Chiriquí Libre &
LETTERS FROM PANAMA
Previous Editions
LAS LAJAS TRANQUILITY.
By David Dell
July 2022.
Las Lajas is better known as a beach resort getaway, but if you seek a more tranquil place to kick back- then Finca De la Suerte, is just the place. Just 15 minutes from the beach but a thousand miles away from the noise and crowds.
CLICK on the link to read:
A Night In a Panama Museum.
By David Dell
2022
Puerto Armuelles is a small seaside port on Panama's Far Western edge. It hosts a truly unique Air B&B. Here you can sleep in a museum that is full of wonderful historical artefacts that outline how this great little country was formed.
CLICK on link to read:
What Are the Panamanian People Really Like?
David Dell
Panama is a true multi-cultural country. Spanish, Chinese, American, British - you name it, they came here, settled and prospered. If you plan to retire here you may be surprised at how welcoming and friendly you new neighbours can be.
CLICK on link to read:
Living In Puerto Armuelles.
This small seaside port in western Panama was first discovered by Hollywood greats John Wayne, Pat O'Brien and William Holden. Today it is fast becoming the hot choice of retirees, particularly those that have checked out the rest of Panama first.
CLICK on the link to read:
BIG DADDY'S BOUNCES BACK.
Story of how Puerto Armuelles's best watering hole bounces back after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Boss, Dave Loeffler hopes to be back bigger and stronger in 2021.
The thirsty and hungry expats of Puerto wholeheartedly agree.
CLICK on link to read:
Unexplained Mystery Lights
The people of Volcan have seen strange moving lights coming from the Baru Volcano for about 60 years. We ask witnesses to describe these UML's (unexplained moving lights)
CLICK on the link to read:
https://www.yourpanama.com/unidentified-moving-lights-UML.html
Barefoot Spidermen of Panama.
Tree topping in rural Panama is not done in the conventional way.
There are no bucket trucks with safety gear clad operators. Instead wily daredevil tree toppers climb 60 feet barefoot armed only with machete's.
CLICK on the link to read:
https://www.yourpanama.com/barefoot-spidermen-of-panama.html
VOLCAN OPENS FIRST REAL ALE PUB
The Montana Sagrada opened on January 1st of 2019. 33 year old Roberto Giono and 32 year old Tomas Sanchez operate the business. I should point out that they are ably assisted by Roberto’s lovely wife Lorena.
CLICK on Link to read:
MONTY the MAD MOORHEN.
APRIL 2018, Edition #001
What happens when a large bird decides to use your head as a nesting place. A true tale of possible avian insanity.
CLICK on link to read:
Flooding; The Human Side of a Disaster.
David Dell
November 2020
I found the lack of international media cover of the Chiriqui flood disasters disappointing. I had covered several storms in the Volcan area over the years. I had seen the devastation and the bodies on the side of the road. I had also seen that these rogue weather events were increasing in frequency and severity.
CLICK on link to read:
FLOODING DISASTER IN HIGHLANDS
November 2020
Another devastating flooding has occurred in the highlands of Panama,
leaving 17 dead and 250 agricultural workers isolated.
According to national and emergency media outlets.
CLICK on link to read.
https://www.yourpanama.com/flooding-disaster-in-highlands.html
Chiriqui Libre November 2017
Volcan's Amazing Tire Art.
It all started with Volcan's highly successful "Parade of Flowers" Festivals. The locals wanted to do their bit and used recycled tires in a highly artistic fashion. Now, the flowers will fade and die- but the tires . . . will blossom forever.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ:
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-amazing-tire-art.html
Chiriqui Libre, October 2017
Volcan Becomes District.
Finally, the great little mountain resort town of Volcan gets to directly manage its own affairs. Hopefully,with its own Mayor there should be more funding for road repairs etc.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ:
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-becomes-district.html
Chiriqui Libre September 2017
New, Spanish-style coffee and Tapas bar opens.
Volcan now has a high class European style coffee house and Tapas bar. It has a wide selection of wines and spirits and serves European style bread and dessert items.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ:
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-black-mountain-coffee.html
Chiriqui Libre January 2017
Volcan Museum Opens.
It may be small, but already it preserves for future generations much of Volcan's past. Some artifacts possibly date back thousands of years. Some highlight modern technical obsolescence. A fascinating look at ancient and modern history.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriqui Libre SEPTEMBER 2016
Volcan's "Mister History" Dies.
