Family Friendly Field Trip ( Surf Trip) - Playa Venao, Panama

Thetravelingclassroom decided to kick off the summer season by taking a surf trip.  (Summer arrives here in Central America in December, after the rainy season:)  We just could not wait to get some surfing in.  We drove 5 hours from where we live in Boquete, Panama to Playa Venao, Panama.   Playa Venao is more of a dry rain forest with a slightly different climate (warmer) and different animals (more bugs and reptiles).  We were able to stay for 7 days - woo who:)

Days 1 & 2:

 During our first few days we were greeted with rain.

 Did that stop us from surfing - no way!  We have some mud stained white board shorts and rash guards to prove it.

Days 3 & 4:

 We walked up and down the beach exploring.  We found a great little place called La Playita. (the next beach cove over) They have free roaming pets: emu, ostrich, red loured parrots, ducks, doves, monkeys, and a huge iguana. There is also a quiet cove where you can snorkel.

Days 5 & 6:

We perfected our surfing, found some cute critters, and went out to eat at the Playa Venao Resort Restaurant. Playa Venao is best surfed at mid to high tide.  During low tide you can typically find close outs. (Waves that are not very surfable).  Our days were scheduled around the surfable tide.  When we could surf, we surfed.  When we couldn't surf we found some other fun activities to do.

 Day 7:

 We enjoyed our last beach hours before heading back to the mountains.  So sad because we were not ready to go home...the water was clearing up and a new swell was arriving...

We came up with ten fun things that you can do with kids, other then the typical tourist activities (pool time, tours, restaurants, boat rides to islands, etc.)  Any kind of guide you can bring or get your hands on can make your time away from the waves even more interesting.

10 Fun Things To Do If You Can't Surf:

1.  Birding:   Birds can be found all during the day but you can find more during the first light of dawn (if you are not heading out for dawn patrol surfing) and at dusk.  We found some great birds (woodpeckers, hawks, herons, sea gulls, etc.) sitting by the pool and walking down the road looking in the trees. I would suggest bringing along a bird guide if you have one.

2.  Reptile hunting:  Reptiles like to hide.  The Central American Whiptail  we found was hiding behind a trashcan.  You never know what you might find when you take out the trash:)

3.  Amphibians:  Tree frogs like to find a safe spot to sleep.  We found our blue eyed tree frog in the shutters of the windows.

4.  Sand dollars:  A careful scan of the beach might lead you to find some hidden sand dollars.  If you are tempted to take some home make sure they are not alive.  You can tell by the little hairs on the sides and if you watch closely you might even see them moving in the sand.  The dead sand dollars are usually white with no hairs on them.

5.  Rocks & Sea glass:  Finding pet rocks and sea glass of different colors can be loads of fun.  We found a lot of different colorsaround the river outlets into the ocean.  Everyone started their own collection.

6.  Trees & Flowers:  Take a look around and see if you notice any different trees or plants.  The tree we found was a young Kapok or Ceiba.  There were some pretty hibiscus flowers around as well as banana and papaya trees.  Unfortunately we did not find as many coconut trees as we had hoped.

7. Crabbing:  While walking on the beach we found red crabs, sand crabs, and ghost crabs.  Just look for the little holes in the sand.

8.  Insects:  From dragonflies flying over the beach sand to lightening bugs flashing in the overgrown brush at night...this climate was perfect for insects.  Watch out for scorpions, neuro-toxin caterpillars, and venomous spiders hiding behind couches, in board bags, in shoes, or under towels.  We did find one of each while we were there and we safely disposed of them:)

9.  Shells:  While we were visiting there were not a lot of shells.  We did find a few though.  It's always fun to add a few to the jewelry making collection.

10. Sea life:  A few times we observed fishermen running down the beach, casting their fishing lines into the water; trying to catch a fish in the fish frenzy just off the shore.  The pelicans looked like they didn't have a problem catching a fish or two.

