Tyrone was at home and it was not a Tuesday so we went to El Valle once more.
The day after visiting Miraflores we had a quiet day with Lyn and I attending a Bible Study while Trevor went for a ride in a beach buggy with a friend, Greg, and Tyrone ran errands. Trevor enjoyed the bumpy ride even though it was really noisy.
Coronado Bible Church is on the upper floor
The following day, we drove up to El Valle again, with the main intention of visiting the Butterfly Haven, which was closed when we visited previously. On our way there it started to rain so, when we arrived in town, we immediately went and had lunch, as we had left home late morning. It was a largish Fonda called Zapote’s and we had absolutely delicious, very large pizzas. They were sold as being suitable for 1 person. None of us could finish them so they went home in a ‘doggy’ bag.
It was still raining gently when we had finished lunch, so we went to the market once again. We just ambled around and I bought a small purse as a gift and Lyn got more fruit and veges. There was a gentleman whose 2 young sons were lying under his worktable playing video games. He made jewellery and other items out of various metals and wood and Lyn got him to make her a Tree of Life pendant, which he did in 15mins. She then realised that she recognised his elder son from church in Coronado. Apparently, he has a beautiful singing voice. My photos do not give the market, now open every day, justice but do go to the link as there are beautiful clear photos there.
By this time the rain had stopped so we went to the Butterfly Haven. There was a lovely garden setting in front of the buildings with some beautiful flowers in bloom. Before entering the butterfly enclosure, we were given a brief talk on their development and breeding habits. It was actually very interesting as they were basically the same but with minor differences between species. Panama has over 1500 species of butterfly and, at this Haven, there are about 250 butterflies from 10 species in a very large enclosure. It is ensured that the number of butterflies does not exceed 250 due to space availability. If the breeding is prolific in a particular year the male butterflies are released into the wild.
One of the flowers in the garden
Blue Morpho
Grecian Shoemakers
Postman Longwing
Owl Butterfly on Lyn’s handbag
It was a fun and amazing experience to walk through the enclosure, learning what they ate and allowing them to settle on you, if you so wished. We had a guide show us around and explain the various species, their eating habits and their active times. Most love the sun and avoid rain but there are a few that come out most when there is just a slight rain. All over were orchids, some in bloom as well. We finished our tour with a short video on the work of the Haven. It was a most inspiring and beautiful place to visit.
Owl Butterflies eating fruit. Note the Orchid flower
Vicky with a yellow orchid
From there we decided to take a look at the El Nispero Zoo and Botanical Garden which, as previously, took us back up the main road and then up a side road to get there. It was a very large place with some rather uneven ground on which to walk. Only parts of it would I consider wheelchair or disability friendly, but we were able to get all around and see all of the 94 species of animals and birds. It was quite difficult to get any really good photos due to the double fencing on most cages.
At the entrance to the Zoo and Botanical Garden
They also have a small hospital, with a qualified vet, on the grounds for the animals to be treated as most of the animals have been rescued in various circumstances. For example, there are 2 Jaguars which were rescued as new-borns as their mother had been killed. Having been raised by humans they would not survive in the wild. Originally there were 2 Tapirs which had been rescued from the home of the former dictatorial leader, Manuel Noriega. The 2, which are currently in the zoo, are the grandchildren of these 2 Tapirs.
A Jaguar sleeping
A Tapir
A Sloth eating lettuce
This was not originally intended to be a zoo but a resting place for 2 people. It is now both a zoo and a botanical garden. Hence there is an Orchid House and a large grassed area with a Koi pond and a small waterfall. On the adjoining ground were many established trees and walking paths which we, unfortunately, did not follow as they could be steep and slippery, especially after the morning rain.
Open area for relaxation with shaded walks beyond and fit hikers climb from here to the Waterfall El Valle
Some of the many Koi in the grey coloured water pond
To return home we took another route that also went down to the Inter Americana. There are no roads to provide short cuts to other towns. Each road goes between a town and the highway. Going this different route was even more spectacular and we came to a site called the View Point. To get to it we had to climb a few stairs but the views were well worth it. Up here one could really see the extent of the crater and vaguely imagine the size of the volcanic eruption. At the site was a high white cross with a locked chain around the join of the 2 beams. This symbolised the breaking of the bonds (chains) of our sin.
Lyn and Vicky beside the cross.
The crater from the view point
Part of the road to the viewpoint which is on the left. Some people climb to the top of the hill
A mountainous part of the crater
From there we returned home winding our way down to the highway. The traffic was extremely heavy coming from Panama City, both because it was Friday and it was the start of the Carnival or Panama Carnavales about which I shall write in my next blog.
