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.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Sea Turtle Facts
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.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
14 Day Family Adventure Vacation to Panama
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
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Adventure Defined
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.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Bocas del Toro Fishing
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.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Punta Valiente
One of our favorite excursions is to go to Punta Valiente. There we visit one Ngobe Bugle village and then walk across a trail created by another to one of the longest stretches of beach in Western Panama.
The Ngobe Bugle is a combination of two separate groups which were joined together when the Ngobe Bugle Comarca was created. The villages we visit are a part of this comarca. The Ngobe Bugle are Panama's most numerous indigenous peoples with a population of about 190,000. A comarca is a protected area that governs itself comparable to a reservation in the USA.
The majority of the Ngobe Bugle live in small communities or villages like the two that visit. They live in huts raised off the ground with a penca or thatch roof. The primary handcraft of these Ngobe Bugle is the chacara. The "chacara" is a type of woven bag made by the women that displays their numerous ancestral legends, mimicking the skin and colors of their animals and the landscape of the comarca. These bags are made using fibers from the pita and cabuya plants.
When the children are in school we visit the village school and bring different items for the children. We also take photos of the different villagers. We print copies of the photos and take them back to them on the next visit. All the children gather around to find one of the photos of themselves to take home.
The Ngobe Bugle is a combination of two separate groups which were joined together when the Ngobe Bugle Comarca was created. The villages we visit are a part of this comarca. The Ngobe Bugle are Panama's most numerous indigenous peoples with a population of about 190,000. A comarca is a protected area that governs itself comparable to a reservation in the USA.
The majority of the Ngobe Bugle live in small communities or villages like the two that visit. They live in huts raised off the ground with a penca or thatch roof. The primary handcraft of these Ngobe Bugle is the chacara. The "chacara" is a type of woven bag made by the women that displays their numerous ancestral legends, mimicking the skin and colors of their animals and the landscape of the comarca. These bags are made using fibers from the pita and cabuya plants.
When the children are in school we visit the village school and bring different items for the children. We also take photos of the different villagers. We print copies of the photos and take them back to them on the next visit. All the children gather around to find one of the photos of themselves to take home.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Jellyfish Kayak
What would you think if I told you that you could go for a kayak and then get out and snorkel and check out an entire bed of upside down jellyfish? Would you be intrigued or a bit freaked out? We have had clients that go either way.
Upside down jellyfish are quite an unique sight. They live in shallow water and frequently in the mangroves. They reach 12-14 inches in diameter. They reproduce sexually in one part of their life and asexually in another part. They have lacy frilly ruffles. They appear to glow in the dark. They contain symbiotic golden algae. Most of their food is produced by the symbiotic algae. These same algae produce oxygen which allows the jellyfish to survive in oxygen poor water.
Upside-down jellyfishes have more than 40 mini mouth openings. They are invertebrates and their bodies are 95% water, 3% salt, and 2% protein. They usually lie on the bottom of the water and can be mistaken for the sea anemone. They have a sting, but it is minor and they do not sting often.
The jellyfish starts out as free swimming organism, and as soon as it reaches 2 centimeters long it inverts its bell and goes to the bottom of the water where it lands upside-down.
Upside down jellyfish are quite an unique sight. They live in shallow water and frequently in the mangroves. They reach 12-14 inches in diameter. They reproduce sexually in one part of their life and asexually in another part. They have lacy frilly ruffles. They appear to glow in the dark. They contain symbiotic golden algae. Most of their food is produced by the symbiotic algae. These same algae produce oxygen which allows the jellyfish to survive in oxygen poor water.
Upside-down jellyfishes have more than 40 mini mouth openings. They are invertebrates and their bodies are 95% water, 3% salt, and 2% protein. They usually lie on the bottom of the water and can be mistaken for the sea anemone. They have a sting, but it is minor and they do not sting often.
