What makes a vacation great?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Is it the specific Panama island? Is it the size of the
Panama resort at which you stay? Is it the little
things? Or do all of the different aspects fall
together to create a memorable vacation?
I think it is some combination of the different aspects which make things great. On my honeymoon in the Bahamas, we stayed at a nice place which was somewhat all-inclusive but small enough that they were able to actually take care of each guest. My husband got up early each morning and went fishing leaving me to sleep in. We met up mid-morning and then had the rest of the day together. I remember good food, a sweet Labrador retriever, gorgeous beaches and many intimate moments.
Many years later, we took a fishing vacation in Mexico under different circumstances where I happened to be the only woman staying at the lodge. I ended up trying yoga with some of the staff while my husband was out fishing. Yoga became a serious part of my life for many years to come. Ironically this vacation also includes memories of good food, gorgeous beaches, and many intimate moments.
When we set out to create our Bocas del Toro Hotel, we took all of these things into consideration. We wanted to make our eco adventure lodge a place where the different aspects of your vacation come together to create beautiful memories. So, we begin your trip to Panama by picking you up at the international airport with an English speaking guide and taking care of your ground transfer to the domestic airport. We ask you in advance about your food preferences. We send one of the owners of the lodge to pick you up at the airport in Isla Colon. We house you in deluxe private cabanas at our secluded island location. We make activities and excursions available to you. We introduce you to our family, friends and our community. Yet we maintain the private island feel and experience and we throw in a sweet Labrador retriever.
I think it is some combination of the different aspects which make things great. On my honeymoon in the Bahamas, we stayed at a nice place which was somewhat all-inclusive but small enough that they were able to actually take care of each guest. My husband got up early each morning and went fishing leaving me to sleep in. We met up mid-morning and then had the rest of the day together. I remember good food, a sweet Labrador retriever, gorgeous beaches and many intimate moments.
Many years later, we took a fishing vacation in Mexico under different circumstances where I happened to be the only woman staying at the lodge. I ended up trying yoga with some of the staff while my husband was out fishing. Yoga became a serious part of my life for many years to come. Ironically this vacation also includes memories of good food, gorgeous beaches, and many intimate moments.
When we set out to create our Bocas del Toro Hotel, we took all of these things into consideration. We wanted to make our eco adventure lodge a place where the different aspects of your vacation come together to create beautiful memories. So, we begin your trip to Panama by picking you up at the international airport with an English speaking guide and taking care of your ground transfer to the domestic airport. We ask you in advance about your food preferences. We send one of the owners of the lodge to pick you up at the airport in Isla Colon. We house you in deluxe private cabanas at our secluded island location. We make activities and excursions available to you. We introduce you to our family, friends and our community. Yet we maintain the private island feel and experience and we throw in a sweet Labrador retriever.
What to bring for your stay
Sunday, October 14, 2007
What should you bring for your stay in a Bocas del Toro
hotel? Remember that if you are traveling on any of the
domestic airlines that they have a 25 pound checked
baggage limit per person. You can check bags weighing
more than 25 pounds however you will pay for the excess
weight – at about $.70 per pound.
Depending upon what you intend to do during your stay on a Panama island, you will need to come equipped with the right stuff. Life here is casual. Daytime attire is determined by the activity you have plannded for the day which frequently begins with a swim suit. Nighttime attire is pretty basic – most men wear shorts and a shirt for dinner and the women may wear the same or a casual sun dress.
Here is a list of things you might want to consider including in your suitcase:
• Rain jacket – we are in the rain forest and it does rain on occasion
• Sunscreen – you are going to be exposed to the sun quite a bit
• After sun lotion – inevitably you may still get too much sun as we are rather close to the equator
• Bug repellant – if you choose to spend time outside at either dawn or dusk there are two ways to keep the bugs at bay – use bug repellant or wear light weight long sleeve and long pants
• Water shoes or tennis shoes which can get wet – you are going to want to wear shoes to reach some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – and the path may be a bit wet along the way
• Long pants & lightweight long sleeve shirt for jungle hiking
• Lightweight long sleeve shirt for water activities – in case of too much sun
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Surfboards or other gear specific for your planned recreational activities
Depending upon what you intend to do during your stay on a Panama island, you will need to come equipped with the right stuff. Life here is casual. Daytime attire is determined by the activity you have plannded for the day which frequently begins with a swim suit. Nighttime attire is pretty basic – most men wear shorts and a shirt for dinner and the women may wear the same or a casual sun dress.
