Panama 9°80° Magazine Edition 29

EcoTreat

Featured Hotel

RANDOMLY GOOD PART 5 CLOUD FOREST BOTANICALS

Edition 29 Panama 9째80째

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PEDASI CONSERVATION MOVEMENTS RANDOMLY GOOD PART 5 DIVING IN COLON CLOUD FOREST BOTANICALS

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ECOTREAT ABOUT ROGELIO PRETTO NIGHTCLUBS

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BACK TO BASICS BOCAS DEL TORO SAN FRANCISCO DE LA MONTAÑA SANTA CATALINA TIPS ABOUT SURFING FOR BEGINNERS

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GENERAL MANAGER

Irma Marengo

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Falina Pérez de Valverde SALES EXECUTIVE

Jorge Sánchez WRITERS

Irma Marengo Lee Ann Harper Roberto Díaz PHOTOGRAPHY

Irma Marengo Jorge Sánchez PEPPOPHOTOGRAPHY Red Frog Beach Island Resort

panama’s lifestyle & travel magazine The name 9°80° is derived from the country’s location on the world map – 9 degrees north of the equator, 80 degrees west of the prime meridian.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (507)394-3452 info@panama980.com www.locationpanama.com

Panama 9°80° es publicada por Avenue A. Publications, Inc. Las opiniones y recomendaciones de los autores y artistas que aparecen en Panama 9°80° no necesariamente reflejan las opiniones de la empresa. Panama 9°80° no asume responsabilidad por los productos o servicios que se anuncian en la revista, ni por errores de contenido impreso.

No está permitido reproducir, total o parcialmente en contenido de esta publicación sin previo permiso escrito de Avenue A. Publications, Inc. © 2013 Todos los derechos reservados.

RUC: 1119547-1-564065 D.V. 92 Impreso por Panamericana Formas e Impresos, S.A. quién solo actúa como impresor.

Impreso en Colombia

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photo by Laura Grier

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ECOTREAT

After years of traveling you may think that one can become immune to that “wow” factor.

We have done reviews for the last 8 years and stayed in places with all the bells and whistles, boutique hotels and exclusive jungle fishing lodges, and we have loved our journey through Panama, but EcoTreat has proven once again that Panama continues to surprise even the savviest and most discerning travelers.

Located in Cerro Punta, Chiriqui, EcoTreat is the result of the vision of Rogelio Pretto, a multitalented Panamanian artist and former corporate executive who led, along with a trio of friends, the first conservation movement in the Chiriqui highlands in the early 1970s. At the time farming, agriculture and the lack of ecological awareness in the region were devastating the rainforest, and unrestricted hunting was disrupting the rich fauna. The four adopted the strategy of purchasing land to contain deforestation, a move that proved itself with the reforestation that exists today in the areas they purchased.

The Pretto family, originally from Colon, used to spend their vacations in Cerro Punta, and later in nearby Guadalupe, where Rogelio, enamored with the area, built EcoTreat’s first cabin in 1976.

His son, Derek, tells us that circumstances in 1985 stemming from the after effects of his father’s politically themed art show prompted them to leave Panama.

Together with his wife Carla and their two children, Derek returned to Panama in 2008 relocating in Boquete. In 2009, recognizing the crucial need of proper schooling for children, Carla and Derek co-founded with another partner, Academia Internacional Boquete or A.I.B. (Boquete International Academy), a school that has since set unprecedented educational standards in Boquete. Following his father’s visionary path for their Chiriqui highland retreat, Derek and Carla initially developed the EcoTreat lodgings concept. Today they manage a remote cabin rental operation and a cozy coffee shop with next door bungalows in Guadalupe.

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EcoTreat’s cabins are set within 106 hectares of pristine cloud forest, located in the protected natural reserve of La Amistad International Park, declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site. EcoTreat is an ecological retreat, removed from civilization, but only 15 minutes from it by 4 x 4. Sporting soothingly comfortable rooms, the small two-cabin, plus studio apartment compound is powered by solar and hydro energy. In the main cabin, our personal favorite, two separate living rooms and spacious observation platforms with benches offer ample opportunity for quiet time enjoyment.

The adventurous approach to the EcoTreat compound starts in the agricultural town of Guadalupe, Cerro Punta, where we hopped on a 4x4 vehicle that took us over a rough grounded path that cut through the lush primary forest, up steep hills and over natural creeks, until we reached the highest retreat in Panama at 2100 meters above sea level. A deceivingly short, but exciting trip right through nature’s luscious best, an adventure in itself.

Once we arrived at the main cabin we knew we were in for a treat. Surrounded by exotic nature and blanketed by 10° Celcius temperature, we stepped into the main cabin’s living room on the ground floor, where the inviting warmth of the fireplace beckoned us to sit down and begin the magical unwinding that is EcoTreat’s great promise. The adjacent balcony invites you to “mingle” with friendly hummingbirds and to listen to the cacophony of sounds from La Amistad’s wildlife rich forest. It is just wonderful to be a part of such a natural scene and yet have close hand all the comforts and shelter one needs.

After dinner with good friends at the oversized dining table, we settled around the fireplace for a relaxing evening. The next morning we set off to explore EcoTreat’s fascinating natural trails, cloaked with mossy trees, exotic flowers, wild mushrooms and characteristically abundant bird species, until we reached the high mark of our adventure, a colorfully rich gurgling waterfall. Some of the more adventurous—and daring—members of our party took a chilly dip into the invigorating cold head water of the Chiriqui Viejo river. Brave people they were, who made their way back through the jungle in wet clothes.

Our return to our cozy warm cabin met with a hot shower, Boquete specialty coffee and a sumptuous breakfast. By then, cell phones are buried somewhere in our rooms and e-mails are completely ignored; personal time at its best took over plus the best of EcoTreat’s restfulness.

Later that morning we took our 15 minute 4 x 4 ride to visit the town of Guadalupe, where we sampled delicious local strawberry and cream specialties, strolling leisurely past fruit and vegetable stands and buying some local arts and gifts. We hung out in EcoTreat Café, where we shared brick and wood oven baked pizza and indulged in the house burger—the real deal, no fuss yumminess!

The Guadalupe visit was wonderfully gratifying. One gets to interact with the local indigenous residents of the area, who stroll by in their traditional dresses with the rest of the town’s population, going about daily chores and customary activities. Guadalupe provides a charming view of a different pace of life and other priorities.

Time flew by as quickly as the clouds do in the region, and before we knew it, it was time to head back to the hectic pace of our city existences. It wasn’t easy to leave EcoTreat; it grows rapidly on you.

