Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum
Central America, here we come!
Sailing on a pristine yacht through the tropical waters of the Caribbean (dining on freshly caught fish the size of an accordion, sunning myself to a dark brown leather, and sipping white wine when we anchored under a sherbet sunset) was not something I ever thought I would be able to write home about. Thankfully, I can now add it to my list of ¨Things I never thought I would have the opportunity to do, but now have¨. (Also on that list - ¨being peed on by a baby tiger in Peru¨)
The passage from Cartagena to Panama City took a little longer than expected because the wind was a low, but my sea-sick stomach didn´t mind that extra day we spent travelling slowly and NOT rocking at 90 degree angles!! When we passed through the San Blas Islands we got to meet a few of the locals who lived on these LITERALLY deserted islands... Some of them rowed up in canoes offering coconuts and fish, other´s selling ¨molas¨: intricate, colourful tapestries and embroidered fabrics. When we were anchored for the day, I also saw a little boy of about 6 rowing past us (between the two islands) on a buoyant piece of driftwood , making farting noises with his mouth at us, and giggling. If only Conor had had the chance to whip out his electronic farting machine in time...!!
We were dropped off in Portobello, and from there, caught a bus through Colon to Panama City. The local buses here are like the party buses we have back home! They´re decorated with huge airbrushed murals (fanged animals, big breasted ladies, various saints and deities)... and they are all BLASTING reggaeton so loud you have to shout at your neighbour as you would in a club.
¨Is this the stop for Colon?!!¨
¨What?!!¨
¨I SAID, IS THIS THE STOP FOR COLON??¨
¨KISS THE TOP OF YOUR COLON?!!¨
Etc, etc. Just brilliant.
Right at this very second we are in Bocas Del Toro, a little surf town with brightly painted weatherboard houses. There are heaps of travellers here but hardly any ¨TOURISTS¨; the vibe is very relaxed, everyone is friendly, including the locals. Last night we went to a bar called ¨The Shipwreck¨ -- it´s built over the water with little wooden platforms connecting the various dancefloors and bar, and it even has a platform where you can do a massive bomb into the ocean and splash everyone. It´s warm enough that you can climb out and have a few more drinks, and be dry again within half an hour.
In the next few days we´ll be crossing the border to Costa Rica (or as my mother ACTUALLY tricked me into believing, and informing about 20 people, the recently renamed ¨Costa Fortune¨)... We will keep you updated as the Central America adventures continue... Love to you all!!
Mwa,
Georgia and Conor
|  | 
|
