Surfing Santa Catalina - Panama

When I crossed over the Panama Canal on the Centennial Bridge, I started to have

flashbacks from the last time I rode here in January 2008 on my way to Panama City to fly

the bike to Colombia. For some reason it felt as if it was only last year... but over 3 years

had gone by since I was in Central America. It felt great to ride the nice easy going straight

Pan American highway. I remembered the large Chinese stores where you can find everything

you need. - At Cheap price! - and cheap quality. Great thing in Panama, beers are only 45 cents.

I arrived in Santiago, a small size city half way up the country. The sun was just setting when I pulled in Hostal Veraquas. I quickly jumped in a cold shower to clean up the highway fumes and had a cold beer dinner and got in touch with the internet world.

The next morning, the sun was shinning - it had been raining for the past few weeks none stop!

My timing was perfect, I was craving some surf so I headed west towards the little fishing town

of Santa Catalina in hope to catch a swell.

The clean and cheap hostel Vera - Aquas in Santiago Panama. A perfect place to stay

on your way to Santa Catalina. visit their website.. .www.hostalveraguas.com

Riding back on this road to Santa Catalina brought back memories when I was last here

with Angela - my riding partner at the time, we rode to Santa Catalina after finding out it

was a surf destination not to miss.

It was also Angela's first time ever riding her own motorbike. Perfect learning road, asphalt, potholes, curves, dirt, little bit of everything in 110 km. We rode here on January 05 2008.

Only this time, the road was in better shape... almost 4 years later.

Vamos a la Playa!!! Surf time...

I was excited to go back to this spot with a surfboard. Last time I was here, I only

got to surf one day - Thanks to some friends we met on the beach and lent me a board

so I could catch a few waves. This time... I was ready with my board.
Not a bad set up for $5 bucks a night. A Canadian couple - my camping neighbors scored

the palapa roof. Luckily for them, since it had been raining everyday.

They said the day I arrived... the rain stopped... sunny 16 style!
A lot more horsepower then my suzuki dr 350!
My base camp - surf in front, Playa Estero. Good thing it didn't rain since I

didn't have a nice Palapa roof...
My only worry was ... the place was closed.
For $8bucks.... giant shrimp a la Coconut Curry... or fresh catch of the day.

Yummi.... I ate breakfast - lunch and diner at this same place. A killer view and

amazing food ( bad ass Brownies too! ) ... Mama Ines Hostal and Restaurant, just before crossing the river to Playa Estero.

The sign says it all!!! Surf'n Shake... but instead I did a shake and Piuk!

After having a banana shake one afternoon... later on that nigh my stomach didn't

feel so good... I'm not sure if I can blame it on the shake, or other food, can't see being anything

else then the milk... I ended up throwing up all night, until my stomach was empty.

The good side of it is I felt pretty light surfing the next day...

My morning breakfast... killer coffee and watermelon juice, view of the waves.

After surf... I come back for an amazing fish wrap.

Local kids walking to Playa Estero
Unfortunately I didn't shoot any action surfing. The waves were small and not many hot surfers out to get good shots. So I spend most of my days in the water surfing... after all, I'de been waiting to surf again since way too long.

My little home...
End of session.
Ride'n surf...
You can rent these pimp cabinas for $35 a night. - Warm Shower!
Local kid Andy climbing to get a coconut
Sunset soccer game on Playa Estero.