Monday morning, immediately after our routine cups of Boquete mountain grown coffee, and breakfast, we set off in the car for the 4 hour drive to Almirante, where would catch a water taxi to Bocas del Toro.
Our first stop was at a mercado (grocery store) in the town of Caldera, where we purchased some insect repellent, in preparation for the mosquitoes and no-seeums we might encounter, if the wind dies along the coast. Although common place in the small rural towns, it still seems strange to see someone arrive on horseback.
Much of the trip was on narrow, bumpy road, with some particularly dangerous areas, such as rounding a sharp bend, to find that the new road has shifted and fallen into a sink hole, as shown in the photo to the left. The driver certainly needs to remain alert at all times.
We encountered many single lane bridges, as well as some ninety degree turns across the rivers and streams. Needless to say, Alan, our driver found his heart in his mouth on more than one occasion
Panama, especially the mountain regions, have numerous microclimates, where conditions and temperatures can vary drastically within just a mile or two.
Our journey took us through many such areas. On one side of a mountain, one would find lush green tropical foliage and warm temperatures with banana fields and other agriculture. As soon as we crossed the peak, we might find hot, windy, dust, arid conditions.
Much of our travels took us through many cattle and dairy grazing pastures, and it was not uncommon to find a stray animal grazing alongside the road.
Still travelling in the Western Chiriquí Highlands, we
came upon La Fortuna Dam, a hydro-electric project that supplies 35% of the entire electric power in Panama.
Unlike most hydro-electric dams, there was no evidence of generators etc.
Later research revealed that there are 3 very large generators and turbines located in a tunnel, down hill from the dam.
The road travels across the top of the dam.
After four hours driving, we arrived in the port of Almirante, and were ready to get out of the car and stretch our legs.
Finding the ferry terminal proved more challenging than expected. We discovered the large ferry that transports trucks and vehicles, but discovered that was not the passenger ferry. Thankfully a man on a bike waved us down and took us to the secure car park compound and then down to catch the ferry across to Bocas Town on Isla Colon.
Prior to departure, the boat needed refueling. A large barrel of fuel was rolled onto the dock and siphoned into the boat's fuel tank.
Almirante was a poor, dirty port town, with garbage strewn all along the streets. Certainly not a place one would choose to stay. We were hungry, but opted to wait until we arrived in Bocas Town for lunch.
The crossing was smooth and uneventful, and it felt good to be back on the water again, even if it was aboard someone else's boat.
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