I
Don’t Wanna Leave!
A PhotoEssay
of Bocas Del Toro, Panama
Photos & Text by Mark McMahon
Mark McMahon is an award
winning photographer and writer. He is currently on an expedition driving
from Arizona to the tip of South America in a toyota 4x4!
He created Filmtrips.com
to share his adventures. And he does indeed find adventure along the way!
He is in now Panama and soon will cross over into South America to
visit the Amazon , Machu Pichu, and the Galapagos Islands! Log-on and Live
the Adventure!! |
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| I don’t wanna go! I could stay
here for a very, very long time. I fact, I think I could live here. I’ve
been in Panama for three weeks now and still only visited the northern-most
one fifth of this very small country. But so far, I must say, I’m enchanted.
As my trip progresses, I seem to be travelling slower and slower. At this
rate of deceleration, by the time I get to Peru, I will have come to a
complete stop altogether!
I’m in the town of Bocas on the Island
of Colon. Boca Del Toro is the region in the northwest corner of Panama,
on the Caribbean coast, just across the border from Costa Rica. This tropical
archipelago consists of many of the islands that are entirely blanketed
with vegetation. Thick rainforest up into the hills and dense mangrove
extending into the water. Fortunately there are a few clearings in the
jungle and some very nice beaches. A boat is the preferred form of transport
in the maze of waterways between and around the various sized keys.
Colon is the main inhabited island with
a healthy little tourist economy. The region is fairly isolated from the
rest of the country geographically, but there is an airport with several
daily flights from Panama City for about $50 one |
Bocas Del Toro, the current
in spot for expats on the Caribbean coast of Panama |
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| This photo essay is
Special to Escape From America Magazine. Exerpted and compiled from filmtrips.com
entries November 2000 - Click on all photos to enlarge images. |
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way. There is an eclectic mix of expatriates
from around the globe blended with Caribbean Blacks, Indigenous Folk, and
those of Latin blood. Most everyone understands both English and Spanish.
The calm waters south of the hurricane
belt, the beaches, the reefs, and the rainforest provide plenty of outdoor
recreation. There are good restaurants and just a bit of nightlife.
| Italians, French Canadians,
Germans and a few Americans are running a number of the businesses competing
for the tourist dollar. Former travelers always seem to have a better handle
on serving the tourist than the non-mobile locals.
In any case, the foreigners seem to have
a sincere concern for, as well as a vested interested in the social health
of the community. They are out to make a profit, but more here for the
lifestyle, to be sure! |
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And since everyone knows everyone in this
small island community, security is not a big issue and children have relative
freedom to roam the streets and parks in safety.
And an infrastructure! Yes, there is a
government with a manageable amount of corruption, utilities, a bank, and
even cable TV! Yet the place retains a third world, laid back, Tropical
Island mentality. It may just be ripe for a corporate tourist takeover,
but for now it’s a slice of paradise.
| Yes, I could stay for quite
a while… But wait! I’m on a mission! Tierra del Fuego or Bust!
…but I can stay for just a couple more days, can’t I?
Panama in general has been the most appealing
to me of all of the Central American countries. Panama has the natural
beauty of Costa Rica with less attitude and for less money! American influence
was instantly obvious upon crossing the border. The roads and traffic control
are superb by Central American standards. |
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Gas is sold by the gallon AND by the dollar
for a nice change back to the familiar. Still gotta buy it, whatever the
currency or quantity. The Balboa of Panama is interchangeable with the
dollar and their coins are different but the sizes are identical to ours.
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And Panama likes to party!
In Bocas I helped celebrate three different holidays in the same week!
All Souls day to honor the departed. Flag Day wherein alcohol sales and
public consumption are strictly prohibited. And Independence Day, where
they make up for the previous days abstinence. And they don’t wait! |
At the stroke of midnight the night before,
alcohol becomes legal again and the bars open so that you can party through
the night to be ready for the parade in the morning!
| Members of the marching band practice/party
in streets all night long!
I plan to spend another four weeks in some
other parts of the country, but so far Panama gets a great big thumbs up
from me! |
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Click the images below to enlarge more
photos
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