Return to School
Friday, February 29, 2008
Ten more days until the children of Panama return to
school. Historically, the weather in Panama City, the
largest population center in Panama, is drier December
through February than it is June, July and August. As
such Panama has scheduled its "summer vacation" for its
students beginning around December 15th and throughout
January, February and then returning to school in the
second week of March.
This works out well for people traveling to Panama during North America's Spring Break as it gives them an opportunity to see the indigenous children in their schools. Here are a couple of photos of the children on Punta Valiente.
This works out well for people traveling to Panama during North America's Spring Break as it gives them an opportunity to see the indigenous children in their schools. Here are a couple of photos of the children on Punta Valiente.
There is more to Explore
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Remember that there is more to explore in Bocas del
Toro and for that matter all of Panama than what pops
right out at you. By this I mean - find a restaurant
recommended by a local, stay at a hotel or lodge off
the main road. Give yourself more time in one location
than you normally do. I know and understand that your
vacation days are numbered. But is it more important to
see the highlights of a country or to take home
memories you will cherish forever? Me, I go for the
memories.
Idyllic
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
It is a perfect description of the archipelago of Bocas
del Toro Panama. Each of the beaches should be on a
post card. Once you get away from the main island of
Isla Colon, they are basically uninhabited. You
generally do not see any other people on the beaches
unless it is a big holiday weekend.
Mirriam Webster’s definition of idyllic is pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity. Because most of the islands and peninsulas which are home to the beaches of Bocas del Toro cannot be accessed by automobiles, they have not been exploited in such a manner as to take away their natural simplicity. They are absolutely charming. When you add a picnic lunch and a few beach toys, a day spent on one of our beaches is perfect.
Each of these beaches and the islands which house them suggest a mood of peace and contentment. It is impossible to worry when you are visiting one of these locations. You forget about your responsibilities and day to day life whilst you are on one of these beaches.
You deserve a few days of simple and carefee life.
Choose Bocas del Toro Panama for your family beach vacation. You and your family can relax and enjoy the serenity that engulfs the entire archipelago.
Mirriam Webster’s definition of idyllic is pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity. Because most of the islands and peninsulas which are home to the beaches of Bocas del Toro cannot be accessed by automobiles, they have not been exploited in such a manner as to take away their natural simplicity. They are absolutely charming. When you add a picnic lunch and a few beach toys, a day spent on one of our beaches is perfect.
Each of these beaches and the islands which house them suggest a mood of peace and contentment. It is impossible to worry when you are visiting one of these locations. You forget about your responsibilities and day to day life whilst you are on one of these beaches.
You deserve a few days of simple and carefee life.
Choose Bocas del Toro Panama for your family beach vacation. You and your family can relax and enjoy the serenity that engulfs the entire archipelago.
Funny Rumours
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
I was just reading my March 2007 issue of Coastal
Living (again) and it included an article that
referenced a rumor about the founder of a resort in the
Caribbean wielding a machete to cut through the banyan
trees or was it a guide wielding the machete? I of
course found the article humorous because I definitely
know of two guys who wielded machetes and worked
without heavy equipment to carve out a piece of
paradise in the jungle.
To have a dream to create something from nothing and then to share that dream with those who happen upon you is a special thing. We have done just that here. We wanted to walk away from the day to day life in the big city and make a different life for ourselves. However, we didn’t want to be stingy and keep it all to ourselves. We knew that not everyone could walk away from the big city for good but that there were a fair number of people who wanted to leave it behind while on vacation. So we have built a place that is magical in that you are both disconnected and connected right on an island in the Caribbean Sea in the midst of the rain forest.
Take a break from your reality and come see ours.
To have a dream to create something from nothing and then to share that dream with those who happen upon you is a special thing. We have done just that here. We wanted to walk away from the day to day life in the big city and make a different life for ourselves. However, we didn’t want to be stingy and keep it all to ourselves. We knew that not everyone could walk away from the big city for good but that there were a fair number of people who wanted to leave it behind while on vacation. So we have built a place that is magical in that you are both disconnected and connected right on an island in the Caribbean Sea in the midst of the rain forest.
Take a break from your reality and come see ours.
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.
Eco Adventure Excursion
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Here is a sample itinerary for a Four Night / Five Day
Eco Adventure Extension from either Panama City or
Costa Rica.
Day One:
Arrive Bocas del Toro Panama. Afternoon trip to beach
Unspoiled islands protected by the National Park and home only to a park ranger and a couple of seasonal research scientists studying sea turtles
Day Two:
Snorkeling trip throughout the archipelago to different reef formations
Reef encircles many of the islands with oceanic formations consisting of walls, freshwater caves, tunnels, pinnacles, coral spires and towers, groove and spur, ocean impact reef, sandy ledges and shallow protected patch reef.
Day Three:
Sea kayak trip around various islands
Rock cliffs jut abruptly out of the sea, each having its own unique array of geological formations. Some are undercut by ocean waves on one side with a miniature 30-foot beach and shallow water on the other. Others rise piercingly from the sea and have deeper water on all sides.
Day Four:
All day excursion to indigenous village and isolated beach
A dramatic peninsula covered in dense tropical forest and high peaks descends to the ocean from over 700 feet. A 15-minute walk through the jungle leads you to the longest stretch of white sand beaches in Panama.
Day Five:
Mid day departure from Bocas del Toro Panama.
Day One:
Arrive Bocas del Toro Panama. Afternoon trip to beach
Unspoiled islands protected by the National Park and home only to a park ranger and a couple of seasonal research scientists studying sea turtles
Day Two:
Snorkeling trip throughout the archipelago to different reef formations
Reef encircles many of the islands with oceanic formations consisting of walls, freshwater caves, tunnels, pinnacles, coral spires and towers, groove and spur, ocean impact reef, sandy ledges and shallow protected patch reef.
Day Three:
Sea kayak trip around various islands
Rock cliffs jut abruptly out of the sea, each having its own unique array of geological formations. Some are undercut by ocean waves on one side with a miniature 30-foot beach and shallow water on the other. Others rise piercingly from the sea and have deeper water on all sides.
Day Four:
All day excursion to indigenous village and isolated beach
A dramatic peninsula covered in dense tropical forest and high peaks descends to the ocean from over 700 feet. A 15-minute walk through the jungle leads you to the longest stretch of white sand beaches in Panama.
Day Five:
Mid day departure from Bocas del Toro Panama.
