The count was first of lustrous pearls from the seabed below the clear Pacific waters. Contadora (it translates as "teller" or "counting house" or just about any system to help the King of Spain keep sticky fingers out of his treasure tally) is at the head of the Pearl Island chain in Panama Bay.
The pearls had to pass that way en route, the King hoped, to Madrid. No pearls remain to count on Contadora today unless my lady brings them along with her bikini. But there is much else to count.
- Your score on the nine-hole golf course. (Were it longer, some tee shots would have to put out to sea on a compass heading).
- Your score on the night-lit tennis courts.
- The marlin or sailfish pennants as your hired fishing boat ends its day or your spearfishing score around the reefs.
- Calories in the island's restaurants.
- Bikinis.
Better than extending the infinite list of Contadora's countables, we offer a "do" and a "don't". Do count your blessings. Do not count the hours till it is time for you to leave the isle where, the historian tells, the pearls were the size of nuts. In line with the methodology of Contadora's arithmetical relations with the King of Spain, he did not specify whether peanuts or brazil nuts.
The sun-bright island in the shimmering sea is a popular Panamanian beach resort. The construction of the Contadora Hotel in the 1970's was followed by upscale residential development around the superb beaches which surround this and other islands. The island has a good ashphalted airstrip and scheduled flights ply back and forth from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport at Albrook in Panama City .
There are many beaches around the island. Playa Sueca is a nudist beach.There is plenty of accommodation of the island. The Hotel Contadora is a beach- front complex. The Hotel Punta Galeon Resort offers a luxurious setting on a bluff overlooking the Pacific and the superb Galeon Beach .
Villa Romantica is a six-bedroom resort hotel fronting the white sands of Contadora's Playa Cacique. Family style activities include mini-golf, volleyball and many games. All the bedrooms have sea views. Fishing, water sports and boat tours to the surrounding islands can be arranged
Perla Real a Spanish-style inn of considerable charm nestles among tall trees on the quiet residential end of Contadora. It offers 4 rooms and 2 suites with gracious facilities. Excellent value is offered at Contadora Island Inn, a five room hostelry offering comfortable, stylish rooms with private decks. The whole house can be rented for groups.
To visit the best spots and remote islands, charter the catamaran Athena: weekends, 2 to 14 days cruise _ great fishing, snorkeling and sailing. Call 314-1800 or e-mail at pearlislands@gmail.com
