Aqua Lounge Bar & Hostel Bocas del Toro

We wandered around a bit looking at hostals and getting abit downheartened... as even dorm rooms were 10 dollars each... and then an American guy called us into his Hotel, and showed us a great room, over the water, you could see the water through the floorboards! with a shared deck which you could swim from, for only 12 dollars per person, we couldnt refuse!

We had breakfast overlooking the sea and then got the bus to another beach ...

After a long, hot bus journey and interesting border crossing where we were forced off the bus on numerous occasions to complete the exit/entry procedures, we arrived in Changuinola, Panama. A taxi ride with a lunatic driver and a boat ride with a speed fanatic ensured our arrival to the archipelago of Bocas Del Toro.

Over the days that followed (6 in total!) we stayed at the legendary party hostel "Mondo Taitu ...

... of the population still lives in the Comarcas. We’ll see them on our way to the mountains in Boquete. We also picked up a small purse for ourselves. These purses are made out of the fibers from a leaf that is woven together with different patterns depicting scenes in nature.

After making our purchases, we headed back to look at the school that has been set up. It’s been a pet project of ...

It was yet another beautiful sunrise. The rain last night brought out frogs and you name it, all creatures were roaming around. It would have been about 5:45 a.m. The decision as to what to do today? No itinerary was planned. Maybe a drive to Cahuita or to Bribri, there are no set plans so we weren't sure what the day would bring. Upon walking along the beach, two horses ventured up to us, like they knew us. We had to feed them as they ...

... if the get into your system. Tiny, bright, beautiful, deadly. Next, dolphin bay. In Dolphin Bay, we followed around a couple familes of dolphins. They would come up for air every coulple minutes, and we were lucky enough to see a couple of them jump completely out of the water. Then, on to the cacao Plantation. I guess there is some kind of gringo land ownership deal that ...

... i have been making jewelry since i guess i´m going to need to bring home the bacon. we´ll see how that goes!! i also think i´m going to start volunteering at the smithsonian tropical research institute next week which should be really cool to get some more experience in marine conservation field work. maybe with coral this time? we will see!! no pictures today but hopefully soon! hope everyone enjoyed the update, come visit us!! we have lots of extra space!!

The overnight bus to Bocas del Toro had seemed like such a good idea - saving another night in Panama City and arriving fresh-faced and raring to go at this tourist town on a Caribbean archipelago. Things didn't quite go to plan though as our seats right at the front of the bus were blasted with the drivers latino accordian music for the full 8-hour trip. He also stopped frequently to let people on who would come and perch in the aisle and lean on my already cramped ...