Aug 2007
Island Options - 2
Friday, August 31, 2007
Let’s see, we have Isla Bastimentos, Isla Solarte and
San Cristobal remaining with public housing.
On Isla Bastimentos, there are several different kinds of lodging available. In Bastimentos town there are a variety of basic hotels and hostels. There are a limited number of restaurants and bars, but no shortage of music. There are several other areas on Bastimentos with accommodations as well. These other accommodations are mostly all-inclusive as they are too secluded to allow you to get to a restaurant or bar in the evening. It is possible to get to and from Bastimentos town at night, but most of the other areas of Bastimentos do not have transportation available after dark.
Isla Solarte is mainly private housing but there is a bed and breakfast on the island that is operational some of the time. This island does not have any restaurants or bars for you to access for meals, etc. Depending upon the water taxi, you might be able to get a ride back to Isla Solarte in the evening, but you wouldn’t be able to find a ride from the island over to town without arranging such in advance.
San Cristobal is a rather small island with a few options for lodging. Like on Isla Bastimentos, most places are all inclusive as it is difficult to travel to and from other islands for you meals. Transportation to and from Isla Colon and the other islands is somewhat limited as there is not much business to draw from.
On Isla Bastimentos, there are several different kinds of lodging available. In Bastimentos town there are a variety of basic hotels and hostels. There are a limited number of restaurants and bars, but no shortage of music. There are several other areas on Bastimentos with accommodations as well. These other accommodations are mostly all-inclusive as they are too secluded to allow you to get to a restaurant or bar in the evening. It is possible to get to and from Bastimentos town at night, but most of the other areas of Bastimentos do not have transportation available after dark.
Isla Solarte is mainly private housing but there is a bed and breakfast on the island that is operational some of the time. This island does not have any restaurants or bars for you to access for meals, etc. Depending upon the water taxi, you might be able to get a ride back to Isla Solarte in the evening, but you wouldn’t be able to find a ride from the island over to town without arranging such in advance.
San Cristobal is a rather small island with a few options for lodging. Like on Isla Bastimentos, most places are all inclusive as it is difficult to travel to and from other islands for you meals. Transportation to and from Isla Colon and the other islands is somewhat limited as there is not much business to draw from.
Island Options - 1
Thursday, August 30, 2007
On your Panama adventure vacation, what do you expect
from the lodging you chose? Do you want a main building
with lodging in several private buildings? Do you want
everything consolidated under one roof? Do you want to
be right on the beach or do you want to have access to
both beach and jungle? Do you want creature comforts
inside or do you want to be in the open air? Do you
want to lie in your bed and be able to check out a
breath taking view?
Here on these Panama Islands there are several options for both the adventure traveler and the traveler seeking rest and relaxation.
Isla Colon which is the main island in the archipelago has mainly small hotels and hostels. About half of the smaller hotels have air conditioning and the other half have ceiling fans for ventilation. Most of these hotels have on demand hot water heaters which is as it sounds. Water heated upon demand and in some instances right at the shower head. A few of the hotels have beds with orthopedic mattresses. Isla Colon has quite a few restaurants and bars for its nightlife. Most excursions leave Isla Colon and head toward the outer islands.
Isla Carenero is about a two minute boat ride from Isla Colon. It has a few small accommodations which are similar to those found on Isla Colon. There are a few restaurants on Isla Carenero. It is possible to get to and from Isla Colon at night up until about 9:00 pm.
I will tell you more about the other islands tomorrow.
Here on these Panama Islands there are several options for both the adventure traveler and the traveler seeking rest and relaxation.
Isla Colon which is the main island in the archipelago has mainly small hotels and hostels. About half of the smaller hotels have air conditioning and the other half have ceiling fans for ventilation. Most of these hotels have on demand hot water heaters which is as it sounds. Water heated upon demand and in some instances right at the shower head. A few of the hotels have beds with orthopedic mattresses. Isla Colon has quite a few restaurants and bars for its nightlife. Most excursions leave Isla Colon and head toward the outer islands.
Isla Carenero is about a two minute boat ride from Isla Colon. It has a few small accommodations which are similar to those found on Isla Colon. There are a few restaurants on Isla Carenero. It is possible to get to and from Isla Colon at night up until about 9:00 pm.
I will tell you more about the other islands tomorrow.
KISS
Sunday, August 26, 2007
KISS. Keep it simple stupid. A mantra followed by many
different successful people over the years. We find
that here on a Panama Island it is important to keep it
simple. There are no stores to run over to if you have
forgotten something. There are no repair people who can
come over that day and correct your current problem. It
makes one look at life and all its aspects a little
differently.
