OMG, finally, and so easy.  Yesterday morning we met up with Magda, so her insurance company could look over my car.  They took a few pictures here and there, and within a 1/2 hour or so I had the papers in hand.  From there, we went to another place for the revisado, which was little more than a formality and another eleven dollars out of my pocket, and Bob’s your Uncle, we were done.  This was all done by 9:30, and we were both in shock.

The day before that, Pepo had taken me to the home of the Boss Lady at the municipal building, I thanked her for seeing me in her home on her day off, we sat and talked for a bit, and so when Pepo and I showed up at the municipal building to get the rest, she waved us right past the whole line up, some fifteen people deep, and dealt with us herself.  I was more than just a little embarrassed at that, but what can you do?  We bounced around a few more windows, and by noon that day, I had all the papers I needed to roll around Panama legal schmegal.  The only catch is that because my plates expire in January, 25th to be precise, it is too late in the year to issue a 2015 plate, but the papers I was given were as good a plate, and come the 25th, I’d have to come back and do it again.

Weee, I’m not sure how that’s going to affect travels into Costly Rica, and such.  I don’t think it should, and I’ll need a paz y salvo before I can do that, but not having a plate looks a little weird, and may get questioned.

In any case, off we went up Volcan Baru, the largest volcano in Panama, and also the highest point, if that matters.  On the way we took a few side roads to see how far they had come since last I was there, but really what it was was a nice country drive.  I’m not going to get too chatty about it.  The pictures can talk for me, but it sure was nice to be out and moving for a change.

The road up to Boquete has now become a two lane dream. Before, it was an intolerable nightmare. One slow moving truck and your were screwed for miles.  Now, you just put your foot on the gas, and away you go.

Boquete itself seems much the same. This is Panamas’ Banff. Honestly, it’s pretty, but it’s like Banff.   Lots of tourist, lots of people tired of tourists, and lots of people feeding off them.   Typico.  Cass, of course was all over it, so there was some shopping involved.   We did find a decent hammock for her.

It was a treat to be able to enjoy a coffee after 8 AM without your teeth sweating.

And some old plates on the wall, some of which I have myself.

Over the next few days, we have a short list of things that remain with the car.  Mostly checking this and that, packing things into the trunk that have been strewn about, and some oddball things like another headlight and K&N oil for the air filter.

Then if life permits, it will be off to Boca Brava for a week in a hammock.  Linky –> http://hotelbocabrava.com/chiriqui-panama/

Last time I was there it was being run by Frank and Yidira.  Well, they’ve since split, Frank has leased the place out for 10 years, 4 of which remain, and Yidira cooks at a small restaurant across the street from here.

The character of the place has changed some so I’m told.  Frank used to open the place up to the locals every weekend (because they are who supported the place during low season) and there was usually a helluva party.

Apparently, the new guy put a stop to that, tired of too many drunks and all that, so we’ll go see what it’s like for ourselves.  The rooms are still quite reasonable, the ocean hasn’t moved, and it’s still possible to charter boat tours out to small islands in the area for a day.  Snorkeling, dolphins, hammocks with a book, white sand & coconuts.

And silence (mostly).  Glorious, precious, silence.