Return to Starfish Beach

Sounds like an old Audrey Hepburn or Rambo movie, doesn’t it? Well, with limited excursion opportunities here on the islands, going back to Starfish Beach seemed like a good idea. To add a bit of excitement to an otherwise routine trip, we decided to take the local bus to Bocas del Drago, then hike through the jungle to the other side of the peninsula and Starfish Beach. Simple.

Funny how the simplest of plans can get confused. First, the bus only departs every hour, on the hour so when we arrived at 9:21am, we had a bit of waiting to do. Next, we were not aware that this bus also served as somewhat of a local taxi, taking people to the grocery store where they could buy a lotto ticket of get change to pay for the bus ride. But hey, we’re on island time so no worries, man.

Finally making some headway out of town when we need to stop and let someone off. OK, that’s what a bus is for so no complaints. BUT, 20’ further down the road we stop again to let someone off. What? You telling me they couldn’t have walked that 20’?  OK, got it. This thing takes you to your door, and if your door is 20’ farther than where it stopped, just sit back and relax until we get to your house.

But it goes on. Now we’re on the road, the only road, going to Drago and it is one piece of work. It was paved at one time but that was long ago and now, it needs work! Tried to take a quick video of the drive so you can get an idea of the roads.

Few more stops to drop off and pick up then finally, we arrive in Drago. Bailed out of the bus while the young man who collects the cash tells me in his best Spanish, “the last bus is at 7pm, don’t miss it!” You can bet we won’t miss the bus. It’s only 15km to town but that would be quite a hike for me and the Misses, and a taxi would be about $25, ouch!

Easy enough to find the trail to Starfish Beach, walk to the end of the road, turn left and you’re on your way. Reviewers have said this walk takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes so it shouldn’t be an issue.

Yep, just go thru there…

Welcome to the jungle

Starfish Beach welcoming committee

Took us about 20 minutes to get to Starfish Beach. Collette slowed down for me a couple of times and even did a dead-man carry for a little of the way, so we could have been here faster. Grabbed a couple of chaise lounges and quickly ordered up two pina coladas, now were talking!  Water here is perfect for swimming, crystal clear, a little cool, and this time, with 3 large starfish! Awesome!

One way to while away the time is to watch the sand crabs clean their nests. Really hyper little guys who just can stand all that sand in their holes. Not sure why they continue to build their nests in the sand if the don’t like it so much, but hey, provides a bit of entertainment.

Somebody’s lunch

Couple of hours into our relaxation and we got invaded by a group of good-looking young people who all seemed to be from a magazine. Not that I let that shy me away. Hell, I can hold my stomach in for a good 5 minutes, just enough time to make it in and out of the water.  That’s probably why all the ladies were staring at me when I walked out the first time. I told them the blue look was from the cold water, not lack of air.

The Invaders

Enough fun in the sun, time to start thinking of getting back to catch the 3pm bus. Before we do, we’ll have lunch at Yarisnori, the restaurant we ate at the first time we were here. This time, Collette is having fried fish filet with rice, I’m have the tropical chicken fingers and papas fritas (traditional Panamanian dish).

Fish filet (take that McDonalds)

Chicken fingers & Papas Fritas!

Throw in a margarita and the day is done!

Wastin away in …

Nothing more to do except make the 3pm bus, get back to Bocas and pick up our laundry from Sammy, pick up a few groceries, then a water taxi back to Basti. That, is all she wrote.

A post for every bird, a bird for every post. The Universe is now in harmony.