FROM THE PACIFIC TO THE CARIBBEAN: PANAMA CITY TO BOCAS DEL TORO

Leaving on a prop plane, flying over the Panama Canal and the Bridge of the Americas.	Our first view of Bocas Del Toro, through the clouds (and propeller).

After three nights in Panama City, we arose at 4:30 am to catch a propeller plane to Bocas del Toro, a province in northern Panama along the Caribbean.  Comprised both of mainland and many small islands, Bocas del Toro seemed a magnet for young backpacking travelers looking for eco-adventures.  Bocas town, where we landed on one of the islands, has a distinctly Caribbean feel: wooden houses and businesses; lively music and spicy scents wafting from open-air restaurants; coconut trees laden with huge coconuts; warm breezes and occasional cloudbursts (serious downpours at night); water taxis, sailboats, canoes (both powered and paddled) plying the water – even a cruise ship arrived during our short stay.

Pat and Becky on the main street in Bocas	Becky admires the coconuts in a yard in Bocas
Along the Bocas main street at night.	Typical Bocas water taxis.

We settled into narrow, three story, tin roofed, wooden Hotel Olas, a few blocks off the main drag, hanging out over water.  I LOVED it!   It was the only time we rented two rooms: Pat and Becky shared the large suite on the top floor with its own spacious balcony; I had a second floor room just below them with a small private balcony adjacent to a comfortable, open air common area. 

Lounge and breakfast room, open on three sides, water underneath.	Second floor balcony lounge (with free WiFi, as was true throughout the hotel).
Private balcony of the third floor suite.  We spent a lot of time relaxing here.	This little house was my neighbor; the view is from my second floor private balcony.

When I was younger (half the age I am now), I traveled many months and many miles solo, with a backpack.  Hotel Olas brought back intense, enjoyable memories for me.  I loved sitting in the upstairs lounge or the first floor, open air dining room, watching the young travelers plan their adventures while we seniors enjoyed our morning coffee and breakfast.  Out on the streets, walking past lively hostels, hammock-festooned porches, and outdoor restaurants, I recalled the sense of adventure and the pleasure of anonymity I felt during my solo travels.  It was a time of exploration and personal growth, and the fond recollections made my current adventure even more enjoyable.

For me, Bocas was both relaxing and invigorating, and I am so glad we took a few days to visit. We didn’t make time to visit the advertised deserted white sand beaches, to search out the bay of starfish to snorkel or hike – but my next post covers another highlight of our trip, our tour of a cacao plantation.