Sadly, In September we lost our founding editor IVAN FLORES. Ivan did more than anyone to investigate and preserve the history of this town through all its troubled and turbulent past.
A great man who will never be forgotten.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
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Chiriqui Libre September 2016 Second Sucessful VOLCAN Flower Parade This second successful Flower Festival Parade firmly puts Volcan on Panama's Tourist "Must-See" list. It seems that every one in the town from businesses to ordinary people went out of their way to beautify this small mountain town. |
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-flower-parade-2016.html
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Chiriqui Libre APRIL 2016 Volcan's First Micro-Brewery OVIDO PORTUGAL runs a very successful graphic printing and logo embroidery shop in Volcan. His talents and artistic abilities however, extend much further. Recently he unveiled his own brands of unique home brewed beer. |
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-micro-brewery.html
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Chiriqui Libre DECEMBER 2015 Volcan is fast becoming a center for artists. Each year we have a local arts festival that features local arts and crafts. ITZEL, is a new Panamanian artist that is producing highly detailed and very stunning productions. CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ |
Chiriquí Libre OCTOBER 2015
Elred Wetli was a soldier in the US army's WW2 campaign in the Pacific. He saw the horrors of war and felt genuine pity for the thousands of poor orphans he saw not only on the Islands of the Pacific but eventually in Japan itself. This obviously made a deep impression on him and formed the vision that lasted until his death. After the war he became a Benedictine monk and in 1961 came to Volcan. He spent the rest of his life teaching the children of this town the English language. As part of the new city centre it is proposed to erect a statue to this good and humble man.
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-brother-statue.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriquí Libre SEPTEMBER 2015
Work is soon to begin on the new $15 million dollar city center for Volcan. This project will transform this small sleepy little market town into a major tourist destination. The recent phenomenal success of the first ever Volcan Flower Parade festival, shows that the tourist potential for this Eternal spring, Shangri-La in the mountains has finally been recognized.
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-new-city-center.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriqui Libre August 2015
With the opening of Volcan's newest entertainment location, the town now has a pseudo community center. Almost once a week on either a Saturday or Sunday there is live music (country, pop and Karaoke) also a recent feature has been the introduction of Poets' Corner. Now Volcanite's can claim that yoghurt isn't our only source of culture.
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-caballo-loco-saloon.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriquí Libre July 2015
Volcan is set to host its first major summer flower festival. This could put Volcan on par with our sister town of Boquete and its very popular spring flower festival. The festival will feature music and parades, the big question is will Mother nature cooperate and allow Volcanites to have a blooming sunny festival.
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-flower-festival-2015.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriquí Libre June 2015
With the opening of Volcan's new hospital, healthcare, particularly emergency healthcare, has taken a positive leap forward. ESR's (English Speaking Residents) are welcome and can obtain medical coverage at extremely affordable rates.
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-hospital.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriquí Libre May 2015
Call Rodny (Volcan's emergency hotline) An incredible story of a young man with severe disabilities, who overcame those disabilities and now provides a vital service to many people in Panama. ALSO, Cardboard Cut-out Cops and new plans for Volcan city center unveiled.
http://www.youpanama.com/volcan-hotline-call-rodny.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriquí Libre April 2015.
Cotito Massacre Remembered. The story of the unveiling of a memorial plaque to the Swiss/German settlers who were massacred in 1941. How and why the massacre took place and the story of the brave prosecutor who wouldn't give up in his quest for justice.
https://www.yourpanama.com/cotito-massacre-remembered.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriquí Libre January 2015.
Celebrating ten years of uncovering history and mystery with YourPanama.com. Highlights of some of our more popular stories including Volcan's "Last Tiger"
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-january-2015.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriqui Libre February 2013
UFO's or UML's. Volcan's long history of seeing mysterious lights in the sky. Panama through European eyes.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriqui-libre-february-2013.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriqui Libre January 2013
In 1998, 2 days after the Americans liberated Panama, General Noriega sent a 40 foot container of weapons to his troops in Rio Sereno, Chiriqui. The heavily overloaded container only made it to the town of Volcan. What happened after it arrived? Read the story.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriqui-libre-january-2013.html
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
Chiriqui Libre December 2012.
An amazing story that filled the headlines around the world.
