Bastimentos National Marine Park
Beach Clean Up - Rescheduled
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
So the beach clean up was rescheduled. In the mean
time they are working on improving the trail on the
island. We have donated two wheelbarrows to the
cause. We have had several opportunities to visit the
island since they began working on the trail and we
are happy to report that the trail is getting better
with each visit.
So you can't see the trail from this shot - but you can see the island!
So you can't see the trail from this shot - but you can see the island!
Beach Clean Up
Monday, January 28, 2008
The first scheduled beach clean up in quite some time
is on Wednesday January 30, 2008. The communities of
Macca Bite and Salt Creek have been asked to
participate for the day cleaning up Zapatilla 2.
Zapatilla 2 is the island with the station for the
ANAM employees. We are thrilled to participate in
this clean up. We have scheduled to take our
employees, children and guests to the island for the
day. Ourselves, our employees and children and the
other members of the community will assist the ANAM
employees as directed. Our guests will participate to
the extent they choose to do so. We hope that this is
the first of many regularly scheduled clean ups.
This process helps to have the entire community involved in protecting its natural resources for the well-being of the community and the area's tourism.
This process helps to have the entire community involved in protecting its natural resources for the well-being of the community and the area's tourism.
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.
Sea Turtle Nesting Basics
Saturday, November 24, 2007
We have Leatherback turtles nesting right now in
Bocas del Toro Panama so here is some basic
information on nesting for all sea turtles.
Female sea turtles instinctively return to the same beach as they were born to nest each year. Sometimes they even emerge from the ocean less than one hundred yards from the spot in which they were born.
Eggs are generally laid one month after mating and almost always during the cover of night on a deserted beach. Any light other than natural moonlight and starlight can be seen by the turtles and will cause the turtle to turn back to the sea to wait. Even the most subtle match strikes can be detected.
Sometimes a turtle will abandon a nest if she encounters an obstacle or if the sand does not have the right consistency or moisture content. Another turtle may nest regardless of what else is going on around her. If a turtle fails to nest and returns to sea it is referred to as a “false crawl”
Most females nest at least twice during a given season although certain turtles may nest only once and others may nest as many as ten or eleven times.
Because of their size, each turtle uses a different method to move on land which allows researchers to determine species without actually seeing the turtle.
Female sea turtles instinctively return to the same beach as they were born to nest each year. Sometimes they even emerge from the ocean less than one hundred yards from the spot in which they were born.
Eggs are generally laid one month after mating and almost always during the cover of night on a deserted beach. Any light other than natural moonlight and starlight can be seen by the turtles and will cause the turtle to turn back to the sea to wait. Even the most subtle match strikes can be detected.
Sometimes a turtle will abandon a nest if she encounters an obstacle or if the sand does not have the right consistency or moisture content. Another turtle may nest regardless of what else is going on around her. If a turtle fails to nest and returns to sea it is referred to as a “false crawl”
Most females nest at least twice during a given season although certain turtles may nest only once and others may nest as many as ten or eleven times.
Because of their size, each turtle uses a different method to move on land which allows researchers to determine species without actually seeing the turtle.
Majestic Trees
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Majestic Trees. One of the joys of walking through
the jungle here in Bocas del Toro Panama is to
encounter the different kinds of trees. Some of these
trees stand as tall as a high rise building in the
middle of the concrete jungle. Here, however the
concrete, if any, is limited to minimal walkways.
Walking amongst these trees, which can stand hundreds of feet above the ground, makes one realize how small our dimensions are. Here in the rainforest each of the plants and animals has its own place in the life cycle. There are the trees which grow tall quickly to provide shade to some of the other plants which cannot handle the full sunlight. Once the early bloomers have served their purpose they may fall over to make way for sunlight which then permits other plants to take their place in the forest.
The termites and other insects which feed on the different plants in the jungle also help the natural order of things to continue. When they termites feed on a tree for an extended period of time, it ultimately falls making space for the next round of growth. The ants may feed on the fallen tree or upon other plants near the forest floor.
Each time I think about how nature keeps this process going I think of The Trees by Rush where you have the maples asking for more sunglight and the oaks ignoring their pleas. Ultimately, a hole will open up and the maples will get more sunlight as that is just the way things work in the jungle.
Walking amongst these trees, which can stand hundreds of feet above the ground, makes one realize how small our dimensions are. Here in the rainforest each of the plants and animals has its own place in the life cycle. There are the trees which grow tall quickly to provide shade to some of the other plants which cannot handle the full sunlight. Once the early bloomers have served their purpose they may fall over to make way for sunlight which then permits other plants to take their place in the forest.
The termites and other insects which feed on the different plants in the jungle also help the natural order of things to continue. When they termites feed on a tree for an extended period of time, it ultimately falls making space for the next round of growth. The ants may feed on the fallen tree or upon other plants near the forest floor.
Each time I think about how nature keeps this process going I think of The Trees by Rush where you have the maples asking for more sunglight and the oaks ignoring their pleas. Ultimately, a hole will open up and the maples will get more sunlight as that is just the way things work in the jungle.
Sea Turtle Facts
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Bocas del Toro Panama is the nesting ground for a
number of sea turtles. Here are some basic facts
about sea turtles:
Sea turtles do not have teeth, instead they have a beak like jaw which they use to tear, crush and bite at the food in their diet.
Sea turtles do not have ears. They have an inner eardrum covered by a flap of skin and they hear best at low frequencies.
Sea turtles have an excellent sense of smell. Their vision is good underwater but they are nearsighted when on land.
