On to Boquete

We covered some ground on Tuesday, March 22nd:

Getting to Boquete took half a day. The distance is not far but the road travels up and over a mountain range and the bus goes slow.

 None the less it was an experience.

This is how we got to Boquete from Bocas del Toro:

1. boat taxi from Bocas del Toro (Isla Colon) to Alamarante, Panama = $3.00
   
2. taxi ride from Almarante boat dock to Almarante bus station = $1.00
3. 4 hour, 80 kilometer bus ride from Almarante to David = $7.00
4. taxi ride from David's bus station to David's airport = $2.00
5. rental car = free (thanks to karalee) :)

We fell in love with Boquete. A magical mountainous town surrounded by coffee plantains, which sits at the base of Volcan Baru(11,000ft.). A river runs through Boquete and the main road has lots to offer. We found a restaurant on the main road  called Restaurante Sabroson, which ended up being the only restaurant any of us wanted to eat at the whole time we were there. Sean and I could eat a plate full of rice, beans, plantains, stewed chicken, fried bread, and whatever else they were offering for about $2.00 per person. Strawberry and banana milkshakes 60 cents. Cheap and delicious.

We checked in to Mamallena in Boquete and were pleased with the affordable and hospitable accommodation. The four of us shared a room for 10 dollars per person a night.

a hostel room named "Meri" at  Mammallena's in Boquete

We had an amazing day on Wednesday, March 23rd: We spent it walking the grounds of a botanical garden, touring a coffee plantation that didn't offer tours, and exploring the steep roads that climbed the hills surrounding the town. We saw many beautiful things. 

"Mi Jardin es su Jardin" A beautiful botanical garden free for the public to roam

WELCOME to Caffe Sitton's de Panama coffee bean plantation

Upon walking into Caffe Sitton we realized it wasn't a tourist stop. However, Scotty spoke with some of the workers and they said it was fine if we looked around. Soon enough we had a private tour of the plantation where a very kind man gave us the ins and outs on how to make coffee.. Scotty translated. 

Tah-da! Final product.. Coffee beans ready for roasting. 

The beans are bagged in big burlap sacs and shipped. 

Careful dogish looking deer will cross the road

Panama!!! (as sung by Van Halen)

Hola from Panama!!

We debated calling this This blog post "Planes, trains, automobiles, and Boats...." We felt both titles could have adequately summarized the most recent days of travel. Here is picture story of our first few days of our Panama trip. enjoy.

The adventure began on Thursday, March 17th:

On St. Pattys day there was a last minute decision to head out of town that night. We orinally planned to leave Friday morning but after seeing the oversold flight schedule for the next morning we knew it was now or never... Scotty, Sean, and I jumped on a plane to ST. Louis where we caught some zzzz's that evening in the airport.

The flying continued on Friday, March 18th:

After being awoken at 4:00am by the STL Starbucks employees we brushed our teeth and headed for the gate.. That morning we were suppose to board a plane to Atlanta, unfortunately there was only room for one non-rev traveler. So, Scotty got on and Sean and I assured him we would meet him in Atlanta. As we waited for the next flight we watched the numbers of available seats shrink... So, we looked at the menu (aka.. departure screen) and decided on Washington D.C, considering that there were flights leaving every hour on the hour leaving to ATL from there. We jumped on the flight to D.C and lucked out in first class. Swweeeet :)

Meri searching for flights in Washington National airport

After arriving in DCA we were sorry to learn that the military have priority on open seats, and are not listed on the non-revenue standby list.. So, we knew we were going to be there for a day and probably wouldn't make it to ATL in time to catch our flight to PTY...

So, we headed in to the city to meet up with Nick and Melissa and see the sights a bit... This was such an incredible afternoon..

The Capitol

The mall was so beautiful and Nick boasted that day to be the most beautiful day he has seen in D.C since moving there last August. After walking the mall and capital hill with very heavy packs we jumped on Melissa's invitation to a happy hour in china town and some sushi..

Nick and Sean in China town D.C

Nick and Melissa at Sushi

After dinner, Nick and Melissa put us on the metro and we were off in hopes to catch a flight to ATL.. Luckily we caught the last flight out of DCA, and we arrived in ATL ready for some sleep. We found a hotel online with a good deal and had a very interesting run in, when we opened the door to our hotel room we found that our room was already assigned to another couple... akward..

Sean on the balcony of our hotel in atl

the twosome became a foursome on Saturday, March 19th:

We were clean and rested after springing for a hotel in the city. We were really looking forward to meeting up with our travel companions and we were optimistic we would make it. After a lazy morning and a long walk around downtown ATL we barely made it to the airport in time to catch our flight. Sean and I sprinted to the gate and almost didn't make the open flight to Panama City.

Panama City was huge.. Skyscrapers and bright lights. Finally meeting Scotty and Karalee at our hotel in Panama City was a joyous occasion. We cleaned up and headed out for dinner at a Lebanese restaurant called Beirut.. Tasty..mmmmm

there was some more flying on Sunday, March 20th:

5:00 am came around quickly and were off to the Panama City Albrook airport to catch our puddle jumper plane to Bocas Del Toro.. After arriving tot he airport at 5:30am we were disappointed when we learned the flight didn't actually leave till 8:55am.. So I knitted, Scotty slept, Karalee stared at people, and Sean wandered a bit.

Karalee at Albrook Panama airport (serving domestic flights only) at 6:00am

Casa Verde's docs

Finally we arrive at Casa Verde in Bocas del Toro! Hungry and waiting for the kitchen to open

After checking in to Casa Verde we explored Bocas, and finished the day with a Boat ride to Bastimentos and a jungle hike to a secluded beach where a very intense Acro-Yoga battle occurred with the only other three people on the beach.. It was amazing.. And yes.. Our human backpack skills kicked some serious ass.

On the boat to Bastimentos, headed to wizard beach

short beautiful hike through the jungle..

wizard beach

Meri on the boat taxi back from Bastimentos

On Monday, March 21 we rode bikes to Bocas del Drago, then had a nice chill in the hammocks. We finished the day with a nice boat ride back to Bastimentos and another jungle hike to a thai restaruant (with no running water) built on a hillside over looking the ocean and the jungle canopy. It was incredible.

riding 10 (hilly) miles on beach cruisers across Isla Colon

The reward after the ride was nice.

We finished the day with a nice boat ride back to Bastimentos and another jungle hike to a thai restaruant (with no running water) built on a hillside over looking the ocean and the jungle canopy. It was incredible.

on Tuesday March 22nd, we left Bocas to begin some more traveling

Mer and Sean on the Boat taxi out of Bocas