Whole Wide World Travel : Panamanda

That's short for Amanda in Panama. That's where we are now.

Just a head's up: this blog post might be boring. Sorry folks, it just happens that way sometimes. Generally speaking, I try to live a funny and clever life. Usually it comes naturally but sometimes it takes effort. And writing a blog that incorporates my humor and wit can sometimes be a challenge. I'm not up for the challenge.

Also, (let me try to explain without sounding unhappy or ungrateful) after 6 months of traveling, it's just not as exciting as it was in the beginning. I mean in the beginning beginning you are so nervous and excited and OMG you can't believe this is finally happening! Then after a few weeks in you realize this is the best thing you ever could have done and, OMG, you are just going to do this forever because it is so awesome! After 6 months though, it becomes more routine. It's still fun and I am stilling loving my life and I spend my time doing things I enjoy, but at the same time, the bright polish starts to fade. It's not a bad thing, it's just a thing that happens, especially when you spend a large chunk of time in cultures that are somewhat similar (meaning we have just been in Central America. Not all countries are the same by any means but it certainly isn't as diverse as a month here, then in Eastern Europe, then Western Europe, then China, then Algeria, then New Zealand, etc.). If you plan to travel for an extended period of time, don't be surprised if a slump happens. It's life, slumps happen.

My lackluster attitude aside, we have had a fun 2 weeks in Panama, so let me give you the scoop!

We spent 5 days in Bocas del Toro, Panama. This is a group of islands (on the north/Caribbean side) which are continuing to become more popular with tourists and expats. We enjoyed ourselves, but it didn't quite live up to the hype. Highlight include searching for starfish at Playa Estrella (and successfully finding them), renting bikes and spending the day at Bluff Beach, shopping/window shopping daily at Super Gourmet, and enjoying one of the nicest hotels rooms we have had so far.

(balcony off our fancy hostel room)

(Star fish hunting success!)

(beautiful and private Bluff Beach)

Following Bocas we headed towards Boquete with a stopover in David to break up the travel. David was about 100 degrees with 100% humidity. When we arrived at our hotel we learned that "today the pool is dirty and cannot be used". Supposedly this was the only day this had ever happened. The pool was the reason we came to this hostel so this was a huge disappointment. Highlights included leaving and nothing else.

NO PHOTOS. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Next we headed upwards (elevation 1000m or so) to Boquete. It is a lovely small town in the hills and has a much larger ex-pat population than we expected. International Living must really be tooting it's horn about this place. Highlights included eating the best sandwiches in all of Central America and going on a really nice long walk/hike and enjoying the hillside.

(views from our walk/hike)

(not our hostel)

(bridge crossing)

As we were gearing up to leave Boquete and spend over a week in Panama City, we started getting reports from everyone that Panama City was terrible, not to go, leave as soon as we arrive, and to only get there in time to catch our flight. As you can imagine this was disappointing news as we wanted to complete our time in Central America on a good note! Luckily for us, everyone was wrong; we love Panama City!

We spent 6 nights in Casco Viejo (the old town) and enjoyed it's charm as much of it is becoming restored. We also will spend 3 nights in the new downtown area so we can get to experience the city from another place. Highlights include: amazing lattes, morning workouts, walking along the malecon, delicious and inexpensive comedor/cafeteria food, visiting the Panama Canal during the 100th anniversary, and starring as extras in a Panamania movie. Stay tuned because the next post is all about our new life as movie stars.