An Indoors Lush Tropical Garden in Panama

The Gamboa Rainforest Resort Hotel, as its name implies, is oriented for clients interested in nature.  Amongst its many attractions are specialized tours for sight-seeing, bird watching, river boat excursions and enjoying tropical vegetation.  As a matter of fact, there is a large tropical garden with a running water cascade inside the lobby of the hotel.  It is quite a sight to enjoy the size of the plants of this indoors garden.

For people living in countries where winters are always dark, boring white, and freezing cold, coming to Panama and enjoying its warm weather, abundant tropical vegetation, bright sunny days, white sand beaches, and beautiful rivers will be an unforgettable experience.

Below are several pictures of a gorgeous tropical garden inside the hotel, just outside its main restaurant.  Here we go.

Snapshot of an unusually large tropical garden inside the lobby of the Gamboa Rainforest Resort Hotel in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The cascade inside the garden is another attraction of this resort hotel located in the middle of a rainforest at Gamboa. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Red and green are my favorite colors, and this garden sure knows how to display deep variations of green. I love it. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Notice how green this garden looks. In order to take this shot I introduced my Birthday camera literally inside the foliage of the garden. The results of this action is eloquent. The giant ferns are particularly attractive. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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A Cozy Tiny Park in the Middle of the Forest

Snapshot of a small park on the slopes of Ancon Hill in Panama City, Panama. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

During a recent foray into Ancon Hill territory, I found this cuddling park at the entrance of the road that leads to the top of Ancon Hill.  I was there with my wife and “The Twisters”.  It was about 8:30 a.m.  The hill was just awaking and the early birds had already started their daily symphony.

The surrounding was very quiet; we were isolated from the roaring crowd below.  Thick foliage, tropical birds, the soft blowing of the wind amongst the trees, and the fresh air is a perfect way to spend a weekend with your loved ones.  Good Day.

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A Green Blanket Above Mi Pueblito

Mi Pueblito is an exact replica of small countryside towns of Panama.  It is  located on the lower slopes of Ancon Hill.  This hill is the only one within the perimeter of Panama City.  It is totally covered with lush tropical vegetation.

When the Republic of Panama recovered its sovereignty over the former Canal Zone, General Omar Torrijos, then Head of State,  ordered that a giant Panamanian flag waved on the top of the hill.  It was a symbol that Panama was one territory under one flag.  Ever since midday December 31, 1999, a Panama flag permanently waves on the top of this hill made famous by poetess Amelia Denis de Icaza in her poem, “Al Cerro Ancón”.

While I was taking a break during a recent photo walk, I looked up and saw the magnificent view of Ancon Hill like a huge  green blanket covering the lilliputian town below.  It was midmorning and the lush tropical trees rippled in the warm breeze emanating from the hill.  The building of Mi Pueblito seemed so small and fragile compared with the gargantuan hill above.

The scene instantly captured my attention.  This is what I saw that warm April morning as the tropical sun slowly ascended across the blue dome above.

Snapshot of a giant green blanket behind the tiny and fragile town of Mi Pueblito in Panama City, Panama. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Another magnificent view of Ancon Hill behind the delicate town of Mi Pueblito in Panama City, Panama. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

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Pink is Beautiful

As you probably know if you have been reading my blog, the name Panama has three accepted official origins.  The first one, is that Panama is the indian name of a tree in this narrow strip of land in Middle America.  The second version, is that Panama is the Indian word for “gathering or abundance of fishes”. And the third version, is that Panama means abundance of butterflies.

The earliest known inhabitants of Panama were the Cuevas and the Coclé tribes, but they were wiped out by disease and fighting when the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century.

After developing a taste for photography, I’ve been looking more closely at my surroundings, and how it represents in one way or another my country; the land where I was born.  Sometimes, it’s the face of a child or footprints on the sand.  In other instances I see my country in trees swaying softly in the wind.  An old man repairing old watches in a dilapidated table and chair also depicts the multiple faces of my beloved motherland.

To find the soul of my country I’m learning how to see; for seeing, in the finest and broadest sense, means using your senses, your intellect, and your emotions.  It means encountering your subject matter with your whole being.  Good seeing doesn’t ensure good photographs, but good photographic expression is impossible without it.

