17/03/2011 (posted 02/04/2011)
Nice 4:15am start today.
We had a day off so visited the islands of Bocas del Toro and apparently it was essential to get there early so we left the house at 4:45am.
We got a taxi to Changuinola in which Christina, Jess, Andy and I rode in the flatbed. When we arrived, Christina´s hair was a massive frizzbomb.
We then got a bus to the port where we boarded a small electric boat to take us to Isla Colon, the main hub of all the islands. During the journey I ate my sandwiches that I had made for breakfast. Under the influence of Jess and Christina, I had a peanut butter and jam (I will NOT call it jelly) sandwich and I have to admit it was pretty nice.
We arrived at 7:30 and had until 6pm to do whatever we wanted.
After a coffee and immensely sugary doughnut, I went to an internet cafe to update my blog as I was over a week behind and this was starting to annoy me. I posted seven posts and then got sick of it so checked emails and Facebook - in total I spent two and a half hours there but it was worth it for the peace of mind it gave me, plus the weather outside was thoroughly uninspiring.
As a person I like having time to myself and such time is scarce on this trip so simply taking the time to de-stress and let my wind wander was nice.
The islands are one of the major tourist destinations of Panama and as a result, any gringo is leapt upon by dozens of tour reps selling and haggling. I was on the receiving end of this many times and just resorted to walking off.
I did get a local to take me in his powerboat to one of the most popular islands, Red Frog, which apparently has a lovely beach. It was a fifteen minute journey and the driver absolutely caned it there - my bum was in agony when we got there.
The islands are described as paradise and I can imagine that they are as such when illuminated by the sun. However of all the days to go, we chose a drizzly and overcast day so unfortunately couldn´t appreciate the full beauty of where we were. It´s a great shame but as I said earlier, simply having the time to relax and walk on the beaches, no matter how empty or desolate they looked, was a nice break from our packed mission schedule.
I stayed on the island with Jess, Christina and Lissette while Andy, Jonny, Jarett and Bonnie went to scuba dive/snorkel. We went to a small restaurant where we were served some nachos and a lovely refreshing beer by some very seedy looking bar attendants. The beer would have been more necessary and refreshing on a baking hot day but beer is beer and we don´t get too much of a chance to have it.
When we met the others at the end of the day, they were all heavily sunburnt except for Bonnie. Jarett looks permanently embarrassed, Andy´s arms are scorched and Jonny´s torso and legs are painful just to look at.
I have some photos of him putting on Aloe Vera gel and he is pure and simply burnt to a crisp. After my experience last week I am so glad I kept my shirt on today.
There was hardly any sun but their water-based activities must have exposed them. I truly pity them, especially Jonny.
We got the bus back to Changuinola where I hought some extravagant and tight shorts. Andy and Jess have them also and when we go to the airport to pick up Andy´s sister (she flies in on the 11th when us three will be in Panama City), we´re all going to wear them.
Trust me when I say that only photos can do them justice.
We had omelettes when we got home despite all the food I consumed while on the islands.
Somehow I had a pretty much constant appetite and got through a doughnut, a lollipop, three small packets of biscuits, half a baguette, a hot dog, tortilla chips, an ice cream and some fried plantanes.
Oops.
It´s now 9:45pm which is LATE plus I´m getting bitten all over by the damned mosquitoes so off to bed I go.
JG
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