The jellyfish starts out as free swimming organism, and as soon as it reaches 2 centimeters long it inverts its bell and goes to the bottom of the water where it lands upside-down.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Chocolate as an adventure
Chocolate. Who knew it could be an adventure? It has been traded as currency. It has been used for its medicinal properties. It has been considered as a food for the gods. The main ingredient in cocoa and chocolate is cacao.
Cacao beans grow within the football shaped fruit pod of the cacao tree. Cacao trees grow in tropical climates within twenty degrees of the equator. Panama is at 9 degrees so it is perfect for cacao farming. The trees grow best under a canopy of taller trees. There is a slippery gelatin like membrane that encases the beans inside the pod. This membrane tastes similar to a sweet tart candy.
The beans are removed from this membrane and then allowed to ferment for some period of time to begin the development of the chocolate flavor. Once fermented, the beans are placed in the sun to dry. Larger chocolate production uses another method for drying the beans. The dried beans are then roasted. Roasting cracks the beans a bit into small pieces. These pieces are then sifted. The resulting nut is called a chocolate nib. The chocolate nibs go through a process similar to grinding called conching which transforms the nibs into a liquid. This liquid is chocolate liquor.
Commercial chocolate production continues on with additional processes which add sugar, milk and other ingredients. The chocolate is tempered to develop its sheen and then placed into molds and wrapped.
Cacao beans grow within the football shaped fruit pod of the cacao tree. Cacao trees grow in tropical climates within twenty degrees of the equator. Panama is at 9 degrees so it is perfect for cacao farming. The trees grow best under a canopy of taller trees. There is a slippery gelatin like membrane that encases the beans inside the pod. This membrane tastes similar to a sweet tart candy.
The beans are removed from this membrane and then allowed to ferment for some period of time to begin the development of the chocolate flavor. Once fermented, the beans are placed in the sun to dry. Larger chocolate production uses another method for drying the beans. The dried beans are then roasted. Roasting cracks the beans a bit into small pieces. These pieces are then sifted. The resulting nut is called a chocolate nib. The chocolate nibs go through a process similar to grinding called conching which transforms the nibs into a liquid. This liquid is chocolate liquor.
Commercial chocolate production continues on with additional processes which add sugar, milk and other ingredients. The chocolate is tempered to develop its sheen and then placed into molds and wrapped.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Lure of adventure
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.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Life cycles
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.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Diverse interests unite
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.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Jungle Music
When it comes to music, there are a number of songs about the jungle and Panama. There are also artists when you listen to their music you feel as if you are either in the jungle or on an island. I thought I would list a few of the ones which come to my mind when I think about it.
Panama, Van Halen, 1984
Panama, Various Jazz Artists
Panama, Crosby, Stills & Nash, After the Storm
Going Down to Panama ,Shorty & Slim, Going Down to Panama
Jungle Man, Red Hot Chili Peppers, What Hits!?
Welcome To The Jungle, Guns N' Roses, Appetite For Destruction
Jungle Love, Moris Day and the Time
In The Heat Of The Jungle, Chris Isaak, Heart Shaped World
Jungle Gym, G. Love & Jack Johnson, Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies
Jungle Love, Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits
The Bare Necessities, Jungle Book, Soundtrack
Jungle Boogie, Kool & the Gang, Pulp Fiction Soundtrack
George of the Jungle
In the Jungle, Hugh Masekela
The Lion Sleeps Tonight, The Tokens
Jungle Strut, Santana
Jungle Fever, Stevie Wonder
Brass Monkey, Beastie Boys
Tweeter and the Monkey Man, Traveling Wilburys
Jimmy Buffett – just about anything he has recorded, but especially Don’t Stop the Carnival
Jerry Jeff Walker, Bathing Suits & Cowboy Boots
Panama, Van Halen, 1984
Panama, Various Jazz Artists
Panama, Crosby, Stills & Nash, After the Storm
Going Down to Panama ,Shorty & Slim, Going Down to Panama
Jungle Man, Red Hot Chili Peppers, What Hits!?