Having said this, I would like to share with you of what Panama means to me.  It’s a gorgeous tree covered with pink flowers in the middle of a busy street.  The flowers had fallen and the ground was covered with pink flowers, like an immense pink carpet.  That scene represented Panama for me.  Pink is indeed beautiful and its beauty gives shape and color to my land.  By the way, the name of the tree is Guayacán.

Now let’s take a look at the pink tree I saw.  Here we go.

Snapshot of a Guayacan tree in the middle of a busy highway in Panama City, Panama. It was beautifully covered with soft pink flowers. Some of the flowers had fallen and mantled the ground below the tree. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of a pink tree in the middle of Via Ricardo J. Alfaro, also known as "Tumba Muerto" in Panama City, Panama. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

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A Touch of Pink in Panama City

There was a man in love with trees in Panama City.  Unfortunately he passed away several years ago.  He was remembered as a man with a large hat collecting Guayacán tree seeds.  During the weekends he would roam the city collecting the seeds.  Then he would plant these seeds and decorate the city with this gorgeous tree.

After an automobile accident, he lost his car, so he made his usual sojourns in a  battered old bicycle.  His love for the Guayacán trees is legendary in this country.  His name is Jorge Fujimori, of Japanese descent.  He definitely left a legacy in this city painting it with yellow, white, purple and pink.

Below is a picture of a Guayacán Tree most probably planted by Mr. Fujimori himself.  The tree is located at the entrance of Residencial el Bosque where I live in Panama City, Panama.  Here we go.

Snapshot of a Guayacán tree located near a bridge that separates the District of San Miguelito from the District of Panama City. As you can see, it is loaded with enticing pink flowers. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Thinking about it, Jorge Fujimori was very much like Johnny Appleseed.  The latter was enamored with apples while Jorge was captivated by Guayacanes.  Thank you Jorge and Johnny for your contribution in making our planet a better place to live.

Yep, a person can make a difference; all it takes is love and a good cause.  Good Day.

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A Splash of Color in Panama

Panama is a land of flowers.  In fact, we have an island called Taboga which is known as the “Island of Flowers” (Isla de las Flores).  Being a narrow bridge between North and South America, the Isthmus of Panama is well-known for its biological diversity.

While driving out of Residencial El Bosque where I live in Panama City, I stopped to take a shot of a group of bright-colored flowers which we identify as “Veraneras”.  I understand the scientific name is Bougainvillea glabra, but are generally known as bouganvillas. They are very popular in Panamanian private and public gardens.

Bougainvillea is a genus of flowering plants native to South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina (Chubut Province). Different authors accept between four and 18 species in the genus. The plant was classified by Europeans in Brazil in 1768, by Philibert Commercon, a French botanist accompanying French Navy admiral and explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville during his voyage of circumnavigation.  Thus the name of the flower.

Below is a gallery of snapshots of this enticing flower growing at the entrance of the neighborhood where I live in Panama.  Here we go.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

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Photo Gallery of the Lone Survivor of El Bosque

For several days I’ve posted the story of the devastation of the forest that existed in the area where I live, plus several pictures of one of the few trees that survived the environmental masacre.  As a final tribute to one of these survivors, below is a gallery of a solitary palm tree at Residencial El Bosque.

If you are a lover of Nature, I know you’ll enjoy the view.  Here we go.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

This is the end of the journey to Residencial El Bosque and the solitary palm tree that survived the destruction of most of the trees in the vicinity.  Tomorrow we will skip to another topic about the life in this beautiful piece of land called Panama—the land of abundance of fishes, the abundance of butterflies and the abundance of a tree called Panama.  Good Day.

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The Guayacan Tree

Since the dawn of time, Panama has been related to nature.  For example, Panama was the word used by the natives to say that there was an abundance of butterflies, gathering of fishes or the name of a tree called Panama.  The jungles of Bocas del Toro and Darien are still intact.  Wildlife, botanical plants and trees are so exotic in these areas, that many species have not yet been discovered by modern scientists.

A tree that stands out in Panama and other Latin American countries is the Guayacan tree due to its stunning beauty.   The botanical name is Tabebuia guayacan (Bignoniaceae). You can find it around Panama City, specially in the neighborhood of Betania.

