To David, Panama? Maybe later . . .

Well . . . eventually, maybe.

Heading east from Puerto Viejo, Jeff changed his mind, voting now to cross the border into Panama and then head out to Bocas del Toro  - just for a day or two.

So in the sweltering midday sun we found ourselves trudging over the Costa Rica - Panama border crossing, which is a decrepit railroad bridge over the Sixaola River. Once over, we waited for the next bus by lunching in the muddy, musty shade of the border town's general store.  Between us we polished off a petite can of sardines, some wheat bread, and a bottle of water. All while dripping sweat and  laughing about our luxurious, enviable adventure.

The water taxi ride out to Bocas crossed a vast bay at top speed and scooted between exotic mangrove islands. So refreshing, just exactly what we needed.

Bocas?  Well for me Bocas Town presents itself as a somewhat endearing tourist spot with brightly painted older buildings, tons of tourists, very few cars and little, inexpensive water taxis to deliver people out to a long list of nearby islands.  The vast majority of the traffic in the streets is pedestrians and bicycles.  Makes sense for life on an island in a coral atoll.  Sweet.

A load of desks being chased by a sweater ghost.

Walking the plank to Panama. Bonus: Peek a boo views of the Sixaola River. 

Welcome to Panama.

Heading out to Bocas Town.

Everyone has an ocean view. Yep, those are outhouses on the docks over the water.

Splish splash. Zoom zoom.

OK I'll go for the easy one. It was a hair raising voyage.

Boats are a way of life in Bocas Town.

Used to be some innocent mangroves and shrimp along this shore.

Enjoying the beach.

Proof: the shoes are off.

Pretty dang tropical.

Pretty dang relaxing.

Junior gets first lesson about beach fun. 

The sauce was very hot. The food was good.

The restaurant is a dock with a roof.

An actual Gurgel auto. They were manufactured in Brazil between 1969 and 1994.

Personally, I wouldn't want to live on a hot, rainy Caribbean Island - but a two night stay was great!

Pack it up!!