Left Hostel Nomba around 9:30am . It has been raining all night and morning with no let up in sight. Luckily, I got a cab within five minutes. The bus pulled up as I was walking up to the bus stop. So far so good, in spite of the rain.  

The bus left for David at about 10am, and took 90 min to get to David; about normal (it can take from one hour to two hours). The rain stayed with us for the first 60 min.  

At the bus 'depot' (a mishmash of all the available transportation in the area), a van for Bocas del Toro was just finishing loading. The attendant told me I needed a ticket, and while I was in line, a young couple that had been on the same bus as me, and with just as much luggage, ran up to the van as it was backing out and the attendant let them on!  

So I caught the next van, which left about an hour and a half later, even though it pulled in only about 15 min after the other one left. First half hour was sunny, then we got into rain again . From David to Almirante was about four hours ($8.50). I didn't take any pics because I think it's becoming repetitive: lots of nice mountains and valleys that don't look much different than all the other mountain pics I've taken. Except for the reservoir: it's actually quite big, but hard to get a decent shot of while you're moving down the road. Almirante is the stop for Bocas. Then it's a $1, 1 mi taxi ride to the water taxis to the different islands. $6 to Isla Colón, where Bocas Town is located, in the province of Bocas del Toro; yah, it gets a little confusing. Most of the people who got off the bus with me got on the boat that was just loading up. I had to wait 20 min for the next boat (beginning to get a little repetitive - don't travel with me unless you have a lot of time and patience!) 30 min on the boat and finally I arrive in Bocas.  

Forgot the address to the hostel, but only walked one block out of my way (can't get too lost: from the center of town you go four blocks north or south and you're in the water!) Got checked in and went out to dinner. Wanted a decent meal again, so I went to this recommended seafood place and had the mixed plate: it was heavy on the octopus, squid, and calamari, light on the shrimp and lobster, but they did a good job with the prep and cooking so I ate most of it ($18). Haven't mentioned this before, but if you're on a budget, be aware that there's a 7 to 10% tax in Panama, and often they add a tip (under 10%, I think). Had two $4.50 glasses of wine, and a $5 Bailey's for dessert.  

Returned to the hostel, and it's been pouring from time to time.