Chillin' at Bocas del Toro

On to Panama. After a long, confusing border crossing into Panama, I headed to Almirate, parked the truck at some secure parking (Leiza's parking), and caught a water taxi to Bocas del Toro. From Bocas Town, I found my way to the Isla Carenaro. The name comes from the Spanish word for careening . Careening is beaching a ship on its side in order to clean the hull. Columbus stopped here in 1502 on his fourth and final voyage to clean his ships. I stayed at a condo on the island run by a nice man named Adriano.

The first full day in Bocas del Toro I took an excursion to visit some islands to swim, snorkel, and see dolphins. It was a nice outing. The other people in the boat were a couple families. No one spoke English but I got along just fine. After returning, I took a water taxi to Bocas town and walked around. There was a street fair going on with people playing in the spray of water from a a water truck and some good music. It was nice just taking it all in.

The next day I went diving. I haven't been diving for eight or nine years, so I had a nice refresher to remind me about it along with another guy from Germany named Max. The dive master was great. His name is Cash. He's from England. The dive was excellent. I did really well with my bouyancy and breathing. It felt great. Saw lots of cool fish, lobsters, shrimp, and an octopus. Second dive was through a shipwreck. We were supposed to see some sharks but they weren't there that day. I was so excited. I can't wait to go again.

After diving I went back to my room and relaxed. In the evening I wandered down the island and found a great restaurant playing some great music.

A nice visit to Bocas. Hopefully I can return someday with Sheri.

Here come your bananas!