New Year's Eve in Bocas del Toro
Monday, December 31, 2007
What does one expect from New Year's Eve in Bocas?
Well honestly it depends upon your location. For
those people spending the holidays on Isla Colon it
is more of a party and I believe the day is spent in
preparation or in planning for the evening. For those
off the main islands it is a different experience.
For some the outer island experience during the day might include a boat ride to the outer edges of the archipelago for a visit to an indigenous village. Once onsite in the indigenous village there is a hike and an opportunity to learn how the indigenous people spend their days and the different things in the rainforest they use for food and shelter. Then from there another brief boat ride to another indigenous village for a hike to a long stretch of beautiful beaches. Body surfing, beach combing and a variety of other beach activities prevail for the day. Once it is time to make the trip back to the lodge everyone collects their belongings trying only to leave footprints on the sand.
After a delicious dinner full of family and good conversation, the guests can collect at the dock for a small fireworks show to begin the New Year!
Happy 2008 to to you all!
For some the outer island experience during the day might include a boat ride to the outer edges of the archipelago for a visit to an indigenous village. Once onsite in the indigenous village there is a hike and an opportunity to learn how the indigenous people spend their days and the different things in the rainforest they use for food and shelter. Then from there another brief boat ride to another indigenous village for a hike to a long stretch of beautiful beaches. Body surfing, beach combing and a variety of other beach activities prevail for the day. Once it is time to make the trip back to the lodge everyone collects their belongings trying only to leave footprints on the sand.
After a delicious dinner full of family and good conversation, the guests can collect at the dock for a small fireworks show to begin the New Year!
Happy 2008 to to you all!
What to do in the rain?
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Well I guess we all know why they call this jungle of
ours a rainforest. We have to have rain to keep this
lush vegetation happy - but do we have to have so
much rain all at one time? This has been a popular
question over the last few days. We had a cycle of
five days of rain. Not exactly normal - but also not
unheard of. If you have never experienced rain in a
rain forest you should do so at least once in your
life. It begins with a drizzle and then the magnitude
of the rain increases and then it increases again and
over and over until you really think it just can't
rain any harder. It is like the ultimate crescendo in
a musical piece. Then it drops down and stops - but
unfortunately there are also those times when it is a
viscous cycle that continues and continues.
What do you do when all this rain is coming down on you? You can do a few things: eat, drink, hang out with friends and family and then you can also venture outside and snorkel, kayak, hike and even walk along a beach. It might be raining, but at least it is warm!
Cheers to the sun which showed up today!
What do you do when all this rain is coming down on you? You can do a few things: eat, drink, hang out with friends and family and then you can also venture outside and snorkel, kayak, hike and even walk along a beach. It might be raining, but at least it is warm!
Cheers to the sun which showed up today!
Bonefishing
Friday, December 21, 2007
Yesterday I went to the beach with my husband, my
son, our business partner’s wife and son and a few
friends. As we arrived at the beach we took the boat
down the edge of the island to scan for fish. My
husband was certain they would be there as he
encountered them several times at this same beach
over the last month. As we were about to reach our
preferred parking spot, Jim spotted the bonefish.
They were swimming near the water’s edge directly off
of a small point.
We parked the boat, disembarked and the guys took off to cast. About thirty minutes and about 4 fish later, they returned for lunch. They enjoyed a quick bite and talked about what it was like to catch the fish in such an idyllic setting.
The sun was high and the water was beautiful. The sky couldn’t have been any bluer or the clouds any fluffier. The sunshine shone through the water allowing them to watch the bonefish and determine the exact location to cast the fly.
They went in and out of the water casting the rod to the fish most of the afternoon. My son and his buddy had their first bonefish experience at the tender ages of three and four. My son is already talking about what it is going to be like when he gets to catch the bonefish. Talk about a family adventure.
We parked the boat, disembarked and the guys took off to cast. About thirty minutes and about 4 fish later, they returned for lunch. They enjoyed a quick bite and talked about what it was like to catch the fish in such an idyllic setting.
The sun was high and the water was beautiful. The sky couldn’t have been any bluer or the clouds any fluffier. The sunshine shone through the water allowing them to watch the bonefish and determine the exact location to cast the fly.
They went in and out of the water casting the rod to the fish most of the afternoon. My son and his buddy had their first bonefish experience at the tender ages of three and four. My son is already talking about what it is going to be like when he gets to catch the bonefish. Talk about a family adventure.
Hike to the beach
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Today my husband took a couple on a hike through an
indigenous village, the jungle and out onto the
beach. They left here this morning around 9:00 am in
one of our boats to travel over to the indigenous
village. At the village they depart from the boat and
walk around a bit.
