For Muddled my panamanian adventure.

[neonpink]

I just got back from Panama. It was my first time visiting Central America. We arrived at 10pm and an hour later left the airport with our rental car and headed of to the rainforest.

The first few days we spent at a resort in the middle of the Rainforest in Gamboa, Panama. Our room overlooked Lake Gatun (formed by the canal.)  The views from our balcony were amazing. It even had it's own hammock.It was really beautiful to watch the sunrise every day. I got up every day with the sun no matter how late I stayed up.  The rainforest and grounds had tons of animals. I saw things in the wild I had never heard of and things I'd always wanted to see. Toucans, Iguanas, Capybaras. I have never stayed anywhere so green and lush. They also make killer pina coladas in Panama. It's all fresh pinapple, coconut water and rum. I am going to try and recreate it.

While in Gamboa we drove to Panama (30 minutes away) to see the Canal. It was truly amazing. The canal is controlled by gravity no mechanics. We got to see a boat go through it.

We left Panama City/Gamboa for a crazy drive to Bocas Del Toro. It's an archipelago on the Caribbean sea. The drive there was long but filled with beautiful valleys and mountains. The people once we got closer to the heart of the country looked very national geographic. Traditional dress and very interesting faces.  We made it to the town that has a ferry to Bocas. If I was going again. I would fly. That drive is killer, or I'd rent a bigger car than a tiny yaris.

Bocas Del Toro was my favorite area. Our hotel was on stilts connected to an island. The people were super friendly the weather great, and the food delicious. We hired a charter (150 dollars for 6 people then 80 per day for 6) with an amazing guide. He took us out snorkeling in coral reefs, hung out on an isolated island that they say Cast Away was filmed on. A bay that was filled with starfish you could just swim around and look at. The water was so clear that you could see fish swimming. Dolphins came right up to our boat one day. It was fantastic. You have to take a water taxi to the different islands it costs a buck. If I was going again to Bocas, I'd fly there from PC. The drive was beautiful but I'd rather have spent more time in Bocas Del Toro.
Not my picture but an idea.
farm5.staticflickr.com/4027/4516408730_1fdc7ec609_z.jpg

We left a day early to split our drive up. We stayed at a resort on the Pacific. We sat under a thatched umbrella drinking pool drinks and relaxing. Much needed after our adventures in Bocas. I wish we could have stayed there longer but they were booked solid after we left.

Back in Panama City we explored more, but the best part was going to a park and seeing real live Sloths! We saw some sleeping in the trees but we came across one that was up and eating. They are faster than I though and have really cute faces.

All in All Panama was beautiful, the people really friendly and nice, the food everywhere we went was amazing. I have never eaten so much fresh seafood in my life. I was surprised at how many expats are there. I met someone from Atlanta, and lots of Californians. 

I would post some pictures but I don't know how.

[margarita]

This all sounds so cool. I'm glad you had a great trip, and that you got to see some sloths!

[partiallysunny]

That sounds like so much fun!

[Muddled]

Thanks! Your trip sounds fantastic. Panama has often come up in discussions of where to go on vacation, but we haven't made it there yet. This just may serve as inspiration.

I imagine I speak for all of us when I say that you should figure out how to PIP. Try uploading to tinypic. It will then give you a link that you can post here.

[captainmel]

Next time you go on vacation I want to stow away in your suitcase. That sounds like so much fun!