El Valle

Another of the great places Rachel and David took us in Panama was El Valle,
a small artistic town in the mountains, not too far from Gamboa.

The inn where we stayed had all sorts of attractions for Gwen--lazy fish and turtles eager for a kibble in a meandering pond.




A fierce-looking horned goat that did not intimidate Gwen.




Furry friendly rabbits,




and ducks watching us watch the rabbits.




It's the rainy season in Panama, meaning you take umbrellas wherever you go. But it's quite pleasant as the rain doesn't last too long and it cools things off.





We found horses to ride--again, a fearless Gwen (she has much in common with her cousin Maddie)--very disappointed to dismount and say good-by to her horse Droopy.




El Valle has a great market place full of Panamanian crafts.




I especially love the Molas--fabric designs sewn on fabric by the Kuna Indians of the San Blas Islands. The patterns and colors are fabulous!




And at the end of our stay, a short walk through the jungle, over several hanging bridges to see a waterfall. David tests out the bridge--




and we make it safely back to our car and then home to Gamboa.