The legends of Easter Island have been recounted many times. What’s less known is that the island’s assorted wonders are easily accessible on foot from the comfort of the only settlement, Hanga Roa. Before setting out see the sights, however, visit the excellent archaeological museum next to Ahu Tahai on the north side of town (the term “ahu” refers to an ancient stone platform). Aside from the exhibits, the museum has maps which can help you plan your trip. An online map is available at http://www.mapsouthpacific.com/easter_island/

The first morning after arrival, I suggest you climb Easter Island’s most spectacular volcano, Rano Kau, where Orongo, a major archaeological site, sits on the crater’s rim. But rather than marching straight up the main road to the crater, look for the unmarked shortcut trail off a driveway to the right just past the forestry station south of town. It takes under two hours to cover the six km from Hanga Roa to Orongo, but bring along a picnic lunch and make a day of it. (If climbing a 316-meter hill sounds daunting, you can take a taxi to the summit for around US$6 and easily walk back later in the day.) Once on top, you’ll find hiking down into the colourful crater presents no difficulty. It may also look easy to go right around the crater rim, but only do so if you’re a very experienced hiker and have a companion along as shear 250-meter cliffs drop into the sea from the ridge.

Another day, rise early and take a taxi to lovely Anakena Beach at the end of the paved road on the north side of the island (you should pay under US$10 for the 20 km). A few of the famous Easter Island statues have been restored at Anakena and you could go for a swim, although the main reason you’ve come is the chance to trek back to Hanga Roa around the road-free northwest corner of the island. You’ll pass numerous abandoned statues lying facedown where they fell, and the only living creatures you’re unlikely to encounter are the small brown hawks which will watch you intently from perches on nearby rocks. If you keep moving, you’ll arrive back in town in five or six hours (but take adequate food, water, and sunscreen). This is probably the finest coastal walk in the South Pacific.

Almost as good is the hike along the south coast, although you’re bound to run into other tourists here as a paved highway follows the shore. Begin early and catch a taxi to Rano Raraku, the stone quarry where all of the island’s statues were born. This is easily the island’s most spectacular sight with 397 statues in various stages of completion lying scattered around the crater. And each day large tour groups come to Rano Raraku to sightsee and have lunch. However, if you arrive before 9 am, you’ll have the site to yourself for a few hours. When you see the first tour buses headed your way, hike down to Ahu Tongariki on the coast, where 15 massive statues were reerected in 1994. From here, just start walking back toward Hanga Roa (20 km) along the south coast. You’ll pass many fallen statues and enjoy some superb scenery. Whenever you get tired, simply go up onto the highway and stick out your thumb and you’ll be back in town in a jiffy.

An outstanding 13-km walk begins at the museum and follows the west coast five km north to Ahu Tepeu. As elsewhere, keep your eyes pealed for banana trees growing out of the barren rocks as these often indicate caves you can explore. Inland from Ahu Tepeu is one of the island’s most photographed sites, Ahu Akivi, with seven statues restored in 1960. From here an interior farm road runs straight back to town (study the maps at the museum carefully, as you’ll go far out of your way if you choose the wrong road here).

A shorter hike takes you up Puna Pau, a smaller crater which provided stone for the red topknots that originally crowned the island’s statues. There’s a great view of Hanga Roa from the three crosses on an adjacent hill and you can easily do it all in half a day. A different walk takes you right around the 3,353-meter airport runway, which crosses the island just south of town. Near the east end of the runway is Ahu Vinapu with perfectly fitted monolithic stonework bearing an uncanny resemblance to similar constructions in Peru.

Easter Island’s moderate climate and scant vegetation make for easy cross country hiking, and you won’t find yourself blocked by fences and private property signs very often. You could also tour the island by mountain bike, available from several locations at US$10 a day. If you surf or scuba dive, there are many opportunities here. A minimum of five days are needed to see the main sights of Easter Island, and two weeks would be far better. The variety of things to see and do will surprise you, and you’ll be blessed with some unforgettable memories.

Related posts:

1. Things To Consider When Going Hiking On Easter Island
2. Panama’s Pacific Coast Beach Guide – Part 1
3. Dear David, A Series of Letters to A Longtime Friend May 2008

The major problem with the beaches in the area of the canal and just past the canal area is the debris that washes up on the beaches. Part of the debris is from the city itself and another contributing factor are the ships waiting to transit the canal. Recently Panama City began a clean up project for Panama Bay which will include a new water treatment plant and sewage system for the city. Of course, the problem wasn’t recreated overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight, but at least we begin. This should cut down on some of the debris that washes ashore. However, unless stricter ordinances are put in place and imposed with consistency on the residents and the vessel in the bay the beaches will continue to be trashy.

