White water rafting on the Chiriqui

August 28, 2017

Rafting the Chiriqui River

Today’s adventure took us west along the Pacific coast of Panama almost to the Costa Rica border, where we turned inland and went up into the mountains along the Chiriqui River.  The adventure was 10 ½ miles of class 1, 2 and 3 rapids down the river.

When we arrived at the departure clearing, the rafting guides unloaded the raft and pumped it up:

We had a small kayak with us, and one of the guides came along in this very versatile and maneuverable craft to be our “rescuer” for “just in case.”

We put on our life vests and helmets, and we were ready to go.  Here we are; next to me is Christian, the guide who is with us for the entire trip:

About half-way through the trip, we stopped at a quiet rocky beach for a buffet lunch:

The river was just perfect for this kind of exciting journey, as it alternates brief stretches of calm water with long stretches of aquatic turmoil.  Just when you think you can’t take another dousing, along comes a calm portion to let your heart rate slow.  The man in the rescue kayak had a camera and took some photos which required some photoshopping, but here’s the best I could do with some of them:

On three occasions, Oren was able to jump into the water and swim along the raft in the phenomenally fast current.  We pulled him aboard the raft just before the next rapids began:

 We returned to the hotel, washed up, and as a drizzle began we walked into the town of Boquete for shopping.  Joyce had noticed a number of tiny local shops and was hoping for some lovely handicrafts.  Fortunately we took umbrellas with us, because a torrential rain began as we walked.  The shopping was not as hoped for. 

We walked back, getting wet feet but nothing worse, and found the bar with a lovely fire where we had mojitos and hot chocolate.

Tomorrow the adventure continues with a visit to an island and sea kayaking.  We’ll need a vacation from this vacation!