It's @brandyb birthday and we're getting the hell out of Dodge. We're on a roll with 5 countries that we've traveled together and we're about to get the 6th under our belts.
Back in the 90's, I attended an all-male military boarding school in Virginia called Fork Union Military Academy. Since we were isolated from the world and couldn't leave, the friendships were lifelong and deep. A band of brothers. One of my oldest friends from FUMA is a native of Panama taught me some of my first Spanish in 8th grade. He lives in Panama City and we'll be joining him, his girlfriend, along with another FUMA brother and dual-citizen coming in from DC.
Since both @brandyb and I are both (nearly) full-time Steemit creators, we're going to be traveling to a lot of places within Panama, meeting up with locals to gain an understanding of the land. Our itinerary is ambitious and our goals lofty. Not only do we hope to see a few different regions, but to meet a few fellow Steemians as well. We're staying (mostly) in the Costa del Este area. This post is to state our goals and stick with them!
On the list of "MUST-DOs" is:
#1. Hang with fellow Steemians
I confess, these are just Steemians in the Nashville area, but I needed a picture that fit.
Do you live in Panama? Do you like rad people to laugh and drink with? We should totally hang... I promise you we'll have a great time. The only names that have popped up on Discord that live in Panama is @hilarski & @choogirl, two seemingly terrific human beings. If ya'll are on Discord, chat me (at) gomatthew and we'll exchange WhatsApp info to meet up. Even if it’s just a quick coffee, we’d like to hear your story and [find out how we can help. Use our super secret ninja form to exchange contact info.
It’s important for us to connect with other community members because we’re all trying to build our own thing on this killer platform. Opportunities to gain experience, network and serve others are everywhere when you make it a priority. Having the opportunity to be nomadic and meet face-to-face in new countries is just so damn exciting and cool. It’s a whole new world now.
#2. The Panama Canal
Yeah... we're going to be tourist for a few hours. We have to see where the Atlantic Ocean meets with the Pacific Ocean in one of engineering's most impressive moments. Did you know the French started the Panama Canal in 1880 and gave up after 5 years? The Americans took over in 1904 and finished in 10 years. Even if it’s just a drive-by, we’ll stop and take it all in.
#3. San Blas Islands
I heard of San Blas through following the Gone With The Wynns blog and knew we had to go. We’ve just started to get back into snorkeling and this may be my new snorkling Mecca. San Blas is an archipelago comprising approximately 365 islands and cays and has kind of a sad history. Basically, the native people Guna were driven out of Panama during the Spanish invasion and they now reside spread throughout the islands allowing tourists to layout in their beaches, eat their fresh seafood and drink their coca-cola. The Guna still have a tribe leader called a Chief that lives on an island called Acuadup, which means "rock island". I bet they have bomb-ass fish tacos.
#4. Boquete Coffe Tour
When the overwhelming consensus within the coffee community agrees the best cup of coffee in the world comes from the mountains of Boquete, you make that trek. I’m basically a walking cliche, white male that works from coffee shops on his laptop. Why not go ultimate and work on a draft blog post sipping that $20 per cup Bouquet oil? I’m thinking the Ruiz Coffee tour unless someone else has a better plan. Perhaps the Finca Lerida tour since they easily have the best website. That matters ya know?
#5. Bocas del Toro
Hello real-life postcard. These are going to be the Instagram posts that really get the jelly pumping. Can you believe what a paradise this place looks like? Snorkeling trip #2 planned if we can squeeze it in. It’s just north of Boquete, so it’s a must stop on the way back to Panama City. Some of the best beaches and islands can be found here along with lush tropical vegetation, and fauna only found in this part of the world. Bocas del Toro is not just a beautiful archipelago lost in time, blessed by nature — It's an example of coexistence and multi-cultural respect for everyone. This should be an unforgettable vacation. I’m already picturing @brandyb in her new bikini 💖.
Those are our top 5 goals for our trip to Panama.
We had planned to get to Ecuador but time is short and flights ain’t cheap. If we find a cheap flight for 1 day in Columbia or Ecuador, we’re going to jump on the opportunity quick. There’s a lack of land crossings between countries so bus & rental cars are not much of an option. Our friends will show us the ropes on getting cheap flights and we’ll be sure to share that info if we get it. Wish us luck! It will be a wild 10 days.
