I was hoping to do a loop of the eastern side of the Peninsula de Azuero, but buses were scarce and I was starting to run out of time. I ended up just missing the mid morning bus that came through Playa Venao and had to settle for the midday one instead. I found a nearby hotel with a restaurant I could chill in for a couple of hours rather than waiting on the side of the road at the bus shelter.
The bus came by more or less on schedule and I returned back the way I came. Playa Venao-Pedasi-Las Tables-Chitre. I am yet to do a loop in this country apart from the one I did by sea in Bocas. It ends up being very time consuming as every leg has to be returned in its entirety. Still, the countryside is spectacular enough to warrant a second viewing and I have managed to see quite a bit of it.
Back in Chitre, I made enquires for a bus to Penonome which was en-route to En Valle, my next port of call. This whole next leg was on the Pan American Highway and hence a bus befitting that role was evidently required. A somewhat dated coach which had clearly seen better days was the only option available to me. I detest these forms of transport as usually the curtains are drawn so you can’t see out. I managed to find a seat next to a window though which gave me curtain operation privileges and which had the added advantage of being able to adjust the artic airconditioning. Then it was just a matter of kicking back and watching more of the countryside roll on by.
Even though we were on the Pan American Highway, which was as sterile as you would imagine it to be, the countryside we drove through was still beautiful. At one stage we were travelling close to the mountain ranges which offered up magnificent views of misty clouds rolling off the peaks.
I found an affordable accommodation option on-line in Penonome and booked it. Hostal Familiar Villa Nome was close to the Pan American Highway so I could walk from where I got dropped off as the bus was continuing on to Panama City. I was welcomed by a señor who showed me the facilities and my room, then left me to settle in. I had a peak at the other rooms as I soon realised I was the only one staying that night. It was a shared bathroom but I had no one I needed to share it with, so that was a bonus. And I could buy beer just down the road at a service station. Location, location.
Wild Woman Wandering 