Panama! Misadventures The Third (Fun) Part

[I just noticed that this is my 100th post since I started this blog back in August.  I don't know what that means... maybe I like to blog?]

Lest you think it was all a disaster, G and I managed to have a blast despite our initial misadventures. Once we got our passports and some emergency cash wired to us, courtesy of our very awesome significant others and parents (admittedly I felt like a bit of an asshole/spoiled brat going to various money sending establishments and trying to explain in Spanish that I needed for my father to send me money from the United States), we were off to Bocas del Toro, a popular archipelago in western Panama.

Bocas del Toro is located on the western Caribbean coast, which for Panama is also the northern part of the country.  There are beaches with turquoise waters and white sands, but also plenty of dark water and mangroves in the areas that are protected from the open sea.

We stayed for four nights on Isla Colón, where Bocas Town is located, and two nights on Bastimentos, a more sparsely-inhabited island about five mintes away by boat.  While Bocas Town offers many places to stay, eat, party, etc., Bastimentos offers a more mellow scene.  There are only a handful of restaurants, no cars, and not much of a tourist scene.  The downside is that the shoreline in the ‘town’ area is littered with all kinds of trash.  Parts of the island are pristine, but you need to take a boat from your hostel or hotel to the more scenic spots.

One day we rented kayaks and paddled from Bocas Town to Bastimentos, which turned out to be rather punishing. We had forgotten how difficult kayaking is, especially when the sun is strong and your sunglasses pinch your head. (Please keep in mind that all photos in this post are from a crappy disposable camera):

This is me with the worst headache of my life, wondering if I can make it all the way back to the rental shop or if I need to be rescued.

Much of our time in Bocas Town was spent photographing local dogs:


As well as my interactions with them:


One of my favorite days involved an epic bike ride (20 miles round trip over a sometimes-paved road) through tropical farmland/jungle to Boca del Drago, the other ‘town’ on Isla Colón.




Once we arrived in Boca del Drago, we were exhausted and had to think about getting back, so we had lunch (the usual amazing and cheap fish, patacones, coconut beans/rice, and the ubiquitous Coca-Cola Light):

Then it was time to head back. Our butts did not appreciate getting back onto those hard plastic bike seats, but we had no choice.

We had a few great days at various beaches, of course:

And had an excellent time going on a boat tour that involved looking for bottle nose dolphins (we saw a few) and snorkeling (gorgeous) in the rain:

All in all, it was a great time, even when I take into account the mugging.  The thing with getting your shit stolen is that even though you’re more of an easy target when you’re in a foreign country, it can happen pretty much anywhere, and it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep seeking out adventure.  I know I will think twice about going out at night in a foreign city the next time I travel, but my experience will not prevent me from traveling to countries like Panama.  I give the country five stars!

Other Montana Scenes

Happy new president day!

Though watching the dogs run through the snow kept me entertained for most of the nearly two weeks we spent in Bozeman, we also spent the time cross country skiing (me and my husband), downhill skiing (me and my father-in-law, who is such a badass that he takes the lifts that require you to carry an avalanche beeper – I stuck to the easier stuff), visiting my father-in-law’s farm and seeing his horses, and generally hanging out in my in-laws’ cozy abode.

The farm. Trooper and Jewel have dozens of acres to roam around on. Apparently the few feet of snow doesn't bother them.

My in-laws' cozy place, nestled in among the trees. The larger building is the shed; the smaller one is the actual house.

Trying to stay warm at Bridger Bowl

Having too much fun on my FIL's new snow mobile. We tipped over moments later.

Santa brought antelope steaks

A Romp in the Snow

The best part of being in Montana, for the dogs at least, was having a huge snow-covered field to play on at any time of the day. Neither of the dogs had spent much time in the snow, so I got a big kick out of watching them run, or in Nina’s case, spring like a deer through it.

The video and pictures below were taken using my mother-in-law’s Lumix, which she told me she bought at Costco for $200. I *adored* this camera and used it to take a bunch of photos and video while I was in Bozeman. Now that my camera’s gone for good (file that under ‘Panamanian misadventures’ – will post on that later), I am considering getting a Lumix once I have the cash. Great image stabilization, great zoom, clear photos.

Back (From Outer Space)

I’m back in the Bay Area after a month of being mostly on vacation. The last half of December was spent in chilly but gorgeous Bozeman, Montana with my husband’s family, while the first half of January was spent closer to the equator in Panama with my friend G. Both trips were a blast in their own separate ways, and I’ll post more in-depth accounts soon, but for now, here’s a taste of how I’ve spent the last month…

My father-in-law's horses at his farm

Cross country skiing behind my in-laws' house in Bozeman

[caption id="attachment_1009" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Making friends with the beach dogs of Panama"][/caption]

Just one of many ridiculously idyllic scenes we stumbled upon