While in Bocas del Toro, Panama, Dan and I had originally planned on staying just a few days to check the local flavour and then continue moving on. However, this was not the case, and our plans changed. We played around with the idea of doing a scuba course in Bocas because it seemed to by a pretty popular thing to do with the tourists there, and there was supposed to be some good diving for reasonable prices. So we decided to shop around for a company that would give us the most bang for our buck. After some time walking around we decided to go with the company "The Dutch Pirate" ran by a Dutch man named Rob and his wife Carol. They were a really nice couple that really wanted us to have a good time while we were there. One of the nicest perks about going with them was that we were given a place to stay that was included in our fees, which made it the cheapest, and really, the best option for us.
Waking up to rainy skies was not the way that I imagined doing the course, but it seemed like this was going to be how I would have to do it. After meeting up at the dive shop and heading over to Isla Basimientos we started our course. The dive shop also served as our lodgings for the time that we were there, which was incredible. We were living on the water of a small Caribbean island, with not a whole lot around. The town was small and had a different feel from the more uptempo main island, Colon. It was a very relaxed stay while we lazed around and listened to the rain clattering off the tin roof of the shop.
The course itself was quite fun. Obviously there was a fair amount of theory to it, but you went through the motions and it passed by painlessly. The real thrill came when we actually got to dive. You roll off the boat into the warm waters of the Caribbean, with all of your gear ready to go. Floating on the surface waiting for the others to get in, I had the chance to peer to the sea floor below. Just seeing some simple starfish on the bottom was enough to make me grin from ear to ear. The first decent into the water was met with a few frantic gasps for air until you realize that this does you and that you can in fact breathe under water. That was such a foreign and exciting feeling to be under the water, on the see floor looking around as schools of fish swim by and starfish litter the ground around you. While underwater we worked on some skills in an attempt to master the art of moving underwater. Even these became fun. The highlight was the chance to go and swim through the corals that the area was famous for. It was incredible seeing those colours and all the different shapes of the coral. Beautiful to say the least. As well the different fish that lived among the coral only added to colour spectacle of the ocean. The whole time I was down there I was smiling and laughing along, as I took in this whole new world and all that it had to offer.
The next few days are full of similar things. Lessons and more diving. We had the chance to see some incredible things even though the visibility was poor due to all the rain. We even had the chance to see a ship wreck. In total, we were able to have 6 dives over 4 days, quite impressive and loads of fun. So now I am a certified open water scuba diver. It is neat because this is another thing that I didn't plan on doing but it turned out to being one of the best things so far.
After leaving Bocas in search of some sun we made our way back to the Pacific side. We stayed the night at Playa Las Lajas, which was nice to be back in the sun warmth, while we tried to dry out from 4 days of constantly being wet.
Only spending the night there we continued on, for a 6 hour trek down to Panama City. Finally making it there we crossed over the Bridge of the Americas which is the only solid object connecting the two sides. The view was incredible and Dan and I chatted with each other about how big a milestone this was for both of us. After trying to navigate the narrow one way street of Casco Viejo, which is the old section of Panama City, we make it to the hotel for the night. The one we originally book was full and so we had to settle for another for that night which was a rather shady place. Casco Viejo is an area with a lot of reclamation going on. The city is trying to turn these slums into a new and vibrant tourist destination, and it seems to be working. This old world architecture gives the city a bit of a European feel, mixed with some Havana-esque latin charm. This place, though sketchy and dangerous in sections has a lot of beauty to it, and right down the road from us is the residence of the President of Panama!
This time now is really for Dan to work on the details of shipping down to Colombia, and he has been putting in the hours with a French couple that he is shipping with. During the day they work themselves through the bureaucracy and paperwork that accompanies such a task. The past couple days for me have been relaxed as I walk round and take in the beauty of this very modern and built up city, with a skyline very similar to that of Toronto or any other major city in Canada or the States. Last night I had the chance to go to a professional Panama League baseball game. Though Im not the biggest fan of the sport, it was the chance to take in a big and popular part of the cultural make up of the area. The stadium was huge, but the game was rather poorly attended. However, the fans made there presence know by being loud and rowdy, with drums and other instruments, music and baseball filling the night.
So that is where the journey takes me so far. The next few days will have some more sight seeing such as the Canal Locks and Old Panama, and then I will continue my trip back north, parting ways with Dan.
If you have any questions or comments please send them through, I would be happy to talk with you able them.
Thanks for following
Bye for now
Mike
Showing posts with label Bocas del Toro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bocas del Toro. Show all posts
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Caribbean Vibes
After leaving La Fortuna and the central part of Costa Rica, Dan and I continue on our way over to the Caribbean coast through the large and expansive banana fields that cover this part of the country. It is obvious that this is a major part of Costa Ricas economic make up. Not all that sure what this new coast has to offer, we have been told that it is very different from the rest of the country and to some degree may be seen as its own Caribbean colony. We drive through the dingy port town of Limon, and decide to continue on through as not much good has been about it. It is quite strange to go from the relative prosperity of the Pacific and Central part of the country, to the slummy and under developed country that has not been experienced yet in Costa Rica.