Construction. Build it right the first time so that you do not have to do it a second time. If it is something that is going to require maintenance in the future build it so that it will be as painless as possible to maintain it. For example, all the trim work in our Bocas del Toro Hotel have been screwed in with stainless steel screws instead of being nailed in place. Why you ask? First because the wholes in which the fasteners were to be placed had to be drilled. We used local hardwoods for our trim work. We wanted to limit our use of such materials and we wanted to be sure that we were able to properly maintain what we had so that it would last a very long time. So since we wanted to be able to refinish the same wood at such time in the future as it would be necessary, we screwed the trim in place so it would be easy to get it down and into the shop to refinish it. We used stainless steel as we liken living in a tropical environment to living on a boat. We build for the elements.
Construction. Build it right the first time so that you do not have to do it a second time. If it is something that is going to require maintenance in the future build it so that it will be as painless as possible to maintain it. For example, all the trim work in our Bocas del Toro Hotel have been screwed in with stainless steel screws instead of being nailed in place. Why you ask? First because the wholes in which the fasteners were to be placed had to be drilled. We used local hardwoods for our trim work. We wanted to limit our use of such materials and we wanted to be sure that we were able to properly maintain what we had so that it would last a very long time. So since we wanted to be able to refinish the same wood at such time in the future as it would be necessary, we screwed the trim in place so it would be easy to get it down and into the shop to refinish it. We used stainless steel as we liken living in a tropical environment to living on a boat. We build for the elements.
Favorite place
Friday, August 24, 2007
Where is your favorite place to visit? Is it a get away
that your family has gone to for many years? Is it
across the ocean far far away from your home. Are there
beaches or mountains? Does your location include exotic
scenery or did you have an emotional connection to the
place that now makes it your favorite?
Maybe you do not have a favorite location just yet. Maybe you are on a search for a favorite location. There are many Panama Beaches and Panama Islands which might qualify for favorite status.
Our beaches and islands have many unique characteristics which include both exotic scenery and incredible hospitality. These characteristics may be the right ingredients for you to make an emotional connection with the area.
I cannot put my finger on it but there is definitely something about this place that makes it special above and beyond the gorgeous scenery and the captivating waters. Every time I leave Bocas del Toro for even the briefest period of time I am anxious to get back. My son feels the same way. He is always excited to take a trip and visit family and friends, but after only a short while he wants to return to our little retreat on Isla Bastimentos. Bastimentos is now home. It is my favorite place to visit.
Maybe you do not have a favorite location just yet. Maybe you are on a search for a favorite location. There are many Panama Beaches and Panama Islands which might qualify for favorite status.
Our beaches and islands have many unique characteristics which include both exotic scenery and incredible hospitality. These characteristics may be the right ingredients for you to make an emotional connection with the area.
I cannot put my finger on it but there is definitely something about this place that makes it special above and beyond the gorgeous scenery and the captivating waters. Every time I leave Bocas del Toro for even the briefest period of time I am anxious to get back. My son feels the same way. He is always excited to take a trip and visit family and friends, but after only a short while he wants to return to our little retreat on Isla Bastimentos. Bastimentos is now home. It is my favorite place to visit.
Rain in the rainforest
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
As a child I remember singing rain rain go away come
again another day. Here in the rain forest, we have an
appreciation for rain that only comes from
understanding how important it is to the lifecycle for
each plant and animal that exists in the jungle.
Obviously plants need water to grow. To grow as large and as fast as they grow here in the rainforest they need a lot of water. One of the wonderful things about living here is that you can just about stick any plant into the ground and it will grow as long as it gets protected from the various ants that want to eat it. When there is a lack of rainfall the plants feel it. Some of them get burned from the increased exposure to sunlight without water to hydrate them. Others seem to wilt on the vine.
The animals need the plants to be healthy and go through a complete lifecycle so that they produce the different fruits, etc. that the animals eat. They also need water to hydrate themselves.
Each plant and each animal has a different role to play in the healthy existence of the rainforest. As one plant grows taller, another one falls down and then makes room for the next one.
Obviously plants need water to grow. To grow as large and as fast as they grow here in the rainforest they need a lot of water. One of the wonderful things about living here is that you can just about stick any plant into the ground and it will grow as long as it gets protected from the various ants that want to eat it. When there is a lack of rainfall the plants feel it. Some of them get burned from the increased exposure to sunlight without water to hydrate them. Others seem to wilt on the vine.
The animals need the plants to be healthy and go through a complete lifecycle so that they produce the different fruits, etc. that the animals eat. They also need water to hydrate themselves.
Each plant and each animal has a different role to play in the healthy existence of the rainforest. As one plant grows taller, another one falls down and then makes room for the next one.
Rainy Season - what does it really mean?
Sunday, August 19, 2007
We are asked on a regular basis about the amount of
rain we receive here in the rain forest. Well obviously
based upon the name you would think that we get loads
and loads of rain. We do, but it is rare that the rain
keeps us from doing anything for an extended period of
time. What is my definition of an extended period of
time? Several days in a row, all day long – enough time
to make young children crazy and adults on vacation a
bit cranky.