Welcome To The Jungle, Guns N' Roses, Appetite For Destruction
Jungle Love, Moris Day and the Time
In The Heat Of The Jungle, Chris Isaak, Heart Shaped World
Jungle Gym, G. Love & Jack Johnson, Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies
Jungle Love, Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits
The Bare Necessities, Jungle Book, Soundtrack
Jungle Boogie, Kool & the Gang, Pulp Fiction Soundtrack
George of the Jungle
In the Jungle, Hugh Masekela
The Lion Sleeps Tonight, The Tokens
Jungle Strut, Santana
Jungle Fever, Stevie Wonder
Brass Monkey, Beastie Boys
Tweeter and the Monkey Man, Traveling Wilburys
Jimmy Buffett – just about anything he has recorded, but especially Don’t Stop the Carnival
Jerry Jeff Walker, Bathing Suits & Cowboy Boots
Monday, March 19, 2007
Panama Birding
Panama is roughly the size of the state of South Carolina and it has over 900 recorded bird species. The vast number of birds is due to two factors: Panama's location in between North and South America and the narrow girth of the land bridge.
Panama has both species found in North and South America and many endemic species of avifauna. Of the known species, 10 percent are restricted range species having a global range of less than 50,000 square kilometers.
The Caribbean slope of the Talamanca range, which is our backyard, is home to roughly 600 species of birds. In the areas we explore from our eco adventure laodge the altitude ranges from 7,000 feet to sea level, and nearly 500 species of birds can be found.
Isla Bastimentos which is only 20 square miles has an amazing variety of tropical birds. Parrots, herons, ibises, boobies, frigate birds, terns, jaegers, birds of prey, dove, owls, hummingbirds, kingfishers, barbets, woodpeckers, wrens, tyrant flycatchers, cotingas, manakins, warblers, tanagers, finches, and icterids all can be found on Isla Bastimentos.
Panama has both species found in North and South America and many endemic species of avifauna. Of the known species, 10 percent are restricted range species having a global range of less than 50,000 square kilometers.
The Caribbean slope of the Talamanca range, which is our backyard, is home to roughly 600 species of birds. In the areas we explore from our eco adventure laodge the altitude ranges from 7,000 feet to sea level, and nearly 500 species of birds can be found.
Isla Bastimentos which is only 20 square miles has an amazing variety of tropical birds. Parrots, herons, ibises, boobies, frigate birds, terns, jaegers, birds of prey, dove, owls, hummingbirds, kingfishers, barbets, woodpeckers, wrens, tyrant flycatchers, cotingas, manakins, warblers, tanagers, finches, and icterids all can be found on Isla Bastimentos.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Panama Vacation
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.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Panama Outdoors
What can you do from the dock? You can go fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, or swimming.
We keep a few fishing rods rigged up with small hooks for people to catch and release fish on the dock. Kids enjoy catching crabs along the dock and putting them into a bucket to be used for bait. The fish are plentiful in the morning as they are used to a morning feeding. We save all of the food remaining on people’s plates each night for the fish. The fish along our dock have grown in size and number ever since we began the morning feeding. We have a wide variety of fish cruising the dock looking for a tasty meal. Our guests have snagged snapper, barracuda, and others with the crabs. We ask that they release the fish back into the ocean so that they may be enjoyed by other guests in the future.
These same fish are great for viewing when you are snorkeling. We have coral formations right at the dock which allow you to observe both the coral and the fish in action. You can either snorkel and swim right at the dock or go for a longer distance swim which incorporates a bit of exercise into the process as well.
If you would prefer not to get directly in the water you can observe many of the underwater activities from the vantage point of your kayak. The water is clear and shallow throughout the bay so you can paddle about and check out the different coral formations.
