Another Trip to Panama

Last week I was fortunate enough to again be able to take a trip to the Kuna Yala area of Panama. After flying into Panama City and a quick overnight it was an early flight out to the islands where I was met by Orlando, the wonderful guide from the Kuna Niskua hotel where I stay. He takes me for walks around that island and also on trips to other islands and finds all the women who are interested in selling me molas. This wonderful woman has a parakeet for a pet. It is forbidden to take photos unless you pay $1 for the priviledge. We visited four different islands on the first day.

A fisherman. The rate at the hotel includes three meals and local fish were often on the menu. It was either eat there or bring your own food as there are no restaurants on the island.
A pigpen.

There are basketball courts on most islands and the one down the street from my hotel was very popular until late in the evening.

On a trip to Carti with Bobby, another guide who was accompanied by his wife and child (in the foreground) who were going to visit relatives there. I was quite surprised by her dress. He studied tourism at the University in Panama City but prefers to live on the islands. Molas on the islands of Carti...with a population of around 2000 and the most visited island by tour boats. I found it very crowded and noisy.

The latrines on the dock at Carti. I assume for tourists.


On the other side of the pier is one of the trading boats which go around to the islands and stock the small shops. It is hard to find anything other than really basic staples here and some stores are little more than a couple of shelves within someone's house.

I typical large house...very airy inside but rather dark. There is usually a hammock or two strung inside.

I think this was a huge squash plant growing on the side of a house around the street from my hotel.
Molas hanging on a line around the corner from my hotel

During my last day on the island I decided to stay put and a number of ladies came over from other islands to try and sell my molas. This is a scene on my hotel steps. I bought a few of these.

Another seller. I also bought some of these molas.


Every morning there was small loaves of fresh bread for breakfast and I couldn't figure out how they got them until I discovered this local bakery in someone's house. They cook on Propane stoves.More molas on a local street.




I bought a few of these local molas as well.

This is a hotel on the next island which used to be a part of the Smithsonian to house researchers. The hotel occupies the whole island.

There was usually a skittles game going on next door in the afternoon. The basketball court is to the right.
The hotel owner's son painted some beautiful pictures and I bought this one.

You will find many more photos of the islands on my listing from last September.