The sidewalk down to our house.
We've been here in Bocas del Toro for about 7 weeks now and definitely have a found a routine. The
kids go to school each day from 8-3, I volunteer at their school 3-4 full days a week, and Noah
kids go to school each day from 8-3, I volunteer at their school 3-4 full days a week, and Noah
is occupying himself by playing Bass and working on fixing up a golf cart at a fantastic place
called Skully's. If you come to visit us, you'll likely want to go to Skully's; they have a bar and pool
on the beach, a hostel, and most popular is their 4- wheeler rentals! You can rent a 4 wheeler and
go into the jungle!!
called Skully's. If you come to visit us, you'll likely want to go to Skully's; they have a bar and pool
on the beach, a hostel, and most popular is their 4- wheeler rentals! You can rent a 4 wheeler and
go into the jungle!!
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| Having a Balboa at Skully's |
Seems funny to say, but its kind of like we're back to a busy life already. Don't get me wrong,
everything is simpler here, so its not stressful, but the days are flying by and chores are being put
aside just like at home. We spend a lot of our time after school and on weekends swimming and
"socializing" honestly. The afternoons (school pick-up time) are the hottest part of the day and the
thought of riding our bikes home is dreadful sometimes. So, we often decide to go swim somewhere
first! Sometimes we swim at Skullys, sometimes at Carenero Beach, and lately, we've been heading
over to Aqua Lounge to jump off the platform and right into an "ocean pool"! (Aqua Lounge is more of a
party bar/hostel, but we go between like 3-6 and its empty, perfect for the kids, and the food from
JJ's Real Food is fantastic!!) I am also helping out at the local community center 3 afternoons a week
and that fills parts of my afternoons as well.
everything is simpler here, so its not stressful, but the days are flying by and chores are being put
aside just like at home. We spend a lot of our time after school and on weekends swimming and
"socializing" honestly. The afternoons (school pick-up time) are the hottest part of the day and the
thought of riding our bikes home is dreadful sometimes. So, we often decide to go swim somewhere
first! Sometimes we swim at Skullys, sometimes at Carenero Beach, and lately, we've been heading
over to Aqua Lounge to jump off the platform and right into an "ocean pool"! (Aqua Lounge is more of a
party bar/hostel, but we go between like 3-6 and its empty, perfect for the kids, and the food from
JJ's Real Food is fantastic!!) I am also helping out at the local community center 3 afternoons a week
and that fills parts of my afternoons as well.
People here are super friendly and there is definitely more of a "village vibe" than back at home.
Everyone is social and welcoming and the kids and Noah and I are invited to go do fun stuff regularly!
I had a perfect birthday weekend with the family and some friends on one of the most beautiful beaches
here - Red Frog Beach!
Everyone is social and welcoming and the kids and Noah and I are invited to go do fun stuff regularly!
I had a perfect birthday weekend with the family and some friends on one of the most beautiful beaches
here - Red Frog Beach!
Since we've been busier, I haven't posted in a while... However, we have been to many beautiful
places ( everywhere here is beautiful!) and are always enjoying ourselves. But I thought for this post,
I'd add some general info about Bocas - the town, some of the places that we go regularly, and some
of the business that we frequent often.
places ( everywhere here is beautiful!) and are always enjoying ourselves. But I thought for this post,
I'd add some general info about Bocas - the town, some of the places that we go regularly, and some
of the business that we frequent often.
As Sy mentioned in his last post, the kids go to school from 8-3 at the Tangerine School here in Bocas. They have two teachers, and I
volunteer there 3-4 days a week. Its been awesome to join this community in Bocas as we have
met many great people starting our first week here! The school is very different than Allen Brook
in Vermont, but I know it will be a memorable experience nonetheless!
One of the great couples that we met through the Tangerine School is Dave and Molly. They have
been in Bocas for 9 years and own a few businesses here. Molly is one of the most amazing people
I have ever met and makes her living making soaps here. Many may not know that she makes a
MILLION other awesome things too, she just doesn't mass produce them (Yet......). Please check out
her business, PuntaCoco . I especially recommend the body sprays and the bug spray!! You can
order her products online. That lady can do ANYTHING!
been in Bocas for 9 years and own a few businesses here. Molly is one of the most amazing people
I have ever met and makes her living making soaps here. Many may not know that she makes a
MILLION other awesome things too, she just doesn't mass produce them (Yet......). Please check out
her business, PuntaCoco . I especially recommend the body sprays and the bug spray!! You can
order her products online. That lady can do ANYTHING!
Another wonderful person we met is Amelie. She is originally from Canada, has a daughter in 1st
grade with Poppy, and also plays the violin! Consequently, she has introduced us to all of the
musicians on the island! She plays out with her violin or her bass regularly and also teaches music
classes in town. She's invited Noah to play at open jam nights and even to be part of a "new project"
she's put together. Noah is psyched to have the opportunity and its been great to become part of the
musician group on the island! Most recently they've been playing at a place called the
Bocas Bookstore Bar here in Bocas.
grade with Poppy, and also plays the violin! Consequently, she has introduced us to all of the
musicians on the island! She plays out with her violin or her bass regularly and also teaches music
classes in town. She's invited Noah to play at open jam nights and even to be part of a "new project"
she's put together. Noah is psyched to have the opportunity and its been great to become part of the
musician group on the island! Most recently they've been playing at a place called the
Bocas Bookstore Bar here in Bocas.
The community center that I've been helping out at was built by a non-profit organization called
Give and Surf. I found the organization online and will be taking a TEFL course through them!
They've been around for a few years and have helped build schools and community centers here
on Colon Island and other islands in the archipelago.
Give and Surf. I found the organization online and will be taking a TEFL course through them!
They've been around for a few years and have helped build schools and community centers here
on Colon Island and other islands in the archipelago.
A community center right on the beach! Its beautiful and the ocean breeze keeps it cool!
Next week, I will stop my current activities at the school and community center and start my
TEFL course. Its just a month long but will include teaching English classes in town,
at the community center, and hopefully on a few of the other islands nearby. I'm looking
forward to it!
TEFL course. Its just a month long but will include teaching English classes in town,
at the community center, and hopefully on a few of the other islands nearby. I'm looking
forward to it!
Another thing we're looking forward to is Aura coming to visit! She'll be here the 2nd week
of October when she has a break from her classes!!! Her visit is something we're all looking
of October when she has a break from her classes!!! Her visit is something we're all looking
forward to!! Stay posted to hear about our adventures together with Aura!!
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| Look at that water!! Swimming at Carenaro Beach!! |
