Floating Doctors

Friday 17^th June.  Location: Bocas Marina

Nic studying local area book, while we wait out the rain

Aside from the water taxis transporting locals and tourists from the mainland of Panama to Bocas, the water was still and the bay peaceful.  With the davit fixed, and Woops-a-Daisy miraculously still afloat, and still there! (We hadn’t locked her up overnight, almost hoping someone would steal her, no I’m just kidding) We all headed over to the marina to arrange to bring Daisy alongside, where we met Dana the very friendly Harbor Master.  

Bocas Marina

Once all the arrangements were made we headed over to the main town on the island, tied the dinghy up outside one of the local markets and walked through the little town sightseeing, The rain came about 15 minutes later so we darted into one of the café’s overhanging the water, and sat there with a beer until the rain stopped. 

Bocas Water Taxi outside town

We picked up some groceries in the market and headed back to the dinghy.  I couldn’t resist running up the steps to a gift shop selling hand carved wooden elephants, Danni has a passion for elephants and I thought it would make a great gift, sadly I face-planted on the top step, how embarrassing! And no I wasn’t drunk, certainly not after only one beer, the shop assistant rushed over to assist the idiot sprawled on her top step (ME) but I quickly jumped up, smiled, brushed myself off, and limped away as quickly as my bruised legs would carry me. Ouch !  I can be such a clumsy oaf at times. 

Beautiful Bocas Marina

Later as we pulled Daisy into her slip at the marina, the whole place was a hive of activity, people were busy everywhere preparing for an event taking place that  night to raise money for “The Floating Doctors” a group of professional Doctors that live aboard their boat and travel from island to island treating islanders that can’t afford or don’t have access to treatment.  

Floating Doctors Boat leaving the fuel dock at Bocas Marina

The evenings event was a fashion show, with a buffet, raffle and auction.  There were local vendors selling their crafts, a man carving wood with a chain saw, and the best amusement of all, drunken sailors.  As I’ve said many times we’re a strange bunch, and no funnier than when drunk in public.  Watching everyone was more entertainment for me than the show, although the show was great, and judging by the number of people that attended probably a great success.

Daisy alongside at Bocas Marina

Everyone in this marina is very friendly, we must have had a dozen or more people admire Daisy, and welcome us to the marina.  I think this would be a nice place to stay for a while, you would never be lonely or short of a drinking buddy…