Life cycles
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Life goes through cycles. Fashion, food, and family
adventure each seem to have a cycle with slight
variations each time the cycle begins again.
I was in a mall in Panama City not too long ago and I noticed that all of the clothes were a scary reminder of Madonna as a material girl and Cyndi Lauper. Now of course there was a twist – the colors seem to be more vibrant than I remember, but the basic lines were way too familiar.
In food, we have had coffee, tea and now chocolate become the focus. I am blessed to live in a location where we have access to delicious coffee grown less than 100 miles from my home. We have organic chocolate grown and processed by hand by dear friends of ours just a short boat ride away. Chocolate has been a fascination of many different generations. Now it is being touted for its health benefits.
When I was a child the family adventure we took each summer included lots of time in the family car. Now families are taking an adventure vacation that may include a global getaway of some sort. Young children have passports. They learn to snorkel and go kayaking. I got to swim in a hotel pool in the middle of the United States. I think the kids now definitely have it better.
I was in a mall in Panama City not too long ago and I noticed that all of the clothes were a scary reminder of Madonna as a material girl and Cyndi Lauper. Now of course there was a twist – the colors seem to be more vibrant than I remember, but the basic lines were way too familiar.
In food, we have had coffee, tea and now chocolate become the focus. I am blessed to live in a location where we have access to delicious coffee grown less than 100 miles from my home. We have organic chocolate grown and processed by hand by dear friends of ours just a short boat ride away. Chocolate has been a fascination of many different generations. Now it is being touted for its health benefits.
When I was a child the family adventure we took each summer included lots of time in the family car. Now families are taking an adventure vacation that may include a global getaway of some sort. Young children have passports. They learn to snorkel and go kayaking. I got to swim in a hotel pool in the middle of the United States. I think the kids now definitely have it better.
Diverse Interests Unite
Thursday, September 27, 2007
So you want to take your family on a family adventure
vacation. Do you all want to do the same things when
you go out to explore the area? Are there competing
interests that need to be fulfilled each day?
Generally speaking you can fulfill multiple areas of interest each day when you visit Bocas del Toro Panama. Because the archipelago has so many diverse opportunities there are ways to make sure that even a family where each member wants to do something different can spend time together.
You may want to go fishing, but your wife is more a sleep in kind of person (I am very familiar with this situation from personal experience). You can get up and go fishing in the morning and meet her back at the lodge building for breakfast.
The kids like to play on the beach either snorkeling, building sand castles or kayaking. So after your breakfast you can take a boat over to one of the many Panama Islands and set up your base camp for the day. Mom can hang out on the beach enjoying the serenity of the islands. The kids can do their thing together or a part. Dad can bring along a rod and do some wadefishing. Then you all can convene for lunch together and possibly a walk along the beach.
Generally speaking you can fulfill multiple areas of interest each day when you visit Bocas del Toro Panama. Because the archipelago has so many diverse opportunities there are ways to make sure that even a family where each member wants to do something different can spend time together.
You may want to go fishing, but your wife is more a sleep in kind of person (I am very familiar with this situation from personal experience). You can get up and go fishing in the morning and meet her back at the lodge building for breakfast.
The kids like to play on the beach either snorkeling, building sand castles or kayaking. So after your breakfast you can take a boat over to one of the many Panama Islands and set up your base camp for the day. Mom can hang out on the beach enjoying the serenity of the islands. The kids can do their thing together or a part. Dad can bring along a rod and do some wadefishing. Then you all can convene for lunch together and possibly a walk along the beach.
Jungle Music
Monday, September 24, 2007
When it comes to music, there are a number of songs
about the jungle and Panama. There are also artists
when you listen to their music you feel as if you are
either in the jungle or on an island. I thought I
would list a few of the ones which come to my mind
when I think about it.
Panama, Van Halen, 1984
Panama, Various Jazz Artists
Panama, Crosby, Stills & Nash, After the Storm
Going Down to Panama ,Shorty & Slim, Going Down to Panama
Jungle Man, Red Hot Chili Peppers, What Hits!?
