4:15am is about two hours earlier than my normal wake up time. Took 30 min to get ready, then waited until 5:30 for my pickup. Made two more stops to get other people, then we went to a shopping center to meet up with several more vehicles. Waited around for about 45 more minutes, then finally got on the road in a Toyota 4Runner. Five in vehicle: two from Argentina, two from Philadelphia, and me (driver doesn't count).  

Didn't take any pics 'til Guna Yala territory (short history: they are independent from Panama). After ninety minutes, we left the main road, and I took some pics as we got into the mountains. It's no wonder the Panamanians didn't fight the Guna people for this land: it's near impossible to travel! 
    
I have no idea why a big hotel in the middle of nowhere; maybe that's where they have their conventions.  

Had to through a checkpoint and show our passports.  

 

 




 



 
These people continue to live in these huts, and that's the way they like it, and one of the reasons they fought for independence.  

Lots of different tour companies operate out of here (the tribes tell you where and when). The tourists are separated into different boats depending on destination.  

And then it's off to an island vacation!  

As soon as we got to our home island, we were led to our housing to drop off whatever we didn't need to go swimming. Then we immediately set off for Dog Island.  

I visited maybe 6 of the 40 or so inhabited islands, out of around 360 total. So lots of photos of islands (need to enlarge to get good looks; too many to try and get large pics of each, and then you lose perspective). Most of the islands are small. The larger islands are visited by larger boats docked at a different part of the mainland: you can do more shopping and other touristy stuff (more Guna living: cooking, sewing, etc). So something for each taste. Those of us leaving from Carti want a more chilled out, smaller island experience.  

 

The big attraction at Dog Island is the sunken ship. It's decent size for the era (unknown exactly) it was sunk in. Definitely fun to explore. One of the reasons I chose this company is that they provide the snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel only), while many others do not (you can buy a cheap set, but it's a hassle to haul these things).  

After swimming for a couple hours, we went to Iguabi Island for lunch. The menu is fish or chicken; if fish for lunch, it's chicken for dinner (most of the time). You get whatever they serve, unless you have dietary restrictions. After lunch, some went swimming at the beach. I took a walk around the island (I walk every island), trying to take interesting pics. Some of us had a few beers. Actually, we started in about 9:30, but that's another story!  

Leaving Iguabi, we switched a few passengers: some were going to other islands to sleep, some were only on a day trip and headed back to the mainland. I'm just along for the ride! Trying to enjoy myself without worrying about the details. So far I'd been hanging around a lot with the couple from Philadelphia; but they'd decided (regretfully, at this point) on a day trip. You can extend your stay anytime, but most of those that wished they could do that had already made plans and reservations for something else for the next day. So if you come to the San Blas Islands, don't plan less than three days there.

Iguana Island (Aridup, in Guna) - by the way, these natives may not appear too bright, but many of them speak multiple languages: almost all speak Guna and Spanish; many add English; some add Italian and Portuguese; and there are some who specialize in languages like Russian - has about seven semi-private cabins (two beds), and one dorm, 14 beds. Only two toilet stalls and two shower stalls on the whole island. There are about five other buildings for native use, plus the restaurant/bar. I shouldn't call it a restaurant, because you can't order any food: they serve you your meals and clean up after you though. The island is maybe 90 x 60 yards, E to W and N to S. Not real large, but just large enough to give you space: I never felt cramped (even though the dorm appears so). I think some people got off the boat and went to the private cabins. Seems like more people had arrived while we were gone. Hard to keep track of everyone when some are on a day trip, some stay one night, then go to another island, etc. The couple from Argentina that rode up with me and the PA couple, they were in the dorm with me, but we were the only ones: I slept at one end, they were at the other.  

The guys from the sailboat pretty much stayed to themselves. You pay a fee to each island you set foot on (or stop at, I guess, even if you're just swimming from one island to another). Talked to those guys the following day: they're from Montreal; they carpenter for 6 months, then cruise for 6 months - some guys just know how to do it!  

It gets dark about 6:30. Dinner is around 7:30. So after setting up our beds, we just walked around, talked to people, hung out in the dining room, maybe have a few libations: soda is $1.50, beer $2, cocktails $4. A little high on the cocktails but I gave him a $1 tip each time so he gave me 2oz pours, plenty of ice (ice is scarce and expensive; they bring it in blocks in large coolers) and then the rest of the Coke can - I don't like it too strong. Considering the location, I was pretty cool with all that.  

I don't know how many we had for dinner, but we had 19 for breakfast the following morning.
After dinner, some of us did a little partying; from left to right: Josie from Venezuela, Andrea from Argentina, Nali (our host and guide) from Guna Yala, Niko from Argentina, Gerald from Holland, and (sorry) from Panama. Talk about an international crowd! And it was like this everywhere I went for three days. For me to remember all their names? Forget it! Not with my memory!  

Today was about as good as it gets. Beautiful sunshine, gorgeous water, balmy breezes. Cloudy skies at sunset, and at sunrise. Nothing is perfect. But this comes pretty close! Heard a lot of people over four days say "this is heaven!"