It’s been a while since we posted to our blog – apologies! Now that we have returned, you all will be hearing from us on a much more regular basis and we thank all of you for reading our blog!
When we left Panamá, we did not expect to be gone for so long – we’ve spent the past seven months in Fort Pierce, Florida (on the barrier island of Hutchinson Island). We enjoyed our stay there and spent some much-needed time with family as well as lots of beach days. We were patiently waiting for the COVID restrictions in Panamá to be relaxed which took much longer than we expected. There are still some restrictions here, but things are far better than they were when we left. Panamá is reopening and we could not be happier.
Our travels back to Panamá took 4 days and it was a long tiring journey to say the least. We started last Sunday by getting our COVID tests at a rapid test center in Stuart, Florida (one of the requirements to enter the country is a negative COVID test taken within forty-eight hours of arrival). We also had to complete an online Health Declaration for travel to receive QR codes (sent via e-mail), which had to be presented at the airport. This after several days of packing and trying to prioritize the things we needed to take with us. It is a bit stressful trying to fit everything you will need into two suitcases and one carry on each and needless to say there are a few items we forgot, but here we are regardless.
Last Monday my sister-in-law drove us to the metro station in West Palm Beach and we took the train from there right into Miami International Airport. And we were not travelling lightly – it’s a good thing that suitcases have wheels or we never would have made it. Monday night we spent at the Miami Airport Hotel, which was extremely convenient, but far from inexpensive (I don’t believe anything is a bargain once you’re inside of an airport).
Tuesday we flew from Miami to Tocumen Airport near Panamá City on an American Airlines flight. All went well with the flight, and the first thing we had to do in Panamá was show our (almost) two-day old COVID tests. Then through customs and a quick taxi ride to the Riande Aeropuerto Hotel Casino, which is where we always stay when we are between flights. It is a nice hotel and it was nice to be back in Panamá!
Wednesday was another early day for us – out of the hotel by six am and a shuttle ride back to the airport for the morning flight to David towards the western end of the country. It was only a one-hour flight (another nice flight – we had good luck with our air travel this trip) and we were in David by 9:30 am. Some friends from Boquete picked us up at the airport and drove us to our rental in Boquete. We dropped of our bags and then back to Value Motors in Boquete to collect our car. They took good care of our car for us, taking care of maintenance and renewing our license plates. It’s a 2014 Nissan X-Trail, a bit battered, but has always gotten us where we need to go.
So here we are back in Boquete and so far so good.
Saludos, Craig
Next post: Settling In
Damn! Wanted to see you before you left!
We’ll see you all soon! ¡Hasta Pronto!