After a couple of days of rest and general cleanup, we dingy into town for our first look around. We received our stamped passports from our agent, Mr. Bush, so are free to explore.

The tourist materials are titled, Divina Providenia y Santa Catalina and includes a poem which reads, in English:

Land of puritans, pirates, legends and myths
Where Islanders embrace you with coconut smiles
Where white sands are caressed by gentle waves and the sweet song of mermaids from long ago
Where Morgan buried his dreams and his treasure,
Where palm trees dance to the rhythm of calypso and reggae under a starlit sky
Where the moonlight entices lovers and inspires poets
Where magic captures your heart and your soul
Welcome to Providence & St. Catalina, my paradise, my home...
Arturo Robinson Dawkins, Mayor

Isla Providencia is actually two mountainous islands, Providencia and Santa Catalina, connected by a foot bridge called Lover's Lane or Bridge of the Enamored. Providencia is the larger of the two and where the small town, Santa Isabel, is located. There's one main road that circles the island. St. Catalina has no roads, just a lovely footpath studded with pairs of brightly painted chairs. On Providencia there are three banks, several surprisingly well stocked food markets, a fresh fish / seafood coop, bakery, liquor store, internet cafe, beauty shop, tourist shops and so on. All are locally run establishments, no hotel complexes or chain stores. The locals are friendly and appear to be well off. Spanish is the national language of course yet English is widely understood and spoken with an Islander accent that takes a bit of effort to decipher. Shops, streets & town squares are clean & well maintained. By far the most popular way of getting around is on a motor scooter, which are also clean and quiet. Christmas decorations are a large brightly lit electric tree in the main square and lit banners that hang across the street. It's a laid back piece of paradise.

Cellphone and internet: Tigo 3G, Comcel and MovieStar are all available. Jerry speaks with the internet cafe staff and is told the fastest is MovieStar so he purchases a SIM & time & learns how to top off. He puts is in our wireless modem and after a bit we're on! Email and slow Web yet faster than what we experienced in Kuna Yala. All is good on-board Vida Dulce.