The Lost Paradise of Panamá

A couple of years ago while visiting Taboga with most of my family, I was saddened to see the demolition of the old Hotel Taboga which had been there for many years. From what the locals said, which was only reinforced with an Internet search, a new resort, or condos, were going to be built. And on Isla Morro, a new marina. I knew that if this really happened to the extent I was told it was, it would completely change this quiet island. I recently had the opportunity to return to Taboga, and to see any changes firsthand. There were some, but not in the way I had thought. The launch to the island is still on the Causeway, to the right of Mi Ranchito Restaurante. You know you’re in the right area once you see the propeller with TABOGA written on it. This is the old Hotel Taboga propeller sign that stood outside of the former hotel for years. Now it has been repainted.

The ticket office has been moved from its own separate office. It was around the corner from the snack / drink area, but now it’s all under one roof. As I waited to board the ferry, I glanced around the bay to see which boat would be taking us. I saw the Calypso Queen, and the Fantasia del Mar. But the launch we went on was new to me; the Calypso King. It was pretty much the same as the other boats with two decks for sitting and viewing. The ride was typical, as was the landing at the pier on Taboga.

Read more »

A few weeks ago, my wife and I sat up on a Saturday night reminiscing about our years together. The following day was our anniversary. As we talked, we eventually brought up memories of my parents, and my wife’s mother. Before long we were talking about Bilo, my wife’s father. She had just spoken to him the weekend before, and planned on calling him again. In previous months he had not been doing well, but so far, everything seemed fine. It was early Sunday morning when I heard a scream of pain and anguish from the living room. I jumped up and found my wife with the phone in her hand. I knew instantly what that meant. Bilo had passed away. They had tried an emergency operation to unclog an artery in his leg. The pain was too much for him. The next several hours were a blur, and very painful, as we notified our immediate family. What eventually emerged from this was a plan to go to the funeral. With the help of family, we made hasty arrangements, and within twenty-four hours of being notified of Bilo’s death, we were on our way to the airport.

This last Fall when Bilo was in the hospital in Colon, news was very dire. My daughter Andrea went to visit him then and reported on the poor conditions in the hospital. I would send a note when I could, if someone was going to see Bilo, and I took the occasion to do so this time. I wrote to Bilo how it had been my honor and joy to be his son-in-law these many years, and that I thought about him and family everyday. I also wrote about how his grandkids were raised with stories about him, and life in the interior. I was happy to hear that Bilo kept this note on a table by his bed. Andrea was working in another state and was unable to make the funeral in Panama. Now it was her time to send a note. I printed off two copies on the morning we left to the airport, with Andrea’s desire to have the note buried with her dear Abuelo.

Read more »