The Lost Paradise of Panamá

This post contains pictures with close-up views of some of the sights you may see (or may have missed) while visiting Isla Taboga. For more information, please visit the Isla Taboga Gallery in the PAGES section, and also the many articles that are posted under Isla Taboga in the CATEGORIES section of this blog.

This is the Church of San Pedro built around 1524, and reported to be the second oldest church still in use in the western hemisphere. On this day, construction workers were repairing the concrete in front of the church. The plaza area is often used as a playground. Click here to see the church several decades ago.

This is a close-up of the statue of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus over the main entrance. Note the light which is used for night viewing. Click  here to see the statue at night.

This is the clock that’s above the statue. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked past this church and never noticed it. The clock hasn’t worked for years, and it will probably remain that way, frozen at 5:35. Besides, who on Taboga needs a clock?

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I heard of the legend of the three crosses many years ago when I first visited Isla Taboga. Supposedly, somewhere deep in the hilly jungle were the graves of three pirates, killed by the villagers centuries before. I used to spend a lot of time in the jungle, and I would come to Taboga to heal, not hike. So I never checked out the rumors. But those days are behind me now. A few years ago while visiting the island, my daughter and I headed into the jungle to see if the legend was true. I didn’t have a camera with me then, but we did find a gravesite and there are three crosses. I recently went back, this time, better prepared…

From the pier, go left to San Pedro and look for this street going up

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More pictures from Panama’s beautiful Taboga Island.

Hotel / Restaurant Tropical

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I have always enjoyed exploring Taboga whenever I can. I seem to find something new every time. The following are pictures from a recent trip. For more information please click on Isla Taboga under Categories, and Isla Taboga Gallery under Pages. I’ll also be updating the gallery with new pictures soon.

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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.

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