Come to my Island
Trip Start
Nov 02, 2005
1
44
78
Trip End
Apr 23, 2006
Isle Boca Brava, Panama
Monday, January 23, 2006
Lunch was great and the taxi driver was happy. When we went to leave, we met up with a Polish guy who was sitting at the Bar. Turns out he's coming on the water-taxi with us and is off to visit his Island. Along with him is a Polish Woman who's a friend and they both keep telling us to come visit the Island sometime in the next day or so. Not such a big deal but I thought it was kind of cool how he kept saying "come visit my Island".
The Island we stayed at is called Boca Brava and is one of the largest in a string of private islands. There's a resort type hotel run by a German guy and his Panamanian wife. A private room cost $10 a night, so it wasn't too expensive and the food in the restaurant was cheap enough. The downside to staying at a place like this is it's sort of a close environment where there's no other stores or restaurants to buy food, so you're sort of at the mercy of the hotel owners.
The island itself is amazing with monkeys, birds and bats being a regular sight along with a nice beach that even has itīs own bar, run by a retired German woman who entertains the tourists and fishermen who come to visit. Just sit on the beach and have a cold beer. Not a bad spot at all.
Besides my friend Stace, there was also the French Woman we met in David who happened to show up the same time as us at the island. It was a bit of a strange situation because I was interested in her but she was interested in Stace and Stace wasn't interested in her. Sort of a love triangle were nothing really happens. Stace and I got a laugh out of it all and the French Woman eventually went her own way.
Another downside to being stuck on an island for more than a couple days is it's BORING, so after only a couple nights, it's time to move on. Panama City awaits my arrival...
Comments
Be wary of Frank the German from Boca Brava
I read your travels about Boca Brava, the island just off the coast of David, Panama'.
I have been traveling to Panama for many years and my family is from David--Chiricanos/Davidenos.
Once your on the German island owned by Frank you are truly at his mercy. He runs it like a 1940's Nz camp. And I think we all know what the Nz stands for.
If you do not speak the language he wishes, he will literally kick you off the island as he did me and my family.
I have heard more stories about this German Nz invader from local Panamanians. Sometimes he hires local musicians to play Tipico music. He will force them to play for hours without breaks, water, or food. Treating them worse than dogs. There are many local people who not only resent this German Nz Frank but who may run into him someday in another bar not owned by him.
Enjoy Panama. Respect its cultura, idioma, and gente' and treat natives/locals as your family or anticipate the results.
Buena Suerte Frank.
The comment describing Frank Kohler is nonsense. Yes, he's an oddball and has no patience for fools and tourists who want 4-star services, but he's well liked and accepted by the locals.