Sailing from Panama to Colombia

So there's this crazy piece of jungle called The Darien's Gap between Panama and Colombia that means to get between the two countries you either have to fly or take a boat. There's a few boat options, speed boats (apparently these are two fast and have been known to cause black eyes), ferries and sail boats. We opted for the sail boat, even though it's the most expensive option we were pretty confident it would be a hell of a lot more interesting than flying. We were not wrong.

Early on the 20th of February we were bundled into a 4wd to start the trip to Porvenir where we would meet our sail boat. This trip includes riding in a crammed 4wd for 2-3 hours, then taking a launcher out to the island. We were informed our boat was running late and we just had to sit tight at the drop off point to meet the rest of the crew before we could go to Porvenir. I think we waited for like 2 hours or more before we realised the rest of the group were there (Literally the only other people in the car park). We all said hello and then suddenly it was time to go.

Next thing we knew we were in the San Blas Islands and the colours were amazing. We were told our boat was still running late so we had lunch at the local hotel (a choice of fried chicken or octopus). After lunch and a nap in the hammock we were told the boat wasn't going to make it so we'd all be spending the night in the hotel, they'd be there at 7am. After being given a complementary dinner of fresh fish and a couple bottles of rum no one was complaining. Call it a good group bonding experience.

The next day we were finally picked up about 9am and the journey was underway! We were sailing...for about an hour.

What we called home for 8 days

We anchor at our first destination and El Capitan is immediately buying fresh fish and lobster for dinner. Feeling excited we all head over to the island to explore. It's pretty much what you expect, white sand, blue water, coco locos (rum poured into a fresh coconut) and bonfires. Life lesson: palm trees do not burn, don't try and start a bonfire with palm trees, you will be disappointed. As a bonus we even got to catch up with friends from Australia as they swam back to their boat from the island. Dinner is delicious and we learn how to get all of the meat from lobsters and fish. The cheeks, go for the cheeks!

Lobster Time

Island Drinks Menu

After some complications we sail onto the next island a day later than planned. This island actually has a shower (meaning pour fresh water onto yourself using a milk carton), a luxury we didn't expect.

We cruise around a few more islands for the next day before making the big jump to Colombia through open seas. By now we are getting the hang of boat life.

Our Bed for the trip - the front of the boat where it moves the most!

Home Sweet Home

Clearly I'm enjoying it

Surprisingly the salty apples weren't that bad

Rum and Cats - the staples of sailing 

I think one of my favourite moments was getting to hang out on one of the more populated islands for an afternoon. The local Kuna people were very welcoming.

Another massive feed of fish and lobster in one of the local's huts. The kids around here just grow up eating lobster, chicken is more expensive for them.

Impromptu game of "soccer" with the kids

Alex using the local facilities. 

The girls were especially friendly and were constantly trying to play.

                                

The two days at sea to get from the San Blas Islands to Colombia were spent lounging around the boat in different positions trying to hide from the sun. We took many sea sickness tablets and I constantly reminded myself I was on a boat. The mantra seemed to work and the trip was vomit free! I have now mastered the skill of making a toasted sandwich while being thrown from side to side. When we got into Colombian waters we celebrated with rum, beer and fried little fish. 

Dolphins swimming along side the boat

mmmmm fish

The Crew (minus me and El Capitan) 

We spend two nights anchored at some Colombian Islands. One of them had a weird half abandoned aquarium with some nurse sharks and a depressed turtle. It was a strange place. Our last day we set sail early in the morning and soon enough we can see Cartagena. There's a mix of feelings: sad the adventure had ended but excited to have a shower. After everyone has settled and washed the salt off their skin the crew get together one last time for amazing pizza and a lot of wine.

First Glimpses of Cartagena 

We have a winner!

Happy Pig with Green Apple takes it by a landslide of 1 vote! 

Thanks to those 6 people who actually voted, you're cool people. 

Panama City in Carnaval

Panama City! We were looking forward to being in a big city, we hadn't been in one like this for about 4 months. There's actually a metro in this city, which you can take for 35 cents! We were here for about a week to experience Carnaval and the city in all it's glory. 

To be honest we were a little disappointed in Carnaval. We had read that Panama was a pretty good place to celebrate Carnaval if you can't make it to Brazil. Turns out the best place in Panama to celebrate Carnaval is in the smaller towns, not Panama City. Small towns sell out pretty quick though so we just had to accept we were in Panama City and try to make the best of it, even though people were constantly saying how much better Carnaval is in Brazil and Italy. 

