I went to Bocas del Toro on Tuesday. The last time I went down there was when I was studying abroad so about 5 years ago or so. I went with a coworker and she was alright. We took the 6am bus down to the border (Bocas is in Panama) and we were the ONLY ones who got off at the very end. Talk about low season! I was very nervous about crossing the border and not because of the rickety ass bridge you have to walk across (last time I crossed this border the cars/trucks also used the same bridge so you basically walked smushed up against the railing trying to not fall into the crocodile river below and not get crushed by a speeding truck. This time they built another bridge for the cars/trucks. We still had to walk across the rickety ass bridge.) I was worried because I'd heard this specific border was really starting to get strict. Most of the time the border people don't even look at your passport, they just stamp you in and you're good to go. Well I'd heard tale that at the Panama border they were asking for $500 in cash and an onward plane ticket leaving the country.
Bridge
So I brought a bank statement in hopes they would accept that and made up a plane ticket home (just forwarded myself a used plane ticket and changed the days and airports, it's not like they spend the time to look up if the ticket is actually purchased!) Of course, they asked me for nothing. Stamped me through, no prob bob.
Next you have to take a taxi to where the boats leave for Bocas. The guy told us $20 each and we talked him down to $15 each, it's an hour drive. And the guy drove CRAZZZZZYYYY! Like passing on blind curves and hills and just whenever the hell he felt like it. I've been in some crazy taxis before but that was the worst. I bet you "normal" people who have never experienced CR driving would have shit your pants and cried.
Then at the dock you have to take a 40 min boat ride to the island. I found out that sitting in the back is WAY better than the front. You get a little gas smell but you don't get the insane slamming of the boat onto the water. It's much more comfy.
We checked into the first hostel we came across, it was okay. And we went to book a tour for the next day. We talked them down from $25/person to $20/person. Never take the first offer. And that was the first of many times I got the greatest compliment ever-- that I speak like a Costa Rican! And they told me this before they knew I lived in CR. I would just be talking to them and they would look at me puzzled and say "where are you from?" I'd say "the USA" and they'd say "but you speak like a Costa Rican" awwwwwww And about 6 different people during the trip told me the same thing. It made me feel all good inside.
We had a few $1 beers (Panama uses USD as currency) and some discount sushi.
Bocas Town
A little raggedy after 9 hours of travel, but that beer was cold
The next day we went to another hostel for our tour pickup. We got there early so we hung out on the hammocks. And I bought some beer to take with me on the tour. Which I also talked down from $2/beer to $1/beer.
Hammock time!
We first went to see dolphins which was pretty cool. One we saw jump all the way out of the water!! Like Sea World style! He was a good 2m out of the water. It was really cool. (I will not post my dolphin pictures, they're all just fin out of water pictures that suck)
Next we went to snorkel and it was freaking AMAZING. My coworker and the two random Israeli guys with us wanted to leave after 30 minutes but I could have stayed there all day. It was so freaking cool. So many cool fish and corals and everything! (it was also hella embarrassing because I couldn't get myself back onto the boat. wah wah)
The water looked like glass
With a sweet mask line!
Afterwards we went to a really freaking beautiful island called Zapatilla. The whitest sand and the clearest waters. By this time I had put on sunscreen two times and had been hiding under my "burquini" and a tshirt. My red-head German friend was sitting in the sun like she wasn't going to get burned.
I've been in the tropics long enough to know this white girl cannot handle equator sun.
Zapatilla
Zapatilla
Pretty beach!
We hung out on Zapatilla for a few hours and I had my beers. Then we went to have lunch where there were these big macaws hanging out. And some really pretty views.
With the macaw!
(I know, too many pictures with me in it!! But I don't have many of just scenery)
The blue scarf is my "burquini"
After we ate an overpriced extremely mediocre lunch we went to see some sloths. Which were okay. I mean sloths from anymore than 10 feet away just looks like balls of brown fur. So yeah. Next we saw some sea stars. And finally, at 5pm we headed back to the main island!
Afternoon sparkles on the water
We ate at an Indian place for dinner which was okay. I had a watermelon daiquiri which was amazing.
So yeah, the trip til then was FABULOUS. My friend was just sort of okay. She was very quiet and didn't like eating or drinking very much. I never like traveling with people like that. What I love about my SO is we can be anywhere at any time and I could be like "you hungry?" and he'll say "I could eat!" So we go to a place and get a few snacks and beers and hang out. With her she didn't want to do that. Like she would go with me, but I'd be the one eating and drinking and I know I'm a glutton but damn I don't want to feel like one 24/7.
Story will continue later once my SO heads off to university in an hour or so!
But seriously...who doesn't love eating? That's the best part of vacation!