I used to work for GM in Argentina, dealing with import and export regulations and protocols, says Baltazhar my dive guide and underwater companion for the last 3 days. The money was good but spending my life in an office was not what I wanted to do, he says. Here in Bocas, every day is something special and new, the weather good or bad, the sea calm or turbulent, rainbows over the mountains, cool stuff under the sea, he enjoys everything in it's simplest sense. I can only agree, he has hit the nail on the head!
Bocas could be Koh Tao, Bocas could be the Perhentian islands, Bocas could be Gili Trawagan, it is any place we have been where we feel totally chilled out, removed from the claustrophobia of city life. Things move slowly here, if you are in a rush, go somewhere else, if you are happy to go with the flow then you will be fine here. Thomaso, the friendly Italian from Milano who owns the apartments where I am staying says that when building a house on the island, the house is finished when it's finished, not when want or say when it needs to be done, you have no real control. Just go with the flow.
The beaches are pleasant, the sea temperature is sublime and the air is warm and humid.
It seems that many people stop by here on a trip and end up staying forever. Walking through the small town in the back streets you hear many people with non Panamian accents, Americans, Italians, Northern Europeans, Costa Ricans and a myriad other nations. Small home shops, basic accommodation, bike rentals and higgledy piggledy supermarkets are the order of the day here. There are a couple of flash looking hotels but they seem out of place and are empty. Backpacker and Flashpacker seem to be the visitors here.
Wandering off the beaten track I find the local hospital, very important obviously. However in true 3rd world style, on the left of the main entrance is the morgue, clearly signposted and marked. What makes sense next to a hospital and morgue? You guessed it, the cemetery! A one stop shop if you think about it.....
Let's go diving!
I had the pleasure of diving with an outfit called La Buga. What a great bunch of dive folk, very friendly, passionate about diving , the sea and their clients. Diving here is very simple, sites are close by and there is more than enough to see. I have always wondered where Lobsters go for holidays, well they come to Bocas. Spider Crabs join them too as we all know they need a break from crab related responsibilities. I have never seen such a healthy lobster and crab population anywhere else in my diving life. We even found a seahorse! A Devil Ray joined us on the first dive along with numerous stingrays, jacks and snappers. Tonight I'm doing a night dive so who know which denizens of the deep will be joining us.
Diving here is still fairly low key which means that you the sites are not crowded and you can take your time. Every dive so far has been at least 1 hour, something which is a luxury in most dive destinations, no wetsuit required as the water is around 29c regardless of depth. Visibility is average but enough to work with. This is definitely a great place to learn how to dive and gain confidence as the conditions are superb.
Apologies to those non-divers among you, I just had to plug the diving a little...
Damn, I'm on a schedule so have to go and get ready for the night dive now. Luckily I have found the best Mohito maker on the island so post night dive celebratory cocktail will be waiting for when I return. Best of all? Happy hour price - $2.40!!
Cheers!
Bocas could be Koh Tao, Bocas could be the Perhentian islands, Bocas could be Gili Trawagan, it is any place we have been where we feel totally chilled out, removed from the claustrophobia of city life. Things move slowly here, if you are in a rush, go somewhere else, if you are happy to go with the flow then you will be fine here. Thomaso, the friendly Italian from Milano who owns the apartments where I am staying says that when building a house on the island, the house is finished when it's finished, not when want or say when it needs to be done, you have no real control. Just go with the flow.
The beaches are pleasant, the sea temperature is sublime and the air is warm and humid.
Wandering off the beaten track I find the local hospital, very important obviously. However in true 3rd world style, on the left of the main entrance is the morgue, clearly signposted and marked. What makes sense next to a hospital and morgue? You guessed it, the cemetery! A one stop shop if you think about it.....
Let's go diving!
I had the pleasure of diving with an outfit called La Buga. What a great bunch of dive folk, very friendly, passionate about diving , the sea and their clients. Diving here is very simple, sites are close by and there is more than enough to see. I have always wondered where Lobsters go for holidays, well they come to Bocas. Spider Crabs join them too as we all know they need a break from crab related responsibilities. I have never seen such a healthy lobster and crab population anywhere else in my diving life. We even found a seahorse! A Devil Ray joined us on the first dive along with numerous stingrays, jacks and snappers. Tonight I'm doing a night dive so who know which denizens of the deep will be joining us.
Forrest and Baltazhar
Diving here is still fairly low key which means that you the sites are not crowded and you can take your time. Every dive so far has been at least 1 hour, something which is a luxury in most dive destinations, no wetsuit required as the water is around 29c regardless of depth. Visibility is average but enough to work with. This is definitely a great place to learn how to dive and gain confidence as the conditions are superb.
Forrest in his natural habitat
Damn, I'm on a schedule so have to go and get ready for the night dive now. Luckily I have found the best Mohito maker on the island so post night dive celebratory cocktail will be waiting for when I return. Best of all? Happy hour price - $2.40!!
Cheers!
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