Panama 2013—Las Lajas to Santiago (Vista Lago, for the night) and back to Coronado

We reluctantly left our beach paradise at Las Lajas and began our journey back to Coronado. We decided to break up the drive along the Pan American Highway with a stop at Vista Lago, a hotel I stayed at two years ago and two hours from Las Lajas. It's about 10 kilometers beyond Santiago and is situated on a man-made lake. I like the design of the place, and when you see the pictures you'll see why. It's open and airy.

Along our way we got caught behind a truck transporting four cows to new grazing, but the most amazing sight was when I spied a police car coming toward us. He had on his flashing red and blue lights and was moving kind of slowly, so I slowed down, anticipating an accident. What we encountered was a herd of cattle being rustled down the Pan American Highway. You don't see that everyday.

And just before we arrived at Vista Lago we got caught in a little rain storm. It's been sprinkling since we arrived three hours ago. No worries; the air is cool and fresh.

Where to fellas?

Home on the range?

This herd had a police escort

Had to slow down to 40km/h due to visibility in rainstorm

Vista Lago dining room

Vista Lago from driveway

Loved color of this bug on floor of dining room

Brothers doin' their Huck Finn thing

Vista Lago wildlife

Egret hunting for a meal while we waited for our lunch

Hotel entrance

Vista Lago lobby

Room with a view

Full moon at Vista Lago

Miriam Padilla and I at her cigar factory, La Joyas cigar factory in La Pintada.  Miriam launched her cigar operation in the early 1980's with Cuban partners who eventually moved on. After raising her children and her divorce, she relaunched the business primarily for export. A box of her premium cigars in a handmade box runs about $85.00, but I purchased 30 premium cigars and 30 cigar-lettes (small ones) for $40.00. Miriam doesn't speak English, but she made it known that no hombres were working the day we visited, but I didn't care because I have pictures of the men working from my 2011 trip. Besides, I came here to get fabulous cigars.

By the way, the drive to La Pintada is gorgeous, lush and green with mountains in the backdrop. Everyone around Coronado talks about how El Valle is the drive to take, but for my money, the drive to La Pintada is as pretty. More importantly, the road is well paved and straight. El Valle, although well-paved is windy and I was whipped after making it.

After this adventure, we drove back to Sarah's for one night. (see previous photos posted on Panama 2013, July 8-14th. 

We ended our day with pool time, watching Food Network, and visiting with Jennifer, a retiree staying at Sarah's for three months while she looks for a "permanent" home.