Isthmus of Music: The Island by the Isthmus: A Trip to Taboga

After a long week of working and planning, we had a federal holiday today for the Panama Canal's 100th birthday so, to relax, I tagged along to visit an island off the Pacific coast called Taboga. I woke up at 5:30 am to finish packing and met my ride at 6:30 am. Then we drove to the pier and bought tickets for the boat to Taboga. The line was very long so it was quite a wait, but it made the journey an adventure. Luckily it has been a beautiful day, so other than being extremely hot, it has been very nice. The boat ride was very fun. I listed to the Lumineers as I watched the horizon to prevent sea sickness. By the way, the horizon here is gorgeous— peppered with little islands and boats of all sizes. The air smelled liked the sea and there were fork-tailed sea birds flying overhead. Where I was sitting in the boat I could see the bow and was able to go up front to take pictures and enjoy the wind in my face.

When we arrived on the island, the military security guys had their dogs come smell all of our bags. The dog almost stopped at my bag but, luckily, he kept walking—fwew! The island is very beautiful. The houses here are all so colorful. It reminds me of Greece, I guess, but if the houses were pink, orange, blue, red, yellow and coral colored. The streets are lined with pentas, vinca, and bougainvillea and there is another unknown flower that has a great scent. Every house has one out front so walking through the streets is like walking through a fragrant flower garden. Meanwhile, salsa music fills the air and dogs and cats scamper about as you pass.

My friend’s beach house is by the church on the island, and only a very short walk to the beach. So naturally, after we got settled in, I put on my swim suit, grabbed my towel, and hoofed it to the beach. It was not very crowded and I met with a friend of mine from the office of the foundation. We talked and enjoyed the sun. The water was clear and cold—very refreshing. I even got goose bumps at first! I fell asleep in the sun for an hour or so and probably got enough sun for today… my poor nose. Hopefully it will turn into a tan by tomorrow. If nothing else, I will have a great tan when I come back in December.

The sand on the beach is kind of coarse and right by the edge of the water there are little sea shell parts. But they are not super sharp so you can still enjoy digging your toes into the sand. The sea birds were circling above us and some dogs were running around and jumping into the water, playing with the beach goers. Island life is the life for these dogs. The water is mostly clear but there are some things floating in it like coconuts, tree parts, seeds, and a little trash on the side of the beach that faces the mainland. But I saw all kinds of fish swimming under my feet and around my legs. It was pretty magical.

When I came back, I went to wash the sand off of my feet at the back of the house and I met a new friend. A rooster. They have been cockadoodle-doing all afternoon. I imagine I will have a pretty early morning wake-up call tomorrow. Panama never ceases to amaze me. Everywhere I go I see strange things. I am still overwhelmed every time I leave my house but I am sure I will get used to it eventually.

I went back to the beach after some lunch and a little out-of-sun relaxation in a hammock. Since the sun was going down and a storm was brewing off the mainland, it was much cooler out this time. I went to a different beach this time and I have decided to name this one "Treasure Beach" because combing for shells turned up all kinds of treasures. After a while, I went back to the other beach. Everyone that was there before had left and the tide was coming in. There was a dog raiding a trash can and the birds had taken up their positions scouring the waves for fish caught in the tide. This beach is called La Restinga because during high tide, the two seas touch over the isthmus. Of course, I stood right in the middle as the tide came in. Another magical moment on the island...

After helping some ladies pitch a tent, I went back to the water and enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. Tonight promises a delicious Panamanian dinner and maybe some margaritas at a local place afterward.

I will probably hit the beach again tomorrow morning before we head back to the mainland and my magical little vacation is over. But for now, I am enjoying the island life.

View of the Island from the mainland as we were driving to the pier.

The boat that would take me away to a magical island called Taboga.

Some views from the boat deck.

More views.

Bye-bye mainland!

One of the many boats in the bay waiting to go through the canal. I wonder where these boats have been before and where they are going next...(after the canal, of course.)