San Blas - Day #5 - last day on "our island"

We packed our stuff after breakfast. Not that we had to check out or leave our tent but based on the "routine" the other afternoons we knew we would return with the boat from our island hop and then have 5 minutes to get our stuff ready and leave for the mainland. Coordination isn't the strong side for the local guys out here. "Island time".

We left for "Pelican island" which truly is a tiny pile of sand and less than ten palm trees. We got dropped off there as the only ones from our island, since the others were going to a bigger island. And then we had this small island to ourselves - for about 15 minutes. Then other boats started to arrive and soon it was crowded with some 40 people on the island. So much for having the place to ourselves. Good that we decided to stay "home" yesterday and have it all to ourselves there.

We tried to snorkel the reef but there are no fish, the reef was a bit shallow and the snorkel equipment we got from the boat was really bad and leaking a bit. We got picked up, spent an hour having lunch at another island that was also packed with around 40 visitors from other islands. Sunday is the popular day for San Blas since it is only a couple of hours from Panama City by car and boat.

As expected we went back to our island and got the "vamos-vamos"-message to hurry up and get our stuff. We left "our island" before 3 PM so we had a full day of beach and sunshine which was nice. The trip back to Panama City was just like they the other day. Our driver was driving like an idiot, short of words but he decided to drop us off as the first ones which meant that we were at the hostel AND our shower just before 6 PM. Arriving at the hostel was a bit odd since there was only one other guest there but he let us in, we had a much needed warm shower and then went to the supermarket to buy food for the next couple of days and nights - including fresh fruit and vegetables. We cooked a nice dinner and then we spent time getting updated with mails, facebook and other stuff. Pascal - the hostel owner - came back later in the evening and reunited us with our back packs. San Blas was so nice but it was also nice to know that we were going to sleep in a real bed tonight.

Last morning with "eggs and roll"

See you later - tent

Posing with the chief

Heading for Panama City in the sunset

No fish the next couple of days :-)

San Blas - Day #4 - and a few thoughts about the trip

Today we decided to stay on our island and not go on any trips to the other islands. In the beginning our local hosts were a bit confused with us not going, but we convinced them that we were staying on the beach all day and were perfectly ok with that - so we did just hang out at home. Sometimes in the sun, sometimes hiding in the shade.

Just a whole day watching the palm trees, counting coconuts, reading our books, looking at the waves and the pelicans. And of course a swim once in a while.

Having stayed on the island for some days it was also time to think a bit about it so here are our thoughts. We booked through ultimatesanblastour.com which is super easy. Once we got to our hostel we realised that it was just as easy to plan our trip with little or no notice. The prices for booking through our hostel was USD 70 for the land transportation to and from San Blas per person. On top of that you have to add around USD 40 for accommodation and food per day and USD 15 for each time you go with a boat if you want to do island-hopping. Taken as a guideline you can do the math about value for money booking through ultimatesanblastour.com,

Did we enjoy it? Definitely. Staying on the island was really nice. Was the food really basic? Yes, the breakfast consisted of the same bread roll and a small serving of scrambled eggs. Lunch and dinner was either a small serving of potato or rice and some kind of deep fried fish or chicken. It seemed a little on the cheap side. Going on trips to the other islands always involved our hosts bringing lots of nachos, some tomato dip, soft drinks and loud dance music which wasn't really our idea of relaxing on an island. Snorkeling gear was included in the price but it was often broken or looking really worn out. Tents, bathrooms and everything else on our island worked but were very basic. If you come straight from a western country you will probably find it primitive and rudimentary.

Having spoken to other travellers who have been to islands like Iguana we definitely went to a busy place which also meant a little more garbage on the island. The locals did the best they could to clean it up the island. We would love to go again but would never book through a travel agent. Their mark-up is too big compared to the island they offer and the service there and how easy it is to make a DIY-trip.

For stocking up on stuff and snacks before departure make sure you bring everything you need. There are no shops on the islands (obviously) and on the mainland the nearest shops are basically in Panama City. The small shop at the port has a very limited selection of basic necessities. Also bring a lot of water for drinking. We brought the 4 liter water bottles - 4 in total which was just about enough for the two of us for 5 days. Bottled water on the island is USD 2 for ½ liter and you can buy beer and soft drinks for similar prices.

And bring a small padlock or something else for your private belongings. We did "lock" our tent when we were not there which at least would enable us to see if somebody had been in there. A couple of other guests staying on the island both told us about finding their personal belongings had been messed with by somebody. One had her phone stolen, which really upset the local chief on the island but it was gone is some way or another - only to be returned to her after some days once she managed to block it.

San Blas is wonderful, no doubt about that.

San Blas - Day #3

Day 3 out of 5. Some of our friends wouldn't make it this long out here. There would simply be too little to do and see for them. We on the other hand liked every single second of our island experience.

Just relaxing in the hammocks, going to another beach on another island or simply sitting on our own beach and look at the waves. This day was like all the others, except in the evening one of the other visitors brought out her Jewish "Christmas" candles and lit them - and reminded us that we are in December and that it soon will be Christmas. Nothing could be further away from our "mental sphere" at the moment but it was nice to watch the Hanukkah lights while staying on the beach and having a few drinks with the other guys on the island.

Counting coconuts

San Blas - Day #2

It rained during the night - a lot. Not for a long time though but some really intense showers. Luckily we had an extra tarp suspended over our tent so we didn't get wet. In the morning however, it was back to normal, the sun rising around 6 AM, a few clouds and after breakfast the weather improved with more sunshine.

Breakfast was a bread roll and scrambled eggs + tea or coffee. Basic but what more do you actually need. One of the guys on the island was selling coconuts he collected every morning so for USD 1 it was possible to get a bit extra for breakfast and coconuts are supposed to be healthy and good for you when it's hot.

At 10 we left with the boat to go to another island. Kind of the same program as yesterday, island, beach, sun, relax and then back for lunch at our own island and stay there for the afternoon. After dinner we hung out with some of the other guys getting a few drinks - coconuts also come in handy there if you happen to have a bottle of rum with you. We are kind of getting into the mood of relaxing on our own little island. It's wonderful.

All day lazy - perfect

San Blas - Day #1

We were ready for pick up outside the hostel at 5 AM. We waited for a while and were picked up by a big and way to flashy SUV. And then we spent around one hour going around Panama city picking up more people and looking for the "right" Hilton hotel and the last couple of guests. A short stop at a supermarket out of town and then 1½ hours of driving too fast on narrow roads. Just a short stop at the "border post" to have our passports checked. Technically we are leaving Panama for Kuna territory. Mikkels passport was in this back pack in the back of the car but that wasn't a problem. The guard at the border just gave him an extra scrutinizing look and he got through.

Then we got dropped off at the pier, found our boat and spent 30 minutes in the boat going to the small island of "Isla Aroma". We left our stuff in our tent and were told to be ready in 20 minutes, which suddenly was 5 minutes and then "vamos, vamos". We will need to adjust to "island time" in the next couple of days.

Then we headed off to another small island by boat - now wearing swim suits. 15 minutes by boat and we were at a small island. We spent three hours there, relaxing a bit in the sun and in the shade before the boat took us back to "home" for lunch. Fish, rice and lentils for lunch. Something we were going to have for the next couple of days.

We spent the rest of the day hanging out on our island, staying on the beach and taking a few swims on the ocean as the sun set. Also, pelican watching was nice as they continued to dive for fish - again and again.
Dinner was served after sunset and then we headed to bed in our small tent. What's not to like about this place.

5 AM - all packed

Heading for our island

Our new home for the next couple of days

Quiet sunset evening