Chiriqui Lagoon and Cayos Zapatilla, Panama
After a great 4th of July we woke up to the beautiful setting of misty mountains surrounding us, calm waters around us, and the lush emerald forest that borders Chiriqui Lagoon.
The peaceful morning was just perfect for our morning Zodiac cruise up the Cricamola River. Our first views were of small stilted huts surrounded by water hyacinths and each having a very green backyard pasture with small farm animals. We realized by the stunned look on the Nobe Bugle Indians, that we are probably the only ship that visits this part of the lagoon. We navigated the river taking in the views of toucans and parrots flying overhead, noticing the vast amount of palm vegetation planted along the riverbank amongst the native giants giving this river a more exotic look. Some of us stopped next to the small houses and were able to purchase some of these colorful weaved purses called chacaras.
In the afternoon we visited the Cayos Zapatilla, where we spent time swimming, relaxing on the beach with the finest white sand we had yet encountered, or, the more adventurous hiked on a muddy, swampy forest trail through the middle of the island, where we encountered the “tree that would not die”.
After a great 4th of July we woke up to the beautiful setting of misty mountains surrounding us, calm waters around us, and the lush emerald forest that borders Chiriqui Lagoon.
The peaceful morning was just perfect for our morning Zodiac cruise up the Cricamola River. Our first views were of small stilted huts surrounded by water hyacinths and each having a very green backyard pasture with small farm animals. We realized by the stunned look on the Nobe Bugle Indians, that we are probably the only ship that visits this part of the lagoon. We navigated the river taking in the views of toucans and parrots flying overhead, noticing the vast amount of palm vegetation planted along the riverbank amongst the native giants giving this river a more exotic look. Some of us stopped next to the small houses and were able to purchase some of these colorful weaved purses called chacaras.
In the afternoon we visited the Cayos Zapatilla, where we spent time swimming, relaxing on the beach with the finest white sand we had yet encountered, or, the more adventurous hiked on a muddy, swampy forest trail through the middle of the island, where we encountered the “tree that would not die”.