We can’t wait to go back and do it all over again. It was a wonderful experience and we highly recommend it!

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Main cabin amenities: 2 fireplaces

Free wireless internet

Fully equipped kitchen

Solar power energy

Dining room

Bedding linens

Covered terrace

Towels

4 bedrooms

Services:

2 bathrooms

Guided path hikes

Sauna (wood burning)

4x4 transportation to the cabins

Meals: guests are welcome to bring their own food and cook, cooking services are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner by advance request For more information on EcoTreat’s other cabins go to www.ecotreat.com Contact information: Tel: (507) 771-2678 / (507) 6674-0230 e-mail: EcoTreat@icloud.com Guadalupe, Cerro Punta, Chiriqui, Panama

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Profile of the Milenium — 2000

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Mixed Media — 61” x 92” — interchangeable panels

From the exhibition: UPCYCLES – Modular Reflections Private collection of: The Elva Gonzalez Trust Gallery, Coral Gables, Florida Panama 9°80°

About

ROGELIO PRETTO Q.

As a young Panamanian, what movement, family and cultural influences led you to your artistic life and at what age?

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The deeper cultural influences that are manifest not only in my artwork, but also in the way I behave towards everything else, is the fact that I was born and raised in the diverse, international ethnicity of Colon. As a child, I was hardly bored, even when heavy rainfalls kept us indoors at home. There was no television in Panama in those days, and our restricted family economy didn’t allow for the purchase of many toys, so the comic book and a few books kept me good company.

But when I didn’t feel like reading, I would manually make things that required craftsmanship and the application of creative solutions…or I would draw or paint.

Another source of influence stems from my mother’s side, a family lineage replete with artists. I’m the grandson of Sebastian Villalaz; he and his brother Nicanor created Panama’s code of arms. Sebastian’s daughter, Anita Villalaz, my aunt was our nation’s most prominent first actress; and her brother Carlos Villalaz, my uncle, created and painted Colon’s code of arms. My mother herself was an opera caliber soprano, and her sisters Silvia and Matilde were professional actresses in their own right, one in Chile and the other in Venezuela.

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When did you decide to take the leap to head to the United States?

My 1984 exhibition at the Contemporary Museum of Art, titled National Peace: a Pictorial Essay, preceded, by just a few months, our first democratic elections after 15 years of dictatorship. The fraudulent results disappointed me and the anti military angle of the exhibition interrupted my future chances of making a living as an artist and actor. I decided to head to the U.S. Having to start all over again was an experience of great personal learning.

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Where did you begin your journey in the arts; what form of art did you pursue first, and how has your work evolved?

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The first formal public display of my artistic product took place in 1977. The University of Panama’s Department of Artistic Expressions (D.E.X.A.) invited me to exhibit my paintings in its campus gallery. I was 33, had just left the business world and was fresh out of the starting gate in my pursuit of an artistic career. There was an obvious lack of refinement in painting technique in most of the pieces shown, but the varied theme of the collection was met with a lot of enthusiasm. The experience encouraged what followed in the coming years.

In regards to acting, a year and a half after the DEXA exhibition, my aunt Anita called to tell me she had recommended me for the leading male role in a play at the National Theater where she had the leading role of the grandmother, and that the director, Pepe Sarsanedas, wanted to interview me. I had never done any acting, but my aunt was sure I had it in my blood. Turns out I was taken by the acting art form and appreciated how it contributed to my growth as a thinking individual.

Those two incursions in the arts catapulted my committed interest to pursue acting and painting professionally. Frankly, I went after both because they interested me...and I didn’t want to go back to being a businessman.

(Roger) Pretto’s film journey NOTES: Rogelio in the U.S. consisted of various acting

performances in high profile TV shows such as Miami Vice, Law & Order and others. Some of his film acting work is available for viewing on his YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/HereComesElSon His artwork and autobiographical stories can be viewed on his website at http://www.rogeliopretto.com.

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NIGHTLIFE Privé

Swankiest bar Frequented by the young “who is who” in Panama, Privé offers a variety of different atmospheres, the outdoor terrace overlooking the bustling Uruguay Street, the monochromatic bar and lounge, modern and contemporary, and two private areas . The bar has great electronic music, strobe lights, an in-house DJ and regularly hosts guest DJs. Cover charge: $10.00 Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Location: Uruguay Street Tel: 264-7711 privepanama@hotmail.com

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S6is

Great atmosphere S6is is known for playing a wide spectrum of cool music, great parties and its minimalist décor accentuated by dimmed colorful illumination.

S6is offers three atmospheres, a VIP room, a bar & lounge and an outdoor terrace overlooking Uruguay Street.

Cover charge: $10.00 Hours: Wednesdays to Saturdays from 8:30 p.m.

Tel: 2645237 info@bars6is.com www.bars6is.com

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photo by Jorge Sanchez

Onplog Li-bar Coolest retro rock & roll bar

The bar itself is an artistic installation; the main door is covered with cassette tapes and as you walk into the bar the first thing you see is an actual tape recorder from the early 1980s. The bar is dark and has different living rooms each having different displays on the wall.

There is a cool wall consisting of mother boards surrounding a 1970s TV set while another wall has a turntable installation.

There’s a stage for occasional live music and the outside terrace has dozens of umbrellas hanging over billiard tables.

If you dread the mainstream, have good taste and are knowledgeable about music, this is the place to be.

No cover charge Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. onplogpanama@gmail.com @onplogpanama / Fb OnPlog

Comfort and elegance An upscale and traditional bar, tastefully decorated, with a warm and relaxing atmosphere and comfortable furniture.

Offers the main lounge, a dance floor, a VIP room and soon a stage and a terrace. Dance music ranging from the ´80s to the contemporary top chart hits with Latin music being the predominant factor. There’s live music 2 Saturdays a month and they also host theater plays, monologues, standup comedy, support international social events like The Global Party and a fundraiser for children FUNDITEC .

No cover charge Hours: Wednesday to Saturday from 7:00 p.m.

Tel: 209-3512 eventoslibar@gmail.com www.li-bar.com

Alta Bar Great drinks

A spectacular night club offering two settings, a restaurant terrace on the top floor and a trendy two story night club with a VIP area. Alta Bar specializes in mixology and serves the most exclusive spirit brands. The 2 resident DJs play the latest international billboard hits.

Cover charge: $5.00 women / $10.00 men Hours: Club area 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Tel: 390-2582 Mercadeo@altabarpanama.com www.altabarpanama.com

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YOU DON’T STAY HERE…YOU LIVE HERE! Marriott Executive Apartments Panama City, Finisterre

The concept of Marriott Executive Apartments is to cater to executives that travel for long periods of time and that often change locations based on special projects.