Welcome To The Jungle, Guns N' Roses, Appetite For Destruction
Jungle Love, Moris Day and the Time
In The Heat Of The Jungle, Chris Isaak, Heart Shaped World
Jungle Gym, G. Love & Jack Johnson, Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies
Jungle Love, Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits
The Bare Necessities, Jungle Book, Soundtrack
Jungle Boogie, Kool & the Gang, Pulp Fiction Soundtrack
George of the Jungle
In the Jungle, Hugh Masekela
The Lion Sleeps Tonight, The Tokens
Jungle Strut, Santana
Jungle Fever, Stevie Wonder
Brass Monkey, Beastie Boys
Tweeter and the Monkey Man, Traveling Wilburys
Jimmy Buffett – just about anything he has recorded, but especially Don’t Stop the Carnival
Jerry Jeff Walker, Bathing Suits & Cowboy Boots
Panama, Van Halen, 1984
Panama, Various Jazz Artists
Panama, Crosby, Stills & Nash, After the Storm
Going Down to Panama ,Shorty & Slim, Going Down to Panama
Jungle Man, Red Hot Chili Peppers, What Hits!?
Welcome To The Jungle, Guns N' Roses, Appetite For Destruction
Jungle Love, Moris Day and the Time
In The Heat Of The Jungle, Chris Isaak, Heart Shaped World
Jungle Gym, G. Love & Jack Johnson, Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies
Jungle Love, Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits
The Bare Necessities, Jungle Book, Soundtrack
Jungle Boogie, Kool & the Gang, Pulp Fiction Soundtrack
George of the Jungle
In the Jungle, Hugh Masekela
The Lion Sleeps Tonight, The Tokens
Jungle Strut, Santana
Jungle Fever, Stevie Wonder
Brass Monkey, Beastie Boys
Tweeter and the Monkey Man, Traveling Wilburys
Jimmy Buffett – just about anything he has recorded, but especially Don’t Stop the Carnival
Jerry Jeff Walker, Bathing Suits & Cowboy Boots
Panama Birding
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Panama is roughly the size of the state of South
Carolina and it has over 900 recorded bird species.
The vast number of birds is due to two factors:
Panama's location in between North and South America
and the narrow girth of the land bridge.
Panama has both species found in North and South America and many endemic species of avifauna. Of the known species, 10 percent are restricted range species having a global range of less than 50,000 square kilometers.
The Caribbean slope of the Talamanca range, which is our backyard, is home to roughly 600 species of birds. In the areas we explore from our eco adventure laodge the altitude ranges from 7,000 feet to sea level, and nearly 500 species of birds can be found.
Isla Bastimentos which is only 20 square miles has an amazing variety of tropical birds. Parrots, herons, ibises, boobies, frigate birds, terns, jaegers, birds of prey, dove, owls, hummingbirds, kingfishers, barbets, woodpeckers, wrens, tyrant flycatchers, cotingas, manakins, warblers, tanagers, finches, and icterids all can be found on Isla Bastimentos.
Panama has both species found in North and South America and many endemic species of avifauna. Of the known species, 10 percent are restricted range species having a global range of less than 50,000 square kilometers.
The Caribbean slope of the Talamanca range, which is our backyard, is home to roughly 600 species of birds. In the areas we explore from our eco adventure laodge the altitude ranges from 7,000 feet to sea level, and nearly 500 species of birds can be found.
Isla Bastimentos which is only 20 square miles has an amazing variety of tropical birds. Parrots, herons, ibises, boobies, frigate birds, terns, jaegers, birds of prey, dove, owls, hummingbirds, kingfishers, barbets, woodpeckers, wrens, tyrant flycatchers, cotingas, manakins, warblers, tanagers, finches, and icterids all can be found on Isla Bastimentos.
Panama Vacation
Monday, September 17, 2007
Come to Panama to play. Each day in your day to day
life includes plans and a schedule. When you come
here you are on vacation. Remember that. Live by it.
