LAST DAYS IN BOCAS DEL TORO

WITH A SIDE TRIP TO CHANGUINOLA, But First:

We helped Deb on Sea Cycle celebrate her Birhtday at a fabulous Indian Restaurant called "Om".








We had a "Last Supper" with our dear friends Allayne and Dennis (Audrey Paige). The head to San Blas as we head to the Rio Dulce. We really will miss their great company, senses of humour and story telling.

We won't miss the speeding water taxi's.

We will miss the great sights on our many dinghy rides at sunset.

We did notice many businesses are finding it slow these days especially with so much competition.

Our day excursion to Changuinola with Dennis, Allayne (Adrey Paige) and John and Nancy (Dixsea) was fun.

Changuinola is a 30 minute watertaxi ride from Bocas Town. These water taxiis leave every 30 minutes or sooner if the boat is full. We first arrive at the small Port of Almirante.  This port handles the Bocas Fruit Company; corporate partner of Chiquita International Banana Exports. Rusty tinned roofed houses built on stilts sit over Almirante Bay.

It's an easy five minute walk to the bus depot. We turn left outside the watertaxi office building.  At the main road turn right and walk a couple of hundred yards and you'll see the smallbus station on the left. (When weleft the water taxi launches we were inundated with taxi drivers wanting us to take their expensive ride to Changuinola; totally unnecessary).

Again we wait in a 30 person well maintained, airconditioned mini bus.When full we're on our way; a very scenic 29km drive up and over the rolling hills at a cost of $1.45 a person.

Changuinola is the Banana City of Bocas del Toro province.  It's 50,000 people are a mix of Jamaican,Chinese, Mestizo, Native Indian, Trinadadian, Castillian and Syrian peoples.  The town was bustling with many Amacens (General Stores); supermarkets, hardware stores along with Banks.  We had fun doing a bit of shopping and stopped for a delicious Chinese meal at La Fortuna.

 

OUR CONDOLENCES

February was a sad time for us with the confirmation of our friend, fellow cruiser Don North's murder in San Blas (Kuna Yala). We understand a suspect has been apprehended.  The story can be found at www.Panama-Guide.com  dated Feb.15th, 2011.

Our sincerest condolences to Don's family, especially his nephew Ezra who he fondly spoke of on a regular basis. We read of rare insidents where cruiser's are at the right place but the wrong time and this is one of those times.

Don be-friended us and many others in the Chichime, San Blas anchorage where he would come to introduce himself and "Kuna" his canine buddy aboard his kayak.  We began calling him "Mayor Don" as he regularly checked on all crusiers anchored in the bay.  We truly will miss him.

YES, WE ARE QUITE BEHIND BUT;

HAPPY, HEALTHY 2011 TO EVERYONE.

January has been a busy month here in Bocas del Toro.

Thank goodness we can get to shore to do some hiking as the water is full of jelly fish making it so we can’t get in the water as we like. We spent the month anchored off Red Frog Marina enjoying amazing wildlife like this Sloth.

Spider at the Red Frog Marina office

Another very large insect…

 

Along with the infamous red frogs. These little guys are no larger than my thumb nail.

Many a night we enjoy a tranquil dinghy drift.

 

Oops, John (S/V Dixsea) thought we were having engine trouble while on one drift.  He and Dixea thought they should rescue us.

 

Finally a couple of days of sunny weather. Along with Ron and Paula, M/V Dovekie we decide to make reservations for the popular Thai Restaurant which is a short hike up from the town of Bastimentos. 

Before long though we were slipping and sliding in the mud and thought to ourselves "Sure hope this is worth the trek"

Well, the lunch was delicious and the scenery tranquil.  Then  we headed up the narrow path to the organic coffee shop,

 

called; UP IN THE HILL where we shared decadent chocolate coconut balls.

 

We participated in a Cruiser Fundraiser at Red Frog Marina for local villagers who were burnt out of their homes. Four homes, three of which were destroyed displaced some 30 to 40 people leaving them with no possessions. The fundraiser organized by a number of long term Red Frog Marina Yachties was a great success. One couple donated their time and rigging experience to any who wanted their rigging checked with the proceeds going to the village.The benefit dinner, along with draws for great prizes, gave the Bahia Rojo village over $2200 in cash along with numerous clothing and household goods donated.

(Allayne & Dennis)

Here Ray of S/V Aventura entertained us with his juggling act. Other cruisers entertained us with their music.