“Our mission is to go the extra mile to make our guests feel at home. We provide elegant and varied atmospheres with comfortable spaces. Staying at our hotel will eliminate the hassle of renting an apartment unit, and taking care of multiple diligences like contracting utilities, dealing with housekeeping and much more. Although we are focused on extended stays, we also welcome guests who come for a day or a short stay”.

There are 126 apartments that range from 58 to 122 square meters and there are 4 different models available - 60 one bedroom apartments, 60 loft apartments, 4 family apartments with two bedrooms and 2 master suite apartments. All of them have a fully equipped kitchen, office area, living room, dining room, wooden floors, toiletries from Bath & Body Works, imported furniture from Brazil and an on-floor laundromat.

Also among the hotel amenities, guests have access to 150 indoor parking spaces, free high speed internet (30 gigabytes) and guests are always greeted with a welcome food kit that includes cereals, milk, fruit juices, water, pastas, to make them feel at home. A 1.3 million dollar investment in thermo-acoustic windows imported from Spain procure a calm atmosphere while conserving energy. A lot of detail and thought was taken into consideration when putting together the whole concept behind the hotel.

Adegas restaurant seats 80 people and is open from 6:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and a la carte menu is available the rest of the

day. The restaurant´s international chef is Jose Gutierrez from Costa Rica.

There’s a linear swimming pool, great for free style swimming, a gym and sauna, meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 180 people as a banquet setting or 280 people in an auditorium setting and the meeting rooms can be divided in smaller rooms depending on the customer needs.

America Aguilar, Senior Sales Manager at Marriott Executive Apartments Panama City, Finisterre, tells us, “We are proud to be a part of the Marriott brand with over 87 years of experience and more than 3800 properties worldwide, it positions us among the best while providing the benefits of the brand support”.

One of the things that make the property stand out is that the hotel also embraces the owner´s Spanish roots and his childhood memories from when his parents used to take him on vacation to Cape Finisterre. The word Finisterre comes from the Galician term Fin Terra which means the end of earth.

There are only 25 Marriott Executive Apartments in the world - 11 located in Asia, 5 in Europe, 5 in the Middle East, 2 in Latin America, 1 in Sao Paulo and 1 in Panama, the only Marriott Executive Apartment venue in Central America.

The hotel has an excellent location and amazing panoramic views and of course, an extra personal touch.

For more information contact: Tel: (507) 214-9200 www.marriott.com/pty.er Calle Colombia y Calle Republica de Paraguay, Bella vista, ciudad de Panama Panama 9°80° www.locationpanama.com

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PEDASI CONSERVATION MOVEMENTS

Pedasi is becoming one of Panama’s top destinations for tourism and relocation.

It has a charming colonial town center, abundant wildlife, traditions, great waves for surfing, excellent conditions for kite surfing, snorkeling, cultural immersion and is a wonderful town for a second home or permanent residence.

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We sat down with passionate individuals and associations who volunteer and contribute every day to making a better Pedasi.

Horacio Peralta Industrial Technology Technician Main International The initial project started in 2008 by hiring a company that would supply the saplings and to be in charge of the reforestation. Then the vision evolved and they decided to incorporate education within the concept.

Horacio was assigned to take charge of the reforestation under Engineer Emilio Mariscal’s supervision. In 2009 Main International started taking charge of their own reforestation producing 50% of the saplings with the other 50% still being supplied by Pacific Forestry.

“We realized that we had great local staff and that most of them were enthusiastic about planting, having their own trees, fruits and vegetables in their backyard and that is what motivated us to shift from being purely a maintenance company to reforestation”.

This has been incredibly rewarding because besides our contribution within the project, education has spread to the community and we get feedback from our workers who tell us for instance “I´m building a fence around my house and

an orange tree is in the way. Normally, I would have

taken my machete or a saw and cut it without hesitation but now I know better - I can have both my fence and my tree”.

blocking the sunlight needed by the smaller trees. By pruning, we prevent other trees from getting sick or dying from lack of sunlight.

Originally, the land was purchased as a reforested teak farm, however contrary to the common knowledge, teak destroys and degrades the soil and ecology. When a teak leaf falls on the ground it leaks an acid that kills all the nutrients in the soil and prevents other species from growing.

This year we also did some pruning to create more open spaces to improve the growth of the trees.

At the time we visited the farm, we only found dried teak leaves and tufa.

There were no animals around and if you walked through the teak woods, the heat was suffocating. So actually the first stages of the project involved cleaning approximately 17-18 hectares of teak. Nowadays, we have reforested around 64 hectares.

Our mission is not only to reconvert the woods, but also to reconvert the fauna.

Today these sections have native species with biological corridors, a lot of wood and fruit trees, among them meddler tree, guaiacum, bigleaf mahogany, bigleaf black calabash, tonka bean tree, Panama tree, oak, purpleheart, cocobolo, macano, cercopia, balsa tree, yellow mombin, corotu, and so many more. We try to maintain trees that can also provide fruit for the animals in the area. Contrary to when we started, we now have birds, monkeys, deer, spotted paca, iguanas, agoutis, armadillos, rabbits and many other species.

Our team is divided into 3 groups gardening and maintenance, reforestation and planting, and construction.

Education unites the 3 groups. For instance, if the construction team is building a structure and they have beautiful, big and lush trees, they protect them and the area to avoid contamination. Many people build properties and wonder why nothing grows in their backyards and it is because the construction contaminated the area.

We practice prudential pruning.

When a tree grows, it opens its foliage

All organic material resulting from pruning and cleansing the forest is deposited in a trench that fills up with water during the rainy season, helping the decomposition process. By summer, when the material has dried up it is burned down and then we use the organic material and ashes for future reforestation and organic farm plantations.

I’m an ecologically conscious person now, but when I was a kid, I was a hunter so today I feel that my job allows me to give back and to reverse what I did wrong. I see it as wrong but I also see it as our culture since we learned about hunting for subsistence from our families. In earlier times when nature was abundant, if you had yucca or yam at home, you would ask yourself, what am I going to eat with this? I’ll go out and get an iguana or an armadillo which was feasible back in those days, but the problem now is that hunters see 300 iguanas and they take the 300.

If we practice controlled subsistence, hunting will be different, it will turn things around.

The soil reconversion has been so successful that it is actually visible. If you pick up a handful of dirt you can see all kinds of pathogenic microorganisms.

Previously the soil was bright red like a brick and now it is brown because it has a lot of organic material. People say it is too late to reforest, I disagree, in five years we have seen amazing results.

