Island hopping!

Over the next few days we stopped at several beautiful tropical islands..we hiked and snorkeled and enjoyed all kinds of fresh fruit, breads, vegs....all fresh and from the region.  

Captain Cook invaded this Panama island and these are the cannons that were used in the old fort to protect against him and any other invaders

We walked through this ancient village and were amazed at how colorful the buildings were even though in various states of decay.

 

Garbage pickup - dogs are a real problem with garbage unfortunately but everyone is pretty laid back and just shrugg their shoulders!

These are individually owned buses called "Devil Bus" because so many people get killed in them.  They are all over Panama and are part of the local customs.  It cost $.25 to ride anywhere it goes and each owner/driver blares whatever music he likes and paints it with his own designs.  A total riot!!

We are leaving the ship for a visit to the Darien Province where we spent time with the indigenous artisans of Panama called the Embera tribe.  They were gentle, smiling, joyful people who greeted us at the shore. The children were beautiful and took hold of our hands to help off our life jackets and lead us to their ceremonial hut where they performed several dances and invited us to dance with them.  The women are bare-chested, wearing only a skirt they call Uhua and they cover their chested with intricate plastic bead necklaces and ornamental collars made with dozens of coins

There are villagers who act as police to protect this part of the providence.

We are heading into the jungle to their ceremonial hut

Their hand made wood and basket items were beautiful.  Each family places a piece of cloth on the ground with their hand made items and the whole family helps to show off everything.  They do not pressure or call your attention to their wears but very patiently wait to see if you would like to buy anything.  It was a really pleasant experience.

This is another island we visited the next day... They are all so beautiful! The ship crew is waiting on the island with drinks and snacks... Snorkeling was a must once again! Oh, and NO John didn't snorkel....!! But I did!!

Notice my tattoo that I got in the Darien village! The ink is from the jagua fruit and lasts 10-12 days! Mine is holding up great after 6 days!! 

One of our ship crew is a famous fruit/veg carver! 

Back to the ship

Day 6&7 continued

Today we headed toward the Panama Canal for our scheduled crossing in the late afternoon. We first anchored for a walking tour of Portobelo.  We then headed to the canal to wait our turn in line and nice through we will head to Costa Rica.  It normally takes 8-10 hours to go through all three locks and we finished about 1:30 am.  

The line up of ships waiting for their turns into the locks

The tug boats are used to controll the movement of the ships.  One to two are assigned to each ship until it enters the first lock

Because we are a small ship we are paired with another ship

First lock 

We are through number one!

We officially swam the Panama Canal by putting our feet into the ship swimming pool during the first lock crossing! We each recieved a blue bracelet commemorating the event!

Day 5 & 7

Today we cruised to the San Blas Archipelago and anchored off Acuatupo.  It is a chain of approximately 400 islands stretching along the Caribbean coast of Panama. The weather was warm and sunny and tropical! At 9:15 we launched to the island to visit a small village of Guna People. Guna territory runs the length of the archipelago, ending at the Columbia border. The people wear colorful cloths called "Molas" which are sewn with geometrical designs using a reverse appliqué technique, and the full costume traditionally includes a patterned wrapped skirt (saburet), a red and yellow headscarf (museum), arm and leg beads (wini), a gold nose ring(Olasu), and earrings. They are small people in size and were gracious about us visiting their little village

Beautiful hand painted feathers!!

Notice the solar panel on top of the hut! These people truly live in very primitive homes and villages, but the Panamanian government supplies them with a few modern amenities.

A Guna fisherman

Back on ship we were treated to fresh fruit everyday and incredible food and drinks!

Following lunch we launched again to anchor off Holandes Cayes to snorkel the beautiful green and blue waters and to take a coconut walk with our naturalist.  One native man runs this little coconut "business" .  He has three people working with him to gather the coconuts off the ground and get them ready to sell to the mostly Columbian buyers who pick them up in small ships.  This man lives on this small island with his wife and two kids and 11 other natives who help him when needed. 

Fresh water well which serves as a place to bath and brush teeth

We went snorkeling and then were served rum and coconut juice by the ship staff....the two women and their husbands have become our "partners in crime!" We are having a great time withe these new friendships!

Our zodiacs!

Cocktail hour before dinner