In order to live here in Costa Rica for an extended period of time you must either: A. apply for residency (as is the case with Krysta) or B. leave the country every 90 days for at least 72 hours so as to renew your visa (as is the case with Cailah and I).

About a week ago our time was up, so Cailah and I decided to make the trek down to Panama. The unfortunate truth of the situation is that I was not exactly looking forward to this trip. I didn't want to spend the money, I didn't want to miss school and I knew basically nothing about our destination, Bocas Del Toro. It felt more like an obligation rather than an adventure. And traveling should be an adventure.

Thankfully, a week later I am now able to report that this trip took me by complete surprise. It abducted my horrible attitude and spit me out rejuvinated, recharged and feeling grateful. Four days in the archipelago of Bocas Del Toro proved to be a bit of a tropical fantasy. For a little insight into our days, here are some pictures:

This is the view from the little cafe where we purchased our coffee each morning. We sipped and lingered in these seats. The pace on this island is quite slow, incredibly and beautifully slow.

This is the beach where we spent our Saturday. It's called the Red Frog Beach. I missed the only visible Red Frog. Cailah was shown one of these miniscule and bright red spotted creatures by a young boy who had captured it in a leaf. I was on a walk and missed the celebrated amphibian. Dang. This beach is found on the island of Bastimentos, and we were staying on Colon, which means we got to take a tiny motor boat in the Caribbean Sea. I was essentially breathless. The trip there was beautiful. I was also breathless on the trip back that evening, but for different reasons. I couldn't breathe for the laughter Cailah and I were suffering from as we sped across the water in a downpour of rain. We were being painfully pelted with drops that soaked us through completely. It was quite funny.

Sunday we decided to rent bikes and explore the island. I spent an extra $5 for that basket in front to hold my bag. It's the small luxuries that make a difference.

Once on our bikes we simply began to ride straight. Following signs that pointed us to the water. We ended up riding all day with the ocean on one side and a changing scenery on the other. From forests of trees, to small and simple communities, to the massive homes of vacationing foreigners - this island has a bit of each.

When it was hot, or something was extremely beautiful, or we simply got the urge, we would park our bikes and take a break. To collect shells, stare at the sea or play in the waves.

Eventually this is where we set up camp. I am 96% sure it was a private beach. And I am 96% sure we didn't care. We sat ourselves down on the stretch of sand between a fancy hotel and a mansion on the water. We swam and read and, as I discovered later, I apparently got eaten alive by bugs. Once back home in Costa Rica the bites began to reveal themselves. Putting on some no itch cream I counted roughly 90 red irritated itchy spots. Those annoying little pests. I am still suffering from the consequences.

A video. So you can get a glimpse of the scenery, the incredible speed at which we rode, and my impressive filming skills. Beware of motion sickness.

Here is Cailah. Drinking a bright green mai tai. We spent our evenings exploring the little restaurants scattered about the island. We would sit and chat and eat good food and stare out over the water. It was nice. And so is she.

So that was Bocas Del Toro - Panama. Only 6 hours on a bus, a walk across a bridge that is the border, 1 hour in a taxi, and 40 minutes in a small boat. Totally entirely worth it.