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high quality photos.
Panama Jet Boat Explorer announces a new set of exciting tours into the pristine remote jungle
river across Chiriqui Laguna. Home to crocs and manatees, monkeys and various ground animals,
trees and plants of incredible variety, plus birds too numerous to count; this trip is one that has not
been done before in this area. Each venture tour is more one of an exploration, with every turn of
the river bringing new sights to your eyes and sounds to your ears. The few indigenous in this area
are pleased to show their unique cultural heritage, as well as how they hew their cayucos from
immense felled trees.
river across Chiriqui Laguna. Home to crocs and manatees, monkeys and various ground animals,
trees and plants of incredible variety, plus birds too numerous to count; this trip is one that has not
been done before in this area. Each venture tour is more one of an exploration, with every turn of
the river bringing new sights to your eyes and sounds to your ears. The few indigenous in this area
are pleased to show their unique cultural heritage, as well as how they hew their cayucos from
immense felled trees.
Some selected photos from the first trips we made up the Rio Mananti
5 Km up the Rio Manati at the first small settlement, Ramon Sanchez brings his wide-eyed grandson
for his first encounter with Gringos.
for his first encounter with Gringos.
One our passengers tries his hand at managing a native cayuco. Stable with trained hands, most of
us non-natives quickly get wet, as he about to!
us non-natives quickly get wet, as he about to!
Justin makes it back safely and without getting wet! Although most of us find these small craft very
unstable for our likes, the Ngobe are totally at home in severe waves even. For our normal tours,
life vests are worn by those wishes to try their hand at these craft. Downstream we also station a
boat for safety purposes to grab those who can't re-board the craft.
unstable for our likes, the Ngobe are totally at home in severe waves even. For our normal tours,
life vests are worn by those wishes to try their hand at these craft. Downstream we also station a
boat for safety purposes to grab those who can't re-board the craft.
Three familes make up this 1st small settlement, 5 Km up the Rio Manati from Laguna Chiriqui. Note
the 7 youngsters peering out in awe of our most unusual craft. New construction in underway, as
the families keep growing. No TV, no electricity and long nights under the romantic skies listening
to nature all around! They claimed they see manatees most every morning & evening around here.
the 7 youngsters peering out in awe of our most unusual craft. New construction in underway, as
the families keep growing. No TV, no electricity and long nights under the romantic skies listening
to nature all around! They claimed they see manatees most every morning & evening around here.
Alberto shows his "tool of his trade" of crafting cayucos from logs. This 7 mtr long craft he normally
takes 5 days to complete. His lovely wife Sefarina assists as required, and tends to their two young
children, 4 and 6 years. Political shirts are the vogue at this just past election time. Would-be of
those seeking office ply their will within the indigenous zones, passing out shirts and hats to all. A
vote buyer? These days, as the elections showed, all voters were voting intelligently!
takes 5 days to complete. His lovely wife Sefarina assists as required, and tends to their two young
children, 4 and 6 years. Political shirts are the vogue at this just past election time. Would-be of
those seeking office ply their will within the indigenous zones, passing out shirts and hats to all. A
vote buyer? These days, as the elections showed, all voters were voting intelligently!
Alberto demonstrates his craft to us and to Ramon, who says he doesn't know anything about that
work, as he fishes and farms. Note, Ramon has a different shirt. They both indicated they didn't
vote for the names on their shirts!
work, as he fishes and farms. Note, Ramon has a different shirt. They both indicated they didn't
vote for the names on their shirts!
The Gringos inspect the workmanship. Ramon was pleased by their comments of the high quality
workmanship they saw. The group actually ordered 4 cayucos in total from this visit. On the left,
Ron of Exploration Panama wanted a 40 footer, which Alberto said he could do in a couple months!
workmanship they saw. The group actually ordered 4 cayucos in total from this visit. On the left,
Ron of Exploration Panama wanted a 40 footer, which Alberto said he could do in a couple months!
Justin is now an old-hand at cayucos, as he heads Mark is taking his first cayuco trip, a little bit
out for a test ride on a "finished" model. unsteady at first as heads into the current.
out for a test ride on a "finished" model. unsteady at first as heads into the current.
Mark returns from the small stream upright! He wasn't so straight in his maneuvering, but he made
it into the main rio and sat down safely. He's obviously quite pleased and proud to have made his
maiden cayuco voyage without getting wet! This stop is about 9 Km up river from the entry.
it into the main rio and sat down safely. He's obviously quite pleased and proud to have made his
maiden cayuco voyage without getting wet! This stop is about 9 Km up river from the entry.
These kids make it appear sooo simple! They were The building in the background is the school
bringing a big sack of "Guavas" to sell us. This is a that caters to those within about 10 Km of this
fruit from rather tall trees that are in long pods. same locale we were playing cayuco sailor.
bringing a big sack of "Guavas" to sell us. This is a that caters to those within about 10 Km of this
fruit from rather tall trees that are in long pods. same locale we were playing cayuco sailor.
This pueblo of Manati Abajo is at the mouth of the Rio Guariviara into the Laguna de Chiriqui. More
than 200 inhabitants are here, mainly fishing and farming for their livelihood. There is a national
school here that teachers are assigned duty for 2-3 years. Sadly, their native language and cultural
heritage instruction is not part of the curriculum.
than 200 inhabitants are here, mainly fishing and farming for their livelihood. There is a national
school here that teachers are assigned duty for 2-3 years. Sadly, their native language and cultural
heritage instruction is not part of the curriculum.
This family came to experience what their ancestors may have had as their norm. The looks on the
two youngsters' faces indicating it was indeed a sobering experience, which Mom was hoping for.
two youngsters' faces indicating it was indeed a sobering experience, which Mom was hoping for.
The norm of the rio folk, is to gather and fish. These youngsters are already skilled at catching their
fair share. Remarkable balance is demonstrated as these show, and must be inherent with them at
a very early age.
fair share. Remarkable balance is demonstrated as these show, and must be inherent with them at
a very early age.
Pushing slowly upstream in a dream world filled with awe, we encountered Toucans, Parrots, Hawks
and host of smaller birds flitting about. Searching the trees on the off-chance of catching a sloth or
monkey was fighting the urge to simply relax and enjoy the serenity of this rio setting.
and host of smaller birds flitting about. Searching the trees on the off-chance of catching a sloth or
monkey was fighting the urge to simply relax and enjoy the serenity of this rio setting.
Transport along the rios is simple, yet effective in their version of a jalopy. The young girls shade
themselves with a modern umbrella in a craft that is still worthy, even in its later years.
themselves with a modern umbrella in a craft that is still worthy, even in its later years.
One of our most common sights is the "Great White Egret", the largest of
all egrets in the World. Just starting his ascent, in level flight the neck is
a double-loop pretzel in appearance. Graceful barely describes the
amazing flight for such a large bird.
all egrets in the World. Just starting his ascent, in level flight the neck is
a double-loop pretzel in appearance. Graceful barely describes the
amazing flight for such a large bird.
This newly constructed home is less than six months old. Find a plot you like, build your home and
life goes on.
life goes on.
