I couldn’t have asked for a better place to wind down my Latin American adventures than here in Bocas del Toro, Panama. But while we originally planned to stay here until the bitter end, we couldn’t resist popping up to Costa Rica for a peek at the beaches our fellow backpackers have been raving about. We leave Panama tomorrow, and while I can barely wrap my brain around it, I fly back to the US in just ten days. Those of you that follow me on Facebook have already heard my amazing news for the week — I got tickets to Tomorrowland! Which means I’m making serious headway on my travel plans for 2014.
Right now, my brain is completely fried from flight itineraries, frequent flyer miles and festival plans but considering I’m heading to Europe in the height of high season, I need to do some serious booking soon. Some hostels I’ve looked at are already selling out for July! Right now all I have are my Tomorrowland ticket and a cheap flight I snapped up from Brussels to Athens for the day after the festival.
Now for the bad news — my Canon PowerShot S100 went to camera heaven this week. I guess it finally had enough of being dropped on the dancefloor, infested with sand and small insects and just generally abused while I toted it around the globe. While I’m bummed, I know we had a great run together, and I’m grateful that it waited until this trip was almost over to give up. I’ll keep you guys posted on my inevitable new underwater camera setup purchase, and in the meantime, if you’re looking for an underwater housing for your own S100, see the bottom of this post!
Photo A
taking an acro-yoga workshop with Soyela Yoga
Photo B
taking a farm tour at La Loma
Photo C
my camera’s last ever dive — with Scuba 6!
Photo D
wish we had stayed in these over-water bungalows!
Photo E
a beautiful sunset… captured with my iPhone!
Photo F
playing at Starfish Beach
Which photo is your favorite?
C because the variety of life forms on our planet are amazing!!! But why is this your camera’s last ever dive??
Check the intro to the post π It died this week! One day I turned it on and the screen (and all the photos) looked like a staticky TV. But at least we had almost two good years together.
I like F, I didn’t know starfishh floated like that. You should try the new Gopro 3+ Black, it has amazingly good quality, and if you need a new camera, why not an all rounder!
Actually it isn’t floating…. just laying on the bottom of a very shallow bit of beach! And I actually do have a GoPro and while I think the video quality is amazing I don’t think it performs very well for underwater photography. Basically, I am super picky… hence how I end up traveling with like five cameras, ha.
Trippy, I see it now. Hopefully one day someone will make one camera to rule them all! π
Got to go with F,β¦what great composition!!!!!
Thanks Chris! It was a little scary holding my dSLR over the water, but I think it was worth it π
Photo B — what kind of fruit is that?
I’m sad to say I don’t remember! I know it is similar to a passionfruit. I should ask my friends at La Loma to chime in!
Hi Alex. It was lovely having you and Anders to lunch at La Loma. The fruit in your beautiful picture is a Naranjilla. It makes a delicious tart juice and pairs very well with the miracle fruit! Mr Roberto Kelly is displaying it in his earthy hands.
In tribute to your camera I will chose photo C.
Ha, I’m sure the camera appreciates that… wherever its soul may be now π
Oh no! I always hate losing a camera (happens all too frequently). Does your GoPro work well for underwater photography? Maybe that could be your new setup!
Oh and I love D this week π
Thanks girl! To answer your question, while the GoPro takes amazing underwater videos I don’t think the photo quality is really up to snuff — at least not for a super enthusiast like me! (I think it might be fine for more casual hobbyists). Plus, you know, got to carry as much crap as possible at all times π
Do you remember the name of the overwater bungalow accommodation by chance?
E is my favourite this week – I’m a sucker for sunsets!
Me too! And while I know I always say this… I can’t believe it’s an iPhone picture! Crazy little machines!
Photo B!
I love a good closeup shot that also tells a story.
And so sorry to hear about your camera⦠but hopefully you will find another good one to fill its place.
