My sister Sally joined me in Boquete and we braved bad weather together drinking rum and giggling on the beautiful patio and Hotel Central Boquete. Looking forward to better weather we headed south to Boca Chica for a small boat transfer to Boca Brava. This was a part of the month-long journey I looked forward to most and was I ever right!
Lovely and charming but not for the faint of heart. Hotel Boca Brava boasts a long narrow row of steps straight up to the stunning view. Pack light, or like us, opt to leave your things at the bottom and incentivize one of the staff to retrieve your bags. Little or sometimes no water and electric it is still completely manageable and in some cases enhanced our experience. Great views, semi-cold (ice rations) beverages and awesome food were ours. We settled into the big suite and headed out for a hike. Beautiful swimable beaches, hilly trails, and lots of monkeys and other wild life. I love this place. There are so many beautiful birds. Don’t forget your bird identification book and decent binoculars. More on Hotel Boca Brava
A small side note. At this point in my adventure I get a call from work saying they need me to come to the boat. I have not yet written much about my job but it is the reason I am afforded this lifestyle. I love it and would happily and instantly leave any vacation to get back to it. They were able to make other arrangement with another crew member. I work aboard the American Queen and the American Empress. Two stunning and luxurious river boats in these great United States. More on that later. Everybody wants my job.
Sally left me in David after three fun nights in Boca Brava. I had a full day of travel ahead to get to Eco Venao. Remember Planes, Trains, and Automobiles? This was Boats, Busses and Taxis. Eight hours later, starving and rattled I arrived Eco Venao. This was “braving it” for me. You see, I have been living a pampered lifestyle completely losing touch with my authentic self. For thirteen years I had been sitting still, waiting for something to happen, stagnate, unhappy, frozen. Now as I headed up this remote road I felt my soul reviving, starting to revel and I breathed it in. I am returning to me and I am elated.
Surfers, skater dudes and socialites unite! All accommodation options in one lovely spot. That is what makes this place one of a kind in my mind. I had amazing sessions with both Derek and Jade. They are an amazing couple that run the Spa at Eco Venao. They are both very gifted and Derek does amazing energy work. Just what I needed. Monkeys came for a close visit, spent lots of time reading in the hammock, restful sweet peaceful nights. Relaxed and really not wanting to leave I headed out after 3 nights.
A relaxing intermodal day from Venao to Panama City’s Albrook Airport and a short flight to Isla Contadora was in the works. Great little island if you love the beach and great food at Casa Tortuga (see map). This restaurant is the gem on the island. They offer pizza or the dish of the day. I love everything about this restaurant. I was longing for an adult beverage but could not make a decision. The gentleman who I believe is the manager offered me a freezing cold glass of Prosecco. It was perfect and delicious.I would go back to this island just to eat at Casa Tortuga. Casa Tortuga info and reviews
I once had a boss that said, “you can’t go to the store for a coke without something crazy happening”. This has been true most of my life. It is entirely possible that this is something I manifested. When I was growing up I was constantly telling exaggerated stories and fantasies as fact. It was my way of trying to make myself more interesting and popular as I was for the most part ignored at home. I conjured up people, illness, talents and love that had no roots in reality. It was a sad existence and probably the reason I have chosen to live a vagabond lifestyle…but again…I digress. I cannot lie to my readers. These digressions will be frequent as I have a story to tell that is just beginning to surface at age fifty.
I’m not sure about the next post topic yet. For sure I will tell you about my trip to buy Pearls in the Archipelago de las Perlas. Teaser…don’t go on Sunday. Suggestions and questions welcome. Thanks for reading!
Coming of Age Through the Freedom of Travel 