We have areas of forest with high conservation value, primary forests with a great variety of native trees as well as secondary forests and mountain areas with adult trees. There are areas where we allow natural excess, for trees to grow alone and by the time they reach a certain height, we will prune and clean them and take a tree inventory to find out which are the predominant species

and to identify the spots we need to reforest.

We practice permaculture; sustainable agriculture where you use the resources you have in association with the plants and the forests.

There are sections where we are thinking about including a mix of wood and fruit trees to follow the natural biological corridors of the area. We also have high value conservation areas with adult trees that are untouched, not even for reforestation.

The organic orchards:

The idea about experimenting with orchards in this region called the dry arch, is to achieve a successful and sustainable production. Once the study is completed and proven, we can pass it on to the community. So far we have been experimenting with orchards for 3 years.

The idea is that anyone, even a person with the lowest income, can do this at home.

We are experimenting with different legumes that normally would not grow in this area like lettuce, arugula and radishes among others.

We combine crops with trees in order to avoid chemical fertilizers and to use natural live plants that provide nutrients to the soil. For instance yucca which is native in the area and a great provider of carbon to the soil and pigeon pea that adds nitrogen to the soil.

We use grass as the main raw material to fertilize plants and to retain humidity around them as opposed to the local culture which is to fumigate, kill, cut, burn and throw away the grass.

The grass can create compost which is rich in organic material that is beneficial for fruit trees and everything else. We are having great success with the citrus for instance and experimenting with multiple plantations.

For more information contact: www.main-international.com horacio@main-international.com

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TURTLE CONSERVATION MOVEMENT IN PEDASI Tortugueños Pedasieños Margaret Von Saenger Manager at Villa Esplendorosa A year ago, the Azuero Earth Project held a turtle seminar and they brought turtle specialist Jacinto Rodriguez from Fundacion Agua y Tierra.

Mr. Rodriguez taught us how to identify turtles and to understand their role in nature. He also advised us that before doing anything we needed to know where the turtles go, what kind of turtles come to the area and how often - basically a census.

While at the seminar five of us were very enthusiastic about the subject and wanted to act immediately, so we exchanged e-mails, met to brainstorm and decided to apply everything we learned from Mr. Rodriguez.

One of the key things we learned was that turtles go out on the quarter moon, crescent moon and during high tides, so based on that we marked our calendars and started the monitoring process right away.

Currently we take photos, measure the width and length of the turtles, identify the species and record the GPS location. The idea behind the census is to gather and register enough information and tangible facts that will allow us to apply for aid and funding in order to fully develop the project and to create awareness programs in the area.

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We started at Playa Arenal and realized that turtles no longer nest there because there is a lot of traffic from tourists, boats, policemen on motorcycles, and artificial light, so we moved to the calmer beaches where turtles go. Of course, the egg poachers also know these beaches and there were times when we crossed paths, however we decided to avoid conflict - they know who we are and what we do and likewise.

We are starting our second year and have already spotted several turtle species. Due to the fact that we have limited funds we don’t have a nursery so when we spot a turtle nest, we move the eggs a bit further to the left or right so the poachers can´t find them. Normally, hunters follow the turtle’s tracks to locate the eggs. One of our goals is that we would love to have a nursery where we could take proper care of the eggs which includes monitoring the nest temperature (a factor that determines the sex of the turtles), registering how many turtles are born, documenting using photography and providing a lot of care.

At the moment, we have 5 active members all of whom have full time

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jobs and we mainly do this in our spare time which is in the evenings and luckily that is when the turtles nest. Ideally, this would be the job of a biologist.

Recently, we had interns from McGill University who helped us put together the information and gave presentations in schools in Pedasi. We would like to continue working with interns who could continue educational programs in the surrounding turtle nesting communities, from Mariabe all the way to Cambutal.

We have asked local people (near us) to please call or even knock on our doors when they spot a turtle. This has already happened a couple of times and it is so rewarding, not only because we get to monitor a turtle but better yet because local people are starting to get a grasp of the importance of what we are doing, both for the study and for the turtles.

We are amazed that the message has come across in the community in just one year.

Tortugeños Pedasieños is a group that welcomes all who are interested in the conservation and protection of

turtles. Although we currently have 5 active members, on occasion our beach monitoring group has had up to 10 volunteers including people from other towns, people from the Peace Corps, visiting tourists and a few locals - that to us is priceless.

Facts: Most sea turtle species require at least 20 years before they lay their first eggs, therefore decreases in their populations are not immediately evident. Unless efforts are taken in anticipation of a population collapse, revival of turtle populations may be too late. If there are no baby sea turtles hatching and heading back into the ocean, there will not be any turtles returning to the beaches to nest in the future!

For more information contact: http://tortugaspedasi.wordpress.com (507) 995-29-95

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RANDOMLY GOOD

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part 5

Fish Market

Although technically not a restaurant, the fish market compound is home to multiple seafood stands, ceviche vendors and a very casual restaurant that serves a daily menu and can also cook whatever you purchase downstairs.

The main attraction of the building lays on the ground floor; a bustling colorful market consisting of a mix of people from all nationalities and social statuses. In this popular place, there are no distinctions but a common ground which is the love for seafood.

Beds of ice are covered with lobsters, king crab, soft shell crab, octopus, shrimp, tuna fish, sea bass, red snapper, clams, calamari, sardines, scallops and so much more; everything at excellent prices and, who knows, you may be able to negotiate.

This is a fun spot to visit not only in a food sense but also as a cultural experience. Try the different ceviche preparations from the strip of vendors outside in the parking lot, our favorite is the lobster cocktail. Most of the ceviche vendors offer a sitting area and refreshments including beer which is the perfect beverage to go with ceviche.

The restaurant upstairs serves incredibly inexpensive and down to earth Panamanian food. Seafood is the specialty, of course, and one of the most popular dishes is the deep fried whole fish.

Do not expect anything fancy as this place is as basic as you can get while still being in a safe place.

The health ministry keeps a close eye on the fish market operations and is constantly monitoring all health related regulations, so feel free to visit and enjoy the catch of the day.

It doesn’t matter if you are traveling or if you are a resident, this is a must visit spot.

Location: End of Balboa Avenue Hours: Every day from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Closed the 3rd Monday of the month

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Mosto Bistro

This restaurant has been on our must try list for quite some time and just recently we had the opportunity to finally pay them a visit and it was definitely worth the wait.

with micro-arugula, radish and watercress. A creative twist on local dishes, strong flavors, the right acidity plus the sweetness of the corn.

