"MYSTERY UNEARTHED AT PINA,PANAMA"

Tom wrote to the Instituto de Tourismo in Panama City, Panama asking for information about traveling along the Northwest coastal area of the country. To be more specific, he indicated a desire to view and photograph the tropical birds along the coastal area. He wanted information on whom to contact in the city of Colon for accommodation, transportation modes and guide services. He mentioned that he spoke very little Spanish and hoped for services available where they spoke English. He also stated that he had been stationed in the Canal Zone, as a soldier, from 1943 to 1945 and as a result was familiar with the tropical environment. He added that he already had information on the flights to Panama City, taxi services and busing across the isthmus to the city of Colon. A month passed and no answer was received.

Tom wondered what other options he had for receiving information on getting to his quest. First he needed to know about the society there. He knew he did not want to be housed in a thatched-roof hut with open windows and no screens. He did not want to eat foods of unknown origin, and he did not want to drink water from streams. He had to know if he could communicate with the Indians or whoever lived in the area, and if they were friendly. Could he get help going into and out of the tropical growth? Even if the natives were friendly and accommodating, how would he get to Chiriqui Grande and how would the transporters and those that housed and fed him be paid? He needed a lot of answers. He thought of another approach to getting to the northwest coast of Panama, via Costa Rica. From the capital city of San Jose there is the famous jungle train that takes you from San Jose to Puerto Limon, on the Caribbean coast. From Limon there is a paved road going eastward to the village of Sixaola on the Sixaola River. On crossing this river one find himself in the town of Guabito, Panama. But where does one go from there; one would still need answers to questions about Panama?

Late July 1972, a letter arrived from a Luis Reyes who ran a launch service from the city of Colon to Ciriqui Grande, Bocas del Toro and Almirante. He stated that he made three port stops along the northwest coast of Panama. The letter indicated that he had an office in the Hotel Washington, and arranges to transport cargo and people to these three ports and back. He claimed that he had taken sportsmen and people studying and photographing wild life on occasion to Chiriqui Grande. He advised, that there were accommodations for spending the night and for getting meals. He said that Spanish was mainly spoken at these three ports, but that there were some fishing guides who spoke or understood some English. He mentioned that phone service was not available on either Chiriqui Grande or Bocas del Toro. Only certain parts of the day were electric service available at these two ports. Ham radio service was also available at Bocas del Toro for emergency use. Luis stated that he normally made this trip, back and forth, once a week, weather permitting. He left the port at Colon on early Tuesday morning. Departing time varied from week to week. Its’ travelers, he emphasized, on his boat needed to arrive in Colon on Mondays. Best to spend the night at Hotel Washington where one can be contacted more easily, early in the morning and advised of the departure time, he said.