Blogs from Isla Carenero, Bocas Del Toro, Panama, Central America Caribbean

I wake up thirsty and walk to the bar to get a drink - always a nerve racking experience as I’m unlikely to be alone. This morning there is a toad on the step and a cricket the size of a bus on the bar (OK so I’m exaggerating slightly). I can cope with those. Yesterday, the religious Germans found crocodiles and a boa constrictor. I don’t want to run into either of those on my quest for caffeine. Today is our last day on Bocas del Toro – the question is how to fill it? Our flight isn’t until 5.45 pm, but the somewhat chaotic nature of public transport here means we don’t want to risk going too far and getting stuck. First, breakfast and a swim – breaststroke as the pool isn’t very big ... read more

Zapatilla II (or minor) island is one of the two beatiful Zapatilla Keys. These two islands are located on a coral platform that is defined, toward the open sea, by the breakers that are formed as the waves crash on the reef. Zapatillas Keys lie inside the Bastimentos Island National Marine Park. They are famous for their beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, coral reefs and small but shady forests. We took a picnic lunch and boated out there to do some swimming, relaxing, beachcombing, and walking through the forest on a trail raised above the swampy forest floor. The weather is hot even though the day was mostly cloudy, and we were careful to wear t-shirts to protect our backs when snorkling and to apply lots of sunscreen. The sun is strong even through the clouds, ... read more

We left David early and jumped on the first bus to Almirante; our bags were thrown onto the roof and off we went. There was a very happy drunk Panamanian on the bus who seemed to take a liking in me and was talking to me for most of the journey! Along the way we bought some Pina (pineapple) from a little boy out of the bus window yummy!! After winding through the beautiful Panamanian valleys we finally made it to Almirante, from there we had to take a taxi to the peer, there weren’t enough seats for the group of us going to the docks so I jumped on the back of the pick up with the bags (being out in the air was very tempting after the very warm bus ride!). It was a ... read more

Sunday Oct. 14th. A new era in my Panama adventure. My amigos fly out today back to the safe and insane harbor of those united states. In trade my most beautifuy travel companion has arrived. In the morning we headed to the Bocas "International" airport for a short flight into Panama city. A fairly uneventful flight (which is a good thing) back to the city. I said goodbye after a taxi ride from the local domestic airprot to Tocument Intl. All four of us piled into a Toyota Tercel of sorts with full scuba gear and Berny's exotic wardrobe piled in the back. Of course like all other odd ventures in panama with 5 over size men stuffed into a car made for a single 110 pound woman it was "no problem". The tires rubbed the ... read more