I’m sure I will! I’m going to a big dive show in about a month so I’m planning to take advantage of the big specials they have there π
They are all beautiful, especially the starfish, but I love B. Stunning. I would hang it on my wall (if I had a wall!!!) π
Ha, I always say the same thing (“if I had a wall…”) And I agree — it would make a great print!
c.
ebay another S100 to save bucks, unless you want to upgrade to different overall rig, the S100 is still current generation. 110 or 120 is just the same for your purposes.
and because you have a nice leather case for yours. π
I’m going to have to bond with my S100 for my little bike trip. not L glass friendly.
w.
I didn’t realize it was still the same generation — interesting! And wow, I get SO many compliments on that leather case. People love it!
Got to go with C!! Love this!
Also just sent you an email!
Thanks girl! I love the colors in that shot.
I like photo b best, the vivid colors are beautiful!! I am sorry about your camera but hoping you do a post on choosing a new one– I love reading about others decision making when it comes to camera and other tech gear.. Weird I know π
I am so glad to hear I’m not the only one! I love reading the background on big decisions like where you chose to travel, why you bought that camera, how you chose your itinerary, etc. etc.
I love that photo of the sunset with you iPhone. It still amazes me how great te photos from my iPhone come out. Will be interested to see what camera you get next as I am in the market for a new one this year and there is just way too much choice out there right now.
I AGONIZED over this purchase, so I’m sure it will be the same with the next π You are right — the market is too big (and my budget too small).
All pictures are nice and well taken but got to go with A. Makes me want to try a yoga by myself.
You will love it if you do! I am going to seek out some acro yoga classes as soon as I get home — it’s addictive!
Photo F fo sho
Thanks girl! Love your recent post… and PS: are you getting my emails now? π
Hey, actually NO i’m still not! I just now am flicking back through some of your old posts and seeing your replies. Am I really the only one!? lol that is so messed up!
So weird! Yeah I asked a few people and they are getting them. I guess your email doesn’t play nice with my blog π
F is my favourite! Sorry about your camera but I’ll be interested to read about what you get to replace it. I have an Olympus Pen but the water housing is crazy expensive so I want to get something else for underwater use! I’m planning on going to the Gilli Islands this summer so will hopefully have found something by then. Your posts from there have been really helpful too.
I think that is the setup my friend Heather has. The image quality is amazing, but I don’t think I can swing the price!
Good that you’ve got tickets for Tomorrowland.. I myself didn’t get through but i’ve just bought tickets for the first weekend so i’m Lucky to go as well π which weekend are you going?
Finding a place to sleep is a hell right now.. i’ve got reservations for both weekends (175 euro’s for 2 persons) but it’s 20 km down the road from Tomorrowland’s place.. (i guess useless if you don’t have a car there)
We’ll hope to see you there π
Have a good one!
Kind regards,
daniel
Hey Daniel, I’m going the second weekend! I’m also camping (well, glamping more like) in Dreamville, so happily I don’t need to worry about where to stay. Say hi if you see me there! π
Awww, the starfish is amazing. While I am scared of most fish, I would love to see a real star fish one day. Guess I will have to go to Panama after our South America trip. π
Tammy, we saw SO many in Bocas! We did this activity called coral surfing that I can’t wait to write about, and I swear we saw more than fifty! You’ve got to go!
The sunset photo is gorgeous. I just left Tonsai in Thailand and holy hell those sunsets were incredible. It might sound a bit pretentious but there is something special about saying bye to the sun for the day and having a moment to reflect and appreciate.
I don’t think that’s pretentious at all — I love that way of thinking and I’m going to remember it tonight as the sun goes down π
@ Alex: photo F for composition.
@ Canon S100: RIP!
This comment made me smile. RIP indeed π
A! It’s fun, colorful and a cool camera angle. Also, makes me want to give acro-yoga a try.
YOU SHOULD! It is the best! I’ve only done two classes but I’m planning to try a class in NYC when I get back so I can keep going with it.
It’s a tie between Photo A and Photo F. You seem to be posing like a model in Photo F π
Ha, I was trying to make a recognizable human silhouette in some way π