While we were in Panama, we decided to visit the San Blas Islands. These islands are also sometimes referred to as the Comarca de Kuna Yala because they are inhabited by an indigenous group of people called the Kuna Yala. The Kuna community has very strong traditions and works hard to maintain them. There are a few hotels on the islands, but “hotel” is a pretty general description. We stayed in the second story of a thatched building that had about four other guest rooms in it. Across the sidewalk there were a few more rooms available that happened to be empty while we were there. This was great because the small number of guests really let us feel less like we were imposing and more like we were being included in Kuna culture.

Alex taking a stroll around the island.

Every island we went to was very small. We could walk completely around this one in less than 10 minutes.

Puffer fish!

These boys were very enthusiastic about their dominoes. They played almost every night we were on the islands!

Other popular activities were soccer and volleyball. Each different island has a volleyball team and they play each other in tournaments. We were very impressed at how good they are!

El Baño

Isla Coco Solo….can you figure out why it’s called that!?

We saw dolphins on our way back to Wichupwala!

When it rains…..

This storm was crazy! All the kids on the island were super excited to play in the rain…some of them even took the opportunity to get out the shampoo and wash their hair!

The community has a system of piping from the roofs of the buildings into large storage tanks. The rainwater that gets collected is used for bathing.

A fisherman

This man is repairing a boat. He showed us how he is recarving the bottom to give it a better shape in the water.

Fresh crab!

One of the other travelers we were with caught a crab while snorkeling. The family on the island boiled it up for us and we shared it for dessert after lunch.

On another island with Isla del Perro in the background.

During our afternoon on this island, the family that lived there was smoking fish and cooking plantains. Alex gave our camera to one of the local boys and he took a fews pictures for us….I have included the one of the food, but not the one of him and his brother goofing around…

We bought this blue mola. She is holding it up to approximately where it would be worn traditionally. The molas are used as a decoration around the stomach area over a regular shirt. The women also often have beaded ankle decorations that go most of the way up their shins. I’m sorry that I cut her feet out of the picture and you can’t see them!