Normally during the rainy season we may have rain at night. Or we might have rain during the morning. Or we might have rain all afternoon. The deal is that rarely during this season do we get all three in one day: rain morning, noon and night. And even if it is raining – the weather is warm here. The rain cools you down on a hike through the jungle or on a kayak trip in the ocean.
What are the benefits of traveling during the rainy season? Fewer people. Your children are on vacation from school so you can schedule your trip as it best fits with your schedule not during a specific period of time when so many other people want to travel. So your international flights are less crowded, you can pick and choose your hotel in Panama City, and you have fewer people to contend with through the country of Panama.
Don’t let the term rainy season worry you – the amount of rain we have had here this summer barely compares to that which has been coming down on the USA. Go ahead -come on and enjoy our Panama beaches and our Panama islands – the water is warm.
Normally during the rainy season we may have rain at night. Or we might have rain during the morning. Or we might have rain all afternoon. The deal is that rarely during this season do we get all three in one day: rain morning, noon and night. And even if it is raining – the weather is warm here. The rain cools you down on a hike through the jungle or on a kayak trip in the ocean.
What are the benefits of traveling during the rainy season? Fewer people. Your children are on vacation from school so you can schedule your trip as it best fits with your schedule not during a specific period of time when so many other people want to travel. So your international flights are less crowded, you can pick and choose your hotel in Panama City, and you have fewer people to contend with through the country of Panama.
Don’t let the term rainy season worry you – the amount of rain we have had here this summer barely compares to that which has been coming down on the USA. Go ahead -come on and enjoy our Panama beaches and our Panama islands – the water is warm.
Welcome to the jungle
Friday, August 17, 2007
Welcome. Peaceful. Tranquilo if you will. This is how I
feel each time I step into the jungle and let its
enormity swallow me. It is almost impossible to feel
anything but calm in the jungle. The vast amounts of
flora and fauna surrounding you exude a type of
serenity that is hard to describe.
We have a walkway that leads from the main building of our eco adventure lodge over to four of the cabanas which are up on a hill with views of the ocean and mountains beyond. The majority of this walkway is in the jungle. It gives one easy access to the benefits of the jungle. I have an eight-month old daughter. She is a bit high strung as babies sometimes are. Whenever she is crying and comforting her is proving to be a bit difficult, I walk on the walkway and into the jungle. She stops crying immediately as we enter the canopy. This is the kind of calm and serenity that one experiences.
Our guests have frequently mentioned similar experiences in the jungle. They cannot get over how you truly feel like you are a part of something much bigger than you by merely stepping into the canopy.
We have a walkway that leads from the main building of our eco adventure lodge over to four of the cabanas which are up on a hill with views of the ocean and mountains beyond. The majority of this walkway is in the jungle. It gives one easy access to the benefits of the jungle. I have an eight-month old daughter. She is a bit high strung as babies sometimes are. Whenever she is crying and comforting her is proving to be a bit difficult, I walk on the walkway and into the jungle. She stops crying immediately as we enter the canopy. This is the kind of calm and serenity that one experiences.
Our guests have frequently mentioned similar experiences in the jungle. They cannot get over how you truly feel like you are a part of something much bigger than you by merely stepping into the canopy.
Bocas del Toro Resort
Monday, August 13, 2007
We built our eco adventure lodge inside the rainforest
overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Our location within the
archipelago of Bocas del Toro allows us to explore some
of the most biologically diverse areas within Panama.
Bocas del Toro, Panama includes an archipelago of some
68 tropical islands that are excellent for beach
combing, birding and exploring. Around the many reefs
and inside the lagoons you may fish, snorkel and surf.
There are beautiful spots perfect for sitting back and
letting the cool ocean breeze wash over you.
Bocas del Toro hosts two national parks. Bastimentos National Marine Park, covers a large portion of the archipelago and is home to a variety of ecosystems which thrive at or around sea level. Palo Seco Nature Reserve is part of La Amistad which is a nature reserve crossing both Panama and Costa Rica and is designated as a world heritage site. Palo Seco Nature Reserve is on the mainland and reaches through the cloud forest up to and beyond the Continental Divide.
Our eco adventure lodge is your home base to explore the islands and highlands of Western Panama. Our guests unpack, settle in and experience our unique tropical location. We provide you with six deluxe air-conditioned cabanas, beautiful views, adventure activities, personal attention and fine cuisine.
Bocas del Toro hosts two national parks. Bastimentos National Marine Park, covers a large portion of the archipelago and is home to a variety of ecosystems which thrive at or around sea level. Palo Seco Nature Reserve is part of La Amistad which is a nature reserve crossing both Panama and Costa Rica and is designated as a world heritage site. Palo Seco Nature Reserve is on the mainland and reaches through the cloud forest up to and beyond the Continental Divide.
Our eco adventure lodge is your home base to explore the islands and highlands of Western Panama. Our guests unpack, settle in and experience our unique tropical location. We provide you with six deluxe air-conditioned cabanas, beautiful views, adventure activities, personal attention and fine cuisine.
