Panama
PANAMA | Friday, 18 September 2009 | Views [1115] | Comments [3]
Arrived in Panama City's Tocumen International Airport early evening after flying almost all day from Vancouver via Mexico City and Cancun.) Took a taxi to Luna's Castle Hostel in Casco Viejo ($17). Got a dorm bed for $12. Took a very brisk stroll through empty Casco Viejo to get some takeout dinner, as the area has a large number of deserted buildings, and hardly anything was open after dark. Kinda scary actually (and I don't get scared that easily.)
Awoke early, and took a walking tour of Casco Viejo for about 4 hours. Before checkout time, I decided that I'd move to Mamallena's Hostel in a better part of town, where I could at least get a decent meal and feel safe about doing so. Got a taxi there ($2) and a dorm bed ($11). Walked around the "downtown" pedestrian area of Avenida Central and did some window shopping. Went for dinner, chatted with some people from the hostel in the evening, and booked a trip for the next morning to San Blas Islands (Robinson's Island) with reception at the hostel.
A 4x4 jeep picked us up at 5am and took us to the coast, where we were met by a boatman to take us to our island of choice (the islands are run by the Kuna peoples). There were seven of us from the hostel in total. It took an hour to get to Robinson's Island by boat. Amazing sight: very white sand beaches and coconut palm trees on a very small island. This particular island was shared between two families, Robinsons on one side and Ina's (cousin to Robinson) on the other side. Cost: $25 per day, including board, 3 solid meals per day, and a tour of another island for a couple of hours. Transportation by boat to and from the coast is $7.50 each way. Stayed on the island for 3 nights, leaving mid-morning on the fourth day. Did lots of snorkelling, swimming, lazing around. Had a great time, and the group I was with just happened to be very nice. The family had some kids who were great, and who loved to snap up dragonflies and show them off.
Left by boat back to the coast, went by 4x4 jeep back to Panama City, and asked the driver to take us directly to the bus station. Once at the station, went to David (7 hours), and got there around 7pm. Headed to Purple House Hostel (taxi, $1) for the night. Chatted with some people there and headed for bed.
Next morning, headed on to Boquete (1.5 hours), and checked into Hostel Boquete, on the river ($10 for a dorm room with 4 beds, all to myself.) Great place. Explored some of the town on foot, went up to El Explorador overlooking the area. Overnight Boquete.
Next morning, had some breakfast and headed to Mi Jardin es Su Jardin, which is a spectacular garden owned by an American family who are never there, but open the property for tourists. Early afternoon, I took a local bus to the hot springs (pozos), and took a dip in the hot pools and the much cooler river (it was a hot day). Overnight Boquete.
Next morning, I headed back to David, and immediately connected to a minibus headed for Bocas del Toro (4 hours). Checked into Hostel Heike, which was very busy. Dorm bed was $10. Explored the town on foot. Overnight Bocas del Toro. Next day, I took a tour in the morning to see some dolphins, did some snorkelling from the boat, went to Red Frog Beach on Bastimentos Island, and some more snorkelling off of another island. Back to the town, had some dinner at Bella Vista restaurant, and a couple of beers at Mondo Taitu. Overnight Bocas del Toro. The following day, rented a bike with another traveller, and we headed up the island (Isla Colon) to Bluff Beach, which was very empty, and spectacular. Got thrown around in the waves, and walked for quite some time on the beach itself. Dinner and bed. Overnight Bocas del Toro.
From Bocas del Toro, headed south to Fortuna (just past the Dam) (3 hours) and checked into The Lost and Found Lodge in the cloud forest ($12 dorm bed). Great place, great atmosphere. Owned by two Canadians. Took a hike to the river (3 hours there and back). Dinner, a great roaring campfire with the other guests, and then off to bed. Overnight Fortuna. Following day, did another hike towards the river, but a different trail (a longer one). Dinner, some cards and bed. Overnight Fortuna. Following day, took a tour of the coffee plantation near the hostel (Cune's Tour, $18)), which was great. Had dinner (all food is available there for purchase), played some card games with fellow travellers, drank a couple of beers, and hit bed. All very relaxing. Overnight Fortuna.
Following morning, flagged down a minibus and headed back to David. In David, connected to another minibus to Playa Las Lajas (stopped at El Cruce, and got a taxi to the beach). Stayed at La Spiaza Hostel, run by an Italian couple who are just in the process of finishing the cabins (dorm bed by myself, $6). Eliza makes an amazing chicken sandwich, and amazing capuccinos. Great energy here. The beach was amazing, and empty (as was the whole village). Dinner at a German-run hostel down the beach. Overnight Las Lajas.
Late morning, headed back to Panama City and checked into Mamallena's around 6pm (6 hours from Las Lajas). Went for a nice dinner in the city, and a couple of drinks. Overnight Panama City.
Next day, did some shopping on Via Argentina and surrounding area, and bought some clothes at great prices. Chatted with a long-term ex-pat at her nice little restaurant in the area (Dolce Coffee Shop) over lunch, and watched the rain pour down outside the front patio, which practically became a river. Dinner and overnight Panama City.
Headed out next morning at 10am for my flight home to Vancouver.