Making our way along the coast under the cover of gray and depressed sky's, we make our way to the small and well talked about backpacker hot spot of Puerto Viejo. We make our way down to Rockin' J`s hostel, which really could be described as a backpackers resort, because all that you need is there and there is no real need to leave the compound. When you do there are warnings about the danger of the town, and the need to move in groups. This seemed slightly unwarranted. This hostel is a large place with an interesting vibe. Impressively decorated with tile mosaics covering everything around and marge camping areas and hammock area. Here rooms are somewhat of a novelty with most choosing to camp or use a hammock.
The town itself doesn't seem to be much to write home about and I fail to see why it comes so highly recommended. Though interesting and obviously of the Caribbean nature it doesn't particularly excite me. Though I will say that part of this feeling could have been because of the poor weather that we have been having, some sun could easily change the feeling of the place.
We stay for the night but decide to stay a bit longer when we find out about the Canadian Gold medal game for hockey. Dan, though an Auzzie is quite into the sport, which is rather nice to see and someone to cheer along with.
in our days in between we decide to go to a sloth sanctuary, cause Dan is quite fond of them. As we drive back through the banana fields we see a long line up of cars, and are unsure of what to think. We are waved down and told that the road is out because of the rain and that we cant get through to our sloth centre. Disappointed we turn around and return to the resort to read and laze around in the hammocks.
The next day was the big day. Canada Gold medal Hockey. It was nearly missed too because we thought that it was a late starting game but when Dan was talking to his parents they inform him that its on right now. So thankfully we get the game streaming on his computer so that we can follow along with the action. Quite a thrilling win I must say and it is really nice to be able to be a part of the action even when your hundreds of kilometers away from it all.
The next day we leave for Panama, which is the 4th country of the trip. It was again another easy boarder crossing for us, and the only real his was that the Immigration officer wanted me to prove that I was leaving with an onward ticket, and the only thing I have is my online booking confirmation for my flight from Guatemala. At first she denies it and tells me I need to buy a bus ticket. I'm not really wanted to do that so I push the ticket back through the window and try to convince her that its ok and that I'm not planning on staying in Panama for long. After a bit of an enthused look she gives me my stamp and lets me pass.
We make our way to Almirante where we ditch the Jeep in safe storage to continue on by means of the backpack again. Taking a ferry to Bocas del Toro, which is a small community of islands that has some world renowned diving and the Caribbean culture in full bloom.
So that is where I find myself at the moment, Bocas del Toro. This place has a neat feel with the housing remaining from the days of the United Fruit Company and their development in the area. A much more relaxed vibe and nicer feel even though the weather still fails to cooperate.
Lets make the best of it.
Bye for now
Mike
Making our way along the coast under the cover of gray and depressed sky's, we make our way to the small and well talked about backpacker hot spot of Puerto Viejo. We make our way down to Rockin' J`s hostel, which really could be described as a backpackers resort, because all that you need is there and there is no real need to leave the compound. When you do there are warnings about the danger of the town, and the need to move in groups. This seemed slightly unwarranted. This hostel is a large place with an interesting vibe. Impressively decorated with tile mosaics covering everything around and marge camping areas and hammock area. Here rooms are somewhat of a novelty with most choosing to camp or use a hammock.
The town itself doesn't seem to be much to write home about and I fail to see why it comes so highly recommended. Though interesting and obviously of the Caribbean nature it doesn't particularly excite me. Though I will say that part of this feeling could have been because of the poor weather that we have been having, some sun could easily change the feeling of the place.
We stay for the night but decide to stay a bit longer when we find out about the Canadian Gold medal game for hockey. Dan, though an Auzzie is quite into the sport, which is rather nice to see and someone to cheer along with.
in our days in between we decide to go to a sloth sanctuary, cause Dan is quite fond of them. As we drive back through the banana fields we see a long line up of cars, and are unsure of what to think. We are waved down and told that the road is out because of the rain and that we cant get through to our sloth centre. Disappointed we turn around and return to the resort to read and laze around in the hammocks.
The next day was the big day. Canada Gold medal Hockey. It was nearly missed too because we thought that it was a late starting game but when Dan was talking to his parents they inform him that its on right now. So thankfully we get the game streaming on his computer so that we can follow along with the action. Quite a thrilling win I must say and it is really nice to be able to be a part of the action even when your hundreds of kilometers away from it all.
The next day we leave for Panama, which is the 4th country of the trip. It was again another easy boarder crossing for us, and the only real his was that the Immigration officer wanted me to prove that I was leaving with an onward ticket, and the only thing I have is my online booking confirmation for my flight from Guatemala. At first she denies it and tells me I need to buy a bus ticket. I'm not really wanted to do that so I push the ticket back through the window and try to convince her that its ok and that I'm not planning on staying in Panama for long. After a bit of an enthused look she gives me my stamp and lets me pass.
We make our way to Almirante where we ditch the Jeep in safe storage to continue on by means of the backpack again. Taking a ferry to Bocas del Toro, which is a small community of islands that has some world renowned diving and the Caribbean culture in full bloom.
So that is where I find myself at the moment, Bocas del Toro. This place has a neat feel with the housing remaining from the days of the United Fruit Company and their development in the area. A much more relaxed vibe and nicer feel even though the weather still fails to cooperate.
Lets make the best of it.
Bye for now
Mike
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