Snapshots From David
More Noise Out OF ‘Wild Bill’ Holbert
William Dathan Holbert, also known as ‘Wild Bill’, the American who is being held in the prison in David, Panama, after having confessed to five murders in Bocas del Toro, encouraged other prisoners to start a hunger strike on Monday, 15 August 2011. Through text messages emanating from prison, Holbert and other internal groups say they have reached a consensus in half a dozen prisons in Panama for this protest action. The David prison warden said he didn't know anything about the supposed leadership of "Wild Bill" in making this call for a hunger strike, and he added that the prisoners themselves expelled Holbert from an association they created to improved prison conditions in David.
I’ll bet you’re wondering, How does Holbert get access to cell phones and text messages? Well, contraband is a problem in Panamanian prisons. However you would think it would be easy to ‘cut-off’ a specific individual if you decided to target him, wouldn’t you?
A Little-Known Beauty Spot in Chiriqui Province
Los Cangilones de Gualaca is an unusual attraction. Located in the Province of Chiriquí, it is a natural wonder of rock formations on both sides of the Estí river, where the flowing water has created pools that appear to have been built intentionally by man’s hand. Investigators believe that these formations were the result of the lava flow from ancient eruptions of the Volcán Barú. The combination of these perfect rock formations and crystal clear waters make Los Cangilones de Gualacá a special place for tourists and locals to visit.
Los Cangilones de Gualaca, is right outside of David off of the road to Bocas del Toro. In fact it is close enough that buses from David will take you directly to Los Cangilones.
What’s Happening in Panama?
Hotel Occupancy Falling in Panama
Hotel occupancy rates will fall from 70% (2011) to 38% in 2012 in hotels with more than 100 rooms, according to estimates from the Panamanian Association of Hotels (Apatel). The percentage decrease is attributed to the 6,000 new rooms will become available, surpassing demand, although the number of visitors grew by 10% during the first half of this year.
Among the hotels already under construction that will open next year include the Megapolis; Renaissance, of the Marriott chain; Panama Hilton; Waldord Astoria; Garden Inn and Hyatt Place, among others. Between 2010 and 2014 more than 10,00 new hotel rooms will become available in Panama City, bring the total to about 18,000 in the province of Panama.
Ocú Pays Homage to Countryside Ways
The traditions of the Azuero Peninsula will be celebrated at the Festival Nacional del Manito in the town of Ocú in the Herrera Province. The festival was founded 38 years ago by teachers who wanted to keep the traditions of their community alive. “Manito” is a term of endearment used among “Ocueños” (people from Ocú), it is a diminutive of “hermanito”, which means little brother.
The party starts with the crowning of the Festival del Manito Queen, at the Fairgrounds in San Sebastian. The festivities will include folklore presentations, regional dances, song and dance.
The “Public Country Wedding” will take place , a real wedding after which a couple rides out of the church on a horse. They are followed by the assembled group to the fairgrounds, where delicious local food is waiting. Music and dancing, of course, are in order. At night, the “Tamarindo Duel” takes place, with 30 actors participating in the recreation of a battle between two young men for a young lady’s heart.
A big parade on Sunday featuring students from the surrounding areas and even the capital city participate to recreate a grand folkloric display. The colorful “Diablicos” of Los Santos and Chitre as well as many beautiful ladies in Pollera dresses will be in the parade as well. Throughout the Festival, various venues will be open with different musical offerings and activities and people can dance to the music of their choice
Captain Henry Morgan’s Sunken Fleet Discovered
Captain Henry Morgan’s sunken fleet may have been found here in Panama. The hunch that the famous British privateer’s ships would be discovered here increased this year when six 17th century iron cannons turned up near the mouth of the Chagres River on the Caribbean side.
Now, a team of underwater archeologists is studying the similarities between the designs of Morgans’ fleet and five sunken vessels. Already identified is the section of a hull that is probably Morgan’s old flagship, called Satisfaction.
The discovery was made by archaeologists from Texas State University who were diving near the Lajas Reef. Divers found a section of the starboard side of a wooden hull, containing unopened cargo boxes and chests all covered with coral.
You all probably know the name 'Captain Morgan', but do you know the story? Read on!
Captain Morgan - A Tale for the Ages
The star of the story is Sir Morgan, a Welsh sea captain given the British crown’s official sanction to prey on Spanish sea trade and a royal title (Yes, that Captain Morgan). Morgan raided and took Panama City in January of 1671 using the force of 1,400 men. He preyed on Spanish forces on behalf of the English crown, though his clearance for the Panama attack is disputed.
Morgan and his pirates of the Caribbean took over the Spanish fort on the cliff overlooking the entrance to the Chagres River and went on to overwhelm the city’s defenders. But in the process, he lost his flagship and four other ships to the rough seas and shallow reef surrounding the fort.
When the British buccaneers finally took over the city, they discovered that Spanish authorities had moved much of their treasure out to sea, beyond their reach. That made Morgan’s men angry. Their mistreatment of the local citizenry in the wake of the “Sack of Panama” added to Morgan’s disreputable image. By the time he died in 1688, Morgan was seen as one of the most bloodthirsty (and most successful) pirates in the Americas. His exploits inspired enough pirate tales to fill a dead man’s chest, including the Errol Flynn movie “Captain Blood” and the James Bond novel “Live and Let Die.”
My Book – ‘Angels in Panama’
Judy Brown from Texas sent me a nice review of my book. She also included this picture with is most appreciated and very clever. Thanks again Judy.
Bad News – Due to some kind of disconnect between the publisher and retailers, the ebook version of my book on both Amazon (Kindle) and Barnes and Noble (Nook) are priced off the chart. I am trying to get that resolved, but until it is I have removed those links from my postings.
The link below is for the paperback version of my book from Publish America (the publisher) I have also included a link to my website where you can read exerpts of ‘Angels in Panama’ to browse if you want.
Paperback from Publisher $9.95
Till Next Time. Pura Vida
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