Here is a list of things you might want to consider including in your suitcase:
• Rain jacket – we are in the rain forest and it does rain on occasion
• Sunscreen – you are going to be exposed to the sun quite a bit
• After sun lotion – inevitably you may still get too much sun as we are rather close to the equator
• Bug repellant – if you choose to spend time outside at either dawn or dusk there are two ways to keep the bugs at bay – use bug repellant or wear light weight long sleeve and long pants
• Water shoes or tennis shoes which can get wet – you are going to want to wear shoes to reach some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – and the path may be a bit wet along the way
• Long pants & lightweight long sleeve shirt for jungle hiking
• Lightweight long sleeve shirt for water activities – in case of too much sun
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Surfboards or other gear specific for your planned recreational activities
The Real Thing
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Here in Bocas del Toro we have the real thing. You know
that feeling they used to describe in the old Coca Cola
commercials – the real thing.
But what is the real thing you ask? I think it is an amalgamation of so many little things. Beginning the day with a beautiful sunrise and a cup of Panamanian coffee. Drinking in the warm sunshine all day long. Gazing upon a deep blue sky dotted with cottony puffs of clouds. Looking into the clear ocean waters down to the coral and other ocean life below. Paddling about on a kayak. Snorkeling in the bathtub warm water. Fishing for dinner. Quirky Latin American challenges which keep the big guys out and keep the little guys in business. Eating delicious local cuisine that happens to go great with a Coca Cola or a cold beer. Watching the sun go down and the moon rise on a balcony overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Walking under the stars – yes you can actually see the stars. Listening to the rain on a metal roof. Falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle.
To me these are all the little things that when added together make the real thing. Don’t you want to experience them for yourself?
But what is the real thing you ask? I think it is an amalgamation of so many little things. Beginning the day with a beautiful sunrise and a cup of Panamanian coffee. Drinking in the warm sunshine all day long. Gazing upon a deep blue sky dotted with cottony puffs of clouds. Looking into the clear ocean waters down to the coral and other ocean life below. Paddling about on a kayak. Snorkeling in the bathtub warm water. Fishing for dinner. Quirky Latin American challenges which keep the big guys out and keep the little guys in business. Eating delicious local cuisine that happens to go great with a Coca Cola or a cold beer. Watching the sun go down and the moon rise on a balcony overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Walking under the stars – yes you can actually see the stars. Listening to the rain on a metal roof. Falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle.
To me these are all the little things that when added together make the real thing. Don’t you want to experience them for yourself?
Dirty secret v. Nice Surprise
Saturday, September 08, 2007
What is more important about the place you choose for
your vacation? Its dirty little secret or any nice
surprise you might find? I think it depends upon what
the dirty little secret is and what the surprise might
be.
For instance, is the secret that the airport bathrooms leave a bit to be desired? Because really, how much time do you spend in the regional airport when you arrive and before you return home? The bathrooms at the airport in Bocas del Toro do leave something to be desired. However, how different is that from many of the small airports in Latin America?
What if the surprise is that the food is way better than you ever expected it to be? When you go to a small Caribbean town you generally do not expect to find good food. Here we are fortunate in that we do have good food – really good food.
What if the dirty secret is that Bocas is experiencing a major drought? And then what if nice surprise was that your lodge didn’t get its water supply from the municipal water supply? Unfortunately Bocas is having problem with its water right now. The government is doing what it can to correct the problem in the short term as also determine a plan for a long-term correction. However, most of the lodges on the outer islands are self-sufficient so for anyone selecting any of the small personal accommodations on those islands the water supply isn’t a problem.
For instance, is the secret that the airport bathrooms leave a bit to be desired? Because really, how much time do you spend in the regional airport when you arrive and before you return home? The bathrooms at the airport in Bocas del Toro do leave something to be desired. However, how different is that from many of the small airports in Latin America?
What if the surprise is that the food is way better than you ever expected it to be? When you go to a small Caribbean town you generally do not expect to find good food. Here we are fortunate in that we do have good food – really good food.
What if the dirty secret is that Bocas is experiencing a major drought? And then what if nice surprise was that your lodge didn’t get its water supply from the municipal water supply? Unfortunately Bocas is having problem with its water right now. The government is doing what it can to correct the problem in the short term as also determine a plan for a long-term correction. However, most of the lodges on the outer islands are self-sufficient so for anyone selecting any of the small personal accommodations on those islands the water supply isn’t a problem.
