Join me on my trips

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. ...

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...

Should perhaps have been a bit more adventurous and hired a car. It is still carnival time today Shrove Tuesday so all museums, shops closed. Balconies we're a colonial innovation. The prettiest police station opposite the government building bit states that it is the tourist police. Note the brick roads and the high kerbs which can be tricky to negotiate. Streets are all one way and vehicles go very very slowly. Monument to the French who started the canal. These three commemorate three of the main work forces who came to Panama for business. Textiles, barbers and construction. Local ladies sewing their bags in Charles V square. He sent experts over in the early 1500s to fi d z way from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I didn't eat here but had a fusion lunch at Kaandela. Well coming to Bocas del Toro is adventurous. It's completely different, lots of noise,  drinking and boats scoo...