Panama - Bocas Del Toro

Off we headed to our fourth country of travels, Panama :)

The last night in CR we decided to sleep the night in the international airport (we were flying from a tiny airport about 15 minutes away, but it didnt open until 4am). Surpringly we both slept a few hours on the floor, and there were quite a few other young people doing the same thing as us! We got a taxi at 4am to the other airport, to check in for our flight to Bocas. The plane was so small! Only fit about 15 people in, but there was only like 10 people flying out. It was like a private jet, the windows were huge, it was a really strange but cool experience.

We arrived in Bocas at 8.30am, Panama time. Bocas is this small town, part of an Island called Colon. The town itself has an awesome atmosphere-chilled out, lots of African Carribean people retire here, as well as Panamanian locals and expats too - not very touristy which is nice. Its one main street with shops, restaurants etc, with people just riding around on bicycles every day, sometimes 2 or 3 people on one bike! Very safe place too which is good. Next to the main street is the sea, where you can get watertaxis, boats etc to anywhere you want on the nearby islands for just a few dollars.

The first day we visited Red Frog Beach. It was a 15 minute boat ride, with just us two and the driver. Beautiful scenery and ridiculously hot weather (we both got a bit burnt this day, despite loading on the suncream!). We arrived at this little port run by locals. You walk around the island, between trees and greenery till you arrive at the beach. The beach is by far the most amazing beach weve been to since weve been travelling. Bright white sand and the sea is completely see-through. The sort of beach you see on a postcard! On the beach its known for its tiny strawberry dotty coloured frogs which hop along the back of the sand. We didn't manage to spot any in the morning. Then after lunch a group of 3 local children came up to us with these banana leafs, and in them were a couple of these tiny frogs! They were very sweet, and the children were so excited to have found them. We gave them a dollar each which they were v pleased with!

After a not so comfy nights sleep in our dorm (my bed is so high up i keep hitting my head on the ceiling!), we got up early and scoffed down our free pancakes for breakfast. We decided to hire some retro bikes to cycle around the island with. I got a bright pink one, and james a flurouest green! It was only like 6 dollars, 4 quid for the day. We cycled for about an hour, alongside the carribean sea and through little local villages. We found this secluded beach called Playa Bluff. Pretty much had the whole stretch of beach to ourselves, so we relaxed there for the whole day reading our books and going swiming. Then cycled back home. The people we met en route were so friendly, often locals will stop and wave or shout 'Buenas' (hi). Even the policeman beeped and waved! The people are definately a bit more friendly than in Costa Rica.

Its been raining all day today so were having a quiet one at the hostel.

Much love
xx