Chef Fulvio Miranda Vieto and his wife Maria del Pilar started a small catering business 5 years ago when they were 19 and 22 years old and they used to sell pies, custard and lasagna. The business became surprisingly popular and successful so they decided to open a restaurant.

Pork belly: Slowly roasted (8 to 12 hours) over smoked nance firewood, tender and juicy a meat lover´s fantasy, served with pico de gallo, guacamole, micro-coriander and fried plantain. This is a dish you should not miss.

Mosto Bistro is without a doubt the best restaurant in David and Chef Fulvio’s love for food and passion about ingredients influences his fun creative fusion cuisine. A spin on traditional Panamanian dishes mixed with international cuisine is out of the ordinary, the menu is a playful combination of textures, flavors, surprises and colorful presentations reflecting the talents of Chef Fulvio.

We surfed through the menu and were delighted with our choices: Guachito de camarones: (A guachito is a Latin American preparation of rice, similar to a risotto but more savory) Mosto Bistro’s Guachito with Shrimp is a vibrant combination of flavors with a great contrast of textures- the richness of the creamy and savory rice and shrimp served on a bed of crunchy fried rice crackers, topped with coconut shavings, and combined with micro-coriander. It is an explosion of flavors.

Ravioli: A corn tortilla ravioli filled with national, cheddar and mozzarella cheese and sun dried tomatoes, topped with pulled veal beef and served with a pixbae and ginger cream

Puerto Armuelles jumbo shrimp: Fresh seafood is delivered daily from the neighboring town of Puerto Armuelles.

Delicious coconut and pigeon pea risotto, topped with jumbo shrimp and served with tamale and parmesan sauce.

Very indulgent.

Pork steak: Savory and juicy pork served over mashed potatoes, laced with an exotic tamarind gravy and topped with fennel. A delicious surprise.

While we were at the restaurant we were lucky enough to witness the fresh seafood delivery and to top that , the day after our visit Chef Fulvio and his wife Maria del Pilar invited us to visit the organic farm where they get all their amazing greens.What an exciting experience for a foodie - a behind the scenes of the care and love for food and all that happens before a dish is served to a happy customer.

At Mosto Bistro the customer is #1.

Contact information: Tel: 730-4852 El Carmen, David, Chiriqui www.mostobistropanama.com Panama 9°80° www.locationpanama.com

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Brio Brasserie

The name Waldorf Astoria and everything associated with it carries expectations and certain standards and Brio Brasserie not only met those expectations but surpassed them.

We started with a savory and impeccably executed tuna tartar, followed by a delicious and tender grilled octopus salad served with orange wedges, cured sausage and arugula. We also ordered a fresh herb, feta cheese, cherry tomato, cucumber, hearts of palm, radish and corn salad.

Still navigating the appetizer section, we ordered the delicate Kobe beef Carpaccio topped with arugula, shaved parmesan cheese, fried plantain chips, crunchy shallots and lightly dressed in balsamic vinegar.

Moving on to the main dishes, we ordered the Australian pork chops in a citrus panko crust and the most delightful 3 corn casserole.

The grilled salmon was outstanding, served in a basil-caper vinaigrette and a micro green salad

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with strawberries and heirloom tomatoes, quite a delight.

The desserts were simply fantastic especially the white chocolate mousse served with dried pineapples and a chocolate crown and the most amazing red pepper and lemon salt sorbet.

Sous chef José Gómez explained that they are specializing in food pairing which uses ingredients that share the same characteristics and go well together like basil, salmon and strawberries.

The service was as expected from a trademark of Waldorf Astoria and we will definitely return.

Contact information: Tel: (507) 340-3500 Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Location: Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Le Petit Bistro

It is rare to find such a refined importantly, I don’t want my customers to be bored. level of cuisine in Pedasi.

As bold a statement as this is, it is a reality as there are not many restaurants in town and many of them serve popular dishes such as burgers, wings and pizza, which is perfectly fine, but if you are in the mood to pamper yourself, look no further, go to Le Petit Bistro.

Originally from Lyon France, Chef Kléo Névoret came to Panama in 2006 for the first time to attend a friend’s wedding and she fell in love with the country and decided to come back and stay.

Chef Kléo’s cuisine is influenced by a multicultural family background; her mother comes from Provence and her father’s family is from Sicily, although her father was born in Morocco.

“I learned the French techniques from my mother and aunt. I’m very picky and I want things to be done in a specific way. I love to mix; I love to incorporate fusion in food and I also enjoy how my customers play with the different elements in my dishes.

I’m always excited to do new things and we change the menu every week because I don’t want to get bored and more

Normally, we offer a selection of 3 to 4 appetizers, 3 to 4 main courses and 2 to 3 desserts, with everything depending on what is fresh. Of course, there are some dishes that are very popular with clients so I try to make those more often.

When it comes to desserts, I don’t bake big cakes or puffy things. I love to prepare a fondant au chocolat – what could be better than chocolate and butter? Our cheesecake is very much in demand. I came up with a new recipe that incorporates French almond paste, the same one used in macaroons and pink pralines which my mother sends from Lyon to Panama. It is made from a special almond that is covered in pink sugar and the flavor is unique and very exotic.

I realize that passion is a very important part of cooking and I try to transmit that passion to all of the dishes I prepare.

People who come have a new experience every week and they trust me.”

trip in Pedasi. Although friends had recommended this restaurant, I had zero expectations when I arrived there for dinner.

When I took a bite of my starter, a duck salad with strawberries and mango, I was pleasantly surprised, more than surprised, actually, amazed since the duck was cooked to perfection. The salad was followed by a pork loin served with a blue cheese sauce, apples and creamy broccoli rice and I had to ask, who is the chef and can I talk to him or her? After paying the bill , I went to my hotel, picked up my camera and my recorder and went back to Le Petit Bistro.

It was a very pleasant interview followed by more food. What a tough job we have!

Contact information: Tel: 995-2405 Located at the entrance of the town of Pedasi Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

This interview took place at the spur of the moment while I was on a business

Moroccan chicken with a lemon couscous and mushrooms cooked in chermoula, a traditional Moroccan hot sauce.

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photo by PEPPOPHOTOGRAPHY

Maito

To be on top of the heap and to be unpretentious at the same time is almost an oxymoron.

What is the secret? We think that Chef Mario Castrellon brought something new to the Panamanian restaurant scene, something that changed the restaurant experience, a surprise factor, a fun way to eat, food with personality.

Chef Castrellon brilliantly reinvents Panamanian cuisine, perhaps overlooked or underrated by generations.

