Call of the wild
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Here is a link to a story about a trip across Panama
with Austin-Lehman Adventures - check it out - maybe
it will be a perfect fit for your panama adventure
vacation!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22647392/?pg=6#TRAVEL_BestAdventureTrips_Concierge
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22647392/?pg=6#TRAVEL_BestAdventureTrips_Concierge
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!
Seasons in Bocas del Toro Panama
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
When should I take my Panama vacation? Are there
specific seasons to consider? Well here in Bocas del
Toro Panama we have two seasons. Warm and a little
rainy and warm and more rainy.
When are these two seasons? Generally speaking, February through May each year is warm with a little rain. We are in the middle of the rainforest so in order for us to have this lush vegetation we have to have rain, but the amount of rain we get in these four months is on the low side of our average. Then again for September and October we have drier months.
The season of warm and more rain coincides with surf season most of the time. When we have a bit more rain we also have more swells. So in the summer, July and August, we may have more rain and some nice riding waves. December and January are also considered to be wetter months and the surf can get BIG. Check out these photos – most of them are from January 2007 which was pretty good size.
The months of June and November are shoulder months. Some years they side with the warm and a little rain season and some years they side with the warm and more rain season.
Really, when you should take your vacation to Panama boils down to this – when is the best time for you? How much time to you want to allocate for this adventure vacation? Is there a time during your year that is better for you? Pick that time. Our weather and our seasons afford you the opportunity to do whatever it is that you want to do just about 365 days a year.
When are these two seasons? Generally speaking, February through May each year is warm with a little rain. We are in the middle of the rainforest so in order for us to have this lush vegetation we have to have rain, but the amount of rain we get in these four months is on the low side of our average. Then again for September and October we have drier months.
The season of warm and more rain coincides with surf season most of the time. When we have a bit more rain we also have more swells. So in the summer, July and August, we may have more rain and some nice riding waves. December and January are also considered to be wetter months and the surf can get BIG. Check out these photos – most of them are from January 2007 which was pretty good size.
The months of June and November are shoulder months. Some years they side with the warm and a little rain season and some years they side with the warm and more rain season.
Really, when you should take your vacation to Panama boils down to this – when is the best time for you? How much time to you want to allocate for this adventure vacation? Is there a time during your year that is better for you? Pick that time. Our weather and our seasons afford you the opportunity to do whatever it is that you want to do just about 365 days a year.
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?”
Do everything, do nothing
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sometimes when you plan an eco adventure vacation you
have intentions of doing something active each day of
your vacation. Sometimes you plan on taking a day or
two off in between your excursions. It all depends
upon where you are personally prior to your vacation
and then where you end up once you get there.
The beauty of choosing a Panama vacation is that you can plan one vacation and then make changes as you go along. You may plan on going to the beach each day. Then once you get here you see that it might be a lot of fun to do some river kayaking as well. So you drop one of the beach days for a day kayaking down the rivers on the mainland.
Your family adventure may have included only a day or two of planned excursions but after your first excursion you determine that you and your family want to do more. You can add excursions on to your adventure vacation at any time.
This vacation does not have to be do everything or do nothing. You can find the perfect balance for you and your family so that you experience both the exhilaration and relaxation we have here in Bocas del Toro.
The beauty of choosing a Panama vacation is that you can plan one vacation and then make changes as you go along. You may plan on going to the beach each day. Then once you get here you see that it might be a lot of fun to do some river kayaking as well. So you drop one of the beach days for a day kayaking down the rivers on the mainland.
Your family adventure may have included only a day or two of planned excursions but after your first excursion you determine that you and your family want to do more. You can add excursions on to your adventure vacation at any time.
This vacation does not have to be do everything or do nothing. You can find the perfect balance for you and your family so that you experience both the exhilaration and relaxation we have here in Bocas del Toro.
14 Day Adventure Vacation to Panama
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Day One:
Arrive Panama City. Overnight Panama City.
Day Two:
Tour Panama City and the Miraflores Locks.
