PANAMA - Red Frog Beach

Red Frog Beach - approximately 1 1/2 miles long, this beach stretches along the northern coast of Bestimentos Islands.  Thanks to Blanca for the card.

"Located on Isla Bastimentos in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Red Frog Beach is a wonderfully mellow white-sand beach. Red Frog is backed by portions of thick rainforest which extend in some places all the way to the water, creating secluded alcoves that are perfect for couples or families who would like a bit of privacy. This becomes especially the case during high tide, when the sea creeps high and swallows much of the shoreline." Source

PANAMA - Cover

PANAMA - Ruins of Archo Chato in San Felipe

Another wonderful card from Anyi, thank you very much!

"Built in 1678, it thrived until a fire devastated the building in 1756. Unfortunately, all that remains today is an outer shell that was never rebuilt. For more than three centuries, its entrance included an interesting flat arch known as the Arco Chato. At a height of approximately 35 feet with a 49-foot span, it was mostly noted for its lack of external support. This structure was so impressive that it was constantly cited as a powerful example of the country’s seismic stability when the United States considered taking over the Panama Canal project. But in November 2003, after centuries of neglect, the arch finally gave in and collapsed. Today, the ruins are being restored with eventual plans that include cultural and artistic presentation space for the public."

PANAMA - City View

 Another great card from Anyi, Thank you!

"Bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica. Panama occupies the southeastern end of the isthmus forming the land bridge between North and South America."

PANAMA - Comarca Kuna Yala

For our second swap, Anyi sent me this beautiful San Blas, (Kuna Yala) Panama card. Looks like a nice place for vacation.  Thank you Anyi for this stunning card!

"Guna, also known as Kuna or Cuna is the name of an indigenous people of Panama and Colombia. The current preferred and legally recognized spelling is Guna. In the Kuna language, they call themselves Dule or Tule, meaning "people", and the name of the language in Kuna is Dulegaya, meaning "Kuna language" (literally "people-mouth")

The Kuna live in three politically autonomous comarcas or reservations in Panama, and in a few small villages in Colombia. There are also communities of Kuna people in Panama City, Colón, and other cities. The most Kunas live on small islands off the coast of the comarca of Kuna Yala known as the San Blas Islands." WIKI

PANAMA - Colon

Thank you Blance, for 4 great cards of Panama.

PANAMA - Portobello, Colon

Third card from Blance.

"Portobelo is a port city in Colón Province, Panama, established during the Spanish colonial period. Located on the northern part of the Isthmus of Panama, it has a deep natural harbor and was used as a center for silver exporting before the mid-eighteenth century and destruction in the War of Jenkins' Ear." WIKI

PANAMA - Festive Pollera

The second card from Blance.

"A pollera is a Spanish term for a big one-piece skirt used mostly in traditional festivities and folklore throughout Spanish-speaking Latin America. Polleras are made from different materials, such as cotton or wool and tend to have colorful decorations. Most of the decorations are embroidered, flowers and regional animals are among the most common designs found in polleras. Polleras are a form of Spanish colonial dress enforced sometime between the 16th and 17th centuries on indigenous populations in the Andes by hacienda owners or hacendados. Traditional polleras come from peasant dress from southern Spanish regions, like Andalucía. Today, polleras are associated with indigenous and folkloric forms of dress."

PANAMA - Children of San Blas

Children of San Blas, dressed for a festival with all their adornments of gold and silver. Thank you Blance.

PANAMA - Ruins of Old Panama Cathedral, Panama City

My first card from Panama, thank you Anyi.

"Panamá Viejo is the remaining part of the old Panama City and former capital of the country. It is located in the suburbs of the modern city. Together with the historical district of Panamá, it forms a World Heritage Site from 1997."