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107--Panama: Life in the San Blas Islands @ CherieSpotting     Dec 20 2002 - 18:00 PST cherie writes: Many people ask me: "What is your favorite country?" I have an new answer now. Panama. When you look at these pictures, you will see why. Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (0) | write comment| views: 7849    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   Another way to keep in shape! Greg pulls me behind the dinghy on my wakeboard. (Mac got me a great deal on it!) A Kuna family relaxing on Nuinudup, the San Blas Islands. Young girl with her baby sister snuggled into a hammock. The Kuna children are simply precious. Isla Nuinudup. A long time without a hair-cut, Greg goes for the Elvis look. Cherie grabs a pair of scissors and gives Greg a new look. (Not bad considering I don't know what the heck I am doing?) Greg tells me to take a "shower" at the well because Scirocco is low on water. Another chance to rinse off at a Kuna well. I don't mind roughing it, but I need a real shower at least once every two weeks. Scirocco anchored off Nuinudup. The Kunas made this effigy of their grandfather, to keep his spirit around. They even put cigarettes in his hand and a bottle of water nearby. Next to him is a Kuna in a Santa mask we later purchased. Greg on another beautiful beach (on an island so small, it doesn't even have a name.) A Kuna family. Jose, a cute kid I became very fond of. A Kuna family, the girl on the right wouldn't stop hitting on Greg. About every other minute she asked: "Are you SURE she's your girlfriend?" Greg was sure. The beginning of a Kuna hut. Palm trees, blue water and lobsters everywhere. Do you need anything else? Be careful not to step on the starfish that freckle the shallow water. Another sunset in San Blas, Panama. Gunboat Island, San Blas. An "ulu" comes by at least once a day with fresh offerings from the sea. These crabs sold for one dollar each. Carl and Tanya, new friends from "Helen Victoria" hold up their dinner. The San Blas Islands from above. Did someone make a wrong turn somewhere? (The real story is a Swiss guy tried to come into the anchorage at night, he cut the curve a little too close and now the boat was history.) There's not much left! What in the hull happened here? Which is the bigger wreck? The boat or my hair? A fallen tree and a fallen ship. Ms. San Blas Snorkle Queen. I never get tired of being in the water. We always stop and make friends with the local Kunas on each island. Greg taking a break on an authentic Kuna bench. (Original huts in the background.) Hide and seek. You begin to regress into childhood games after you've been living on a boat for a few months. The Kunas took the dodger from the yacht on the rocks and added it to their hut. The days begin and end with unforgettable beauty. Sugtupu, part of the Carti Islands. Brian, our young Kuna tour guide. It may not appear that way, but this child actually asked to have his photo taken. Cherie fits right in with the Kunas. The word "anarchy" scratched into a Kuna hut. You really never know what to expect. Brian with a dog. (Note: fluffy pet did not want to be photographed.) You really feel like you've been transported back in time. I turned a corner and found this Kuna woman boiling peppers. Our dinghy docked at Sugtupu. Some Kuna huts are built so close you have to inch through side-ways. A few Kuna kids out for a "play sail." Hut front property. Greg in a hammock. This is the life. Sail away, sail away, sail away. While we visited the United States, 25 knot winds visted the San Blas Islands. The strong winds ravaged the huts and destroyed this concrete pier that had been standing for over 25 years. Greg at the well at Porvenir replenishing our water supply. We carried 100 gallons of water from this well in little 2.5 gallon containers. The Kunas on Porvenir gave us coconuts and told us they considered us "family." Here's one serious little Kuna. I'm trying out to be the next "James Bond girl" in my new skin suit. The water is so warm, you don't need to wear a suit. But I wear one because it protects me from sunburns, coral scrapes, and jelly fish stings. (I´ve had my share of all three.) Greg's T-shirt is accurate. It says "homeless." Just swimming.