The honeymoon. This journal isn't nearly as interesting as the journal I did for Europe, largely because instead of the travels of a lone, semi-budget concious backpacker getting into ridiculous situations over the course of a couple months, this is a journal of an exhausted couple of newlyweds relaxing in style after the wedding. Enjoy.
 6/25 Miami 6/26 Isla Colon 6/27 Isla Colon 6/28 Isla Colon 6/29 Boquete 6/30 Boquete 7/01 Panama City |
6/29 - Boquete, Panama Leaving Punta Caracol was somewhat depressing; it really was the ultimate place to go for a honeymoon. Quiet(except for the occasional voices from the next hut over), beautiful scenery, and overly helpful staff ("no really I can carry my bag, wait..ok fine"). We went back to Bocas Town one more time and took water taxi #25 to Almirante, a long, bumpy ride. Almirante was a bit rundown, definitely not the type of place they pretty up for tourists. We were meeting a driver sent by the place we were staying in Boquete, but while we were waiting we had to fend off scores of little boys who were trying to get us to go to this taxi or that taxi. Even when our driver arrived, we still had them dragging us over to where he was parked. Our driver's name was Luis, who didn't speak much English. That was fine, as we had a good time spending a large portion of the drive honing our basic Spanish skills. He was pretty easygoing and fun to talk to. He did get slightly lost trying to get out of Almirante, but that was more entertaining than annoying. The drive was about 3 and half hours, although it was a really nice drive.  We drove through dense rain forests, rolling mountains, and buildings ranging from lean-tos to schools. We even crossed a couple dams (one big, one small).
Upon finally arriving in Boquete, we checked into La Montaña y el Valle, The Coffee Estate Inn. It's an inn, situated on (shocking) a coffee farm. It's run by a couple of Canadian expats named Jane & Barry, who are very friendly and helpful. Lodgings consist of 3 bungalows scattered down a ridiculously steep driveway. Everything is surrounded by endless flowers or other vegetation, including bamboo, orange trees (which we got free fresh oranges from), and yep - coffee plants.
Right after we got there, our rental car arrived (they delivered right to the inn). Once we got that taken care of and got settled in a bit, we did a brief hike around the grounds, taking it all in. We stopped briefly at the office for to check email, and also ogled their mini library. Then it was time for our candlelit dinner, part of the package. I had thought this meant a dinner in the common area, but they actually walk it down to your bungalow (on a tray down the very steep driveway) for private dining, complete with arranged fresh flowers on the table. Not to sound sappy, or even worse elitist, but I have to say a fancy dinner in a completely private setting is just about as romantic as you can get.
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