Greta Earle: Bocas del Toro 2007

Gustavo & Diego

As you can see I've been very busy lately and haven't been able to sit down and update this thing. Apologies.

We came back a few days ago from Bocas del Toro where we were paying a visit to our good friends Juan Pablo and Kelly. It was Diego's first time on a plane and on a boat and I must say it was a gradual transition for him -from panic to pleasure. As usual, our friends pampered us and took us to all sorts of wonderful places all (except one) just a short boat ride away.

I've always had a thing for the Caribbean. Standing in front of the ocean every morning, soaking all the colors in and just relaxing (while chasing Diego away from the nearby dock) was more than I could ask for. Once you're in Bocas it truly seems as if paradise were at arms length. Although it was a great experience for the kids (and grown-ups alike!) nostalgia started to hit once I realized the threats Bocas is being subject to. I actually got there thinking that we better take advantage of our time spent there and take lots of pictures because from what we hear, mega-projects, the mega-greedy and the mega-retards that have surfaced there are managing to destroy the structure and balance that makes the natural resources of this area thrive. (See post on Red Frog Beach).

I was shocked to realize that it's really starting to hit the fan, the wait is over. In Bocas town (Isla Colon) there is often not enough drinking water because of the poor water supply system and the amount of people that are moving there. I don't recall Bocas ever being famous for it's great infrastructure, but that was ok when it was just a handful of local families and the occasional backpacker or "regular tourist". Now there are waste disposal problems, elevated crime rates and cement and chemiclas washing onto the coral. And what's alarming is that all these projects are being developed, but not the town. If progress means that the landscape will now consist of condos and golf courses then great, but as long as the infrastructure of the area does not develop at the same rate everyone will be in for a very rough ride.

Visiting all these fascinating places was a real treat, our heartfelt thanks to Juanpa and Kelly for all the fun activities and tours! Hopefully on our next visit, we'll still be able to enjoy them. For now, I'll leave you with some pictures of the wonderful things we shared with our wonderful friends, and that are still there if you go now.