Currently the menu is inspired by the Panama Canal and how all of the nationalities involved in its construction, the French, Chinese and North Americans among others, influenced the Panamanian culture and the flavors of Panama.

We started our delightful lunch with a refreshing hearts of palm, cashew and tomato salad in a light citrus dressing and a balsamic reduction followed by a delicate tuna tataki teriyaki with a dill yogurt.

Even though Maito’s menu is constantly evolving, there are dishes that remain by customer’s request since the beginning like the calamari, stuffed with a velvety and savory black risotto and shrimp served with both cilantro and annatto aioli.

Maito’s chow mein is a completely new experience, topped with the most delicious crunchy pulled duck, quite a treat and very adventurous.

We explored the sweets by choosing an addictive flourless chocolate cake and an indulgent cheesecake with sugarcane syrup.

Other favorites are the rib eye steak, the BBQ baby back ribs and the fried plantain hash with ceviche.

The restaurant has an organic herb garden which shows how much they care about what they serve their customers.

The service was outstanding, the waiters were extremely knowledgeable about the dishes and their preparation and you could see they were not only happy but also proud to work there.

Hats off to Chef Castrellon and his team.

Contact information: Tel: 391-4657 info@maitopanama.com www.maitopanama.com End of 50th Street, 4th house on the left side.

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DIVING IN COLON

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Colon province is known for its vast coastline, Caribbean clear waters, and excellent diving opportunities.

Depths range from 18 to 40 meters at the nearby dive locations and there are several spots that cater to the more adventurous diver.

You can spot fire coral, brain coral, sea fans, sponges, and other species with vibrant colors and exuberant shapes.

The word Panama means literally, abundance of fish and diving in Portobelo you will have the opportunity to see hundreds of species from French angel fish to rainbow parrotfish, to mention a few.

Other underwater critters like octopi, spiny lobsters, sea anemones, green morays, spotted eagle rays, coral crabs and king crabs reside in the area.

Learning to dive in Portobelo is easy because there are no strong currents, and diving spots are chosen according to diving skills.

There are several companies in the area offering a whole range of courses, from beginner’s courses, to coveted certifications like Dive Master and Dive Instructor.

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CLOUD FOREST

BOTANICALS CFB “God knows what else grows with abandon”…this phrase gave inspiration to Cloud Forest Botanicals.

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Located on the slopes of the Boquete Valley and founded by Elizabeth Worley and Dianne Heidke, CFB is the birthplace of organic remedies and skin care products extracted from the abundant flora growing in the multiple micro systems within the 9 hectares of Finca Luz. Both founders are knowledgeable about plants. Diane originally from Queensland, Australia worked for years in a botanical research facility, learning the how, what and why of plants. Elizabeth, from North Carolina, spent much of her life learning about trees and wildflowers, and pretty much aware of nature surrounding the western North Carolina rainforest. Elizabeth studied herbal medicine with several Cherokee Indian medicine people and a few ‘granny women’ back in the mountains.

Diane and Elizabeth started to identify the different species of plants and trees growing on the farm, some familiar others not so much, but with the collaboration of the mountain people and advice from new friends in the field, they were able not only to identify species but to find out their medicinal use.

“We tested everything on ourselves. We drank nasty teas and delicious teas. We stung ourselves with nettles.

We made tinctures, infusions, decoctions. We made batches of greasy ointments that turned moldy…until we got the hang of it. We harvested and hand processed hive leavings to make creamy yellow beeswax. We found local sources for organic coconut oil. We dug roots, chopped leaves, took photos, researched, asked questions and learned…”

The medicine way trail walking tour:

Guided tours by appointment are available Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 am. You can visit Cloud Forest Botanicals for an introduction to rainforest medicinal plants where knowledgeable bilingual guides will lead your tour, sharing extensive knowledge of the rainforest plants, their legends, traditional uses and the current research. You will learn to identify specific wild rain forest plants with powerful healing properties, become acquainted with plant bio-energetics, learn simple, effective remedies for common ailments, taste, touch and smell the plants.

The tour costs $30.00 per person.

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These are some of the medicinal plants available at CFB 1. Guaco: (Mikania) Indians use it to cure snakebites, bronchitis, colds, allergies and it is considered to be a strong blood thinner.

2. Usnea: (Trichodea) Excellent tonic and blood purifier, cleans kidneys, urinary tract and circulatory systems, it is also used as an anti-bacterial.

3. Guarumo: (Cercopia) It is used to lower blood sugar and blood pressure, combats type 2 diabetes.

4. Calaguala: (Polypodium) The roots are used as a general tonic, detoxifier and immune system support.

Caffeine is a well-recognized stimulant and bronchodilator; it is useful to stop asthma attacks. The coffee cherry is full of antioxidants. Excellent for skin care and regeneration.

9. Sangre de Drago (Croton Lechleri) Speeds wound healing and internally treats respiratory and stomach viruses.

10. Naranjillo: (Solanum Quitoense) Not strictly a medicinal plant, but it does make a soothing, energizing dessert for the stressed!

11. Anamu (Petiveria alliacea) Strong anti-inflammatory, used for joint pain, arthritis, and for general immune support. There’s undergoing research about anti-cancer properties.

5. Ortiga: (Urtica Doicia) A blood purifier, cleans kidneys, excellent for urinary tract and prostatitis, it is also used as an anti-inflammatory.

12. Gotu Kola: (Centella Asiatica) Promotes mental clarity, reduces anxiety, strengthens adrenals, cleanses the blood of impurities and it is excellent for the skin.

6. Llanten (Plantago Major / Lanceolata) A powerful internal and external wound healer. Stops pain of insect stings and bites. Treats colds, coughs, opens the bronchial tract and aids digestion.

Cloud Forest Botanicals has a wide variety of tinctures for different ailments. You can purchase them directly at Finca Luz, the local Tuesday morning market in Boquete and at several other locations in Panama or you can place an order and have them shipped to you.

7. Eucalipto (Eucalyptus Archeri) Relieves colds, flu, sore throats and it is used topically as a disinfectant, wound healer and insect repellent.

8. Coffee (Coffea Arabic)

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For more information contact: info@cloudforestbotanicals.com www.cloudforestbotanicals.com Tel: (507) 6636-8663

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There is something about Seagullcove Lodge that is magic, perhaps it´s the fact that it is located in such a pristine and unexplored area where just by gazing at the scenery one can have a communion with nature.

This is the kind of place that people dream about.

Near the town of Boca Chica, perched over a captivating bay on the Gulf of Chiriqui and surrounded by a plethora of islands, Seagullcove Lodge offers the opportunity to relax and unwind, leave all mundane worries behind and awaken the adventurous explorer in you.

