La Chunga, Darien Region, Panama
Today we ventured far upstream on the Rio Sambu headed into the Darien region of Panama, the most remote and inaccessible area of Central America. Indeed the Darien is, to this day, the only obstacle that interrupts the Pan American highway, preventing one driving from Anchorage to Buenos Aires!
We boarded motorized Cayucos for the two-hour journey to visit the Choco Indians that inhabit this area, and what a fantastic and heartwarming welcome we received. Mobs of small children greeted us at the landing and escorted us hand-in-hand up the grassy trail to their village. Once at the village we browsed among Cocobolo carvings, Tagua (vegetable ivory) nut sculptures and the most amazing baskets weaved from the Chunga palm fibers. Everyone found these Indians to be absolutely enchanting, happy and proud, as they still pursue their traditional handicrafts, which we eagerly bought.
After a few hours wandering the village, we reluctantly re-boarded the Cayucos for the journey back to the Sea Voyager. We would have liked very much to linger a little longer, but time and tide wait for no man, not even Lindblad.
Today we ventured far upstream on the Rio Sambu headed into the Darien region of Panama, the most remote and inaccessible area of Central America. Indeed the Darien is, to this day, the only obstacle that interrupts the Pan American highway, preventing one driving from Anchorage to Buenos Aires!
We boarded motorized Cayucos for the two-hour journey to visit the Choco Indians that inhabit this area, and what a fantastic and heartwarming welcome we received. Mobs of small children greeted us at the landing and escorted us hand-in-hand up the grassy trail to their village. Once at the village we browsed among Cocobolo carvings, Tagua (vegetable ivory) nut sculptures and the most amazing baskets weaved from the Chunga palm fibers. Everyone found these Indians to be absolutely enchanting, happy and proud, as they still pursue their traditional handicrafts, which we eagerly bought.
After a few hours wandering the village, we reluctantly re-boarded the Cayucos for the journey back to the Sea Voyager. We would have liked very much to linger a little longer, but time and tide wait for no man, not even Lindblad.