A multi-million dollar find of Spanish gold in Panama.
Volcan's dog spaying clinic hits a new high and finally
Volcan's little park outside of ROMERO gets a clean up.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriqui-libre-december-2012.html
Chiriqui Libre August 2010.
William Dathan Holbert confessed to multiple murders. Chiriqui Libre reporters helped in gathering evidence against Holbert and even went in search of his hideout.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-august2010.html
Chiriqui Libre July 2010
In this issue four articles.
Alone on a desert Island. (A true survivor story)
Freedom Fighters of Volcan. (True story of Volcan's freedom fighters)
Carlas's Heliconia heaven. (Chiriqui highland flowers at their finest)
Haven Spa. (Boquete's finest health Spa)
Pictures of Elvis (yes we do have them and he is alive)
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-july2010.html
Chiriqui Libre April 2010
Orange Blossom Highway. Chiriquí's little known scenic highway. Wonder Beneath Our Feet. A journey down the spectacular Macho De Monte Gorge.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-april2010.html
Chiriqui Libre, February 2009.
Hurricane hits Volcan.
Arts & Lifestyles.
Best Little Bookstore in Panama.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-february15-2009.html
Chiriqui Libre, March 1st 2009
Volcan; best little town in Panama.
Volcan's spaying and neutering clinic.
Chiriqui's great artist.
Would you like to build a railway?
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-march1-2009.html
Chiriqui Libre, March 15th 2009.
Hooked On Panama fishing resort.
Volcan spiderman.
Dangerous Barrio.
What is Reflexology?
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-march15-2009.html
Chiriqui Libre, April 2009
Volcan quilting group.(helping the local community)
Mysterious Porton Cave.(exploring a cave near Volcan)
Christian message in English.(Jehovah's Witnesses in action)
Reiki-ancient healing art.(Alternative healing)
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-april15-2009.html
Chiriqui Libre, May 2009.
Martinellli elected.
Chiriqui Art Festival.
Aromatherapy.
Best Family Restaurant in Panama.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-may01-2009.html
Chiriqui Libre, May 2009.
Las Lajas Resort.
Sky Energy.
Volcan Eggman.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-july-2009.html
Chiriqui Libre, September 2009.
Panama, best climate.
Alternate electricty.
Brenda Paulson artist.
Repairing the road.
Finca Dracula.
Essential Oils.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-september-2009.html
Chiriqui Libre, November 2009.
Bugaba treasures.
Dos Palmitos.
Backhoe artist.
Healthy food colourings.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ.
https://www.yourpanama.com/chiriquilibre-november-2009.html
CLICK on link to read Letters From Panama,
Previous Editions.
https://www.yourpanama.com/letters-from-panama-previous-editions.html
STORIES:
HUMAN INTEREST,
ANIMAL &
VOLCAN
The Circle of Life August 2008.
A story of the death of a furry friend and the birth of 110 Olive Ridley Turtles.
https://www.yourpanama.com/circle-of-life.html
Flying cats and dogs to Panama, October 6th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/flying-cats-and-dogs-to-panama.html
A Monkey in My Arms. January 2010. The story of the Alouatta Monkey sanctuary in Panama.
https://www.yourpanama.com/monkey-in-my-arms.html
Sixty-year-embrace (a touching story of two old friends)
https://www.yourpanama.com/sixty-year-embrace.html
Alices-restaurant-panama-style (affordable dining in Volcan)
https://www.yourpanama.com/alices-restaurant-panama-style.html
Cabalgata-volcan (horse riding carnival)
https://www.yourpanama.com/cabalgata-volcan.html
Volcan-breakfast-club (meet the locals in Volcan)
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-breakfast-club.html
Volcan-sunny-days-starry-nights ( Dry season, the best place in the world)
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-sunny-days-starry-nights.html
Volcan's-blue-water-mineral-spring ( natural phenomena)
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcans-blue-water-mineral-spring.html
Volcans-carnivore-cuisine (Great Volcan Thai restaurant)
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcans-carnivore-cuisine.html
Volcans-shangri-la-hotel(Hotel acommodation with escapism)
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcans-shangri-la-hotel.html
Volcan's-taste-of-Italy (Volcan's great Italian restaurant)
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcans-taste-of-italy.html
Volcan emerging, September 01 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-emerging.html
Volcan Panama, September 03 2005
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-panama.html
Volcan hot springs, September 01, 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan-hot-springs.html
Volcan or Boquete, June 4th 2005
https://www.yourpanama.com/volcan.html
Britain's-best-builds-in-Boquete (Birds, flowers and ornamental gardens)
https://www.yourpanama.com/britains-best-builds-in-boquete.html
Boquete bubble, August 03 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/boquete-bubble.html
Flower Capital of Panama, March 10th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/flower-capital-of-panama.html
Villa Marta Boquete, March 10th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/villa-marta.html
Bocas Del Torro revisited.
