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Ron´s Trip
Day
5 took us back through David (yes, it was even hotter this time) to the road
going from Chiriqui over the mountains to Bocas Del Toro.
This proved also to be a memorable road as it is known for the high winds
that pass over “the devils chin” at the top of the mountains separating the
Atlantic from the Pacific oceans. At
one point, I exited a turn and the wind blast was so strong that twisting the
throttle failed to move me forward. A
quick down-shift and cranking it on resulted in a wheelie.
Once over the pass, one is aware that the Caribbean side of Panama
appears much more lush and green. Stopping
at a gas station in Los Guayacanes we were quickly surrounded by barefooted
young boys offering to polish our boots for $0.25.
Instead of giving them money, which would go to their parents, Taso fed 4
kids of about $8 in the local restaurant. On
the return the next day, we again stopped at this road junction and were
surrounded by even more kids. This
time, Taso provided a free feed for over a dozed street urchins. They learn quick. The kids managed to gobble the food down
faster than we could load up and get back on the bikes!
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Ambitious
kids offer to shine our shoes for $0.25 even though they did have any
themselves. Although a “poor”
country by US standards, the people do have a strong work ethic.
Why are they not in school? Summer
vacation is December through March in Panama. |
The
road to Almirante in Bocas del Toro is one of the most scenic roads of out
entire trip, is virtually deserted of traffic, and passes through a Forest
Reserve.
We saw a number of squatter type houses along the way to the port town of
Almirante where we left the bikes at the local fire station and took a water
taxi out to Isla Colon, which is perhaps the most “touristy” place we went.
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| Wide
open roads |
Scenic
vistas |
Shanty houses |
Isla Colon had some great beaches, good food,
but terrible roads and uninspiring hotels
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