Panama’s FarFan Beach

Across the bridge of the Americas in first position is Panama’s Farfan Beach. The roads are a little rough, similar to a forgotten county road in the US, rough road patches and peppered with a some potholes. Even with the road conditions, once you’ve crossed the bridge it is only a two minute drive to the entrance of Farfan Beach. The first thing you will notice is the barricade that blocks the paved road’s approach to the abandoned beach area. The second thing of notice is Panama’s Balboa Gun Club positioned directly next to the barricade. The third thing you should notice is the alternate off road paths that have been created to access the beach.

Panama’s now forgotten Farfan Beach was once a hot spot as is evidenced by the abandon concrete concession stand that was once complete with toilets facilities. Farfan is a canal beach, from the concession area you can look out to the left and see Panama’s Amador Causeway with a clear view of Naos Island and the Smithsonian Institute’s Culebra Island. Looking straight ahead you can view large and small vessels anchored just outside the Panama Canal waiting for permission to begin their transit and since the canal is operational twenty four hours day, seven days a week, you are sure to see a vessels at the beginning of its transit.

Since Farfan is no longer managed, tall grass now covers some areas of the once popular beach, from the well worn grooves made by vehicles that drive out to the beach area it is evident that Panama’s Farfan Beach still receives it’s share of visitors. Even if you choose not to drive off road, it only a short blocks walk past the barricade on the paved road to the beach area.

It’s important to note, being a Florida transplant; the beach here is not sandy but mostly volcanic rock. However, it is well worth the time to drive out and see the canal area from this prospective; spend a little time imagining this area in its glory day. I hope there are better days to come for this forgotten recreational area.

Panama’s Playa Bonita/Playa Kobbe

Panama’s Playa Bonita is also a beach on the canal, it is a little rustic in location. It sits beside the road with just a little pull off spot along an old bridge. The area never had a concession or toilet facilities and the beach area is a steep drop from the road. From under the old bridge a river empties into the canal.

Many of the beach areas in Panama are fed sand and water from Panama’s rivers. This is note worthy to swimmers who might encounter the whirlpools they create as the rivers empty their content into the larger body of water.

From Playa Bonita you can see the bridge of the America’s and the hill the old Howard Air Force Base is on. The beach was a mix of sand and volcanic rock and was from a Florida transplant perspective, a bit trashy.

A four star resort area has been built on the road to Playa Bonita, InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa. About ten minutes from the actual area of Majagual, fourty Minutes from Panama City’s International Airport Tocumen. www.playabonitapanama.com

Panama’s Playa Veracruz – the local beach

Panama’s Play Veracruz is still a busy local beach. There are roughly twelve rancho style concessions along the beach where you can enjoy entire fried sea bass for three to five dollars and beers for sixty cents. Playa Veracruz flows all the way into the beach town of Veracruz.

Veracruz, Panama is located approximately twenty five minutes from Panama City and known for its various fish markets, it is a small fishing village that is made up mostly of lower socioeconomic class level.

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Veracruz, once was an attractive area in front of US Howard Airforce base. It’s city park once had a concrete concession stand complete with toilets facilities, swimming pools, and sheltered picnic tables. The abandoned structures are still standing in the park area. A small fee was paid to gain entrance to the park. But based upon recent reported incidents by local police Veracruz now rates as a high-crime area.

Veracruz, is nestled between the beautiful Pacific Ocean and the base of lush green mountains. The drive is about thirty minutes to downtown Panama, and only fifteen to twenty minutes to get to Balboa, Panama which has just about everything one could need or want for everyday living.

The former US Howard Airforce Base which is located just in front of the area of Veracruz, and former Rodman Naval Station recently received approved legislation to become a free trade zone for the Pacific making this another area to watch for growth explosion.

Playa Chumical

Veracruz, flows into Veracruz de Chumical. Chumical, has a sand and volcanic rock beach that is cleaner than Veracruz, the homes are larger and better maintained. In this town are fishermen and residents that work in the city. Chumical is the cleanest of the public access beaches since leaving Panama City.

