Volcan Continued . . .

I thought you’d like to see a little more of the area around Volcan . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a couple of the little houses that dot the landscape in Cerro Punta . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of Chiriqui’s best known hotels is the Quetzales Lodge in Guadalupe.  Some might say it is “best known” because the landscape along the roads is cluttered with signs advertising the Quetzales Lodge . . .  “Lady Bird” Johnson would have been appalled, but the Panamanian attitude seems to be “the more signs cluttering the highway the better.”    Since Los Quetzales is covered so enthusiastically in all the guidebooks, I’m not sure what all the signs add . . .??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve had friends stay at their chalets up higher up on the mountain, and they loved it.

Swiss Style Chalets – Let the soothing sounds of the forest and river lull you to sleep. Our chalets are located within the pristine cloud forest of Friendship International Park. Ideal for bird watching, animal encounters and guided tours. Perfect for privacy, romantic getaways, and family retreats.

Amenities

• One and a half kilometers away
• Transportation provided
• Inside 2 national parks
• Hot water
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Gas lanterns
• Radio communication
• Fireplace
• Wildlife encounters
• Food delivery (prepared or not)

Sounds like fun!   http://www.losquetzales.com/  [Please take down one sign in return for the free plug!]

One of the things we always do when we go to Volcan is make a shopping stop at Berard.  Berard is a Swiss-style packing house which, among other things, makes Bratwurst that are as good as those made by Usinger’s in Wisconsin!  One of my great delights when we moved to Boquete was finding Brats that are every bit as good as those in Milwaukee!  You can also order meat right from the packing house so we always take along our cooler.  Most beef in Panama is Brahma, probably because it does well in hot climates.  But the meat is tough, tough, tough . . . shoe leather tough, even after it has been slow cooked.   It’s great for healthy ground beef . . . no fat!  Of course you have to add something fatty, or extra oil to get a good tasting burger.  But it is healthy ground beef with no fat.  Unless it’s outrageously priced, American corn-fed, imported beef . . . we’ve given up on steaks.   Except . . . the Brahma fillet is surprisingly, cut with your fork, tender.  So we buy fillet . . . at $5.50 a pound, and have it cut up and use it in place of steak. 

So to give you an idea . . . here’s our shopping list . . . and prices!  If you’re looking to compare cost of living in Panama with California . . . well check out the prices at Von’s and send me a list and I’ll publish the comparison.

Babyback pork ribs $3.25 a pound

Filete $5.50 a pound, and they are happy to slice it up however you wish.

Gorgeous pork chops, cut however thick you desire $2.10 a pound.

Brats $2.70 a pound.

Bacon $2.70 a pound.

Salami $2.40 a pound.

Honey and apple sausage $2.70 a pound.

So, some of you let me know what this stuff costs in your super market and where you are from.  Could be interesting!