San Blas/Kuna Yala

For our last stint in Panama we flew and boated to Yandup in the Kuna Yala province. Here is the tiny island we stayed on, from the window of our even tinier airplane:

The Kuna Yala (also known as San Blas) includes 365 islands that are run by the Kunas.  The Kunas won their independence from Panama in 1930, and continue many of their traditional practices today.  No foreigner can own land in the region, which is amazing as I'm sure the Kuna have been offered millions for real estate in this exquisite environment.  There are no hotels or high rises; the only accomodations offered are in Kuna-owned traditional formats.  Our room (solar powered lights and fan available at night):

Every morning the Kuna men head out in dugout canoes to fish and lobster hunt.  It was so peaceful to rise from bed and sit on our porch, watching the men head to work. 

The only motor (or any loud noise) we heard during our stay was on the boat owned by our lodge, which shuttled us about to isolated islands.  Here are a few of the beaches we visited:

Our lodge (Yandup Island Lodge), also took us to visit the nearest Kuna community.  It was fascinating to see a village so removed from modern conveniences, self-sufficient and full of pride and joy.

Question:  What modern convenience would you hate to give up?  (Vitamix for me!)  

Boquete

We've been relaxing in the "mountain" town of Boquete for the past three days.  We took a collectitvo from Las Lajas to David, and then an old school bus to this lovely coffee and citrus producing town.  My main motivations for coming here were the fresh produce and flowers that grow profusely in the volcanic ash-tinged soil.

We are eating vegetables again!

I even enjoyed a non-iceberg lettuce salad at a restaurant yesterday. 

This town is filled with expat retirees, so there are a variety of interesting restaurants (aside from typical Panamanian fare) to choose from.  We found baba ganoush and tabouli at Tammy's, so we ordered it to go.  We have a fancy kitchen in our Kent Street apartment rental ($50/night); many meals have been made with the local veggies.  The carrots and tomatoes here taste exactly like my dad's super sweet garden varieties.  

(Eckkk- horrible lighting!) 

I have been drinking my weight in fruit juices. The two below were served at breakfast the other morning.  I have no idea what fruits the juices contained, but they sure were tasty.

This morning I tried my first passionfruit, and while it was beautiful, I'm not sure if I am a fan.  It was rather tart, and the seeds were really crunchy.  I do think it would be great as a smoothie addition. 

We are off to a jungle lodge for four days, where we will be computer free (and possibly without electricity...?).  Enjoy your week and I will see you this weekend!  

Question:  What was the best thing you ate today?  

Isla Contadora, Panama

For those of you interested in raw food preparation:  I will be back to it on my return to Alaska.  (You might want to check back in around August.)  For the moment I am eating lots of fresh fruits, and not so many veggies as they don't grow well in this part of the world.   I'm currently attempting to keep a travelogue, as many people ask specifics about our trips and my memory is rather shoddy.

Today I spent most of the day either under this palm tree...

...or in this water, which was crystal clear and at least 85 degrees:

I was reading a fun book called The Bee Keeper's Apprentice, which is a well-written Sherlock Holmes saga with a twist.  I never would have picked it out myself, but a friend recommended it and I have really enjoyed it.  

We had a few epic wildlife encounters as well.  This spider was about the size of a grapefruit:

TH also spotted a pack of giant tailless rodents, one hustling about with a mango in its mouth.  Not sure what they were (other than creepy).  

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!

Question:  Have you read a book recently that pleasantly surprised you?  

On the Road Again....

Well, I had a lovely summer parfait to share with you, but TH ate the ingredients I had prepared while I was up in Fairbanks.  I guess I should be happy that he chose a raw dessert over the Snickers that came home in his fishing backpack.

Since I don't have a pretty pic to share, I will post a not so pretty one.  I tried to make a travel kale chip, inspired by a flat kale cracker I saw at Natural Pantry.  My experimentation involved food processing a giant head of kale, apple cider vinegar, a few macadamia nuts, ground flax, and salt.   Then I spread the mixture in circle shapes on a ParaFlexx sheet, sprinkled hemp seeds on top, and dehydrated overnight at 110 degrees.  Salt and Vinegar Kale Crisps!

These guys turned out pretty tasty, and are going to Panama with TH and I tomorrow.  Won't our airplane neighbor be jealous. 

 I plan on posting a travel journal of sorts over the next month; come back and visit if you are interested in Central America!

Question:  Do you have a favorite travel destination?