Bocas del Toro

Determined to have some fun, though the bars were closed our first night in town for Dia de la Muerte and there being very few entertainment alternatives, we bought a frisbee and ventured to the nearest beach.  After a period of struggling to play in the dark we joined some locals playing beach volleyball under a street light.  Though the game was far from competetive and the majority of players took at least one plunge or dive to the ground becoming encased in sand, we had a blast.

Day 2 in Bocas was Panamanian Independence day meaning for two days straight there were parades and drums along one or the other of two main streets both directly in front of our hostel.  After observing and becoming bored of hearing the same rhythm pounded out repeatedly we decided to catch a boat to a snorkeling area then to stunning Red Frog beach for some suntanning and body surfing.  In the evening we discovered one of the cooleste bars we´ve attended with a two bars and dance floors, the first over the water on a dock with a square hole cut out framing a shipwreck a couple meters below the ocean´s surface, as well as a a separate room with a sand dance floor and some great electronic beats.

After being put to bed and woken up to the rumblings of a marching band we rented kayaks for the day.  We spent some time knocking on hulls of sail boats and visiting marinas attempting to find a job crewing on a sailboat, then pulled our kayaks up at Aqualounge, a hostel/bar on a dock off a smaller island and took turns throwing ourselves off the diving board and becoming dehydrated because with beer being half the price of water at 50 cents, we couldn´t afford to hydrate ourselves.  Shortly before returning our kayaks we spotted some dolphins not far from Aqualounge and hopped back in our kayaks to chance them a round for a while.

On a rainy day, in search of some adventure, but with few ideas, Kendra and I decided to take a stroll in the rain and see what adventure found us.  After walking aimlessly for some time we came upon a pothole infested dirt road which narrowed into a muddy path leading onto the airstrip.  Spotting others walking along it we decided to follow their lead, willing a plane to land so we could witness it from our prime location.  When we got to the end of the runway we crossed a very muddy and water-filled field with a few individual sandals decorating the long grass, soon realizing why as we both briefly lost one flip-flop to the sticky mud.  Two Panamanian police officers in full uniform and weapons were stationed on the road just off the field and approached us as we exited to inform us that it was illegal to walk along the airstrip and that we would need to come with them to the station to hear what our penalty would be.  We were clearly hesitant and weary about getting in the cop car but once the rusty handcuffs were waved in front of us we realized we had little choice.  With our hearts beginning to pound, we both agreed we´d be able to will some tears if necessary, though decided it might just give the cops more satisfaction.  We were fortunate enough to be presented with an English-speaking woman cop, who after hearing both sides of the story let us off with a warning that we should carry a copy of our passports on us at all times and stay off the runway before 6pm.  The greatest satisfaction, however, came just before when she yelled at the two cops in front of us for bringing us in.  To celebrate not getting arrested or having to pay a hefty fine we treated ourselves to a huge sushi feast.