One day in Panama around noon the ship arrived at the island of Taboga. After lunch we went ashore, but because there was no beach, we unloaded the skiffs at a floating dock. Let me explain: although I refer to a ship, when a vessel carries only 100 passengers or less, in my mind it is a boat; thus was the case on this Panama trip.
In the morning we had learned that in 1523 Taboga was an Inca compound. Taboga is only twelve miles from Panama City and on that clear day we easily saw the city skyline in the distance.
Taboga has two roads. The high road leads to the oldest church on the Pacific coast. The low road leads to the only hotel where one can sit on the veranda and enjoy a cold drink while enjoying a spectacular view of the ocean. Each road was little wider than a sidewalk.One never has to worry about a traffic jam on the island as there are only a couple of small open trucks which are used to transport goods from the floating dock to wherever.
The island is hilly. Most of the houses are painted soft pastel colors and nearly all have a view of the ocean. About 700 people live on the island. We talked to a local American artist who was enraptured with her island paradise and its lifestyle. She felt it was a perfect place to raise her young daughter. She told us, “Gauguin swam and painted here. In 1995 a memorial plaque was placed in front of the ruins of his home. You can see it just down the road, there.”
Taboga is known as the Isle of Flowers. They were plentiful and beautiful---everywhere. The island has become a middle class resort area reached only by ferry where people can enjoy peace and quiet at a slowed-down pace removed from the city.
Kelly and I found a lovely little park near the hotel where we sat for quite a spell just relaxing and enjoying the view. After awhile she told me, “I read that JFK was stationed here during WW II.”
This peaceful day was our last on the Pacific side of the canal as the next day we were booked for transit through the canal.
