We made it. But it was a close one.
I’m blogging from a pizza shop with free wifi in Bocas del Toro, Panama! From our hotel in Puerto Viejo, we were crammed into a minivan at 7:30 a.m., driven to the border, and left to walk 100 meters across the most rickety, shaky bridge imaginable. Then we got into minivan #2 and drove to the ocean. Then we motorboated to Isla Colon. 
You would think the adventure concluded here, but no. Lodgings were nowhere to be had. Cheto and Michael asked probably 15+ hostels, hotels and other promising places whether they had any room. All were full. It is New Year’s Eve.
Just when we were about to give up and take a bus 10 minutes down the coast and find something there, Cheto happened upon a house. Senora was willing to take us in for the night. We were desperate. She charged only $25. And that is the story of how we ended up staying in someone’s house in Panama for New Year’s.
More adventure was to be had though. Don’t worry Mom, we weren’t abducted by any pirates, the only one I saw was our lunch location. 
We did hire a boat to drop us off at a private cove with three snorkels and hoped they would come back for us. Thankfully they did, though they were 10 awfully scary minutes late.
It’s New Year’s Eve. Grab someone you love to kiss. Dance a little. Have a beer. Dance a little more. We’re going to.
See you tomorrow morning. Happy New Year’s!
xoxo,
Jenn