Day Three:
Transfer to Bocas del Toro. Dockside activities & afternoon trip to beach number 1
Day Four:
Dad & Son – early am fishing off the dock
Family – trip to beach number 2 with guide
Day Five:
Dad & Son – early am fishing off the dock
Family – snorkeling trip throughout the archipelago to different reef formations
Day Six:
Family – trip to beach number 1 – guide returns afternoon to pick up
Day Seven:
Family – morning activities from dock
Afternoon – trip to beach number 3
Day Eight
Dad & Son – early am fishing from kayak
Family – morning boat ride to Dolphin Bay
Afternoon – activities from dock
Day Nine:
Family excursion to indigenous village and beach number 4
Day Ten:
Dad & Son – early am fishing from kayak
Family – trip to beach number 1 – guide returns afternoon to pick up
Day 11:
Dad – river mouth fishing for tarpon
Remainder of family – trip to beach number 1
Day 12:
Dad & Son – early am fishing off the dock
Family excursion to beach number 1 – guide returns afternoon to pick up
Entire family catches bonefish on fly rod
Day 13:
Mid day transfer back to Panama City. Overnight Panama City.
Day 14:
Return Home
Arrive Panama City. Overnight Panama City.
Day Two:
Tour Panama City and the Miraflores Locks.
Day Three:
Transfer to Bocas del Toro. Dockside activities & afternoon trip to beach number 1
Day Four:
Dad & Son – early am fishing off the dock
Family – trip to beach number 2 with guide
Day Five:
Dad & Son – early am fishing off the dock
Family – snorkeling trip throughout the archipelago to different reef formations
Day Six:
Family – trip to beach number 1 – guide returns afternoon to pick up
Day Seven:
Family – morning activities from dock
Afternoon – trip to beach number 3
Day Eight
Dad & Son – early am fishing from kayak
Family – morning boat ride to Dolphin Bay
Afternoon – activities from dock
Day Nine:
Family excursion to indigenous village and beach number 4
Day Ten:
Dad & Son – early am fishing from kayak
Family – trip to beach number 1 – guide returns afternoon to pick up
Day 11:
Dad – river mouth fishing for tarpon
Remainder of family – trip to beach number 1
Day 12:
Dad & Son – early am fishing off the dock
Family excursion to beach number 1 – guide returns afternoon to pick up
Entire family catches bonefish on fly rod
Day 13:
Mid day transfer back to Panama City. Overnight Panama City.
Day 14:
Return Home
Adventure Defined
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
What is your definition of adventure? When I did a
quick search of the internet here are a few of the
definitions I found:
A wild and exciting undertaking.
Participation in hazardous or exciting experiences.
Taking a risk in hopes of a favorable outcome.
A remarkable occurrence
We see an adventure as an activity or an excursion that is undertaken for the sake of physical or emotional exhilaration. Obviously most uses are in reference to physical activities. Many of the basic definitions require that the activity have some risk of danger. We do not believe you need to endanger yourself to go on an adventure. Adventure tourism is generally believed to include one or more of the following components: a physical activity, a cultural exchange or interaction, and engagement with nature.
While we find most adventurous activities are undertaken for the purpose of recreation, we also find that they can lead to a gain in knowledge. Many of our excursions permit you to learn more about the plants, animals and people which inhabit our beautiful Panama Islands. Adventure education is generally believed to be some form of organized outdoor excursion. We try with our excursions to include a variety of elements of each of the different definitions of adventure.
A wild and exciting undertaking.
Participation in hazardous or exciting experiences.
Taking a risk in hopes of a favorable outcome.
A remarkable occurrence
We see an adventure as an activity or an excursion that is undertaken for the sake of physical or emotional exhilaration. Obviously most uses are in reference to physical activities. Many of the basic definitions require that the activity have some risk of danger. We do not believe you need to endanger yourself to go on an adventure. Adventure tourism is generally believed to include one or more of the following components: a physical activity, a cultural exchange or interaction, and engagement with nature.
While we find most adventurous activities are undertaken for the purpose of recreation, we also find that they can lead to a gain in knowledge. Many of our excursions permit you to learn more about the plants, animals and people which inhabit our beautiful Panama Islands. Adventure education is generally believed to be some form of organized outdoor excursion. We try with our excursions to include a variety of elements of each of the different definitions of adventure.
