Where Did Everybody Go?

Cruising in Panama offers more beautiful and remote anchorages than one could see in a lifetime. On the way to Balboa – assuming one’s intent is to transit the canal – the Las Perlas Islands are a convenient and enjoyable stop. Isla Ampon was one anchorage that offered a protected bay with a small village.

At the suggestion of friends on Oernen whom I’d met on a previous cruise to Mexico, anchoring at Isla Ampon offered a win-win opportunity. The win for us was anchoring in a beautiful small bay. The win for the people of the fishing village was that we would donate clothing and other items.

Arriving in the early afternoon, we slowly negotiated the sandbar and reef-protected entrance. Since Werner and Giny had been there before, I prudently followed them. Once anchored, we dinghied to the small beach fronting the village.

Expecting to see the residents engaged in their daily routines, we were greeted by . . . no one. Curiosity led us down the village’s main street and eventually we encountered someone – one or two adults and some kids. Conversing in Spanish solved the mystery. Virtually the entire village had departed in their fishing boats to attend a religious gathering in another village.

Since the village’s church was a focal point, we left our donations there. Giny and Werner provided the bulk of the donations, whereas my meager contribution consisted of providing the kids with “sunglasses.” My ophthalmologist would be very pleased to know that her suggestion was implemented a second time. (Remember the prior story about sunglasses for the kids on the beach in Mexico?)

Back on Oernen while enjoying “sundowners” and barbequed, freshly-caught fish, we toasted our meager success as humanitarians.