Moving South. First stop Cartagena

So, I met a nice couple from NYC in Panama and we were on the same flight to Cartagena which was great as I really didn't feel safe in that city so we got a cab together to my hotel first, where Nirmal was waiting for me. Nice welcome, with a few beers then to bed as it was pretty late. Next day wondered around the city. It's very pretty but full of prostitutes and cocaine.

We went to Islas de Rosario which I am sure would be nice if the hawkers left you in peace to enjoy the playa blanca. The only way we got them to leave us alone was by getting a massage on the beach. Not too bad a way to spend the time. But the boat journey over there was awful. Basically 8 hrs on a boat for 1 1/2 hrs on an ok beach. I'd chose Bocas del Toro anytime.

Following day I spent pretty much in bed or the bathroom. The guy opposite us ended up in hospital due to so many bathroom trips so I'm counting myself lucky. I was happy to leave Cartagena and come to Taganga. Tomorrow we're starting the trek to La Ciudad Perdida. Should be fun.

Panama City

This morning I went on a tour of the city. We went to this place of worship - Baha'i - is the religion. They believe that 7 religions all based on the same theories can worship / meditate together. It originated in Iran. It was a cool building with amazing views and we were given jelly and ice-cream at the end. No fee or donations are permitted.

We then went onto Casco Viejo which is the prettier part of town. I was really amazed by all the sky-scrappers too and the enormous shopping malls they have here.

The most fascinating part was the canal. The ships that pass are truely enormous and the gates that are used in the locks are the original gates from 100 years ago. It really was an incredible feat.

The old ruin church is in the Old Panama City, which is a few kms away and now just ruins.

The gold altar is in the Casco Viejo of Panama City and the Panamanians managed to keep this gold away from the pirates (Capitan Morgan etc) by hiding it in low tide water and what remained they painted black and fooled the pirates.

The other amusing thing I learnt is that in the water near the canal (but the wrong side) there is a sunken German submarine. You can just see the top of it at high tide. It was sent there in WWII to destroy the canal, but it got stuck when the tide went out. Brilliant.

I also learnt who Nunez de Balboa was on this tour. After this trip when I go on the Madrid metro I'll be so much better informed.

Boquete, Panama, Sendero de los Quetzales

I arrived in Boquete yesterday afternoon exhausted after a long day. Two lovely Israeli girls cooked me dinner though which was fab. Then early to bed. STarted today with a fab yoga class - with all the expat retirees but the class was good and a lovely Canadian lady drove me around town showing me where everything was before dropping me back at my hostel. Couldn't have been a warmer welcome. Then another Israeli (also sweet, but utlimately got on my nerves, keeps calling me darling, and was trying to get me into a private room, I'm not impressed) and I decided to do the Sendero de los Quetzales which is where these pics are from. It's not more interesting than other stuff I've done, it's just there is a better internet connection here so I can upload more photos!

The river I walked through was absolutely freezing but ultimately feeds the whole drinking water for the town and it's incredibly clean. It's a novelty to drink from the tap after months of plastic pollution.

We didn't see any queztales and the highlight really was getting a lift in the back of a truck with lots of men who moved their machetes out of the way for me to sit down. I did manage to take a photo out of the back though. I was cold and wet and itching to get away from the guy by the time I got back to the hostel. I've definitely had worse days in my life though. The walk was absolutely stunning.

Bocas del Drago Beach, Bocas del Toro, Isla Colon

This was star fish bay. Definitely a nice way to spend the last day in Bocas del Toro. I think I shall return one day though.

Bocas del Toro, Isla Bastimentos + Isla Colon

Jessica and Kalifa, really fun girls I met in San Jose who were on my rafting tour and I continued to travel together from Puerto Viejo in CR onto Bocas del Toro in Panama. I really liked this place. Chilled vibe, friendly locals. So much nicer than Utila! Although no whale sharks. We stayed at the party hostel Mondo Taitu on Isla Colon - the main island for 3 nights and then onto Bocas Bound on Isla Bastimentos. That was quite isolated and we had to walk 2 hrs thru knee deep mud trails and beaches to get to town but it was fun and really beautiful. There is a cool organic farm in Bastimentos called Up on the Hill which we really liked. Selling lots of organic stuff and the best truffles in the world.

After 2 days on the more tranquil Bastimentos we went back to Colon and met up with Federico, a friend from London for the day. Had an 80's night party and then next day went to a gorgeous beach. There is loads to do here, and probably my favourite place so far.

Beach in Tulum still better though, maybe!

Granada - I think I missed you out?

It's a quite unremarkable city, made worse by the fact that when I was there there was no water or electricity and I was still ill. The bathrooms were overflowing with shit, so I left to be stuck on a bus that was packed and clearly noone had showered as there was no water....I was glad to get away. However, I think I took some nice pics so here they are:

Jaguar Rescue Centre, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

This was a cool place quite near our hostel. They rescue animals and try to put them back into the wild if possible. Obviously loved the monkeys, the sloths not so much!