  We also saw a sting ray or two jumping out of the water.   One of the kids even got a little surfing ride on a sting ray back when she accidentally stepped on him ---oops sorry little guy:)  I was just so glad she didn't get stung.  If you ever do get stung make sure to ask for the "lingua de suegra" (mother-in law's tongue)  plant and cut it up and put it in boiling hot water.   Then put the stung area in the hot water solution as soon as you can stand it.  This help deactivate the poisons and decreases the pain.  We learned this tip a few years back when we encountered a sting ray and needed some help.

Did we miss something you like to do when you can't surf?  Please share.  Do you have a  favorite beach or surfing spot?

Thanks for stopping by and traveling with us....

The Indians of Panama Grupos Indígenas de Panamá

Today I wanted to share a little about the local Indian population that still lives here.  They are an ancient people group that have blended with other people groups around them but have still been able to maintain their culture and languages.

The Panamian Indians Or "the indigenous " people of Panama make up about 8% of the total population of Panama.  There are approximately  nine tribes here.  They are classified into seven different types of cultures.  They are called the Kunas, Ngobe, Buglé, Emberá, Wounaan, Talamanca, Bokotas, Teribes and Cricamola.  The comarca Indigegna is the official territory given to the Indigenous peoples here.

Something I think is a really neat characteristic of Boquete, Panama is the distinct presence of Indigenous peoples everywhere.  They wear distinct clothing.  Some of the clothing is representative of their tribes.  Others have meanings through the colors and shapes that they are adorned with.








These are hand beaded necklaces done by the Choco and Ngobe Indians in Panama. The beads are made of coral, seed or plastic beads. They are called Chaquiras.  They have been handcrafted here for hundreds of years, maybe longer.

This particular necklace has the characteristic shapes of triangles that represent the mountains here in Panama with the red representative of the blood shed in the early 1900's when the Spanish came to Panama.  (This was told to me by the indigenous artist of this particular piece - Eliab Davis of  Tienda Davis)

You can visit him here in his local shop in Boquete, in the Los Establos  shopping area.  He sells various different types of Indigenous art.  At his store you can also find molas, jewelry, beaded works, wood works, clothing, and more. This is a mola...

and a squirrel  carved out of  a coconut!

This is the plaza where his store is


and this  a picture in front of his store...


and a peak inside:)  You can also visit our etsy shop if you can´t make it to Panama!


Below are pictures we took on a local Field Trip.

These are called the Guaca mountains by the locals...

These are petroglyphs here in Boquete, Panama.

 We were only able to see two of the four today.  The others are on private property and we were not able to see them.

We were told they were maps or guides that are about 1000 years old.  The circular sections are pictures of mountains.  The wandering lines are possible pictures of trails or local rivers . 

Both of these places are great Family Friendly Field Trips!  You can learn and see the hand crafted items of the indigenous and see real artifacts over 1000 years old!  I hope you get to visit.  I love to hear your comments if you get to go visit:) 

Hope you enjoyed learning a little more about the local people here:) 

If your interested in a teacher giveaway or two you can find some good ones here, just click on the pictures below!

As the locals say here,  "Chow":)

Family Friendly Field Trip in Panama with "La Gringa"!

Family Friendly Field Trip in Panama with "La Gringa"!

This last week my fourteen year old son and I were driving around looking for a new place to run.  We accidentally found ourselves up in the Arco Iris area overlooking Boquete.  We decided to stop by Princesa Janca Cafe and check out the Pianista trail.  We were glad we did.

While munching on some newly found fruit, locally called guava (not your typical guava - looks more like a tamarindo pod), we walked along the trail.  The sound of rushing water from the river that runs parallel to the trail was so relaxing!

We continued walking up this trail admiring beautiful flowers, picking & eating wild Indian strawberries, and greeting locals walking by.  We hardly wanted to run or let alone jog.  We would go by the beauty at to fast a pace!   We came across a wobbly bridge overlooking the rushing water.   Then we continued up the trail some more where we had to skip across some rocks, more like boulders, to cross the river to the other side of the trail.

We were amazed to see houses on the sides of the trail.  We wondered how they went back and forth in the mud during the rainy season with their groceries...  Where there is a will there is a way!




