San Blas Islands, Panama

Our next stop is a small island in the San Blas Islands of Panama.  These islands are inhabited by the Kuna, warm, inviting people who rule 378 islands in the Caribbean off the Panama coast, 49 of which are inhabited.  We ride ashore in rubber rafts for a day of swimming, relaxing, and beach barbeque.

Approaching the island, ship at anchor

The Kuna people make and wear an abundance of colorful designs, originally drawn onto their bodies and, after the intervention of Spanish missionaries, shown in original designs and intricate art forms of their traditional dress.  We see many of them for sale on the island.

Traditional crafts

We admire the displays as we walk around the tiny island.

Around the island

After a beach barbeque (we have fish), we are entertained by local dancers and musicians with traditional instruments and dance routines.

Lunch

Traditional dance

After lunch, it's time for more swimming and relaxing and soon [too soon] it's time to head back to the ship and sail away from the island.

A little more beach, then goodby

And, soon, the sun sets over the Caribbean and we continue on to our next stop in Panama.

Good night

Ship's wake in the dark