Boquete- Boca del Toro

Our last day in Boquete saw us potttering around town, seeking out the delights of our local area. We found a flower park with some very peculiar sculptures and also a real park, set alongside the river. It was lovely to see locals out and about enjoying it.

The Boquete area is home to the Ngobe Indians. Many of them seem to hit the town on a Saturday and Sunday. We saw them working in the fields, they work really hard. The men dress similarly to most Panamanian male country folk but the women wear long, embroidered dresses. The women are not friendly and turn away from our gaze and hide their children. Obviously they are not going to want to have their photo taken but I did try and take the odd sneaky one as it’s so very unusual to see indigenous people still following their traditional lifestyles.

We made it back to our abode just in time to miss a good soaking. We sat on the balcony and watched it pour down. When I went inside to make a cup of tea, I realised there was

no water coming out of the tap. MH came and told us there was a problem with the water supply and we could only have 2 minute showers. I’m saying nothing.

Moving on, we drove into town to get something to eat. Unfortunately the restaurant we chose was very busy and I felt bad for the people next to me as 2 minutes is just not long enough for a decent shower. The insects liked it though, and as we were sitting partially outside they decided to bombard us. They particularly liked my unwashed hair and Steve spent much of his time removing bugs from me. The food was good but the insect life was just a bit too abundant so sadly I had to miss out on the mango panne cotta.

Next stop on our Panamanian adventure – Boca del Toro. BT is the main town on Isla Colon. Panama has a bit of thing about Colons, it’s the name of many places here, most of them terrible no-go areas. (As you would expect haha). It seems as though this one bucks the trend and I’ve been rather excited about it. It’s an island on the Caribbean side of Panama and it’s been a while since we’ve felt the Caribbean vibe.

An early start of 7am saw us hit the road. We had a ferry to catch and many people online had commented on the poor state of the roads. Expecting nothing but a slog, we were delighted to experience the most incredible scenery. It reaffirmed my joy of road trips. Soaring mountains emerging from cloud, steamy jungles, thatched huts and small communities, life going on as it had been for decades. I watched a man get on a donkey holding his young daughter in one hand and balancing a container of water in another, (his dog following along.)all the while chatting to his friend. The multitasking was unbelievable.

Once past this point, the road did deteriorate and the potholes were aplenty. Eventually we arrived at the port and after asking a very informed German man (no point asking locals as they want you to take their water taxi so tell fibs) we lined up to get on the ferry.

All went smoothly and before long we were on another potholed road, heading towards the Mosana Reef Garden , our home for the next three nights.

These potholes were the M&S of potholes. And also some driving on sand which we hadn’t intended to do but a very aggressive taxi forced us into. Never mind, our little Hyundai stepped up to the plate and got us through.

On arrival we were greeted by our very helpful host Nadia. Now, as most of us older brethren have learnt, perfection is a fantasy. It doesn’t exist, so don’t even think about it. However on first glance it appears we have perfection. A massive outdoor space with a hammock, sunbed even a swing! We can almost touch the sea, our host is Italian for Gods sake and will cook us dinner every night if we want. I’m sitting here and I can hear the waves and am lit by tasteful outdoor lighting. And what is more (wait for it) there are 4 sloths in the garden!

What could be wrong I hear you say? Well, our bathroom is not in our room, it’s across the corridor. S has not brought his dressing gown and wants to use mine. And no air conditioning. ( we did know this tbf) .

Think we can live with it.