When it rains…
What do you do when it rains on your tropical island vacation? You don’t see pictures of people frolicking on palm studded beaches in the rain. And I say, why not! I stood on the hotel balcony watching a humming bird perched on a wire spread and shake its wings in the downpour. On the dirt road, people pedaled by steering with one hand while clenching an umbrella in the other. Taking shelter isn’t the only option.
I had just met a fellow nomad—a Canadian who has traveled and worked all over the world and who is currently teaching English in Panama City. Diane, too, is spontaneous and a lover of unscripted wanderlust. We set off with a couple of borrowed hotel umbrellas. As we waded through ankle-deep puddles, Diane said: “You just have to go with the flow.” As we saw it, rain or shine, we were going to have a great time in Bocas del Toro.
We walked to town and popped in to visit the people who lead the guided boat tours. We asked what people usually do on rainy days in Bocas. “Take a nap!” shouted one of the tour guides. “Go snorkeling,” said another. “You’re going to get wet anyway!”
We go on vacation to relax, though it’s so easy to find yourself constantly busy seeing place after place. Taking a nap is actually a great idea. Despite its appeal, we opted for the don’t worry you’re going to get wet anyway attitude and decided to look into renting a water taxi for the afternoon.
We approached three men hopping into a boat and asked if this is where we could rent a water taxi. A gentleman wearing a Panama straw hat said that he and the other man had rented the boat for the day and were going to visit properties around the islands. He asked if we’d like to join them. Why not we thought and jumped aboard. “Rain is a part of Bocas,” shouted Juan as the motor roared. “Embrace it!”
We visited white sand beaches, caramel-colored sand beaches, beaches with tall palms leaning towards the ocean and others backed by dense foliage. Every beach had crystal clear waters that ranged in color from baby blue to emerald green to cobalt blue. We also visited Zapatilla Island—named for its resemblance to a tennis shoe—where several Survivor episodes have been filmed. Irresistible scenery surrounded by warm water beckoned us—clothed in shorts and t-shirts, we dove right in.
By noon, the sky started to clear. We motored from picturesque beach to picturesque beach. Once again, I’m reminded that a positive outlook coupled with flexibility, brings unimaginable fun.