Entrance to the beach can be gained by the various paths the allow access between the houses. There is nothing but open water and islands to be viewed from the coast in Chumical. There are no concessions or commerce on this stretch of beach.

The day I visited I found a delightful sight. Three children playing in a tide pool whiling away the hours in the Panama sun. They stopped long enough to allow me to take their pictures. Their presence definitely added to the beauty of the scenery.

Playita Vacamonte and Vacamonte Port (Vaco Monte)

Playita Vacamonte, Panama sits just outside the official entrance to the Vacamonte Port. It is the smallest of the public access beaches since leaving Panama City. Like Panama’s Playa Bonita, this area is a little rustic since it set road side and you have to descend a steep hill to reach the beach area. Parking is minimal but the view is breath taking. The waters here are clean and the Vacamonte Port area is well maintained free from the normal roadside debris.

The Vacamonte Port of Panama is an international port. You will need to show your passport to the guard and enter the area.

Vacamonte Port consists of a few small building and a port of industrial fishing. The port has two wharves and a pier. In the port are all manner of fishing boats whose main commodities are shrimp, shark, tuna, and various local fish. The fish are sold to the general public from 8:00 until 2:00. There’s a bank and a restaurant in the port. Shop early if you want small fish for your home, the small fish sell out early.

From Vacamonte International Port seafood is shipped all over the world.

Peurto Caimito

Peurto Caimito, Panama is home to Mariano Rivera, relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. Mariano has a large home just outside of Peurto Camito, and with residents like this it is hard to list Peurto Caimito among the forgotten beaches of Panama, but we can definitely call it off the beaten path. Puerto Caimito is situated at the mouth of the Caimito River, and is a commercial fishing town with a fish meal processing plant and is an old pirate village

Of all the places previously listed Peurto Caimito caught my attention and begged me to stay a while. It’s hard to say if it was the signs that hang from the homes along the beach front road that entice you with promises of fresh fish for sale. Or maybe it’s the thought of the fishing boat moored behind the house that go out on the rising tide, when the water has sufficiently covered the vast expanse of beach and brings the day’s catch to vendors living in the houses. I was also struck by it was the fishermen tending to net repairs and daily maintenance of their outboard fishing boat on the beach. And rusty vessels in the port and as well as the few rusted past use on the far end of town where the road ended at the ship yard. The child in me came out saw I watched a town’s child climbing in and out of the rushed out boat hull on the beach. I could have spent the day climbing, exploring, poking, and turning things over.

Peurto Caimito, residents are mostly descendants of the island peoples and a lower socioeconomic class level that live off the sea. They catch sardines or anchovies, they have no refrigeration, so the boats all smell and are sealed with a slime of fish oil.

There is a couple of large ranchitos on the beach with patios facing the beach, music blaring loudly. The beach was easily accessible and was mostly sand. We didn’t see anyone swimming or lounging, but was week day and from the positions of the ranchitos I would wager to say to some extent the weekends bring pleasure seekers to the area. The smell of wood cook stoves and signs selling carbon add to experience that was hard to leave behind as my day ended.

If leaving with locals and cheap land with ocean front property appeals to you, it will probably also appeal to you to know that El Chorrera is only fifteen minutes back up the road and has practically everything necessary for living a comfortable life in Puerto Caimita.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.panamaexpertos.com

http://www.panamaexpertos.com/forum/panama-s-pacific-coast-beach-guide-part-1-ct45.html

Related posts:

1. A Hiking Guide to Easter Island, by David Stanley
2. Slotting in Perfectly- Your Guide to Surface Water Drainage Channels
3. Decorative Concrete Guide.

Spring

It’s planting season and this could be your first chance to get into your garden. You should consult a nursery first because what starts out as a small tree will grow! The height of a mature tree is the distance it should be planted from your home.
Make sure your drainage is right. Grade your garden soil away from the home by at least a 50mm drop over the first metre. Don’t let water flood anywhere near your home’s exterior.
If you have agricultural drains it’s a good time to flush them. Just use a garden hose down the inspection pipe to get rid of any sediment.
Dust and dirt will settle on window sills, so make sure drain holes are cleaned and window tracks are occasionally lubricated.
Collect leaves from your gutters rather than hose them into stormwater drains. Consider installing a leaf guard.
Check waste pipes inside cupboards for leaks. A simple tighten by hand is enough. Don’t use a spanner to tighten as you may crack the pipes. Replace any leaking tap washers but remember to turn off the mains water first. If you’re unsure, contact a licensed plumber.
If you have a pest control system for termites, contact the pest control company for an annual check. If they uncover any problems, it makes sense to follow their recommendations. Termites are not to be trifled with.
When the clocks change for daylight saving, change your smoke alarm battery. Even though they are hard-wired into your home, a battery is required as a back-up.

