Arrival in Santa Catalina

Jaime's rendered map of Panama ;)

“Um Paradise? Hi, lovely to meet you, name’s Allie, I think we’re gonna be best friends. Ok?” (Hmm, strikingly similar to how my best friend Bree and I met years ago, pretty sure it’s the exact same conversation we had. It sure turned out alright eh Bree?!)

We are Loaded (yes, capital L loaded) down with gear. These folding kayaks are heavy business, thank god they’re on wheels! We pull into Santa Catalina in the dark, and already the vibe is laaiid back mon. Barefoot, surfboard-toting locals and gringos alike, pedestrians and bikes roam the roads, the air is smelling oh so sweet.
We find a lodging right on the beach that offers a spot to pitch our tent. I can barely see our surroundings save for the twinkling lights in the trees, but I don’t need to - the surf below the ledge we’re on is loud and tells me enough to know I love where we’ve landed! The crickets might be louder though, I’m not sure. I’ve got a $@!# eating grin on my face and I squeal as excitedly and quietly as I can so as not to wake up the neighbouring tent. I’m in paradise.

Off the bus from Santiago and into a taxi in Sona, the last leg from Panama City to Santa Catalina. I'm trying to haggle the price still, much to Jaime's amusement, since our driver broke the buckle on our bags when he loaded them. I wasn't amused. The cab cost us $35 for the 1.5 hour ride, since we'd long missed the last bus from town hours earlier. Oh well. C'est la vie!

Our first morning we rise with the sun, in a full screen tent with no fly, open to the light and warm breeze. Ahhhhh......next to a hammock, this is the best way to wake up. I notice the surf is further out now, I can still smell the smoldering of last night’s bonfire down the beach, and a young palm frond grows in the grass right next to my face.

The mesh tent provides ample views of the morning sky, and fresh air in my lungs first thing in the morning as the tide is retreating in the distance


I take a deep inhale....stretch my limbs....curl up and go right back to sleep. There’s all the time in the world today and I’m in no rush to get anywhere. When I do finally wake up, I take a good morning yoga stretch and look out to the water where I see Jaime playing and doing handstands on the beach. Yes! Let’s go! I grab my bikini, and head out to meet him where we spend the next 3 hours playing in the waves next to the surfers and other body surfers. Amazing. I let out a few good squeals left from the night before, and a few newly refreshed this morning.

Looking from our tent site, our 'front yard' is all ocean at high tide


I look back at the beach where a line of perfect palm trees are backed by small slopes of lush greenery, and little cabanas painted bright pink, green, blue, and purple rest in the shade. I squeeze my fists so hard in excitement throwing my arms in the air and fall back splashing in ecstasy. Welcome to the next few months of my life in Santa Catalina. Time for a siesta in the hammock while the reggae plays in the surrounding yard, and some light work in the afternoon doing editing on the computers then exploring the town on bike. Ahhh the good life!

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http://worldwildadventureexp.blogspot.com/

Photos and edits courtesy of Jaime Sharp