Day 8 Panama City - Bocas del Toro - 05.02.2023

Today we were able to sleep in because we didn't have to vacate the apartment until 11:00 am. Unfortunately, Anne woke us up at 7:00 am by shouting in alarm. We saw a large black bug, about 10 cm long, quickly running across the wall. After a short internet search, we found out it was a giant cockroach. Anne took mercy and caught the cockroach with a glass and threw it onto the balcony. We quickly turned our suitcases upside down and looked for any other bugs but found none. That was the end of our good night's rest. We made coffee in the kitchen and ate an old sweet bread from the supermarket. Then we went to the supermarket again to withdraw cash. Unfortunately, in Panama, it's only possible to withdraw up to $250 US dollars for a fee of $6.50. I've never experienced that in any other country. Our landlady, Patty, arrived promptly at 11:00 am, and we had a chat with her. She has German roots and could speak some German. She waited with us for the driver who took us to the national airport in Albrook, from where we flew to Bocas del Toro at 1:00 pm on an Air Panama Fokker 50. The flight lasted about 45 minutes, and we had a beautiful view of Panama City and the Panama Canal. We flew the entire length of the canal to the Atlantic Ocean and then turned towards Bocas in Costa Rica. We also had a wonderful view of the island archipelago around Colon Island with its Caribbean beaches during landing. We landed on time, and after our suitcases were checked by a cute "drug dog" from customs, we could go to our pre-arranged taxi. We then drove through the capital Bocas Town, which consisted mainly of hotels, hostels, bars, and poorer homes of the locals. Here, too, the poverty of the locals was very visible. The temperatures were 28 degrees Celsius with very humid air. The jungle begins behind the town. In Bocas, we mainly saw tourists and people who had moved here. There were also many surfers. We drove on paved but very potholed roads. Just outside the town, the road ended, and we continued on an unpaved mud road with large potholes. The sea was sometimes only half a meter away and washed onto the road. Fortunately, we had a Toyota Hilux with large tires. Nevertheless, we were still shaken up. After half an hour's drive, we arrived in paradise. Our accommodation, "Oasis Bluff Beach," is located directly on Bluff Beach, separated only by the dirt road for all types of vehicles. The hotel has 6 rooms and a restaurant, a garden with palm trees and loungers, as well as a cocktail bar in the garden. We were warmly greeted by the owners and given information about the hotel, rooms, and excursions. We had 2 double rooms with a direct view of the sea and a very large covered terrace with a hammock and terrace chairs. It was beautiful. We had a small snack and then went to the beach. The waves here are very strong, as is the current. However, it is a beautiful beach with palm trees, few people, and a very nice beach. Cocktails were also served on the beach, and we ordered Mojitos. In the evening, we had a barbecue in the restaurant with a view of the sea. We then enjoyed a final cocktail on the terrace and admired the full moon and its reflection in the sea. Then we fell asleep to the sound of the sea and the noise of the jungle.