Next morning I took the bus back to david and then headed for Chriqui Grande, on the way to Bocas Del Toro. I ran into a German fellow who was headed the same way - it didn't strike me then, but it should have: wearing shorts, two massive backpacks, a Lonely Planet book glued to his hand. It was an omen for things to come.
Chiriqui Grande the town is simply a small village with a port, and two main streets. Little to see, even less to do. The bus continued through to Almirante, which felt a great deal like Cambodia - disheveled houses, lying next to the sea, lush green jungle. Wooden, roughly constructed docks.




Then something went horribly wrong as we got off the boat. Bocas Del Toro reminds me much of Siem Reap in Cambodia - plenty of foreigners, a dark but wide street, humid as hell. Tropical tourist land, but somehow still a bit raw on the surface.
This town is so rural, and yet so well touristed; I find this strange, and I find it sort of unfortunate that I've stumbled upon this little enclave, hoping to see some wilder part of Panamanian society. I hoped there would be some solace outside of the small towns.














Bastimentos is a cute little island with no roads, just sidewalks. Plenty of 'adventure' couples on honeymoon and plenty of backpackers looking for a party and cheap beer. I found some nice seashells to get my picture taken with - I have conquered the island.

-March 2000



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