Enjoy the beach. Enjoy the jungle. Enjoy the sunshine. Enjoy the different plants and animals. Enjoy the view. Enjoy the stars. Enjoy the food. Enjoy the ocean. Enjoy the exhilaration that accompanies the different excursions in which you participate. Enjoy the hammock. Enjoy the quiet. Enjoy the moonrise. Enjoy the privacy. Enjoy the sleep. Enjoy the lively conversation. Enjoy your seclusion. Enjoy your book. Enjoy the lack of a schedule.
We understand that you are on vacation and that you have to make all kinds of decisions and plans on a daily basis in your life. So here, we help you relax. We plan your meals for you based upon the preferences you have given us in advance. We let you sleep as long as you want to do so. We ask you what your interests are and then make suggestions for your excursions for the day. We give you time to play and we give you time to relax. We take you out of your everyday so that when you return to it, you are refreshed.
Enjoy the beach. Enjoy the jungle. Enjoy the sunshine. Enjoy the different plants and animals. Enjoy the view. Enjoy the stars. Enjoy the food. Enjoy the ocean. Enjoy the exhilaration that accompanies the different excursions in which you participate. Enjoy the hammock. Enjoy the quiet. Enjoy the moonrise. Enjoy the privacy. Enjoy the sleep. Enjoy the lively conversation. Enjoy your seclusion. Enjoy your book. Enjoy the lack of a schedule.
We understand that you are on vacation and that you have to make all kinds of decisions and plans on a daily basis in your life. So here, we help you relax. We plan your meals for you based upon the preferences you have given us in advance. We let you sleep as long as you want to do so. We ask you what your interests are and then make suggestions for your excursions for the day. We give you time to play and we give you time to relax. We take you out of your everyday so that when you return to it, you are refreshed.
Panama Outdoors
Saturday, September 15, 2007
What can you do from the dock? You can go fishing,
kayaking, snorkeling, or swimming.
We keep a few fishing rods rigged up with small hooks for people to catch and release fish on the dock. Kids enjoy catching crabs along the dock and putting them into a bucket to be used for bait. The fish are plentiful in the morning as they are used to a morning feeding. We save all of the food remaining on people’s plates each night for the fish. The fish along our dock have grown in size and number ever since we began the morning feeding. We have a wide variety of fish cruising the dock looking for a tasty meal. Our guests have snagged snapper, barracuda, and others with the crabs. We ask that they release the fish back into the ocean so that they may be enjoyed by other guests in the future.
These same fish are great for viewing when you are snorkeling. We have coral formations right at the dock which allow you to observe both the coral and the fish in action. You can either snorkel and swim right at the dock or go for a longer distance swim which incorporates a bit of exercise into the process as well.
If you would prefer not to get directly in the water you can observe many of the underwater activities from the vantage point of your kayak. The water is clear and shallow throughout the bay so you can paddle about and check out the different coral formations.
We keep a few fishing rods rigged up with small hooks for people to catch and release fish on the dock. Kids enjoy catching crabs along the dock and putting them into a bucket to be used for bait. The fish are plentiful in the morning as they are used to a morning feeding. We save all of the food remaining on people’s plates each night for the fish. The fish along our dock have grown in size and number ever since we began the morning feeding. We have a wide variety of fish cruising the dock looking for a tasty meal. Our guests have snagged snapper, barracuda, and others with the crabs. We ask that they release the fish back into the ocean so that they may be enjoyed by other guests in the future.
These same fish are great for viewing when you are snorkeling. We have coral formations right at the dock which allow you to observe both the coral and the fish in action. You can either snorkel and swim right at the dock or go for a longer distance swim which incorporates a bit of exercise into the process as well.
If you would prefer not to get directly in the water you can observe many of the underwater activities from the vantage point of your kayak. The water is clear and shallow throughout the bay so you can paddle about and check out the different coral formations.
Sustainable Tourism
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sustainable adventure. How can we meet the needs of
the present generation without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own
needs? It isn’t easy, but it can be done with a bit
of education.