Summer

It’s time to organise your end of season service on evaporative coolers. Regular servicing may extend the life of the unit, saving you a lot of money.
Check with your manufacturer for their recommendations. Also, a cover for the winter will keep birds from nesting in the unit!
If you have a coloured concrete or paved driveway, look at whether it needs resealing. These materials fade in the sun and keeping them in good condition maintains the value of your home.
A lot of people have touch-up paints left from construction. Keep them out of harm’s way in a cool, dry place. Stored correctly, they’ll last for a couple of years at least.
For brand new homes please don’t stand on window sills while you fit curtains. They’re not designed to bear that sort of weight.
If you’ve noticed any leaks, take action straight away to minimise damage. ‘Leave it until the winter rains and you’ll be very sorry!
Dust and dirt are a big factor over the drier months so don’t forget to clean drain holes and lubricate window tracks.
Outside ledges, vertical planes, mouldings and sills also need a good dusting.
Rainfall is always an issue so be smart about using water around the home. It’s not only good for our water storages, but good for your pocket. Remember, if you get a pool or spa for your deck, you need permission from the relevant authorities to fill it. Don’t water the garden, even by hand, during the day. You’ll lose most of the benefit through evaporation. Early morning or in the cool of the evening is by far the best time. If you make one New Year’s Resolution to keep, commit to using water wisely.

Autumn

Leaves, leaves and more leaves. The trees turning golden may be a beautiful sight but when the leaves fall, they fill up gutters, go into stormwater pits and drains in your garage. Any external drains are at risk from leaves and other organic matter, particularly when the rain starts. They can cause blockages in pipes causing water to back up and do potentially a lot of damage inside your home.
Autumn is a dormant period in the garden and it’s a good time to look at re-doing the mulch on your garden beds.
In early autumn, when the temperatures can still be quite mild, it’s a good time to clean the ducts in your ducted heating system to get ready for the first chilly night. Consult your instruction manual for the frequency of service required. This is routine maintenance that can avoid nasty clouds of dust blowing into your home after a prolonged period of disuse. It’s also a good idea to clean out your window tracks and ledges of dust.
If you’re moving in now, it’s probably not the best time to be looking at your garden beds. The key is to make sure no water puddles next to the home. This can be achieved by grading the soil away from the home. Don’t try to stockpile soil for the spring — weeds will grow in it. It’s best to buy fresh topsoil from a nursery when you’re ready to start planting.
This is the time when you should install weather seals to external doors, to keep out draughts and water during the wetter months. Homes that were built under five star energy provisions will have these as standard features.
If you’ve had light curtains up during the summer, swapping them for a heavier weight fabric, will give you a greater insulation benefit.

Winter

Everyone hates doing work around the home in winter, so you’ll be very sorry now if you haven’t followed our tips for the other seasons. Winter brings its share of hazards and the last thing you want is a blocked pipe. It’s a messy job to clear leaves and other matter, especially during winter rains.
If you haven’t serviced your heater you could find it is not as efficient as it could be, resulting in higher energy bills.
All those weather seals now come into their own. Draughts are not only bad for your health, but your pocket as well, with all that lovely heat literally flowing out of your home. Make a quick check in your ceiling to see if any duct work has come loose or fallen.
If you are using open fire places, always use a fireguard to protect your kids and stop embers popping out to scorch your floors. Any flames need your constant vigilance, especially around children.
If you’re moving into a home in winter and don’t have your driveway finished, there is help to stop you dragging mud into your pristine new home. A couple of metres of crushed rock, sourced from your local nursery, makes an effectively and inexpensive temporary path.
In the garden, check for weeds and keep lawns under control. Look for areas in the garden that seem “over wet”. This could be because of a blocked pipe, sprinkler fittings that are leaking or just a low spot that may require an agricultural drain to be fitted.
If you bring your washing indoors, make sure your dryer is adequately vented. Wipe down any condensation from the inside of windows or in your laundry. This is an issue with new homes in particular, where moisture is still coming out of the natural products that make up your home.