Sea turtles can remain submerged underwater for an extended period of time if they are not exerting themselves. For example, routine activity requires oxygen replenishment every four to five minutes, but they can sleep underwater for several hours at a time without the need to replenish oxygen.
They have flippers shaped like paddles for easier navigation in the water. The front flippers are used to propel themselves and the back flippers are used for steering. Their shells are more streamlined for speed and efficiency in the water.
Due to their immense size, sea turtles cannot retract their heads into their shells. Their skulls and necks are not armored. Sea turtles cannot right themselves if they are turned upside down. They also cannot back up in water or on land.
Because the sea turtle is a reptile, it cannot regulate its own temperature. When they are too cold, they become lethargic and seek warmth. At warmer temperatures they risk overheating. A rapid rise in body temperature can cause a deadly heat stroke which is one reason they nest at night.
Sea turtles do not have teeth, instead they have a beak like jaw which they use to tear, crush and bite at the food in their diet.
Sea turtles do not have ears. They have an inner eardrum covered by a flap of skin and they hear best at low frequencies.
Sea turtles have an excellent sense of smell. Their vision is good underwater but they are nearsighted when on land.
Sea turtles can remain submerged underwater for an extended period of time if they are not exerting themselves. For example, routine activity requires oxygen replenishment every four to five minutes, but they can sleep underwater for several hours at a time without the need to replenish oxygen.
They have flippers shaped like paddles for easier navigation in the water. The front flippers are used to propel themselves and the back flippers are used for steering. Their shells are more streamlined for speed and efficiency in the water.
Due to their immense size, sea turtles cannot retract their heads into their shells. Their skulls and necks are not armored. Sea turtles cannot right themselves if they are turned upside down. They also cannot back up in water or on land.
Because the sea turtle is a reptile, it cannot regulate its own temperature. When they are too cold, they become lethargic and seek warmth. At warmer temperatures they risk overheating. A rapid rise in body temperature can cause a deadly heat stroke which is one reason they nest at night.
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.
Bocas del Toro Beach
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Playing in the ocean – fun for kids and adults alike.
Today we went to the Zapatilla Cayes with a group of
people. There were five children and nine adults. We
all played in the water. We had boogie boards, kayaks
and snorkeling equipment.
The crystal clear water made a beautiful backdrop for the island and its foliage as well as for our different activities. The kids, young and old, rode on the kayaks all the while pretending that one group were pirates and the other group was full of good guys. We took turns on the boogie boards to see who could catch the biggest wave. Some people swam a little further out to check out what they could find under the water.
There is a certain joy in watching a child play in the ocean at the water’s edge. They play in and out of the waves to see if they can withstand the push and pull of the waves or if the sand itself will knock them down. They go a bit further out and float in the water on a boogie board or a kayak flipped upside down. All in the name of practice for the day they will be big enough to go on a real surf board and catch some serious waves.
The crystal clear water made a beautiful backdrop for the island and its foliage as well as for our different activities. The kids, young and old, rode on the kayaks all the while pretending that one group were pirates and the other group was full of good guys. We took turns on the boogie boards to see who could catch the biggest wave. Some people swam a little further out to check out what they could find under the water.
There is a certain joy in watching a child play in the ocean at the water’s edge. They play in and out of the waves to see if they can withstand the push and pull of the waves or if the sand itself will knock them down. They go a bit further out and float in the water on a boogie board or a kayak flipped upside down. All in the name of practice for the day they will be big enough to go on a real surf board and catch some serious waves.
Bocas del Toro Snorkeling
Friday, August 24, 2007
Snorkeling is an easy and fun way to explore
underwater life. The water here in Bocas del Toro
Panama can be as warm as your bathtub all year round
which makes it a great family adventure. Much of our
island and the surrounding marine area are included
in Bastimentos National Marine Park so water and the
plants and animals included in it are a key resource.
Snorkeling does not require any special skills or exertion to stay afloat. Face down in the water and breathing through a snorkel, your body is naturally buoyant. Non-swimmers can safely snorkel using a flotation device.
As you float over a field of coral, the environment you see through your mask is a riot of color and movement. Various fish swim amongst the coral, feeding on plants, algae, or each other. Crustaceans move along the bottom of the ocean. Soft corals, sea fans, and sponges wave among.
The hard coral which forms the structure of a reef may look like colored rocks but it is actually a living creature. Many tiny polyps are found inside the calcium rocks. These polyps are generally seen at night when they are feeding. The color of the reef is dependent upon the algae which lives within the reef.
The fish which make their way in and around the reef come in a variety of colors and shapes. Some are easy to spot with neon coloration and others are well disguised so that they blend in with the reef itself. Some fish travel in schools and others are lone swimmers. Hover for a while over a coral patch and watch. You will be amazed by the show that unfolds in front of you.
Snorkeling does not require any special skills or exertion to stay afloat. Face down in the water and breathing through a snorkel, your body is naturally buoyant. Non-swimmers can safely snorkel using a flotation device.
As you float over a field of coral, the environment you see through your mask is a riot of color and movement. Various fish swim amongst the coral, feeding on plants, algae, or each other. Crustaceans move along the bottom of the ocean. Soft corals, sea fans, and sponges wave among.
The hard coral which forms the structure of a reef may look like colored rocks but it is actually a living creature. Many tiny polyps are found inside the calcium rocks. These polyps are generally seen at night when they are feeding. The color of the reef is dependent upon the algae which lives within the reef.
The fish which make their way in and around the reef come in a variety of colors and shapes. Some are easy to spot with neon coloration and others are well disguised so that they blend in with the reef itself. Some fish travel in schools and others are lone swimmers. Hover for a while over a coral patch and watch. You will be amazed by the show that unfolds in front of you.