In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Boquete Loop

Alto Quiel, Boquete, Panama

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Our route from Boquete town to Alto Quiel and back

When traveling, oftentimes we will hire a taxi to take us to locations where hopping a local bus wouldn't suffice. Here you see our route from town to Alto Quiel and back. You can see where Finca Lerida is and also notice the Geisha Coffee tour. Geisha is spelled Gesha also, so it gets a bit confusing.

What is it about this temperamental coffee plant? It was "discovered" in the 1930s in Ethiopia around the south-western town of Gesha. It has some history of being grown in both Costa Rica and Panama, but without much success. So the beans were added to other varietals and the Gesha lost its distinctive flavor in the mix.

Then, in 2004 the beans were once again separated and entered into the Taste of Panama coffee competition. The Gesha won and apparently completely blew the judges away. Now this varietal of coffee has gained something of a cult following in the specialty coffee world where it is famous for its complex and unique cup profile.

Getting out of town

Here we are on a country road just outside the main downtown of Boquete. Rolling hills, and lots of green, tropical plants. Roads are curvy, but not as extreme as those in Guatemala.

Rushing streams

All along the roadside were rushing streams and full waterfalls. It was a beautiful and fresh trip through nature.

Boquete neighborhoods

Anyone who has visited the tropics knows that you can practically plant a stick and it will grow into something lush. Here you see some neighborhoods in Boquete surrounded by greenery.

Gliding down the country road

Rainfall that hits the road immediately goes off and down into the side ditches.

We saw coffee plantations and coffee trees all alongside the route which was mostly lined with trees.

Coffee plantation, Dos Jefes

Finca Dos Jefes is an organic coffee farm located in the highlands of Boquete, Panama and is proudly owned by Richard and Dee Lipner, formerly of Berkeley, California.

This farm plants Caturra, Catuai, Criollo and Gesha trees and farming is done according to the lunar calendar.  Traditional, hand-picked harvesting is practiced.

Finca Dos Jefes continues with hand processing of the beans and they are peeled with a mortar and pestle. After all the peeling the green beans are ready for the perfect roast.

Ngäbe indigenous tribe

Here you see a local tribeswoman doing her laundry. They enjoy wearing these blousy tent dresses with ricrac as a decorative trim.

Notice her home just below the hill line and her child and dog playing as she does her housework.

Deciding our "plan of attack"

Here our friend Chris and the taxi driver are deciding which routes to take through the mountains. I am simply there in the photo as an ornament, as I am severely directionally challenged!

Yes, of course I see the names on the map and the squirrelly lines that are the roads... but please don't ask me to navigate!

Some tall cliffs

There are some sheer drop offs alongside the road. This type of scenery reminds me of places I have hiked in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.

One of the waterfalls

A break in the mountain side offers a place for a waterfall to appear.

Here we are again!

A calming green background for our photo.

Wow! What happened here?

I'm not a geologist so I don't know what went on here, but can't you just see The Power! The Force! The Heat! The Pressure! The Action!

Something of geological consequence came about here years ago and this rock formation is the result.

Awe inspiring!

A closer look

So impressive, it looks like modern art.

This time it's not laundry, it's for sale!

A roadside stand with Ngabe dresses, aprons, bags and jewelry for sale.

It's good to get out of town and see what's happening up in them thar hills.

Our taxi ride cost us $15 an hour and he dropped us off back at the plaza in town.

For more stories and photos of Panama, click here

About the Authors

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

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