Related posts:

1. Limestone Products: for Your Home
2. Slotting in Perfectly- Your Guide to Surface Water Drainage Channels
3. Prepare Your Home for the Summer Months

Whatever the cause, asphalt pavement damage manifests in many ways– surface defects, pavement cracks, potholes, patches and even utility cuts. If Pavement Repair isn’t done quickly, the damage grows exponentially. Standard Asphalt Repair methods are costly and problematic. Before the polyurethane repair product FloMix was available, asphalt repair had to be done with costly equipment and only when the hot mix plants were open. The damaged asphalt that had to be dug out then had to go somewhere for expensive disposal. Asphalt Pavement Repair methods were not environmentally friendly.

With FloMix, pavement crack repair, and asphalt repair can be done with no dig-out. Repairs can be done whenever needed, ideally when traffic is at its lowest. Doing asphalt repair quickly and with minimal manpower means less traffic exposure to employees or if it’s a do-it-yourself project, it can be handled in your free time. Simply sweep or blow out the damaged area, mix your materials and apply to create a simple asphalt pavement repair.

FloMix 5-gallon kits will cover approximately 50 square feet of asphalt paving repair. With this kit, you will also need a drill, a pail mixer, a lute or trowel and a broom or leaf blower.

Preparing the Surface

Make sure area is clean and dry. Clean out with a broom, brush or blow out any cracks or potholes with a leaf blower or compressed air to remove any debris or loose material.

Mixing

Remove 12-pound bag of topping sand and both “A” and “B” bottles of polymer from the 5-gallon pail and shake both bottles, to mix well before use. Add the “A” bottle of polymer to the 5 gallon container of treated sand and mix with a pail mixer for 1 minute or until sand mixture is completely wet. Next, add contents of the “B” bottle and mix thoroughly until mixture is combined well. The material is now ready to be applied.

Installing

Using a trowel or lute, spread the mixture over the repair area. The outer areas of the repair can be feathered into the existing surface for a smooth finish. Next broadcast the included topping sand evenly over the repair area. For potholes or deep cracks, an aggregate can be pre-placed, and can be added to your FloMix kit for no extra charge.

Cure

Cure for about an hour in warm climates. In colder areas a catalyst can be supplied (free upon request) to speed up the cure time.

With Roklin’s FloMix material, repairs are a snap, whether for your asphalt paving driveway or a highway interchange.

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Hex drain brickslots are the ideal surface water drainage channel for domestic applications.

Hex drain brickslots are a new type of discreet slot channel drainage system. Designed to meet the challenge of blending drainage runs within aesthetically sensitive areas in virtually all domestic applications – block paved or landscaped – the system has a visible inlet that is just 10mm wide when installed.

Aesthetically Pleasing – Surface Water Drainage Channel
The near invisible finish is the result of the two-part channel structure allowing paving blocks, paviours and flagstones to be laid right up to the intake slot.  This feature completely removes any unsightly gaps and offsets that may have occurred during installation.

The main channel has an internal bore of 100mm and lies 60mm below the finished surface.  Its internal profile is designed to promote self-cleaning, using rainwater to naturally flush out any trapped debris.  The grating, which is closed except for the narrow slot inlet, sits within the channel and accommodates the surrounding blockwork.  The slot is offset to one side so that the drain can be installed adjacent to walls and door thresholds. A single run can typically drain a catchment of up to 180m2, allowing contractors to create large apparently unbroken areas of attractive landscaped hardstanding.”

A Sustainable Solution
The main channel is manufactured from 100% recycled polypropylene, its superior strength and rigidity is derived from a unique moulding technique that surrounds and supports the channel with interlinked hollow hexagonal sections.  With a total weight below 2kg per metre the installed channel achieves a Load Class rating of A15, making it ideal for all domestic and light traffic applications.

Easy To Install
The channel is supplied in one metre sections which can be easily cut in half using the ‘moulded-in’ cutting guides.  An installation guide is clearly marked on the slot cover which is also supplied with a debris guard that prevents the ingress of sand and cement during installation.
To create long, continuous runs, sections are simply clipped together – no additional work is required.  A full range of accessories including sumps, end caps, access covers and connection unions are available.

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1. How Using Less Tap Water Can Reduce Flood Water
2. Your Annual Guide to Home Maintenance
3. Water, Water Everywhere – Water Conservation Is Everyone’s Business

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