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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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