Sa-weeet

The neighbors just dropped of some fresh banana's (the mini kind) and 3 pineapple tops. Now we can plant 3 pineapple plants in the yard :)

It will take the pineapple tops about 6 months to root in a pot, then we will plant them out in the yard.

Stan also installed a new air conditioner today, whew...finally a little cool air.

The Rig

Stan and I made a trip to David (said like Daaveed) on Wednesday. It's on the mainland of Panama and is where you go to buy the big stuff. There is not much here on the island and what is here is cheap crap that falls apart while you're pulling it out of the box AND it's very expensive.

There are two options to get into David, a plane trip or a bus ride. Being we are trying to save some money, we opted for the bus ride. Let me tell you, this was the trip of a lifetime. First we take a water taxi from Bocas to Almirante (a town on the mainland about 20 minutes boat ride), then we take a taxi from there to the bus station, about 10 minutes, then we hop on a bus for a 4 hour ride through the mountains to get to David. The buses are packed and hot and it was one of the worst experiences I've had in a LONG time. I hope I never have to do that again. If the money is available, I will opt for the 40 minute plane ride. They pack the buses with people and I don't mean every seat is full, I mean every seat is full and they keep stopping and adding more people into the isle until literally there is not a single space available. The drivers go fast around curvy mountain passes, the first half of the trip I thought I was going to die, about half way through the trip we stopped and a bunch of people got off. Finally I was able to relax and breath a little.

After we arrived in David, we stopped into a few different stores to pick up things like a stove, air conditioners, hardware, tile, towels, microwave, toasters and so on. They have stores like Lowes, but they are called "Do it Center" and "Novey". The salesguy at Novey was great, he helped us so much, he didnt speak any english but we brought our friend Sully who helped with all the translation, we could not have done this without him. Thank YOU Sully! At one point while shopping the song "Whatever you want I will be here" I cannot remember who sings this, but our sales guy pointed to the ceiling and said "eso musico, es me for you" :). We had to spend 2 nights in David to finish all of our shopping and purchase a car. It was exhausting.

Once we finsished we drove our own truck back from David to Almirante, 3 hours in the truck, a little faster than the buses and MUCH more enjoyable. The mountain side was beautiful. I often wished I had my camera. We arrived in Almirante and left our truck there so that it could be moved onto the next mornings ferry ride to Bocas. Then we hopped back on a water taxi and came home. This morning the Ferry showed up with our truck and the guy we hired to pick up all the stuff we bought in David also came over on this morning's ferry. So we've got everything in the house now.

Here is Stan in his new rig. It's a 2000 Hyundai Galloper, I guess they don't sell these in the US. We hope it works out well for us. It was a little over the budget, but it is an automatic so I can drive it and is in really good shape.

Chocolate

Well I don't much about planting chocolate, but I do know a thing or two about eating it. Abel, a local native american from the gnobe buge tribe (prononced like "no bay boo gay) is teaching us how to grow cocoa trees. We are planting 15 cocoa trees once the seeds take root in the bucket. I asked him if he had any Reeses Pieces seeds, but my question must of been lost in the translation, he just gave me a funny look :)

These pods grow on the side of the tree and are filled with the seeds that are covered in a yogurt type substance. I had to take this photo off the internet, stupid me forgot to take a picture of the pod before we cracked it open.

The seeds inside the pod.

Abel showing us how to plant the seeds. He says start them in a bucket, leave them for about one month then transfer into the ground.

Banana tree

About 5 months ago Stan planted 3 banana trees between the cabanas. They are coming in really well. Can't wait until we actually have the fruit :)





























Look a new banana, oh wait, that's just Stan :)

Safe and Sound in Bocas del Toro

Quick Update from the Chews...


My first workday is done.



Stan and I cooling down from the long hot day.


The view from our room in Panama City, Panama. We stayed here just one night before heading out to Bocas. The city is huge!

The view from the top porch

Well after driving from MN to NH, then flying from NH to Florida, then waiting an extra few days in Florida for new bank cards (the bank totally screwed up our bank cards) an overnight in Panama City we are finally here in Bocas Del Toro. Here are a few photos for ya all.

Hummingbird, right outside our front door

Not sure what type of bird this is, but there are loads of them around the house