Bee, Bocas del Toro, and 2013

I dedicate this post to my late uncle Sorie Musa, who was the smartest man I knew. He would surely be proud of the fact that I am teaching language while exploring. He was a dedicated father, intellectual, French teacher and studied linguistics. Uncle, you'll be happy to know that the Musa bunch is quite the group, especially, Kekura :) 01/14/01

just a dreamer, trying to DO.

random inspiring art on Isla Bastimientos

Well, hello pasajeros! Happy New Year from your favorite DMV Sierra Leonean-American girl in Panama! I made it back to my favorite Central American country just in time for the New Year; it was intentional. After surprising my mother and sister-girl for Christmas and baby shower, respectively, partying in the best place to be Sierra Leonean outside of Sierra Leone, the DMV, and spending quality time with loved ones, I was ready to return to Panama. There is just something about this place that motivates me.

can you see the glow already?

I had planned on spending New Year’s at home initially but then my cousin reminded me about how I always complain on New Years wishing I were somewhere else. Sounds like something I would do. So, I made sure that I made it back to Panama on Dec 30th. I prayed and prayed and fasted and prayed that some miserable snowstorm would not keep me stuck at the airport. Granted, I almost missed my flight due to a family meeting mysteriously scheduled 2 hours before departure, lol, I was able to make it.

As soon as I stepped off the plane, the humidity brought my dry skin back to its element. Oh, how I missed the way my chocolate skin glows as a result of a tropical climate. To be ashy is not kind to one’s skin or life.

Our initial plan was to ring in the New Year at some totally rad beach party on one of the islands. However…

Notice I said initial plan. We tried. Left Panama City at about 11:30 am on New Year’s Eve heading to David. From David, we would catch another bus to Almirante and then take a water taxi to the islands. Bocas Del Toro is a province in Panama that has a set of beautiful islands on the Caribbean coast.

Somehow we passed our stop and ended up in Chaguinola, which is a city in the province. Some locals explained that it would be best for us to wait until the morning and then head back to Almirante for the water taxi. They stopped a taxi for us and the taxi took us to a really decent and affordable hotel in the town. Did I mention that the taxi ride was $1.40? Good deal and friendly town.

the caribbean!

By midnight the entire town was putting on their own fireworks in every corner. Not particularly pleasant in my opinion, but I was still grateful to be in a warm and different environment on New Year's Eve :)

I turned in shortly after ringing in the New Year, eating some street kabobs and praying for the path to continue accomplishing my dreams for this year.

The next morning we continued our sojourn to Almirante. As of right now I still love bus rides. Just something about being able to see so much of a region on a bus fascinates me. My travel partner wasn’t exactly pleased. But I enjoyed the freedom. The ride. The scenery. The greenery. This time we were actually paying attention and not dozing off. We got off at Almirante and proceeded to look for the area where we could take the water taxi. These types of things excite me. I have also come to learn that I really enjoy riding in small boats in big oceans. Lol, probably not something my mom wants to hear but I feel so at peace while being driven and taking in the scenery. Of course I strap on my life jacket. 

things you see from your water taxi

strapped up!

a little crab i picked up

After about 17 After minutes we arrived to the main island, Isla Colon. We located an affordable accommodation, then changed into our beachwear and headed to the ocean. The catch here is that you have to take a water taxi to the next islands. I love it! We went to Isla Bastimientos, and had lunch at Bibi’s. It was not particularly a sunny day and I was a tad bit stressed because of that, but then I picked up my spirits by realizing that I was in Panama on an island on New Year’s Day! Sun or no sun, we made it fun. 

monkey has no worries...hanging from the tree

peace, like a picture from a poem

The next day we bargained with a water taxi guy to take us to Red Frog, which was beautiful. I will let the pictures speak about my time at Red Frog. But in a nutshell, this beach made my New Year’s special. I felt inspired to continue going forward with my dreams and adventures. There was something about the rock structures, which I sort of climbed. Made me feel empowered and ready to take on the world.  Plus, I loved my neon margarita bathing suit courtesy of Victoria’s Secret. I also enjoyed my company, observing people, trying to guess where they were from, wondering what brought them to Bocas and riding the big waves in the Atlantic. I truly enjoyed red frog. Not to mention a yummy chicken burger and piña colada on the beach. You can't beat it.

main island

One downside about the main island, Isla Colon where we stayed was that there was barely any local food. As I consider myself a #foodie (or just greedy, lol), it is important to get the feel for the food in any place you are visiting. I look forward to that, and unfortunately, I guess due to lots of tourists, the town has lost it’s local feel, I think. Too many burger and pizza shops; I was expecting lots of places that sell fresh fish/seafood, patacones, natural juice and for a nice price, lol. But that didn’t happen. I settled for hamburgers and a pizza that I think made us sick the next day.

After sun, sand and the warm Caribbean water, that I was ready to head back I the city, read The Alchemist and get it crackin’. Ready to get back to the hustle and bustle of Panama City. See, one thing Panama offers is the opportunity to live a semi-fast paced life (minus the amount of time traffic jams take away from that pace lol) and a wonderful beach life option. You can be an English teacher during the week and a surfer chic on the weekends. I'm not exactly a surfer but the contrast sounded nice. You catch my drift though.

As I write this post to you, I am reminded that this was one of my dreams for 2012. To travel, see Panama and as much as Central America as possible and share my experiences through writing and photos. I will continue to do this in 2013. Be ready for it all! This year, I project that I will see more, learn more and do more, for myself and girls/women.

just keep moving towards your dreams...they are attainable

Stay tuned, strap on your seatbelt for more exciting times and rides on Bee’s Backseat 2013!