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To monkey island

Starting at 6.30  drove up to the Chagos river, hopped into a tiny boat with an Aussie and an American couple and zoomed off into Gaton lake. Three types of monkey, howler, capuchin and tamarind. The little islands are home to sloths which I saw high up sleeping, plenty of birds and many other creatures includ ing these bats. A cayman. A small iguana. Termite and ants nests in the trees.  W onderful views and light. Could have spent more time in and out of the creeks. Then to a butterfly, frog and sloth sanctuary. A pika running off with a flower which it then buried like a squirrel. A yellow caracara. Thought i was having lobster for lunch but turned out to be three enormous langoustines which weren't very nice wi...
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At Sofitel in Casco Viejo

Seems there is a large American party of 30 somethings who like the famous Germans hog all the seats early on. Took a taxi for 8 dollars to thd Biomus but the heat suddenly got to me so after seeing the geological history of Pznam got a taxi back for 20 dollars. First time the heat has got to me and ripped off at the same time. So spent an hour in the water. Saw an iguana and if you can make out this pic of the animals that once roamed the isthmus.  The array of facilities in my room still defeats me, need to learn the various coffee making machines. American men also keep their caps on all the time and there are acres of tattoos. Women too. The national theatre was closed and this rather downhearted girl had wanted her picture taken there. And next to her were these similarly miserable looking birds.

Going back to Panama City

2 hour walk, some over soft sand and lots of obstacles knackered my knees. Pile of wet clothes. Food here is very good and healthy with, of course, plenty of fruit. Cash however is essential, only the restaurants up here in Bocas take them and then reluctantly. The ATMs run out they say. Taxis are cash too. Wa dered around enjoying the place, meeting up with boat captain from yesterday. When you look different people recognise you and say hi. I thought it was illegal to catch these? One of the buildings undergoing renovations. Eventually got my flight and got to Sofitel. A huge crowd of young drinking at the bar, a wedding party apparently.

Next day WOW what a day

Raining predicted all day with slightly cooler temps. It's rather wonderful though the trip I had booked around the islands might not  happen. In the far distance is a ghostly sailing ship.  On the world stage Andrew has been arrested. Only yesterday I had wondered why his computer and phone hadn't been searched and now of course they will be. Just one pic hidden away of a young woman will no doubt get him a sex offender title. Can he now say 'no sweat'. Cartoonist can have a field day. Is Fergie next. Hurtling across and through the choppy sea at 50 mph going put in thdvrain and then chasing to get back before the storm. Tremendously exciting after I nearly got list while we were on a nature reserve and only just got back  to the boat before a search party was to be sent out. In fact not really lost at all just took a long route. Everyone treats me incredibly well like they would a grandmother, especially getting in and out of boats. ...

Bocas del Toro

Incessant noise and a hint of drains but apart from leg cramps for which I had some electrolytes not a bad night. Part of the noise was the aircon which I'm never much good at controlling.  Now it's raining and the sea and sky have nearly merged. Off to Oreba cocoa area. However it's not quite as billed as the people who own and produce the cocoa went on strike and no longer work for a big company but for themselves then sell to the cooperative which ships to Europe especially Switzerland where the beans are auctioned. They are largely self-sufficient as the forest provides huge a variety of fruit and plant products both to eat and for medicines. A fast boat ride to Almiranti and Samuel met me. There are about 10 types of banana. The flowers drop a petal a day. The original cocoa plant was hybridised with the one from Trinidad and is now the main type. But the fruit is susceptible to fungus which does n...