Back to a Tropical Island

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We've now almost come full circle. Bocas is similar to Caye Caulker in Belize, where this trip began....

It is hotter here than Belize was in February, and there is more of a Latin American feeling than in Caye Caulker. There is also an indigenous population, which is interesting to see after being away from any groups with pre-Columbian roots for awhile.

We really liked Boquete, and hope to return there on another trip, taking a longer hike on the same trail we walked this time. The bus ride between David and Changuinola was really beautiful. We crossed a mountain range with terrific views, and varied forests.

Once in Changuinola, we took a boat through the old banana boat canals and then out to Isla Colon, and the main city of Bocas Town. The town has beautiful wooden houses and hotels, many dating from the the 1930's when this was a big banana town. There are also poor neighborhoods of shacks and dirt roads. People here used to work in the banana fields, but there is much less work now...

Our hotel is in the middle of town on the water, and our room is on the top floor, with a view of the bay out the side window. It is quiet and airy..


We took a boat trip tyesterday, cruising around two other close by islands, went snorkeling, and ate lunch at a great restaurant built over the water. One of the snorkeling stops had the best collection of coral and fish I've ever seen...we saw a yellow sea snake or eel!

Today we took a short bike trip around the bay near the town and then spent the afternoon swimming off of the hotel dock and laying around reading. It remains very hot here, and the water is so warm it barely cools you off!

Tomorrow we will take a boat trip to see our friends' land on the coast..and do some snorkeling too....

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Photos

Indigenous Dress in Panama
This little girl was in Boquete for market day. The dresses are in primary colors and are smock like with bands of different colors of applique in zig-zag shapes. It looks like rick-rack.

On the way to Changuinola
Haddy's glasses strike again..in the van!

Boat taxi dock in Changuinola
As soon as we got here, four boys attacked the taxi, wanting help with our bags, and fighting over them! We gave them each money, but they still wanted chips when Bill wnet to the store while we were waiting for the boat! They were very cute, though, and well-mannered. All the kids who have asked for money here have been polite and said thank you.

Old banana boat canal from Changuinola
A house along the canal

Bocas town
The view out our window

Bocas town
Our hotel is built over the water.

Bocas town
Down the coast from town..along the way there is much garbage, rusting cars in the water, and beautiful views...this road is not paved and is very muddy. We crossed a bridge that had huge holes in it with rebar exposed..makes you realize what paying taxes brings....

Bocas town
A new set of houses...all around are older homes with much garbage in the water....hopefully, the people will begin to realize the value of the beauty of this area and will be able to access the resources to preserve it.

Bocas town
The area beyond the new homes

Snorkeling trip 1
Our boat

Snorkeling trip 1
A parrot fish..you can see how clear the water is here!

Snorkeling trip 1
At Polo's Beach...this is Polo's house. A big developer wants his land and he wants $1 million a hectare for it. He has been there 43 years and doesn't want to leave. According to him, they are trying to run him off by harrassing him...

Polo's kitchen
He requested that I take a photo of his kitchen...

Snorkeling trip 1
Bill and Polo, under his house..he and Bill are nearly the same age.

Snorkeling trip 1
You can see why he doesn't want to leave...looking at the beach from his house.

Snorkeling trip 1
On Polo's beach..we snorkeled here...it was very shallow, though.