The Guayacan tree and flower is symbolic in Latin America.  For example;  Tabebuia chrysotricha is the national flower of Brazil.  Tabebuia rosea is the national tree of El Salvador and the  Tabebuia chrysantha is the national tree of Venezuela.  As a matter of fact, on May 29, 1948, Tabebuia chrysantha was declared the national tree of Venezuela due to its extraordinary beauty. Its deep yellow resembles the Venezuelan flag.  It is one of about 100 species of Tabebuia.

The Guayacan tree is widely used as an ornamental tree in the tropics in landscaping gardens, public squares, and boulevards due to its impressive and colorful flowering. Many flowers appear on still leafless stems at the end of the dry season, making the floral display more conspicuous. They are useful as honey plants for bees, and are popular with certain hummingbirds.

Tabebuia guayacan usually produces big yellow flowers in March or April, with the first rains at the end of the dry season. It is a notable flowering tree. The flowers are 1 to 4 inches wide and are produced in dense clusters. Corolla colors vary between species ranging from white, light pink, yellow, lavender, magenta, or red.

During the dry season, Guayacan sheds its leaves, turning rapidly green again at the start of the rainy season. The beautiful yellow, trumpet-like flowers generally open up around February/March, making the tree one of the most beautiful in the jungle.   The tree normally bears fruit at the end of March. Approximately 10-23 inches long, green and a bit uneven, the fruit resemble bean pods. Inside the fruit, the seeds have small wings.

They shed their leaves in January, and then bloom with intensity and yellow brilliance demonstrating the magic of Mother Nature from February to April. Sadly the show is a brief one, between 3 to 5 days.  As the flowers fall to the ground, they form a beautiful carpet that lasts much longer.

The Guayacan is not only beautiful but also offers relief for several health problems. Tea made from the flowers treats urine and kidney trouble. The flower tea has also been used to treat tuberculosis in Latin America.

Its wood is considered among the strongest and finest in the world. Proof of this are the timber frames  in the ruins of the Panama Cathedral, which are still strong after more than 400 years.

Below are several photographs of two Guayacan trees which I found within the premises of Banco General in the neighborhood of Hato Pintado.  They looked majestic.

Photograph of a blooming Guayacan tree in the backyard of Banco General in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This Guayacan tree glows beside the rest of the ordinary green trees in Hato Pintado. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Notice the flowers at the bottom of three that look like a yellow carpet. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This is the Guayacan tree in full bloom loaded with bright yellow flowers. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

A closer look at the golden flowers of this gorgeous Guayacan tree. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Beauty is eloquently defined in this amazing Guayacan tree in Hato Pintado. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The Spanish Conquistadores didn’t find much gold in Panama, but who needs gold when we have trees like these.  Do you agree?  Good Day.

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Trees

One of the outstanding characteristics of the campus of the University of Panama is the abundance of flowers, well-manicured landscaping and tropical trees.  This is an ideal spot to promote learning which should be followed by other universities in Panama.

I’m sick and tired of observing the out-of-control building trend in Panama which destroys everything within its path.  The former Panama Canal Zone is slowly being transformed into a concrete jungle, jeopardizing the rainfall needed for the Panama Canal.  I feel our government officials don’t understand that trees and vegetation are needed for a balanced urban growth.  I’m glad the University of Panama has been protected from this widespread destruction and remains a change of scenery from the urban grid.

Below are several pictures of beautiful tropical trees which still populate the University of Panama campus.  Here we go.

Photograph of a collage created with photographs of tropical trees which grow at the University of Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of a lush tropical tree at the University of Panama. This picture was included in the collage shown earlier in this post. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Picture of a small bamboo lane at the University of Panama. Notice the bright rays of sun darting the bamboo trees at the bottom of the image. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of large trees growing at the main entrance of the University of Panama. You can barely see the primitive art of strange-looking figures towards your right. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

With this post I reach the end of my exciting adventure through the roads and back roads of the University of Panama at the request of a loyal reader and commentator of Lingua Franca. I hope he’s satisfied with the pictures and text rendered.  If you’re a college student, these posts and images will give you a pretty good idea of how our main public university looks like.

Tomorrow I will move on to other subjects about this beautiful piece of land called Panama.  Until then, Good Day.

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Foliage in the Shades

Photograph of trees located within the premises of the University of Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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