Back to Bastimentos for dinner out

We finished our time at the Plastic Bottle Village and managed to grab the bus back into town. Great deal, only $1! We still had about 2 hours before we could pick up our laundry so why not get lunch and enjoy the views. Restaurant Chitre is one we haven’t tried yet so that’s the place.

This is another “shotgun shack” styled building that is long and narrow with a nice deck out back to watch the water taxis zoom by. Good views and a little breeze draw locals for lunch as does the buffet with fried chicken, beans, potatoes, rice, cole slaw and cold drinks. You can also order off the menu if you prefer something different, like a sandwich, French fries (papas fritas), curry, or freshly made seafood.

Grabbed a table close to the outside and decided to order off the menu. I had a steak panini and Collette chose the garlic shrimp. Top it off with a bottle of water (you don’t want to drink tap water unless you’re from these parts) and a Balboa beer.

Steak panini

Garlic shrimp & rice (with lemons-yes, lemons)

Great lunch. Everything was served hot, good portions and cooked just right. Next time, we’ll try the buffet but for now, this was great.

Still have about 30 minutes before we can pick up the laundry so we strolled back over to the Buena Vista restaurant for a cocktail and more deck sitting. The Buena Vista was our first restaurant in Bocas and has become our go-to spot for drinks when we are on the island.

Sammy finished our laundry and thanked Collette for the $12, $2 tip. He did look at me so I think he’s softening up on the negotiation foo pah. Next time I’ll start at $2. Now time to catch a water taxi and head back to Basti for dinner tonight at the Firefly.

The Fire Fly B&B / Restaurant