Toques and Tan Lines: Panama to Bocas del Toro

I've had a few days in lovely ole Panama, and my god the heat. It was quite a contrast to go from snow the last 2 days I was in Canada to 40 degrees and sunny. My first few days were spent with my Aunt and Uncle in Panama City where I was treated to some local dinning and some home cooked meals.

My Auntie Darlene and I took a tour of the Casco Vierjo, or Old Town Panama City. Our tour guide, Gloria, was a fiesty little lady with immense knowledge of the city. Our tour started at 9:00 in the morning and didn't end until 1:00 in the afternoon. Needless to say we got the whole tour and I did learn quite a bit about the city and it's history. The Casco has many monasteries and churches that had quite spectacular architecture, the grandest being the Golden Altar of the Church of San Jose. I won't delve into too many of the details (don't want to spoil it for those of you who may want to do this tour for yourself), but I will say it lived up to all the hype Gloria gave it. I have never seen anything like that before and I was throughly entertained the entire tour. I even got the opportunity to see the current President of Panama (it's election year in Panama so by the time I publish this he will no longer be in office), which is something I can't say many people have been able to do. I haven't seen my own Prime Minister and yet I've seen a foreign leader. We were sitting across the street from the Presidential Palace, when Gloria said "Just wait, he will be here in 5 minutes". Low and behold, there was an honorary guard stationed, and then came police motorcycles, followed by his SUV. Quite special.

I even survived my first rainy season downpour that day! My Aunt and I had ducked into a little street shop to browse at the souvenirs, when the skies opened up and decided to drench everything. We waited half an hour and then sunny skies were upon us again.

The next day I flew to Bocas del Toro, my home for the next 7 weeks. My arrival was less than exciting, I walked to the Hostel Tungara, which was only about 7 blocks but with my backpack full of clothes and my carry on bag and the intense humidity, it felt like forever. I was so happy to turn the corner and see the green frog sign only steps away. I spent the next few days walking around town and getting an idea of all the restaurant and tour options available. With all the islands around I don't think I'll having any trouble filling the hours of the day!