PTY IN PYT

PANAMA

Concerts at Plaza Figali

After almost half regretting buying my second ticket to Panama for reasons that were good at the time and really stupid a few months down the road, the second time around in Panama (travelling alone this time) was the most amazing experience I've ever had. I probably slept 15 hours the whole time I was there, I couldn't waste a second of it.  What were the odds that my favorite, Cultura Profetica was performing in Panama City the exact same weekend that I arrived.  So ofcourse I went,  Cultura Profetica performed at the Plaza Figali (which is on the Causeway strip- Islas Calzadas de Amador) along with shows by El Rookie (super popular Panamanian reggaeton artist), Raices y Cultura, and some other band that kinda sucked.  Its only normal to hitchhike a ride back to Casco when the shows done and all the taxis are full, while bumping into a bunch of people you already know from Panama City at the show.

La Explorador

Tell me how a 10 minute walk away park, La Explorador turned into a half hour uphill and downhill battle up the mountain sides in Boquete-Panama.  And when we got there this Alice in Wonderland themed park, eco-jardin was filled with only the most positive and inspirational messages and displays.  The most memorable experience in Boquete, Chiriqui was meeting the owner of La Explorador.  She insists that I call her my Panamanian abuela <3 (she thinks I look like one of her granddaughters) One of the nicest, most positive and inspiring woman I have ever met, she gave us a tour through her garden, taught us about herbs and flowers, walking through the garden and letting us taste the sweet and spicy hibiscus.  Not only did she show us Panamanian hospitality but she invited us into her home.  She taught us about life and love, she just celebrated her 65th wedding anniversary at the time! We spent almost half of the day just sitting in her kitchen talking to her, while her- just as amazing son, Jimmy, baked us cinnamon rolls and made freshly squeezed juice all hand picked from her garden. We were having such an amazing time talking to her we forgot that we ditched Hedda (our Swedish friend) back at the hostel, who fell asleep and probably woke up worried that her friends were missing for over 6 hours.

smile and the whole world will smile with you :)

oh ya and the little creatures too :) (my pet cocodrillo...I wish)

Mercado Del Mariscos

There's nothing more I can ask for after a long night of partying, from the most charming Colombian roomate, Esteban, who doubled as a chef with amazing conversations about business and colombian telenovelas while walking through Casco Viejo in Panama City to buy our food to cook for breakfast.  We walked from our hostel through Avenida Central to Mercado Del Mariscos searching for aguacates and fresh seafood.  ...And I ofcourse can not forget to mention that my best Panamanian friend Larissa took us to the best ceviche place at Mercado Del Mariscos, which was near the end of the plaza facing the ocean. 

Red frog beach

While island hopping and taking one water taxi to another from bocas del toro. We spent a day trip at Red Frog Beach. A beautiful island that's rich in nature and wild animals, still pure until a dominating rich businessman tries to take over and turn it into a tourist money-making resort filled island- hm I should look into that, just kidding. A tiny island that almost reminds me of Gilligan's Island. There are a few volunteers that contribute to building plants, water pumps and decorating the beach house that are living under a few huts shared with the native Indio's that lived there long before any white man stepped foot on the island.

Bocas del Toro

A few years ago when I first started this blog, I made a post about dreaming over going to Bocas Del Toro in Panama. Funny enough, a few years later (this past April) I went. Bocas Del Toro is an island on the Pacific Coast of Panama. Its about a 1 and a half hour flight from Panama City, only costs $130, and the plane isn't as scary as the other backpackers make it sound out to be. This place has a huge influence from the Caribbean, it's obvious with the constant reggae and laid-back, NO PROBLEMS, kinda lifestyle. Bocas is a pretty small island, I'm sure you could see the whole thing in a day. It is very known for its popular Starfish beach- a secluded and more private beach that is a 15 minute walk along the edge of the island walking through palm trees, tropical plants and giant rocks until you finally find this hidden place- since there are no actual roads or paths built to get there. They have constant happy hours where they give away free liquor for a couple hours to get you hammered before it even hits 8PM and go to the three main spots to party. The best part about Bocas is that it is surrounded by other small islands that you can always hop in a water taxi and go island hopping. Anyways, you can't help, but love the place. No one ever actually leaves when they are planned to because they fall in love with Bocas for so many reasons, and I think one of them is that everyone knows each other by the end of the night-or after a few drinks and we all just can't help but come together and celebrate every night beside the ocean waves, while someone brings out their guitar or dance all night at the bar/streets. b