On the dock, ready to board our boat on Gamboa Lake to visit the Embera Indians.

On our boat with our life preservers on.

Our tour went out in two boats--the other boat. Some tours go out in dugout canoes.

A view from the water of the hotel where we stayed at: the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

The other boat approaching the Embera Indian village. The Embera Indians live both in Panama and Colombia.

The welcome committee.

They were helping the boat dock and would help the passengers off the boat.

More of the welcoming committee. They would help people up the steps if need be. Caravan Tours had installed the railings. The skirts the women are wearing are called "palomas." The material is made in Southeast Asia.

Close-up of one of women.

More of the welcoming committee--a native musical group. See a movie of the musical group in the Days 5&6 Panama album.

We took our seats on the edge of a big tentlike stucture.

Our host is the one standing in the middle. He told us of the Embera Indian customs and culture. The men wear short beaded "skirts" as our host has on.

Of great interest was this photo that was passed around of our U.S. astronauts receiving jungle training from the Embera. This was in case the astronauts landed in a jungle when returning to earth.

Also of great interest was this photo of American servicemen receiving jungle training from the Embera before being shipped to Vietnam.

Also being passed around was a wood carving made by the Embera. They are known for their wood carvings.

Next, a rock carving.

We were treated to dancing by the Embera. See movies of the dancing in the Days 5&6 Panama album.

Young boys watching the dancing.

Some paloma material hanging up.

The Embera are also known for their woven baskets.

More of the baskets. I bought one and they aren't an inexpensive tourist item.

More wood carvings. I didn't price anything but the baskets.

Hummingbird wood carvings.

Jewelry.

Bead bracelets. At least four of the bead bracelets on the right were exactly the same as the ones I had bought in Southern Africa. It is possible that bead bracelet designs are universal.

Decorated rocks.

Decorated rocks.

Decorated rocks.

The Embera children were adorable and they were having great fun watching the dancers, watching us, and just running all over the place.

Embera children.

Young Embera boys wear loin cloths as do some older ones.

When the boys gets older they usually wear the short beaded skirts, sometimes with a cloth hanging in front.

Embera children.

Starting a walk through the Embera village. Most of the houses are without walls and the living area is off the ground. The roofs are thatched. There are about 110 people living in the village.

A look inside a house.

The man in the last photo has tattoos made from the jagua fruit. The tattoos protect them from insects and last for up to two weeks.

A tiki sculpture at the house's entrance.

A clay platform is in the house for building fires to cook with.

Some of the houses have sides.

A dog coming out to see who the visitors are.

Three houses: one with partial sides, one with no sides, and one with sides on the top and bottom.

Closer-up.

This little girl followed us around and loved having her photo taken.

This boy also posed for a photo.

One of the houses.

Laundry hanging up to dry with some Western clothes on the line. The Embera wear Western clothes when they are away from their village.

A pretty scene with more items drying.

Close-up.

For a small fee you could have a jagua tattoo painted on.

A completed tattoo, though it was on the man's wife.

Another adorable little girl.

Taking a break.

Here the man is again and the woman in the photo is weaving a basket.

The man is carving a piece of wood.

A house separate from the other houses.

Close-up.

Another house.

Two boys in loin cloths.

This is the chief of the village who is also part of the musical group.

The musical group was playing as we left the Embera village.

Back on our boat and getting ready to dock.