We started out with a leisurely breakfast at the Rock before heading out on our 3 waterfalls hike. We were greeted by our guide Oscar, who was wearing a knee brace. He informed us that he was recently injuries while climbing and that his friend, Felix would be taking us hiking today. Oohh brother here we go!!
Turns out Felix, the Cat, is an awesome dude. I rode with him to the hike while Kari and the girls rode with Oscar.
Our first stop was a climbing wall with a very unusual rock formations based on the cooling of the rock in relation to the volcanos. In most circumstances the rocks are oriented vertically in this location they run horizontally. It is a pretty cool look.
The girls with horizontal rocks
Crazy geology for a crazy crew.
From here we traveled to the trailhead for the 3 waterfalls hike. It was sunny and breezy day. Spirits were high, even Ashley seemed ready to go.
Crossing the river to start the hike.
Tropical flowers.
Beautiful tropical views from the trailhead.
Felix isn’t the skinniest cat but he bound up the trail like nobody’s business. He found tropical plants like on that if you bite the stem of the leave the juice will make your tongue numb for a few minutes or citronella plants that can act as natural insect repellents.
On the hike we encountered some large vines for swing. The girls tried their best impressions of Jane.
Ashley
Katie
G-money. I am not sure this vine even knew something was on it.
We continued our hike which began to get a lot muddier and a steeper as well.
Waterfall #1 and they are all still smiling. That is a pretty big deal at this point.
Waterfalls are pretty
This tropical flower was pretty.
Waterfall #2
So artsy. So artsy.
G-money has her rally cap on.
Waterfall 2.5
Had to use some ropes to help ascend the last section of the trail.
Waterfall #3
Something strange happened at waterfall #3. More then just Ashley and Katie getting along. Usually on these trips I am up for anything but I did not feel like getting cold and wet. Without pretense or argument, Ashley and Katie jumped in. I am not sure what this means for the future. Perhaps they will grow up to be self sufficient adults with a courage and a sense of adventure. Maybe someday they won’t need us to do their laundry and make their beds. This was a shocking and unexpected turn of events.
Waterfall #3
At waterfall #3 we ate handpicked bananas and a couples of granola bars. The bananas were amazing. I ate somewhere between 2 and 10. Felix was hilarious as well. The hard part about hiking in is you have to hike out.
Katie working her way down
Dad, don’t put this on the blog no one wants to see me climb down a Panamanian jungle trail.
These are very small avocados. The local birds enjoy eating them but it would take too many to make guacamole. Maybe this is why Chipoltle charges extra for guacamole.
Felix and the girls.
One last view.
From 3 waterfalls we journeyed into Bogeta and grabbed a snack at Sugar and Spice. Spinach empanada who would even make such a thing. We also enjoyed some delicious rolls.
From there Felix went in his way and Oscar took us to a small coffee farm. Señor Tito has a small coffee farm over Bogeta.
It is a coffee plant
Coffee beans
In this area you will also find citrus fruit trees amongst the coffee plants. The citrus trees may enhance different flavors in the coffee beans.
Drying the beans
These may be the most expensive coffee beans in the world, Giesha coffee beans are grown around Bogeta some may sell for $800/lb.
Señor Tito’s homemade coffee grinder below the hopper is the transmission of of an old Isuzu.
Coffee beans roasting
Light roast, medium roast and dark roast. These are not Giesha beans. These are arabica beans
The next generation of Starbucks baristas.
From the coffee farms it was back to the Riverside Inn for dinner, a shower and bed. Overall a pretty great day in the jungles of Panama.
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