The lodge’s architecture perfectly blends into the surrounding lush nature, a wonderful setting to relax and to get in touch with nature and yourself.

Each bungalow has its own private terrace and lounge chairs, all with captivating views of the ocean and lush tropical gardens. Bungalows offer privacy and relaxation, a safe box, air conditioning, ceiling fan, satellite TV, hot water and toiletries.

Spectacular tropical gardens with breathtaking views of the

Gulf of Chiriquí and the serene atmosphere of the restaurant complements the charming dining experience at Seagullcove Lodge’s restaurant. Enjoy local seafood, chicken, delicious pasta dishes and of course contemporary Panamanian food, with personal attention and daily specials, all prepared with natural ingredients and always fresh.

For nature lovers, Seagullcove offers kayaking, fun tours to island and beaches of the Gulf of Chiriquí, fishing, snorkeling, diving, whale watching tours, dolphins (available seasonally), birdwatching, howler monkeys and the famous “Sunset Cruise”, where you can enjoy a romantic sunset from the sea.

Seagullcove Lodge is a one of a kind experience in Panama. Located a short drive from the city of David, its airport and amenities, as well as the coveted mountain destinations of Boquete, Cerro Punta and Bambito. You’ll find your magic here.

For more information contact: Panama: (507) 851-0036 USA: 1-786-735-1475 info@seagullcovelodge.com www.seagullcovelodge.com *Closed for the month of October.

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BOCA CHICA AND THE SURROUNDING ISLANDS

30 miles east of David is the sleepy fishing village of Boca Chica. A rather unassuming town of few people, Boca Chica has recently started to attract interest from investors and holidaymakers.

The Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park is a protected area of some 15,000 hectares that includes approximately 20 islands, including the Islas Secas (Dry Islands), Islas Paridas, Islas Ladrones (Thieves islands) and Isla Montuosa. Protected since 1994, the Chiriqui Gulf Park is home to some spectacular wildlife, both underwater and above ground, including howler monkeys, anteaters, sloths, caiman, humpback whales, dolphins and several varieties of sea turtles.

Most explorers of the area make their base on Boca Brava Island, about a 20 minute panga ride from Boca Chica. Attractions in the area include some of the best scuba diving in the world. Thanks to the waters being virtually unexplored, divers here are likely to see all kinds of creatures from white tipped reef sharks to spotted eagle rays and guitar fish. Large pelagic species are extremely common here, attracted by the cooler, deep waters and the abundance of smaller fish. The best dive sites are found around the Islas Secas and the Ladrones, which also have spectacular snorkeling and beaches. These islands are fairly far from Boca Chica and Boca Brava, so be sure to go on a decent boat.

Closer to home, good snorkeling can be found on Isla San Jose, Isla Bolaños and Isla Gamez.

Just like other Pacific Coast destinations in Panama, this area offers astounding sport fishing opportunities. Anglers can expect to catch Mahi-Mahi, Black Marlin, Yellow fin Tuna, Sailfish, Grouper, Red Snapper and much more. For a longer trip, excursions can be made out to Coiba Island and the surrounding waters, where more fishing and diving fun can be had.

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One of the area’s other great attractions is the whale watching. Whales are usually seen here from June to October. The sight of such an enormous creature leaping from the ocean is nothing short of spectacular and they are seen here quite regularly. Local fishermen, who also act as tour guides in the area, have an extremely keen eye when it comes to spotting whales and dolphins, so if you’re looking to spot whales, you will be in good hands.

Boca Chica is about to find itself on the tourist map of Panama. It has already caught the eye of forwardthinking investors and land prices are on the rise. Its proximity to the city of David, complete with international airport and the already popular mountain towns of Boquete and Volcan make this a logical destination in the Chiriqui area. Now, tourists visiting the area will be able to relax and take advantage of this beautiful coastal area and also cool down in the highlands, visiting coffee plantations, hiking in the mountains and bird watching.

All in all, a fairly complete vacation experience. For those of us who live in Panama, it´s just another exciting weekend getaway. Small intimate, low-impact hotels attract ecologically-sensitive tourists, and since the area is carefully protected by the ANAM (Panama’s Environmental Authority), many rules and regulations surround development here.

Boca Chica is located about a 5-hour drive from Panama City. Approximately 40 km before David, turn left to Horconcitos and follow the road to Boca Chica.

Alternatively, fly to David and then drive 40 km towards Panama and turn right at that reads Horconcitos.

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BACK TO BASICS BOCAS DEL TORO

Photo courtesy of: Red Frog Beach Island Resort

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Photo courtesy of: Red Frog Beach Island Resort

This year Panama 9°80° Lifestyle & Travel Magazine reached its 8th anniversary, we have been all over Bocas del Toro, visited chocolate and indigenous plantations, bat caves, discovered the best Thai food and chocolate truffles up on the hill, sailed, snorkeled, surfed, zip lined, flown, driven, hiked, biked, ATV’d and sampled most of the restaurants on Isla Colon, Carenero and Bastimentos. We have spotted red frogs, sloths, dolphins and a lot of fish, we have partied, lost cell phones, played guitar at Lili’s, taken a census, celebrated carnivals, participated in boat races, cook offs, placed bets at a crab race and so much more, but the most rewarding thing that has come from our adventures is the incredible friendships that we have made.

I remember looking through the window of an Aeroperlas aircraft and seeing all those palm covered sandy islands amidst turquoise waters scattered in the Atlantic Ocean and wondering what lay ahead.

We landed on the Isla Colon airstrip where an old abandoned airplane kind of welcomed us or more precisely made us happy we landed. Once you picked up your luggage there were a bunch of locals offering transportation and tours to different places; a bit overwhelming at the time... lady, lady, lady! I decided to take a taxi just to discover that the trip from the airport to my hotel only took 1 minute. Not only was that was funny, it was also the cheapest taxi ride that I had ever taken.

After leaving my bags at the hotel, I decided to walk around town to get a feel for the place which I found fascinating from the architecture to the diversity of people walking around the main streets. It really does not take long before you get to know downtown Bocas, especially if you rent a bicycle. It was exciting to see all the hotels, restaurants, little stores, street vendors and water taxis.

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The place was so much fun somewhat like the utopia of freedom, and its night life turned out to be very cool. At the bars, the most common question was where are you from? Everybody was so friendly and happy and you would hear stories of people arriving from Australia, Spain and so many other parts of the world; it was just refreshing.

