2 1/2 hours outside of Panama City across a mountain range over a winding bumpy road through the jungle, San Blas is a collection of 365 islands along the Carribean coast of Panama. They are controlled by the Guna Yala people. It is an area that has remained very primitive and relatively free from tourism.
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| This is the port |
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| Kids, this is what a phone booth looks like. |
I have to admit, when we pulled up to this place I was not impressed. It looked more like dump-adise than paradise.
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| One of 49 Guna Yala island communities. They got electricity for the first time last year They fish for their food daily. |
After we arrived at the port we boarded a boat to tour the islands. Our guide was a young man that lives on the island pictured above. The first island he took us to was Perro Chico...
To enhance our adventure, Ben spotted some type of ray the instant he entered the water. It was nestled under and blended in with the sand. He wanted me to touch it, so he corralled it up toward the beach where it whipped its tail and stung him in the palm. He was worried he might die from the venomous sting, but I am happy to report, he is alive and well. If you ask him, he will tell you that it was a gigantic ray, atleast 14 feet across, that he took on the sea and conquered. It was actually just a little guy.
Our next stop was for lunch. This was our island restaurant...
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| Isla Fregata Chiquita |
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| That is an entire fried fish, with the head intact, salad and rice |
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| Star fish! |
After lunch we made a quick stop at what they call the "piscina." A shallow "pool" in the middle of the ocean...
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| Just look at this water! We came across another much larger sting ray at the piscina. |
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| We basically had this stunning island to ourselves |
I am feeling extremely blessed today for the opportunities I have had in my life and for the beauty of the earth. This was another day for the books!
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