Bocas del Toro

Playa Tortuga Hotel, Colon Island, Bocas del Toro, one day after leaving Minneapolis on March 3rd in a snowstorm.

Tita ferried us around the islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago in his craft, Ariana.

One of many termite nests we encountered.

Mangroves.

One of the famous red starfish of Boca del Drago.

Tita takes a break while we explore Star Fish Beach and the surrounding area.

A tribute to the Playa Tortuga's namesake.

Where Tita docks his boat.

Our wonderful guide, Yesenia Yorlet Yepez Mejia.  For the benefit of those of us who do not speak Spanish, she went by "JJ" - what a relief!  JJ takes great pride in her country and loves helping visitors explore it.  She paid particular attention to interactions with typical Panamanians.

Map of some of the islands we visited.

Visit to a Ngobe indigenous community on Isla Popa.

Bev tries her skill at harvesting the fibers used for many of the Ngobe crafts.

Visit to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Colon Island.

Iguana to the right of large tree trunk.

A young scientist from Belfast doing research on the reactions of starfish to various types of light.

The Bocas del Toro gang, less JJ & Steve (me).

Scenes around the charming town of Bocas del Toro.

At the old headquarters of the United Fruit Company, now a hotel and small museum.

Here's the big safe where they kept the banana money.

Ferry to the mainland.