We have been working with the village to build and maintain a trail which goes from one side of the island to the other side through the jungle on the edge of Bastimentos National Marine Park. So, one of the members of the village accompanies our group along the trail. Along the way they encounter a variety of different plants and animals. Red frogs, sleeping bats, sloths, various reptiles, and maybe even a monkey or two. As they near the end of the trail they enter into an area which resembles more of a lake or a river rather than an ocean lagoon. In this area there are waterfalls and other natural attractions.
After walking through the lagoon they walk a bit further and they access a beautiful beach called Playa Larga. The hike out to Playa Larga from the indigenous village takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The guests are welcome to hang out at the beach and take in all that the island has to offer for a number of hours. Then they begin the return trip back to the indigenous village and the boat. On the return trip they might see something they missed on the way out to the beach. Either way they have had an experience of a lifetime.
We have been working with the village to build and maintain a trail which goes from one side of the island to the other side through the jungle on the edge of Bastimentos National Marine Park. So, one of the members of the village accompanies our group along the trail. Along the way they encounter a variety of different plants and animals. Red frogs, sleeping bats, sloths, various reptiles, and maybe even a monkey or two. As they near the end of the trail they enter into an area which resembles more of a lake or a river rather than an ocean lagoon. In this area there are waterfalls and other natural attractions.
After walking through the lagoon they walk a bit further and they access a beautiful beach called Playa Larga. The hike out to Playa Larga from the indigenous village takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The guests are welcome to hang out at the beach and take in all that the island has to offer for a number of hours. Then they begin the return trip back to the indigenous village and the boat. On the return trip they might see something they missed on the way out to the beach. Either way they have had an experience of a lifetime.
Adventure Awaits in Bocas del Toro Panama
Saturday, December 08, 2007
On your Panama vacation, there are a vast array of
things to do in Bocas del Toro Panama. You should try
to see as many parts of the archipelago and the
province as possible because the natural beauty and
variety are amazing.
You can go on a family adventure each day. There are beaches where you can go snorkeling or scuba diving, hiking and kayaking. Each island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago has a different topography which allows you to truly experience nature each day.
There are agricultural and cultural excursions for you to experience on your adventure vacation as well. Try a trip to a chocolate farm or to a native Indian village. Many of these experiences can be combined with a trip to the beach or to the jungle or both.
On any given walk you might see a variety of birds, a frog, a sloth, or even a monkey. You will also have an opportunity to check out all kinds of flowers and plants.
Because of the variety here in Bocas del Toro, you can either bring the entire family or you can come on your own. There are secluded spots which are perfect for a romantic picnic on the beach. There are locations and activities which are fit for the youngest or the oldest in your family. We have had honeymooners and families traveling with three generations have an incredible adventure vacation.
You can go on a family adventure each day. There are beaches where you can go snorkeling or scuba diving, hiking and kayaking. Each island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago has a different topography which allows you to truly experience nature each day.
There are agricultural and cultural excursions for you to experience on your adventure vacation as well. Try a trip to a chocolate farm or to a native Indian village. Many of these experiences can be combined with a trip to the beach or to the jungle or both.
On any given walk you might see a variety of birds, a frog, a sloth, or even a monkey. You will also have an opportunity to check out all kinds of flowers and plants.
Because of the variety here in Bocas del Toro, you can either bring the entire family or you can come on your own. There are secluded spots which are perfect for a romantic picnic on the beach. There are locations and activities which are fit for the youngest or the oldest in your family. We have had honeymooners and families traveling with three generations have an incredible adventure vacation.
What's for lunch?
Monday, December 03, 2007
Most of the time when you go on an excursion you are
not thinking about what you are going to be eating
for lunch when you begin the day. We pack a great
lunch for our guests leaving on one of our
excursions. Since we have asked about our guests'
preferences in advance we are familiar with what it
is that they like and try to incorporate those
requests into the to go lunches we prepare each day.
Our lunches usually include a sandwich on freshly made bread, fresh fruit such as watermelon, pineapple and apples, a crispy snack of some kind, homemade cookies (Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, Biscotti, among many others), and then for those who request it a salad or other special item. We have had guests with a variety of allergies or food preferences and we take each of these into consideration as we prepare the meal for those guests each day. We pack all these items into an igloo and have them ready to go for our guests when they get hungry. We also pack an igloo full of sweet rainwater and other beverages to quench your thirst.
So after the first day that people go out on an excursion, I am not at all surprised when at breakfast they ask me, “What’s for lunch?”
Our lunches usually include a sandwich on freshly made bread, fresh fruit such as watermelon, pineapple and apples, a crispy snack of some kind, homemade cookies (Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, Biscotti, among many others), and then for those who request it a salad or other special item. We have had guests with a variety of allergies or food preferences and we take each of these into consideration as we prepare the meal for those guests each day. We pack all these items into an igloo and have them ready to go for our guests when they get hungry. We also pack an igloo full of sweet rainwater and other beverages to quench your thirst.
So after the first day that people go out on an excursion, I am not at all surprised when at breakfast they ask me, “What’s for lunch?”