We continued hiking up into the mountains, taking in the beautiful scenic mountainside and breath taking valley views.  The smell of horses and cows nearby reminded us that there were domesticated animals  close by.  Crossing a few streams we saw wild watercress and lilys growing.



Unfortunately an hour into the trail, we came to the end with a sign that told us not to pass into someone´s private property.  On our walk back we jumped over  rocks down the river and then ended back on the trail only to meet a beautiful white horse.  We had planned on taking some of our freshly picked watercress for our salad later, but our new found friend begged for a taste.  Willingly we gave it to her for the pleasure of seeing her enjoy her new found treat!








Saying goodbye we walked on, with our new found friend looking as if she wanted us to stay a little longer.  We then began to run down hill because we realized our stomachs were nagging us with hunger!  The run down the hill was just as fun as the walk up.  We snapped pictures here and there of magnificent views and finally made our way to the beginning of the trail again.






That is when I received  my new nickname - Gringa!

As we were walking, a group of local indigenous children were playing.  One yelled out suddenly at me, "Hola, Gringa!".   I turned and answered him in Spanish, asking him his name.  He was apparently a little embarrassed that I had understood his derogatory greeting.  I was a little intrigued by his forwardness, so I proceeded to make friends with him and laughed at his joke.  For I was indeed a gringa, just a gringa that spoke some Spanish too!  After a few pictures and a promise that I would return with a picture of him and I on our next visit, we parted ways.  We hesitantly left this beautiful paradise away from the buzzing of cars in Bajo Boquete to find a restaurant to satisfy our aching bellies.  Until next time Pianista, the Gringa and her children will return for another Family Friendly Field Trip with a picture in hand for her new amigo!

Fied Trip to Gualaca, Panama & A BIG sale - TODAY ONLY!!

Trip to Gualaca, Panama & A BIG sale - today only!!



Today was our fun Shabbat Field trip to Gualaca, Panama!



It is an amazingly beautiful place with fresh Sparklets  running water, canyon rocks gently carved by the water, and lots of sunshine!!




 Oh, I forgot the little fishes...there were little friendly fishies everywhere!!!  The kids kept throwing bread to them and then they would swarm us and touch us---ewww....and then they tried to catch them & the little tadpoles too!!



It was so much fun jumping off the rocks - what a thrill!  The kids had a blast jumping, diving, and then climbing back up to do it all over  again:)



  We also swam upstream, against the current to a little waterfall slide...that was really fun slipping down the slippery rock and plunging into the pool below.  It's our own little swimin hole! 





Right now in Central America it is summer! (My favorite time of the year)  What that means to all of us living here is that the rain has stopped and the clouds have gone away!  Can you believe in a few months this river will overflow this canyon of rocks, cover it up with huge rapids, and be a grade 6 level rapids???! (above professional level)





That means we will have to get the most out of our new swimming hole during our summer months!



I feel so clean & relaxed...& a little sunburned - lol...

Well before I hit the hay here's some sale & giveaway reminders for you below:)  Just click on the image & it will take you where you want to go...buenas noches!


Buy 2 get 1 FREE sale + 28% off everything in my store today only!!




"BUY 2, GET 1 FREE" today-just  e-mail  me with your tpt receipt!! elydinah@yahoo.com




I'll have my entire store 20% OFF for TpT's Sunday Super SALE, and if you enter code SUPER at checkout TpT will give you an additional 10% OFF the sale prices for a total savings of 28% OFF ANY product in my store!

As an extra special "thank you" to all of you, I will also be offering a "BUY 2, GET 1 FREE" promotion  ( Feb 3)!!!  To take advantage of this offer:

1. Be sure to email me at elydinah@yahoo.com after making your purchase and include your TpT USER ID (to verify your purchase) as well as the name of the product of your choice.

2.  I  will email you  your chosen item!

***Please note that the item of choice cannot be of a higher value than the highest priced item in your cart***

Want some more freebies - well if you win this giveaway your mailbox will be full!  Go ahead and click
the button to go ahead and join in:)!!!

MY BIG BLOG Giveaway Feb.1- Feb10 

oops forgot a few... Here´s some more pics for you to enjoy:)

Thanks for stopping by!