Bocas del Toro - Oh how beautiful is Panama

Even though the little bear and the little tiger never made it to Panama (childhood memory), we actually set foot on Panamanian soil. A tuned Rastafari shuttle takes us to the coast to Almirante. From there we take a water taxi (about 30 minutes) to Bocas on Isla Colon. We quickly find our surf hostel and chat directly with our host Tyler. We are the only guests at the moment. Tyler came to Bocas 11 years ago at the age of 19 from the USA for a vacation and somehow got stuck there. We can't blame him. On Tyler's recommendation, we go to 'Hungry Monkey' for lunch. If you ever end up there, definitely try the mint lemonade! Refreshing! The tacos and chipotle cheese steak sandwich are also great. Back at the hostel, we grab the kayaks and take a few turns around the island. In the evening, we go to the porch with a bottle of wine and relax in the hammocks. It's a nice way to unwind.

Unsuspecting, we stand on the veranda for breakfast on Friday morning, ready to go snorkeling afterwards. The goal is the bar 'Blue Coconut' because there is supposed to be a fantastic reef there. Tyler the surf instructor and his neighbor (let's call him Paul) the diving instructor laugh at us when we tell them about our plan for the day. Today is 'Filthy Friday' in Bocas. 3 islands, 3 party spots, all day long! The 'Blue Coconut' is closed to ordinary people today. Tyler says that this party event is a bit extreme and no longer for people his age (30 years). We nod in agreement. The party tickets cost us $25 per person and we get a tank top and fake tattoos in return. Transportation between the islands and some shots are included. Unfortunately, there is a long-term internet problem on the entire island and the ATMs are not working. After some searching, we find a supermarket that allows us to get cash for a considerable fee. With that, the party can start and we have a few beers, the first shot, and mix rum and cola (ice, rum, and a dash of cola for color). We were advised not to bring any valuables, so there are unfortunately (fortunately) no compromising photos from the party. While the DJ is hot at the turntables, we splash around above a sunken boat from the pier. With our mood significantly improved, we head to the second spot (Blue Coconut). ... Drinks ... Dancing to Caribbean tunes ... Basketball in the water ... Shots ... Inflatable animal race ... Drinks ... After about 4 to 5 hours, we continue to the final destination 'Aqua Lounge'. The crowd is now moving at a healthy Ballermann level. ... Drinks ... We humiliate a few Americans in beer pong ... Shots ... deep conversations with people from other nations ... fire breather ... Drinks ... diving from a wooden platform ... water taxi ... bed!!!

A hangover at nearly 100% humidity is no pleasure. 'I'm getting too old for this shit!' (Stephan) Damn, today we have to leave the hostel because a group of college bunnies is taking over our house. We pack our bags and sneak across the street to 'Lulas Bed & Breakfast'. Two cyclists pass us, shout 'Mr. Beer-Pong-Man' and Stephan high-fives them. We wait out the midday heat and borrow two bikes to ride to 'Bluff Beach', about 10 km north of Bocas. The 45-minute bike ride is rewarded with a fantastic view and wonderful bathing water. Since it gets dark early here, the bike rental also closes at 6 pm. So after a meal (salad and tacos), a swim in the Atlantic, and sunbathing, we start making our way back. Unfortunately, Nina didn't leave her bad luck with bicycles in Hamburg. After just a few kilometers, in the middle of a gravel road, her bike gives up. The rear wheel bearing is broken. So we have to push it until we come across a saving taxi. Now we also know why only pickup trucks serve as taxis here. Just in time, we make it back to the bike rental before closing time. Phew! For dinner, we go back to 'Hungry Monkey' and then for a nightcap to 'Mamallena', which has a great veranda with underwater lighting. Here we end our evening in Bocas and don't really want to leave.

The next morning, despite everything, we leave the island and head to the mainland. Another adventure awaits us in David (not a person, but a place)!