Red Frog Beach- topless adventure?!?

The waves crash hard and heavy against the sand sending sweeping arcs of white froth rushing up the beach. Chilled by yesterday’s heavy rains, the cold water is a shock to our skin. Offshore, a cluster of black rocks part the incoming seas, sending a cascade of spray into the air. Clumps of furry seaweed brush against our legs as we play in the churning waves. What a beach- what a day.

The Red Frog Beach (at least half of which is exclusively for topless females) is located on the northern shore of Bastimentos Island, facing the open ocean. To avoid the stormy waves, we docked the boats on the other “side” of the island and followed a trail inland. Dr. Forward enthusiastically posed in front of the welcome sign and then went to release the hermit crabs- while the rest of us jumped in the water. Even though the sun was hidden by sweeping gray clouds, the beach was gorgeous, the curve of the yellowish sand like a horseshoe in the distance. And, of course, the day would have been incomplete if we hadn't seen at least one crab!

Everybody is heading into town this afternoon for our last walkabout. We’re on the lookout for Bocas chocolate (supposedly some of the best stuff around). I’m sure we’ll be bringing back suitcases full of souvenirs and local goodies- but I think I had better hand-carry the dead cake urchin we found!