We still had some fun, but as usual the lesson is manage your expectations!

Panama City had the most Pimped out Chicken Buses we'd seen. Look at that lift. 

They had also gotten creative with the skyscrapers. 

So Carnaval in Panama City is held on one of the main streets, causing some traffic issues. It helps most of the locals leave town. Carnaval went from Friday evening to Tuesday night so we wondered up and down this street a lot. Tuesday is the big day but generally every day was about the same. A typical walk through Carnaval would include eating some street meat, drinking a beer, being hit by water guns and maybe catching a parade. If you are ever in Panama City for Carnaval I would suggest just going for Tuesday. It maybe also didn't help that this year they started charging for things they hadn't before angering many locals.

You have to go past security to get into Carnaval. You're separated into boys and girls to be frisked. The first night we entered I had my bobby pin taken off me. A BOBBY PIN! I could do more damage with the meat on a stick they sell inside! As Carnaval went on though we realised we got special privilege for being obviously a tourist. For some reason we got to skip the queues and the frisking, this was awesome when we got to skip maybe an hour wait on Tuesday. The only time being super white paid off.

The high light of Carnaval was probably playing with some of the local kids, sliding down hills on cardboard and dishing out payback for being attached with canned foam.

Foam Party in the middle of the day

We weren't even in the official Carnaval area here but these kids were filling plastic bags up with water. One of them attacked me twice by punching me in the butt with a bag of water. 

On Sunday there was a parade featuring more traditional dress

The Parade on Tuesday was more what I'd been picturing. It went around and around alllllll night. 

There were some pretty interesting costumes.

 

The Queen of Carnaval

It wasn't all Carnaval though. 

Casco  Viejo - an interesting mix of old and new

 Being Touristy

Tasty Ceviche and other Awesome Panamanian Snacks. Shared between 4 people this is still the most expensive meal we've had on this trip so far. 

 Of course we also visited the canal! We watched two big ships make their way through the locks and watched a video that smelled slightly of propaganda. When you stop and think how long ago they built the canal (with steam shovels) it's pretty impressive. It's also interesting seeing the force behind Panama City.

You maybe can't see but Gladstone made it one this map!

Thanks Central America, it's been a blast. See you soon South America!

An Escape to the Mountains - Welcome to Panama

We made it to Panama and crossing the border was as confusing as ever. You have to pay an exit tax of $8 when leaving Costa Rica but we couldn't figure out where to pay it for a while. Certainly not where you hand in your departure form, no, that would make too much sense. After some confusion and disbelief we finally accepted that the "office" you had to pay your departure tax at was actually this van! It's literally two young people sitting in a van with laptops and a printer. 

After the confusing border run we headed straight for Boquete, a chilled mountain town, hoping to escape the heat for a while. While it could still warm up during the day a jumper was normally necessary during the night, always a nice change.

At some point in some magazine Boquete was nominated a top retirement destination and is now filled with expat retirees. This was a constant source of entertainment from the expat market where you can buy German Sausage in a carpark and the stereotypical American accents greeting each other on the corner.

We didn't end up doing a whole lot during our 5 night stay in the hopes of saving some money after an expensive Corcovado trip and an upcoming expensive sailing trip. We mostly wondered around, enjoyed the fresh air and good food at a local bakery.

Our one "activity" was to visit some hot springs. We do love hot springs. These were the least developed ones we'd been to yet, giving them their own charm.  After the bus drops you off it's a 45 minute walk in the hot sun by which time you aren't really in the mood for some hot springs. Luckily though there's also a freezing river near-by to refresh yourself in.

The hot springs are pretty much just on someone's farm and you have to pay them $2 to hang around. These people had heated little rivers running through their properties, making for probably some of the most spoiled ducks in the world and a beautiful spot.

The heated water also ran into the side of the river, almost the perfect temperature. 

These guys were just strolling around

One of the pools. As nice as it was we couldn't stay in for long for fear of fainting. 

The trip wouldn't be complete without a goat up a tree

What's Your Favourite Logo

I thought a fun little challenge to set myself would be to design a logo for the blog. I came up with four final options but couldn't pick one. Since people seem to actually read this blog I thought it might be fun to get you to vote for your favourite to become the new official Pork and Apple logo!

Please bear in mind that I have limited resources and arguably skills.

The Options are:

A. Apple eats Pig

B. Badass Pig

C. Happy Pig with Red Apple

D. Happy Pig with Green Apple

You can vote over there to the right. Voting closes 1st March.

Thanks for actually reading this!