Travel lightly.
Bring what you need and nothing more – but then again do not bring too much.
Take tours using your own fuel – kayaks, hikes, snorkels, etc. Limit your time in motor powered vehicles when and where possible.
Experience an area with responsible guides.
How does your guide work with local indigenous people? Do they help them develop sustainable practices to help them earn an income and maintain their habitat for the future? Do they do anything about helping these people develop land reserves to maintain life as they know it?
What kind of tours does your guide offer? Those using human power or those using extensive amounts of motor power?
Are your guides going to be in business in the years to come? The best sustainable business practice is to remain in business so that one can make a difference.
Learn from your experience.
Make a small change in your life at home. Purchase services and supplies from providers who support sustainable practices.
Show your children how other people in the world live. They will learn to appreciate what they have.
Travel lightly.
Bring what you need and nothing more – but then again do not bring too much.
Take tours using your own fuel – kayaks, hikes, snorkels, etc. Limit your time in motor powered vehicles when and where possible.
Experience an area with responsible guides.
How does your guide work with local indigenous people? Do they help them develop sustainable practices to help them earn an income and maintain their habitat for the future? Do they do anything about helping these people develop land reserves to maintain life as they know it?
What kind of tours does your guide offer? Those using human power or those using extensive amounts of motor power?
Are your guides going to be in business in the years to come? The best sustainable business practice is to remain in business so that one can make a difference.
Learn from your experience.
Make a small change in your life at home. Purchase services and supplies from providers who support sustainable practices.
Show your children how other people in the world live. They will learn to appreciate what they have.
Promises
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
How often do you make a promise to yourself that this
year will be different? I will make time for myself
and my family? Perhaps this will be the year we take
a great family adventure vacation. Make your promise
a reality.
You can go somewhere where you and your family come home with memories. You have the opportunity in Bocas del Toro Panama to experience a different activity each day of your vacation and also to teach your kids a valuable life lesson.
Say you go on vacation for one week. That gives you seven days and nights to experience all that Bocas has to offer. The first day you can go to a beautiful beach in the Bastimentos National Marine Park. The second day you may go for a kayak ride in and around some amazing islands full of rock formations. The third day you can head out to a peninsula on the mainland to tour an indigenous village and then walk across a trail they maintain to get to one of the most beautiful beaches you will see in your lifetime. The fourth day might be a trip to an organic chocolate farm to learn all about how chocolate is grown and produced. The fifth day you can go over to a river on the mainland and do some whitewater kayaking while watching the beautiful scenery. The sixth day you could take a hike through a different part of the Bastimentos National Marine Park and look for red frogs and other animals. The last day you might choose to go fishing for your dinner. Or you choose on any of those days to go snorkeling in the beautiful Caribbean Sea, spend some time reading a book or some serious time in a hammock just watching the variety of birds fly by.
Deliver on your promise – both for you and for your family.
You can go somewhere where you and your family come home with memories. You have the opportunity in Bocas del Toro Panama to experience a different activity each day of your vacation and also to teach your kids a valuable life lesson.
Say you go on vacation for one week. That gives you seven days and nights to experience all that Bocas has to offer. The first day you can go to a beautiful beach in the Bastimentos National Marine Park. The second day you may go for a kayak ride in and around some amazing islands full of rock formations. The third day you can head out to a peninsula on the mainland to tour an indigenous village and then walk across a trail they maintain to get to one of the most beautiful beaches you will see in your lifetime. The fourth day might be a trip to an organic chocolate farm to learn all about how chocolate is grown and produced. The fifth day you can go over to a river on the mainland and do some whitewater kayaking while watching the beautiful scenery. The sixth day you could take a hike through a different part of the Bastimentos National Marine Park and look for red frogs and other animals. The last day you might choose to go fishing for your dinner. Or you choose on any of those days to go snorkeling in the beautiful Caribbean Sea, spend some time reading a book or some serious time in a hammock just watching the variety of birds fly by.
Deliver on your promise – both for you and for your family.