Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Zapatilla Week - 4
Labels: Beaches, Children, Indigenous People, Panama Trip, Photographs, Zapatilla Cayes
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Zapatilla Week - 1
Labels: Beaches, Panama Trip, Photographs, Zapatilla Cayes
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Our princess
She is the only girl around here, which means that she is the princess. Of course many little girls are princesses, whether or not they are the only girls around or not. Look at her special necklace. Miss Linda from the Chocolate Farm bought it for her. She loves it. We must wear it all the time. As everyone knows that princesses need jewelry.
Labels: Blessings, Bocas del Toro Panama, Children, Photographs
Friday, April 17, 2009
Big male green iguana...
Here are some more photos of the kids checking out the iguana from earlier this month. They loved it.
Labels: Animals, Bocas del Toro Panama, Children, Photographs
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Did you figure out who he is?
Okay, it is Larry Csonka. And here are some shots of the fish that his friends and family caught as well.
This is Dennis' Tarpon. He caught the first one of the trip.
This is Audrey's Tarpon. Hers was the second one for the trip, but the first one on day two.
And here is Kristin with her Tarpon. Nice size don't you think? Not too bad for a few days fishing.
Labels: Fishing, Guests, Photographs, Tarpon
Monday, April 13, 2009
Motley Crew
Labels: Blessings, Fishing, Guests, Panama Hotel, Photographs
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Happy Belated Birthday to Nuri
Labels: Employees, Food, Guests, Panama Hotel, Photographs
Friday, April 10, 2009
One of my favorite blogs - and here is why
There were a number of things that fell into place in getting them to Tranquilo Bay. The mom originally found us on the internet. She decided they should try to come see us. The dad travels a lot for his book promotions and has used one travel agent to help him with all of his plans. So, dad told his travel agent about us. The travel agent then went through another company we work with to put the trip together. Prior to arriving at Tranquilo Bay, the dad, a blogger, began reading our blog to get an idea of what he might be in for down here in Panama.
After visiting us, the blogger, decided that our story was one that needed a wider audience than it had received thus far. He sent out a few emails to some folks he knew either personally or through his work in promoting his book. One of those people, Leigh Buchanan bit. She called and asked us more about our story. This ultimately led to the article about Tranquilo Bay that ran in INC. Magazine in May 2008. (See this post.) That article has introduced us and our story to a variety of other people over the past year or so. There is a television show airing on The Outdoor Channel - Randy Jones Strike Zone - in early May 2009 that is directly a result of the article.
The same family came down to Panama again last year for the New Year's holiday. It was great to see them again and catch up on all the things that have happened over the past year. I do stay in touch with them via email on occasion, and I read Bob's blog on a regular basis. There are two posts this week that jumped out at me.
Diego Rocks - this is a post about a post that a friend of Bob's wrote on his own blog and then ended up on Harvard Online. I like the post for two reasons, it is a sound argument and because it includes Travis Pastrana. Travis is a hero in our house. He is capable of all kinds of things according to my children. He is almost as cool as Superman. He and Ricky Carmichael are the bomb.
The Helicopter and Lemonade Story: A Favorite from "What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20" - Bob posted a few days prior to this post about a new book by Tina Seelig who is a good friend of his. He puts an example of a story in her book in this specific post. What I took away from it is that although Bob thinks he needs to be reminded of the things in Tina's book, he lives it more than he knows. His small acts of kindness that he has shown us have made a big deal in our lives.
Thanks to you Bob, Marina and the rest of the family for showing us the kindness that you have over the past few years. We really appreciate it.
Labels: Blessings, Guests, Panama Hotel
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Internal struggle
APTSO (www.aptso.org) is the Panamanian Sustainable Tourism Association. APTSO is a non-profit association directed by a group of pioneers in the fields of tourism, science and development that intends to spread sustainable tourism across both the private and public sectors in order to improve the environmental and common development of Panama. It is open to any person, company, institution or organization that wants to support our commitment to conservation of the environment, preservation of our cultural heritage and local economic development across tourism.
The second effort is the development of a destination management organization (DMO) for Bocas del Toro, Panama (www.discoverbocasdeltoro.com - not active). As of yet it does not have a name, but it is guided by National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations definition of Geotourism. Geotourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.
In order for Bocas del Toro and Panama to really succeed in the long term as a tourism destination I believe that we must be guided by both of these principles. I haven't found that either principle actually competes with the other. I believe them to be complementary. We must conserve and protect all of the cultural and natural resources within this country.
One set of resources is predominantly national. The other is facilitated by an international group but will ultimately belong to local players. We need to learn from the experience of others throughout the world and apply what we learn to our local and national situation. This is not easy. It does not happen overnight. However, it is necessary. We must begin and continue making improvements little by little. The benefit of doing so is huge. So we press on...and we do it together.
Labels: Bocas del Toro Panama, Vacation, Volunteer
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Iguana Hunter
Over the past week, we have seen quite a few iguanas as it is the Spring mating season. They come out of the trees for a short period of time each year to do their thing. Earlier in the week Jim was photographing one making his way down in the mangroves outside the main building. It has been quite a treat.
Labels: Animals, Blessings, Bocas del Toro Panama, Children, Videos
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Banana Trivia
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't t he only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'
Labels: Food, Plants, Tropical Trivia
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Brothers and Friends
[ Supplies: Ali Edwards and others from the kit: Bloom and Grow at Songbird Avenue. All proceeds from this kit go to benefit Autism Speaks. Word Art: Ali Edwards at Designer Digitals. Fonts: Official Ali's hand from Creating Keepsakes, Century Gothic ]
Friday, April 3, 2009
Slow down - take a look
[ Supplies: Ali Edwards from the kit: Bloom and Grow at Songbird Avenue. All proceeds from this kit go to benefit Autism Speaks. Orange paper by JEdwards - Everyday Challenge from Designer Digitals. Papertag from Scrapgirls. ]
Labels: Animals, Bocas del Toro Panama, Nature, Photographs
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Preschool begins in earnest
ETA: [ Supplies: Ali Edwards from the kit: Bloom and Grow at Songbird Avenue. All proceeds from this kit go to benefit Autism Speaks. Paper by M Terasawa from Shutterfly Digiscrap Blog. ]