https://www.yourpanama.com/bocas-del-toro-revisited.html
Fortuna-hydro-electric (panama's second greatest engineering marvel)
https://www.yourpanama.com/fortuna-hydro-electric.html
Flight to Panama, February 28th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/flight-to-panama.html
Panama Viejo, old city, December 5th 2004
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-viejo.html
Shopping in Panama, La Central, June 2nd 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/shopping-in-panama.html
Panama taxi, Jose Hidalgo, August 3rd 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-taxi.html
Chitre town on the Azuero Penninsular, April 13th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/chitre.html
Totumas-panamas-lost-art (the amazing & durable calabash.
https://www.yourpanama.com/totumas-panamas-lost-art.html
Woodworking maestro of Panama, September 22nd. 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/woodworking-maestro-of-panama.html
Business opportunity in Panama, March1st. 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/business-opportunity-in-panama.html
Panama wines, February 22nd. 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-wines.html
Panama native dress, August. 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-native-dress.html
Petroglyph-mysteries-of-panama (Panama, a 2,400 year old country?)
https://www.yourpanama.com/petroglyph-mysteries-of-panama.html
legend-mountain-man-panama (read about the "Daniel Boone" of Chiriqui)
https://www.yourpanama.com/legend-mountain-man-panama.html
Disappearing-bees-panama (Chiriqui's bees are disappearing - are cell towers to blame?)
https://www.yourpanama.com/disappearing-bees-panama.html
Miracle at Sitio Barriles, March 1st, 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/Miracle-at-Sitio-Barriles.html
Sitio Barriles petroglyphs, , MAY 23rd 2005
https://www.yourpanama.com/sitio-barriles.html
Panama-drivers-licence (how to get one)
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-drivers-licence.html
Backhoe-artist (need a good backhoe operator?)
https://www.yourpanama.com/backhoe-artist.html
Relocating to Panama ONE,
ship a container or sell everything?, June 28th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/relocation-pillar-number-one.html
Relocating to Panama TWO, buy or rent first? August 4th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/relocation-number-two.html
Panama relocation THREE,
where to live? September 1st 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/relocation-where-to-live.html
Panama relocation FOUR, build or fix-up, October 6th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-relocation-build-or-fix-up.html
Panama straw house, June 28th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-straw-house.html
The Best Little Bookstore in Panama
https://www.yourpanama.com/bookstore-in-panama.html
Panama cost of living comparison, October 6th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-cost-of-living.html
Panama shopping in city of David, June 28th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-david-shopping.html
Panama economy, April 24th, 2005
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-economy.html
Panama money, May 4th, 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/panama-money.html
Las Olas Beach resort, June 2nd, 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/las-olas-resort.html
Altos del Maria resort, August 19th. 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/altos-del-maria.html
Peaceful-protest (peaceful Panamanians win the day)
https://www.yourpanama.com/peaceful-protest.html
Buddhist realtor in Volcan, August 03 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/buddhist-realtor.html
Chitre town on the Azuero Penninsular, April 13th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/chitre.html
A walk under the dead Indian, February 22nd 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/dead-Indian.html
Life out of the fast lane, October 6th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/life-out-of-the-fast-lane.html
The night I saved Volcan, March 31st 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/fire.html
Sons of beaches, April 13th 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/sun-sand-and-palm-trees.html
Making-mountain-mothers (En vitro fertilization of cattle)
https://www.yourpanama.com/making-mountain-mothers.html
Dog show at Bambito hotel, March 31st 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/dog-show-in-bambito.html
Borojo cancer treatment, August 03 2006
https://www.yourpanama.com/borojo-cancer-treatment.html
Birding in Panama, December 3rd. 2005
https://www.yourpanama.com/birding-in-panama.html