Ken Chadwick

You arrive at your holiday hotel at 4.0am, tired and frayed after a long and arduous journey, flight delays, airport security, fractious kids and surly passport control and now all you want to do is leap fall into bed and look forward to the sunrise and the first day of your holiday.

That could possibly prove to be the most expensive mistake you’ll make this holiday!

The bed bug (Cimex lectularious) has come back with a vengeance and its food is you!

Bed bugs are small blood sucking insects about the size of an apple-pip.

They feed on the blood of warm blooded creatures and their favorite meal is human blood.

Some cite increasing migration, availability of cheap travel and resistance to pesticides but whatever the reason, they are thriving and they love holiday makers!

They feed on human blood every 5 -10 days, emerging from their hiding places in the small hours when the target is likely to be in a deep sleep, perhaps aided by large quantities of the local sangria.

They sense the location of a target initially by sensing the carbon dioxide in exhaled breath but switch to infra-red sensing of body heat when closing in on the target.

They puncture the body of their target with a need-like probe containing two tubes, with one they insert saliva which contains both an anesthetic and an anti-coagulant and with the other they suck blood.

In a heavily infested room it is possible to receive up to 500 bites per night.

So how do you check if your room is infested?

So how do you check if your room has bugs?

Start by stripping off the bed down to the mattress, turn the mattress over if possible and concentrate on the headboard end.

Look for dark colored smear marks, live or dead bugs and spots of congealed blood.

Bed bugs are quite easy to see and move very rapidly when exposed.

You can see photos of the bugs and their smear marks at http://justbedbugs.com

You can see photos of the bugs and their smear marks at http://justbedbugs.com

If you stay in a bug infested room you are very likely to transport back to your own house as contrary to popular belief they can survive the flight home in your suitcase very easily.

The industrial center of David is where most of your major purchases will be made while living in Boquete. You will find grocery stores, restaurants and banks in Boquete, but will probably go to David for government offices, lawyers, Price Club (Costco), hardware, auto dealerships, building supplies and, yes, the Golden Arches. Spend an hour or two in David if your time allows and see what services are available.

Boquete, Panama – The World’s Greatest Coffee

At this point in your travel you will certainly be ready for the quiet and beauty that is Boquete, Panama. The sign for the turnoff in David from the Pan-American Highway is easy to see, but anyone can point you the way. It takes about 45 minutes to climb to 3000′ where the city sits at the foot of the famous Volcan (volcano) Baru. If you get stuck behind a truck or bus, just mellow out and enjoy the view. The road is scheduled to be widened to four lanes soon.

As you head up the highway from David the majestic Volcn Baru will become visible. This is the highest point anywhere in Panama. You will never forget the view as your drop from the canyon rim into the little village of Boquete. However, here’s a little reality check before you go into town… If you have been reading all the prose and poetry about Boquete in the press you may be expecting something like Napa or Sonoma in California’s wine county. Boquete is a charming, yet funky, town typical of Latin America. Fear not! Have a look around, take a breath, and slow down. The friendly people will charm you immediately.

After you have settled into your hotel (Oasis, Panamonte, Boquete Garden Inn, Los Establos are all recommended), take a little walking tour of the town to get your bearings and a feel of the local charm. Practice your Spanish while wandering into the shops, and visit the Romero supermarket or farmers market just off the central park to get an idea of prices and selection. Coffee, vegetables, fish chicken and rum are very inexpensive. Imported goods (Kraft cheese) are more costly. A bottle of Panamanian beer (cervesa nacional) will run you a dollar, or less, at the local bars and restaurants. Speaking of restaurants, try the Panamonte, Boquete Bistro, Amigos and Delicias Peru, just for starters.

About the author: Ken Chadwick BA (hons) is a writer on pest control issues.

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