
After walking around the main central square in town, which was actually more of a triangle, I went to check into the 'best hotel in town' and this was the entrance. I could have taken a pic of the inside of the room, but really, it was a bit too depressing. I did take a pic of the back patio though and I will put it on the next post. And also tell you about my morning search for a good cup of coffee. After all, this is coffee country.
I can imagine what some folks picture in their minds when you mention "taking the bus" so I thought I would show you a couple. And no, I have not seen anyone carrying chickens on their laps on either one. The large beautiful double-decker air conditioned with movies bus I took from Panama City to David when I first got here. I believe it was something like 26. dollars for the 5 hour ride, in which they stop in the middle at an open air restaurant so you can have lunch. 
I was walking in the door and I happened to look over to my right and there was this animal, long and kinda big, sniffing around the side yard around 10 feet away. An animal I have never seen before. I hurried through the door (needless to say) and grabbed my camera. Seems this fella is a common visitor in the neighborhood. When he saw me he stood up on his back paws like he was begging. Reminded me of a VERY LARGE raccoon. Quite a cutie, and I guess nothing to be fearful of, although I would not hand feed him. ha. He has a snozzola sort of like a pig. 
Won't get stuck in the mud on a rainy day! It is not unusual to see people riding horses around town. I love the sound that the hoofs make. I notice that most of the horses have a most beautiful walk or gait, like they are showing off and dancing down the street. Really beautiful to watch.
This is the first time I have seen of one of these. Notice that the driver is wearing a helmet. What a hoot! 
I volunteered to help at the "Amigos de Animales" (Friends of Animals) once a year sale that brings in much needed $$ to help the very successful spay and neuter clinic.
There were some great things offered and I met some very nice people and got to practice my espanol too! The highlight for me was this man, who was standing with 2 other hombres (men) and just LAUGHING THEIR HEADS OFF over this fish plaque. I enquired to their glee, and this man turned the fish towards me and it started playing loud music and flapping its tail. (I am sure many of you have seen these in the states, they were really popular a couple years ago) and these guys were hysterical with their laughter!!! They just thought this was the funniest thing they had ever seen. I wish I could have captured the whole scene in a video, but when I brought out my camera, 2 of the men backed away. darn. It is good to see such honest joy over a silly, fun thing. Especially with men. I know he took it home and showed it to everyone of his friends!!
There were some high ticket items too! These electric bikes were really cool. I thought about it, since I am walking everywhere these days, but then I remembered the taxi drivers, and not wanting to be an obstacle in their way... well that is another story for later.
Oh, and Dutch TV was there filming. Interesting. If you happen to catch it on your Dutch television station be sure to let me know.
Just outside of town (Boquete) I ran into these adorable children who were looking at me with the camera. Can I take your picture? I say in my version of espanol, "Puedo tomar photo, por favor", Si, with smiling faces they said. These are the Nobe Bugle (pronounced No-Bay Boog-lay), one of the 3 indiginous people here in Panama. The women, and girls too apparently, wear only these dresses sewn in different colors with different colors of bric brac accents on them. They pick the coffee beans in season and also make beaded jewelry and other crafts to sell.
I love her face. She is carved wood, (except the wings are metal) and she is from Guatamala. I bought her here in Boquete at the store I blogged about before Casa Colonial. She is such fun to have around. I put her on a little table in the corner of my livingroom and I am going to put a spot light on her as soon as I figure out how to get one to work.
I didn't notice the golden boots till I got her home! She has a few fingers missing, but I think that makes her more interesting and handmade looking. She is about 2 feet tall. 
Oh my gosh, what kind of flower is this?? 
I think they are really kind of beautiful in a strange sort of way. I found these at Paradise Gardens, a bird and animal perserve in Boquete. I still don't quite believe my eyes when I look at these, but yes, they are real. Does anyone have an idea of the name?? 
Cafe Ruiz, known for outstanding coffee for several generations from a local family living here in Boquete. It is very nice to sit outside while having your coffee, or latte, with a sweet (dulce) or sandwich and watch the people walking along the main road through Boquete. It is just far enough out of the major downtown part to be tranquil but close. 
I peeked in the "no admitance" part of the working coffee processing area and was surprised to see how modern everything was. Quite a large production area. 
I bought a pound of their special espresso beans, not the regular variety and I made it this morning and it was Delicious!
Sweet little French Restaurant on main street.
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