The next day, I took my very first water taxi boat trip. It was the 5th time somebody offered a tour while I was walking on the street early in the morning and I hesitated a bit but said to myself, “What the heck, what do I have to lose?

I’m already wearing a bathing suit.” So I hopped on a little panga (boat) with a group of 12 people from all over the world, people from Costa Rica, Israel, Brazil, the USA and Canada.

We visited Dolphin Bay, Zapatilla Island, Crawl Cay, Hospital Cay and then back to Isla Colón. We were all in awe having spent such a beautiful day in paradise and we ended up going out in the evening to the different bars and night clubs in town, which is literally what people call, bar hopping.

Even if today I consider Barco Hundido overrated and loud, at the time it was the must visit disco in town and yes it was cool to see a ship wreck in the middle of the dance floor. However as the night progressed, we found Mondo Taitu and Iguana better places to hang out for us with beer costing just $0.50 cents during happy hour - amazing, like a time machine.

The next day I explored Isla Carenero and discovered the best Margarita in town and walked all the way to the end of the island to find a beach covered with starfish. Later on, I took a boat to Isla Bastimentos where I was impressed by the beauty of Red Frog Beach; such a spectacular beach with a beautiful view and the perfect spot to relax under the sun.

I had only made plans to stay 2 days but it was so much fun that I switched hotels and stayed for a week and even felt nostalgic when I was sitting at the airport’s lounge waiting for the plane back to Panama. I fell in love with Bocas and ever since the mid 2000s I fly there every 3 months just to refresh and to enjoy the incredible friendships that I made on my very first trip and the many more after.

I dedicate this note to: Tito and Darla Thomas, Julie Jorgensen, Lorelei Kusin and JB, Carla Rankin, Christin Fjeld, Joan and Steve Crabtree and many other friends in town.

Irma Marengo Panama 9°80° www.locationpanama.com

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Photo courtesy of: Red Frog Beach Island Resort

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SAN FRANCISCO DE LA MONTAÑA

Veraguas is the only province in Panama that is bordered by 2 oceans, has a bustling and constantly developing city, abundant nature and wildlife, is a surfer, fisherman and diver´s paradise and offers charming hidden surprises like the town of San Francisco de la Montaña.

Founded in 1621, San Francisco de la Montaña is a quaint little town located just 10 miles from the modern city of Santiago, characterized by colonial architecture from the XVI and XVII century and is surrounded by creeks and waterfalls.

San Francisco de la Montaña is home to one of the oldest churches on the American continent dating back to 1727. Its simple façade contrasts with its complex polychrome Baroque hand carved altars depicting bible passages. It is very impressive and worth detouring a few minutes from your route. It is also nice to sit in the main park and observe this unique town lost in time.

Important holidays: Carnivals and Easter Interesting fact: In 1985, telephone services were installed in private homes for the first time.

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PLAYA SANTA CATALINA 107 kms Santa Catalina, a small, laid-back town known for having one of the best surf breaks in Central America, is located 300 km northwest of Panama City, about a one drive hour from Santiago.

The scenery and natural environment are breathtaking. The rugged coastline is a densely forested green, punctuated with lilac-colored jacaranda trees and the ocean is a deep expansive blue. World-class fishing, snorkeling and diving opportunities are found all along the coastline and around the surrounding islands.

From Catalina, Coiba National Park can be seen. From 1912 to 2002, Coiba Island was a penal colony, and Panama’s worst criminals were sent here. Now, the prisoners have gone, but the prison remains, and makes for an interesting visit. Moreover, since Coiba was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, any development on the island is prohibited so the wildlife here is simply spectacular. The enormous island is home to a plethora of birds, mammals and reptiles and the surrounding marine park, which also comprises 38 other smaller islands including Cebaco and Gubernadora, is home to the second largest coral reef in the Eastern Pacific. Coiba’s amazing variety of underwater life makes fishing and diving here incredible.

Santa Catalina is a great base for exploring the islands and coastline. The town itself is small, with few attractions, but a surprising number of foreigners have moved to Catalina to start tourist-related businesses, creating an eclectic mix of people.

Restaurants offer a good variety of food including authentic Tuscan pizza and Argentine-style meats. Needless to say, the seafood in this area is to die for.

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TIPS ABOUT SURFING FOR BEGINNERS

By Roberto Diaz

I have been fortunate to surf some of the most recognized beaches in the world. After having surfed places like Waikiki in Hawaii, which most people consider to be the birthplace of surfing, and San Onofre in California, I have learned to recognize the characteristics of a great beach for learning to surf. The most important attribute that makes for a perfect place to learn is the speed and slope of the wave. Gentle, slow breaking waves are perfect for anyone learning to surf.

Unlike other sports like skiing, where there are clear signs differentiating between green, blue or the expert black or double black diamonds, in surfing there are no clear signs. It is not readily apparent which beaches are best for someone who is beginning or for intermediate levels. It is important for the safety of someone learning, to go to beaches that are appropriate for their learning and skill level. Most surfing accidents occur when people who are learning do not have proper instruction and hurt other surfers due to ignorance of simple basic safety and etiquette.

Equally as important as finding a suitable place to learn, is to have strong swimming skills. I always recommend that children take swimming lessons at the earliest age possible. The first few times out, it is also highly recommended that you take a surf lesson with a qualified instructor. Look for someone who has experience teaching and like wine, usually the older the instructor, the better he or she may be.

In Panama, there are several good surf breaks that are adequate for learning. The closest one to Panama City is El Palmar, near San Carlos on the Pacific side. This unique break has both a sand and a rock bottom and depending on the tide and swell, can be a great place to learn to surf.

Places like Playa Teta on the Pacific or Isla Grande in the Caribbean are not adequate for someone just starting to surf. Normally, a beginner would not know where to place himself in the ocean among other surfers and could endanger fellow surfers with his surfboard.

The best places to learn around Panama City are El Palmar and Playa Serena in Coronado with slow moving gentle curling waves.

Surfers of all types covet properties with surf right out in front.

Playa Serena in Coronado has some amazing properties nearby.

This area reminds me of the famous Malibu surf break near Los Angeles in California.

One of the companies that focuses on beach properties in Panama is Try Panama in Coronado. They have everything from beachfront in Coronado for 3.5 million to a couple of blocks from the beach for $305,000. Their offices are located above Felipe Motta in the Las Pergolas shopping center. All their staff members are surfers and have extensive experience in the beach real estate market.

The Panamanian born author of this article has published four children books about ocean and board sports safety which have been distributed all over the world with considerable success in the surf communities of the United States of America. Recently, he moved to Panama after 26 years of living abroad in California, Hawaii and Europe.

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