We keep a few fishing rods rigged up with small hooks for people to catch and release fish on the dock. Kids enjoy catching crabs along the dock and putting them into a bucket to be used for bait. The fish are plentiful in the morning as they are used to a morning feeding. We save all of the food remaining on people’s plates each night for the fish. The fish along our dock have grown in size and number ever since we began the morning feeding. We have a wide variety of fish cruising the dock looking for a tasty meal. Our guests have snagged snapper, barracuda, and others with the crabs. We ask that they release the fish back into the ocean so that they may be enjoyed by other guests in the future.
These same fish are great for viewing when you are snorkeling. We have coral formations right at the dock which allow you to observe both the coral and the fish in action. You can either snorkel and swim right at the dock or go for a longer distance swim which incorporates a bit of exercise into the process as well.
If you would prefer not to get directly in the water you can observe many of the underwater activities from the vantage point of your kayak. The water is clear and shallow throughout the bay so you can paddle about and check out the different coral formations.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable adventure. How can we meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs? It isn’t easy, but it can be done with a bit of education.
Travel lightly.
Bring what you need and nothing more – but then again do not bring too much.
Take tours using your own fuel – kayaks, hikes, snorkels, etc. Limit your time in motor powered vehicles when and where possible.
Experience an area with responsible guides.
How does your guide work with local indigenous people? Do they help them develop sustainable practices to help them earn an income and maintain their habitat for the future? Do they do anything about helping these people develop land reserves to maintain life as they know it?
What kind of tours does your guide offer? Those using human power or those using extensive amounts of motor power?
Are your guides going to be in business in the years to come? The best sustainable business practice is to remain in business so that one can make a difference.
Learn from your experience.
Make a small change in your life at home. Purchase services and supplies from providers who support sustainable practices.
Show your children how other people in the world live. They will learn to appreciate what they have.
Travel lightly.
Bring what you need and nothing more – but then again do not bring too much.
Take tours using your own fuel – kayaks, hikes, snorkels, etc. Limit your time in motor powered vehicles when and where possible.
Experience an area with responsible guides.
How does your guide work with local indigenous people? Do they help them develop sustainable practices to help them earn an income and maintain their habitat for the future? Do they do anything about helping these people develop land reserves to maintain life as they know it?
What kind of tours does your guide offer? Those using human power or those using extensive amounts of motor power?
Are your guides going to be in business in the years to come? The best sustainable business practice is to remain in business so that one can make a difference.
Learn from your experience.
Make a small change in your life at home. Purchase services and supplies from providers who support sustainable practices.
Show your children how other people in the world live. They will learn to appreciate what they have.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Promises
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.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Bocas del Toro Beach
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.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Bocas del Toro Island
The nice thing about kayaking is it is a sport both for athletes and those of us not as athletically inclined. I am not athletic. I am not a big outdoors person. But I do like to kayak.
We use sit on top kayaks. They are much easier to maneuver or more importantly to get back onto after you have fallen off than a cockpit style kayak. Normally we have a few kayaks on the dock so it is easy to get going rather quickly once you decide you are ready to go for a paddle.
Once in the kayak is in the water, I climb on board. I release the kayak from the dock and off I go. I can paddle around the edge of the island and watch for the different aquatic life living at the island’s edge. I can paddle into open water and circle the small island out in the bay. I can head for a point nearby where I get to go through a mangrove tunnel to check out a different type of coral than we have right at our place.
Or if I was feeling adventurous I could head over to the rancho in the water not too far from our place and disembark. At the rancho I can have a picnic lunch, go fishing, go snorkeling, read a book, do yoga, or even take a nap. It all depends upon my current mood.
Kayaking can be done as a solitary activity or it can be done in a group. I can go on a single kayak or I can go with my husband on a double kayak. My three year old son loves to climb on board and take a ride.
Regardless of the excursion or companions, I always return from a paddling experience refreshed and renewed with a smile on my face.
