We arrive in Panama early evening, but before we head to the hostel (booked back in Hostel Casco Vieja) Lynne makes a stop off in Zara much to David's bemusement. With an early start in the morning we spend the night relaxing in the old town.
Up at 4am for a 5am pick up we are tired when we throw our day bags into the back of the 4x4 that is taking us on our 3 day trip! The trip is to the San Blas Islands.
These are an archipiélago which stretch from the Golfo de San Blas to the edge of the Colombian border. There are in total around 400 islands most of which are uninhabited post-card islands consisting of palm tress on white sands surrounded by crystal clear waters. The islands are home to the Kuna people who have been allowed by the Panamanian government to run the islands as an autonomous region. They make their own decisions and have their own economic system . They have successfully built a strong tourist industry by maintaining their traditional way of life.
The islands are only accessible by plane or by taking a 4x4 from Panama up through the Comarca de Kuna Yala National park and to the “port” where you are taken by the Kuna people on small motor boats to the island of your choice. There are perhaps 10 main islands where tourists (on backpackers budgets) stay and these are chosen before you book the round trip by jeep. The whole excursion isn't that cheap but we had been persuaded to visit by many travellers we have met in Panama. The Jeep journey of 2 hours and boat trip of 1 hour took us to Robinson Island. We were dropped off with four other travellers, all Israeli.
The islands are truly beautiful and we were shown to our beach hut right on the beach. The facilities are basic, being a double bed in a hut on the sand, a toilet flushed using a bucket and gravity and a basic tank shower. But none of this is important as you look upon incredible views, rest in the hammocks between palm trees, snorkel in the crystal clear turquoise waters or just read your book on the white sands listening to the waves lap onto the shores.
All meals are provided with lunch / dinner usually being fresh seafood; in fact we had lobster on the first night! During the 3 days / nights we had on the island, we relaxed completely and had a great time with our Israeli friends. One day we took a boat trip to a artificial coral on a wrecked ship surrounded by tiny desert islands, but apart from this we relaxed on our island's beach and it's surrounding waters.
It was a fantastic few days living in true paradise. However, it was disappointing to find that once you walk round to the other side of the island where the locals live (~20 on our island) the shore is littered with plastic bottles and bags and even used nappies! Although they maintain the tourist beaches, some of the inhabited small islands have a litter problem. None of us could understand how they can litter such picturesque surroundings! Nonetheless this didn't detract from the amazing scenery and a brilliant few days.
We returned to Panama City on the 24th June. With only two nights before we fly to Cuba we headed into town to exchange some money and to have a walk around the downtown area. The stifling heat of the city soon had us back in the hostel and walking around the shore line of the old town to enjoy the sea breeze.
On our last day in Panama, we visited the Metropolitan Park to take in some views of the city from the top of the park and were happy to have the opportunity to see our first ever 3 toed sloth!! In the evening, we took a taxi to the Causeway – a man-made link between the mainland and a couple of islands just off the coast. Here, there are many bars and restaurants and is a popular area for the locals to run, cycle and roller blade etc. We enjoyed a drink by the harbour, overlooking some ridiculous sized boats before returning to the old town for dinner to celebrate our last night in Panama!!
Up at 4am for a 5am pick up we are tired when we throw our day bags into the back of the 4x4 that is taking us on our 3 day trip! The trip is to the San Blas Islands.
These are an archipiélago which stretch from the Golfo de San Blas to the edge of the Colombian border. There are in total around 400 islands most of which are uninhabited post-card islands consisting of palm tress on white sands surrounded by crystal clear waters. The islands are home to the Kuna people who have been allowed by the Panamanian government to run the islands as an autonomous region. They make their own decisions and have their own economic system . They have successfully built a strong tourist industry by maintaining their traditional way of life. 
The islands are only accessible by plane or by taking a 4x4 from Panama up through the Comarca de Kuna Yala National park and to the “port” where you are taken by the Kuna people on small motor boats to the island of your choice. There are perhaps 10 main islands where tourists (on backpackers budgets) stay and these are chosen before you book the round trip by jeep. The whole excursion isn't that cheap but we had been persuaded to visit by many travellers we have met in Panama. The Jeep journey of 2 hours and boat trip of 1 hour took us to Robinson Island. We were dropped off with four other travellers, all Israeli. 
The islands are truly beautiful and we were shown to our beach hut right on the beach. The facilities are basic, being a double bed in a hut on the sand, a toilet flushed using a bucket and gravity and a basic tank shower. But none of this is important as you look upon incredible views, rest in the hammocks between palm trees, snorkel in the crystal clear turquoise waters or just read your book on the white sands listening to the waves lap onto the shores. 
All meals are provided with lunch / dinner usually being fresh seafood; in fact we had lobster on the first night! During the 3 days / nights we had on the island, we relaxed completely and had a great time with our Israeli friends. One day we took a boat trip to a artificial coral on a wrecked ship surrounded by tiny desert islands, but apart from this we relaxed on our island's beach and it's surrounding waters. 
It was a fantastic few days living in true paradise. However, it was disappointing to find that once you walk round to the other side of the island where the locals live (~20 on our island) the shore is littered with plastic bottles and bags and even used nappies! Although they maintain the tourist beaches, some of the inhabited small islands have a litter problem. None of us could understand how they can litter such picturesque surroundings! Nonetheless this didn't detract from the amazing scenery and a brilliant few days. 
We returned to Panama City on the 24th June. With only two nights before we fly to Cuba we headed into town to exchange some money and to have a walk around the downtown area. The stifling heat of the city soon had us back in the hostel and walking around the shore line of the old town to enjoy the sea breeze. 
On our last day in Panama, we visited the Metropolitan Park to take in some views of the city from the top of the park and were happy to have the opportunity to see our first ever 3 toed sloth!! In the evening, we took a taxi to the Causeway – a man-made link between the mainland and a couple of islands just off the coast. Here, there are many bars and restaurants and is a popular area for the locals to run, cycle and roller blade etc. We enjoyed a drink by the harbour, overlooking some ridiculous sized boats before returning to the old town for dinner to celebrate our last night in Panama!! 
The islands sound idyllic.
ReplyDeleteIn the photo of the sunset is that the "Panama Loch Ness (look alike) Monster" just passing by - or David practicing his new found snorkeling/diving skills?
Is spotting a 3-toed sloth like finding a 4-leaf clover - and if so how many toes should it have? Questions to David Attenborough please.
love
Dad
Hi David and Lynne,
ReplyDeleteJust noticed that the photo of Panama City in this blog (Panama City & San Blas)is the same shot you posted in the "Panama City" blog earlier in the month.
Was the bottled water that Lynne is carrying so good you went back to the same shop, or is your memory beginning to fail you both? Probably too much sun and lager eh!!!!
Love
Dad.