Central America - Weeks 5 & 6

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First of all, Thank you Costa Rica but Hello Panama...

We spent our final days of our time in Costa Rica in a place called Dominical which was very nice but not much else to do but surf. Unfortunately for us the wave´s were about 6 to 8 ft high we decided to give it a miss and luckily we found a horse riding trek to some beautiful waterfalls. The horse ride was pretty uneventful and to be honest I renamed my horse ¨glue¨as i think that was his next step in life and i almost jumped off and picked him up. Suzanne quickly found her inner cowgirl and was off at full steam and all in all a very enjoyable day. Following walking funny for the evening we packed our bags and headed to Panama.

Once again here is Suzanne´s e-mail for our first week in Panama...

As we sailed from one Island to the next I was in awe at this beautiful archipelago that is Bocos Del Torre. Situated in the Caribbean near the Costa Rica border this was to be our first stop in Panama. Bocas consists of six densely forested islands that have some of the most beautiful pristine beaches and beneath the water an extensive coral reef ecosystem that has countless species of tropical fishes. We started our journey in Bocas town and we settled nicely into the laid back Caribbean vibe of this small town.

Having met a guy named Dan back in Montezuma two weeks earlier who claimed he was the beach bartender on an island called red frog, we just had to see if this claim to $1 beers and endless supplies of peanut M&M´s was true. So off we went on one of the many pongas to the next island. As luck had it, there was our buddy with cold beers in hand and a smile on his face. What was supposed to be just a quick stop turned into a week long party with some great people and endless supply of balboa (local beer).

We spent our time checking out different islands, cliff jumping, snorkeling, lounging and playing endless games of beer Frisbee, a game that Dan invented in College. It consisted of two pool cues, sticking straight out the sand a few meters apart. Two beer cans on top of the pool cues and a can of beer in our left hand that was to not leave during the entire duration of the game as we sailed the Frisbee to our opponents trying to knock the can off as they tried to catch the Frisbee with their free hand....I think a picture would best describe the hilarity that took place.

After our sad goodbye and even a wave from the sloth on the road we were off to Panama City to see if lady luck was on our side for our excursion to Columbia via the San Blas Islands. We were waiting to hear about our sailboat Twyla and if it was indeed setting sail....It was!
We've met some people that waited days- even weeks to get on a boat and have had to forgo it as it didn't coincide with their schedule. We however have kissed the gods and as of 5am tomorrow, we board Twyla for 4 days around the San Blas Island and head South to Columbia and the beautiful beach of Sapruzzo and then North to the old Colonial town of Cartagena.

So as long as pirates don't confiscate our boat and make us walk the plank I will be writing up a new edition of our excursion and the lovely land of Columbia...which is actually my 60th Country!!!!

Next update to follow shortly depending on internet access...

Steve and Suzanne

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