We use sit on top kayaks. They are much easier to maneuver or more importantly to get back onto after you have fallen off than a cockpit style kayak. Normally we have a few kayaks on the dock so it is easy to get going rather quickly once you decide you are ready to go for a paddle.
Once in the kayak is in the water, I climb on board. I release the kayak from the dock and off I go. I can paddle around the edge of the island and watch for the different aquatic life living at the island’s edge. I can paddle into open water and circle the small island out in the bay. I can head for a point nearby where I get to go through a mangrove tunnel to check out a different type of coral than we have right at our place.
Or if I was feeling adventurous I could head over to the rancho in the water not too far from our place and disembark. At the rancho I can have a picnic lunch, go fishing, go snorkeling, read a book, do yoga, or even take a nap. It all depends upon my current mood.
Kayaking can be done as a solitary activity or it can be done in a group. I can go on a single kayak or I can go with my husband on a double kayak. My three year old son loves to climb on board and take a ride.
Regardless of the excursion or companions, I always return from a paddling experience refreshed and renewed with a smile on my face.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Bocas del Toro Snorkeling
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.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
How to truly experience an adventure vacation
What do you need to do to truly experience an adventure vacation? Try getting a strong sense of place. How can one learn about a place in a short expanse of time?
Take a walk. When you walk along a jungle path you see and feel the enormity of being in the jungle. You see the canopy above you. You see the plants along the forest floor. You feel the change in temperature when you step into the rain forest from a cleared area. You sense the birds and animals all around you. If you walk slowly and quietly you might happen upon a troop of monkeys eating breakfast. You might see a sloth and her baby hanging out in a tree. Step carefully and you might see a red frog which is only found on Isla Bastimentos.
Go for a kayak. Kayaking along the edge of an island is perfect for your family adventure. From the vantage point of a kayak you can watch the birds as they fly overhead going from home to feeding ground or vice versa each day. You can watch for dolphins at play in the Caribbean Sea. You can go into a secluded bay and stop for a while to snorkel and check out the life under water.
Snorkel. Move slowly along the coral reef and you will experience the different colors of the aquatic life living amongst the reef. There are many different kinds of coral, fish and plants which make their home under the water near the islands edge.
Hammock. Okay so technically hammock isn’t a verb, but spending some time in a hammock allows you to take in a different aspect of island life. It allows you to gaze out at the view of the mountains in the distance over the Caribbean Sea. It gives you an opportunity to listen to the sounds of the jungle. And maybe the opportunity to take a nap – after all this adventure, it is a vacation and you deserve some rest.
Take a walk. When you walk along a jungle path you see and feel the enormity of being in the jungle. You see the canopy above you. You see the plants along the forest floor. You feel the change in temperature when you step into the rain forest from a cleared area. You sense the birds and animals all around you. If you walk slowly and quietly you might happen upon a troop of monkeys eating breakfast. You might see a sloth and her baby hanging out in a tree. Step carefully and you might see a red frog which is only found on Isla Bastimentos.
Go for a kayak. Kayaking along the edge of an island is perfect for your family adventure. From the vantage point of a kayak you can watch the birds as they fly overhead going from home to feeding ground or vice versa each day. You can watch for dolphins at play in the Caribbean Sea. You can go into a secluded bay and stop for a while to snorkel and check out the life under water.
Snorkel. Move slowly along the coral reef and you will experience the different colors of the aquatic life living amongst the reef. There are many different kinds of coral, fish and plants which make their home under the water near the islands edge.
Hammock. Okay so technically hammock isn’t a verb, but spending some time in a hammock allows you to take in a different aspect of island life. It allows you to gaze out at the view of the mountains in the distance over the Caribbean Sea. It gives you an opportunity to listen to the sounds of the jungle. And maybe the opportunity to take a nap – after all this adventure, it is a vacation and you deserve some rest.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Adventure awaits in Bocas del Toro Panama
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.
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