So we left the chaos of Panama City and since then it has been (mostly) peace and tranquility. We stopped for a couple of nights in a beach town called Santa Clara. Lovely beach - or at least we imagine so not in rainy season :) Then into the mountains where 'peace and quiet' doesn't do it justice.

You may also notice if you look at the pics carefully the not so subtle art of Machete fishing in the river - from what we can see you slash randomly at the water and then occasionally stop to count your fingers and limbs!

A couple of early records have been broken and the spoils have been dominated by one member of Team Hiles. First sunburn has been won by....Dr H!!! This could be partly due to the (i feel) over-application of suncream on me. Also as of our first evening in the mountains Rhian also had 46 - yes 46! - bites from mossies and other wee beasties. A couple of uncomfortable nights with, of course, a steady supply of sympathy and she is through the worst.

The Central American Spite diet is back though as its often too hot to eat much. They aren't huge fans of veg (at least where we've been) so now we have access to a kitchen we are planning to refuel on the vitamins!

The people are so friendly and literally everyone stops to wave or greet us with"Buenas" (Buena, Buenos or Bueno - we haven't figured out the socially appropriate one...). We are here in Boquete for 5 nights staying in a tree house by a river and are off for Coffee plantation tour tomorrow. Rhian is trying to persuade a loosening of the purse strings to try zip-lining too while we're here. In the meantime i am trying to counter-persuade with a 10hour treck up the volcano to watch sunrise!

We've also ben accepted on a Turtle volunteering project in Costa Rica for a couple of weeks so 11 years after graduation a degree in Oceanography may finally come in useful (noone mention 'The' quiz question fiasco....)