Bocas del Toro Fishing
Friday, October 19, 2007
Why do they call it fishing and not catching? I think
this is an age old question. Today a group of four
guys went fishing. They left around 6:20 am and
returned at about 4:30 pm. They made their way to the
honey hole and tried to catch some fish. They saw a
bunch of fish and hooked one. They got that one close
to the boat, but in the end he got away.
So they spent part of the day collecting sand and shells to take back to their families. They decided they would take one more pass and see what happened. One guy hooks a tarpon at the front of the boat and brings him in. He is a good-looking fellow so they decide to go after another one. The next guy in the rotation is feeling a bit peaked so he passes on his turn. So the next batter steps up. He has gone saltwater fishing on four other occasions on other vacations but thus far he hasn’t hooked anything.
He hooks about a 60 pound tarpon. He fights him for an extended period of time and works with the fish to get him to the boat. He says it was one of the hardest things he has ever done. He smiles and says he knows that for a tarpon he wasn’t a huge specimen. But the fact that on his fifth trip out he brings a fish all the way to the boat – that is a smile you can’t wipe off of his face. So while the group spent most of the day fishing, they did do some catching.
So they spent part of the day collecting sand and shells to take back to their families. They decided they would take one more pass and see what happened. One guy hooks a tarpon at the front of the boat and brings him in. He is a good-looking fellow so they decide to go after another one. The next guy in the rotation is feeling a bit peaked so he passes on his turn. So the next batter steps up. He has gone saltwater fishing on four other occasions on other vacations but thus far he hasn’t hooked anything.
He hooks about a 60 pound tarpon. He fights him for an extended period of time and works with the fish to get him to the boat. He says it was one of the hardest things he has ever done. He smiles and says he knows that for a tarpon he wasn’t a huge specimen. But the fact that on his fifth trip out he brings a fish all the way to the boat – that is a smile you can’t wipe off of his face. So while the group spent most of the day fishing, they did do some catching.
Lure of adventure
Thursday, October 04, 2007
The lure of adventure. What is it for you? Do you
want activities to keep you busy morning, noon and
night? Do you want to rest and relax and have a dose
of adventure on the side?
You can order your family adventure either way. One family we know does a bit of both. The dad and the son get up and go fishing off the dock each morning beginning around 7:30 am. Mom and daughter sleep in a little bit and they all meet up for breakfast in the main lodge building around 9:30. After breakfast they head out to one of the nearby islands for a day of sun filled adventure. We pack up boogie boards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment and lots of sunscreen. We send a picnic lunch made to order and various other snacks to keep them satisfied as they work up an appetite. They return from the beach early in the afternoon and escape from the sun for a few hours either inside their cabana or on the porch in the hammock. After the brief respite from the sun, Mom and Dad take some fruity cocktails back to their room for a bit of quiet time. The children come over to the main lodge building to play with our kids for a couple of hours. They enjoy a delicious dinner together before heading back to the cabana. At the cabana they stargaze briefly and then head off to sleep in order to rest up for the next day of their adventure vacation.
You can order your family adventure either way. One family we know does a bit of both. The dad and the son get up and go fishing off the dock each morning beginning around 7:30 am. Mom and daughter sleep in a little bit and they all meet up for breakfast in the main lodge building around 9:30. After breakfast they head out to one of the nearby islands for a day of sun filled adventure. We pack up boogie boards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment and lots of sunscreen. We send a picnic lunch made to order and various other snacks to keep them satisfied as they work up an appetite. They return from the beach early in the afternoon and escape from the sun for a few hours either inside their cabana or on the porch in the hammock. After the brief respite from the sun, Mom and Dad take some fruity cocktails back to their room for a bit of quiet time. The children come over to the main lodge building to play with our kids for a couple of hours. They enjoy a delicious dinner together before heading back to the cabana. At the cabana they stargaze briefly and then head off to sleep in order to rest up for the next day of their adventure vacation.
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.
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.
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.