Blogs :: the sides of Isla Carenero

the sides of Isla Carenero

I woke up this morning planning to hit the ocean in scuba gear, under the water with the fishies. But at 8am, yes I woke up this early, the skies were completely overcasted from the rains the night before still so I returned to my top bunk. I don't like the top bunk but it was cooler, fans blowing all night. I actually used my sheet.

I woke up to half assed sunshine and after checkout time so I headed downstairs to pay for my extra night and find some food before I decided what to do with my day. Yesterday I explored the other side of Isla Colon, i.e. Baco del Drago where I found half a beach, a beer, a chicken, and docks to catch up on my sun at. Normally the trip out there takes about 25 minutes, but the road is still being repaired after a quite disastrous storm hit back in November and so it took 45ish.

The people here at Hostel Heike are super nice which I cannot exactly say for everyone I've not really met here yet. After paying one of the owners asked where I was headed, I had no idea, I needed food first, but I'd half figured on going to Isla Carenera. He confirmed my decision for me and I headed out there after comida.

I was dropped off more or less in the center of the populated side of the island and walked right. There are no roads. Maybe paths? My journey took me past new houses, old houses, some sort of a corral/fighting ring, and eventually I found the "beach". By beach, it implies sand instead of concrete walls and docks. The local kids were jumping off the end of the dock and the water was not that amazing, so continued to jaunter along the coastline, paths ending. I eventually reached another sorta beach and sat down on a palm tree jutting out over the water. Two more months in a hostel and my back would have thought it comfortable. Beautiful still, I figured on lounging, but the sand flys were infinitesimal.

I returned to a burm a few meters back and climbed up to take some amazing pictures. It was grassy green so I laid down the towel, pulled out the book, suncreened up, and bite. Apparently sand flies don't just exist in the "sand". Not wanting to end up polka-dotted in red, I assumed the standing position and headed back the way I came. This time I went left and found the road, err sidewalk leading through the shanty island village. I felt odd and put my camera away for a few seconds. It wasn't the nicest of places. New meaning to dilapidated. I won't start on the trash. I kept walking. It was like starting in Downtown Denver and walking west/east on Colfax, only worse. I passed multi-million dollar sailboats docked at the "sailboat lodge" only 200 meters away and eventually turned around in front of a $675,000, 2-story, 3-bed, 3-bath, office, etc. beautiful island home for sale. There was an open-house today, but I was probably too sandy to walk inside. Pictures once posted will give the full light of the various sides of this island and instead of going into a diatribe about it, I'll let you make up your own at that time.

I eventually returned to the original dock, unable to find the "bar" I was looking for. What is it about signage in third world countries. I was seriously looking. I ended up having a few beers at the dock I'd unloaded early and a Thaimargerita. Wow, talk about sweet. Tequila, triple sec, pinapple juice, coconut milk, glass rimmed in sugar. I figured its the Carribean, why not. I'm going to the dentist tomorrow. I read more in "On The Road" and got even more stoked about randomly going places, traveling without money. I'll talk more about that later. I moved tables into the sand out front near the water. Dumb. Sand Flies v. Me. I lost. But I'm here, where are you? I couple hours passed and I hailed a water-taxi. Really, I just stood at the end of the dock, thumb out, yelling "Bocas". We passed the bar I couldn't find earlier, good thing, it was full of friendly looking fun people and I'm on the wagon. No need for temptation.

Five minutes later I jumped back onto the main big island, paid my dollar fare and walked inside to write this story before the buzz set in and I forgot anything...