Back to the Pacific

Thursday, January 19, 2012
Las Lajas, Chiriqi, Panama
Our last full day in Bocas Del Toro was on Monday, MLK holiday for us. We did a huge bike ride across the island of Colon, starting in Bocas town on the south side and crossing the island to Bocas Del Drago and starfish (estrella) beach. This is not your typical bike ride, as we had to climb numerous hills (often getting off to push) avoid careening vehicles (mostly taxis and a few construction trucks) on the sharp turns, watch for howlers and sloths (although we didn't see any, we heard the howlers) and bike 16 km one way, so it was over 32 km total.  I did spot a green snake that blended in with the vines growing up the tree.  After a full day of sun, it wiped us out. We had been to this beach last year and was amazed at all the starfish, but we both felt it was not as populated as last year, at least for the starfish. This year we found a dj sound system set up on the beach for all the tour boats that arrive, and we stopped for a drink. Gina ordered something blended with coconut and true to form, the bartender/dj cut up a coconut with his machete and blended it up, all while his generator pumped power to both his makeshift bar and dj stand, complete with speakers stacked 10 feet high. Amazing what people can do in the middle of nowhere.

Sitting in chairs now overlooking the vast Playa Las Lajas, at the beach resort, watching the setting sun sink into the Pacific ocean. It is moments away from disappearing and Gina finally put her book down to watch it. It is truly beautiful, the sunset, as well as my wife. I sit here, finishing my cuban cigar (again, thanks Chris!), sipping a glass of syrah, and watching the sun melt into the water.  Once the sun hits the water it is over in a matter of minutes. It is truly amazing to watch and we are thankful for this opportunity. We found Las Lajas to be the largest beach we have seen to date. When we decided to leave Bocas del Toro area for the Pacific, we we not sure what to expect. Let's just say it is the opposite. Whereas Bocas is full of travelers, backpackers, retirees, or just people traveling; Las Lajas is quiet, empty, yet serene. So how did we get here? 

Well it started on Tuesday, waking up to an overcast sky and deciding to catch the early boat ferry to Almirante to catch the 9 am bus to David. Yet we had our rental bikes and needed to get to the cash machine. So we quickly threw our things in our bags, left for the bank just as it started to rain, got cash, then returned our bikes in a downpour, running back to our hotel. We called a cab to take us to the ferry, $2 for the ride, but he almost left us with our backpacks in his truck bed.  Luckily he stopped when I shouted and banged on the truck. We paid $8 for the boat taxi to Almirante, another $2 cab ride to the bus stop, then caught the bus for the 5 hour ride from Changuinola to David ($17). I had decided to rent a car for the final four days, so when we arrived at David, we caught another cab to the airport to buy our return flight tickets to Panama City on Sat. and rent a car.  The bus ride, although cramped, was a beautiful trip initially along the caribbean coastline before heading towards the highlands, climbing in elevation, and passing numerous roadside waterfalls before heading back down to sea level. 

We arrived at the Las Lajas Beach Resort, a 12 room hotel with restaurant, bar and pool on a beach that appears to go forever. We tried to drive as far as we could as long as there was a road, then walk this beach without reaching either end. And when tide goes out, it appears to be 200 yards wide. It is huge, vast and empty! Seriously. We saw no more than 10 people in either direction. The sand is incredibly soft, and as a wide variety of shells and rocks for Gina to pick at. Today was definitely a full day in the sun and we didn't realize we would still get burned after 2.5 weeks! But no complaints. We leave tomorrow for Boca Chica; we will catch another boat ride to Boca Brava island and plan to stay at a resort there. We plan to snorkel on Friday then travel to Panama City on late Saturday for our last night here before returning home on Sunday. 

Photos & Videos

Comments

tami peterson
2012-01-19

I hope you guys are enjoying your last few days. It sounds awesome and I am already making plans for an adventure in Panama. My tan is fading quickly and being replaced with the red frost bite burn covering my body from the -9 degrees this morning. (windchill is like -35). When you return, my vote is a bottle (or few) in front of a fire hearing about Panama. Pura Vida!

2025-02-12

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