We had agendas for our two full days in Bocas del Tora.
First day, we rented bicycles and headed to Star Beach. Everyone, I mean everyone said ohhhh, that road is long; it is rocky and it rolls up and down. I had read that while the road to Star Beach is challenging it could be done in about 1.5 hours. Baloney! The local advice was correct. The ride was impossible for recreational cyclists like us. We opted to go to Playa Boca del Drago – only half the distance. Oh dear we thought, are all beach roads like this? We rode up and down and up and down the rocky, sometimes rutted road. As a coincidence and a relief we biked right up to the Plastic Bottle Museum. Yes, there is such a place. It is also called Castillo de Inspiracion. We stopped to have a look.
The owner, Robert Bezeau, formerly of Montreal, moved to Panama seen years ago and was bothered with the trash dilemma. It occurred to him that much of trash was plastic bottles. This led him to realize that the trash problem is a world-wide problem. It was born of ignorance when we gave up glass returnable bottles for the convenience of plastic bottles for sodas. The problem was exacerbated when bottlers began selling bottled water. Here is a peek into the impact. For example, if Panama has a million tourists per year and if they drink two beverages in plastic bottles per day for 3 days during their visit, the country is left with 6 million plastic bottles each year. Each plastic bottle has a life of 500 years. In reality, Panama has 2.5 million tourists per year and its own population of 4.3 million also consumes beverages in plastic bottles. The mountain of plastic bottle garbage is mind boggling.
We should insist on the end to plastic bottles.
This inspired Mr. Bezeau to create a venue that will open in about two weeks to entertain but more importantly educate guests to make them keenly aware of the damage being done to our earth. A three story castle and the walls to the “jail” are built with packed discarded plastic bottles. Each guest at the venue will be sentenced to jail for the guilt for their ignorant use of plastic bottles. Jail cells are actually overnight accommodations. Guests will get t-shirts, tour the plastic bottle castle and have fun in the sun at his pool and recreation center. His goal is not to make money but to entertain and educate.
Is Mr. Bezeau eccentric? Quite! But his theory is if he changes the habits and thoughts of just 10 people per day and they in turn change the habits and thoughts of ten other people, the world will change. You are now one of my ten people. Spread the word to ten others. You can learn more about this fascinating endeavor at www.plasticbottlevillage.com.
Meeting Robert was like a gift; he impressed us with is genuine care for the world. His vision and his ingenuity was inspiring. We left changed people.
We rode a bit farther to Drago but the rocky up and down road made us turn around and bike toward Playa Bluff.
This last ride was better but I’ll go a long way before I will ever say it was easy. Beaches we rode past were gorgeous though. They made Stan and me recall the beaches of Cairns, Australia with palm trees leaning out over narrow strips of sandy beach.
We rode all the way to Playa Bluff. We stopped at one of the beautiful but remote homes along the way. This one was also a guest house/restaurant. As a coincidence the owners were former UK Englanders; they have daughters living in Rogers, Arkansas. Whaat??? They made Panama their home 12 years ago. We sat at a table on their beach, enjoyed a beer and met a few more locals – some who took an ever greater dive than Stan and I did recently. They like us sold everything — not to travel but to live in on a beach. Today they enjoy gorgeous, luxurious tropical homes on the beach with everything but electricity.
I’m not done here yet with stories about this part of Panama but enough for now. One more day in Bocas del Toro to come – boating the islands.
Playa Bluff 
Robert 
Great friends and traveling companions 
Rasta man rented bikes to us
I love your adventures! The plastic dilemma also put many people out of jobs. We had a glass factory 20 minutes from our town which employed many friends and family members who almost list everything when the glass plant closed and this is only one plant out of many that were closed. We must try to get back to paying deposits on bottles. Germany still does this and a bit in Switzerland. Keep on posting! Cheers 🥂
Hi Barry, I love hearing from you. Your comments are always so pertinent. It’s almost like sitting in your chair while you work miracles on my hair. I’m encouraged that Germany is engaged with reduction or elimination of plastic bottles. I can’t imagine just what it will take to get the rest of the world on board but I do have hope and will do my part. Only reusable bottles for me from now on; I will buy no more cases of bottled water. Sending hugs to you, Barry.
What an impressive and inspiring man! You guys are learning and passing it on to all of us is a blessing. We all need to do better!
Im loving your stories and pictures! What a fantasy lifestyle you guys are living. Enjoy! My darling sister and brother-in-law!! I love you guys!!
Hello love! I’m so happy that you like our adventures. We never know what to expect or what we might accidentally learn next! Actually, it’s a bit of a fantasy lifestyle for us too! I love you, Melissa.
I love your adventures. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Amy! Knowing you are keeping up with us makes us happy! I bet you have your house fully decorated for Christmas already! We miss the times when we all used to be together especially at this time of year. Sending love and big hugs to all!