Tranquilo Bay Eco-Lodge In Bocas Del Toro Panama
A Perfect Place To Stay
Over the years Ephman and he's has counted it. He's traveled to 22 countries and 148 different cities, town, villages, or hamlets... in his short life, so far. And then Panama hit the list. A place he's wanted to go to for a LONG time. So it's with some authority that Tranquilo Bay Eco Lodge, on Isla Bastimentos gets the label of “Coolest Eco-Lodge In Central America”.
Ephman can't remember if it was an Inc. article he read (totally worth the read), or some travel thing someplace, or on a blog, or who knows. But long story short he came across their website and started emailing Renee (good karma already, same name as Ephman's mom). Her lodge had everything Ephman needed:
- Beautiful Secluded Property
- Private Cabins
- A LARGE variety of activities
- Catered to his wifes “food issues” (eg. Vegan)
- Had to be close to great diving
- Beer included
Who can complain about untouched and secluded beaches? Not Ephman, that's for sure!
The lodge is about a 30 minute boat ride away from Bocas Del Toro. Which on it's own is a pretty cool town. But lot's have changed there according to the early Mostly people coming this area of Panama stay in the town, and do excursions out. The property that this lodge is on is an excursion on it's own. They have a great trail to hike. And in the rain it's awesome believe it or not. Also, they have some fantastic snorkling right there. The water is that crystal blue, and clear like glass, no kidding.
You can't talk about the lodge without talking about the people that built it. So these two crazies from Texas (ain't it always like that), decided to pack in their suit and tie jobs, and let it all hang out. They had this vision of what they wanted to do, how they wanted to do it, and who they wanted to do it for. Jim Kimball and Jay Viola two the the nicest fellows you can meet, did it. With their own hands they cleared jungle, dug holes, welded, slept in tents, built the lodge and cabins, and just about everything. And they sacrificed. They sacrificed their sanity, and sacrificed their relationships, and they won. Because this place they built is just AMAZING!!!!
After this lodge was built they brought their wives, and children. And began living full time on the property. And they planned for it. They have internet (which is amazing on it's own), full plumbing, and electricity. All the while by doing it in an ecologically friendly way. So much so that when Ephman said “why don't you use compact florescent light?” the answer was great “because around here in Panama there's no safe way to dispose of them.” See compact florescents have mercury... not the greatest thing. Especially when you make you living on the water. Oh, they also built a school for their children and hired an American school teacher. Everything has been planned and thought of.
They are so easy going. So Ephman and his wife were greeted by Jay, and Ramon. Ramon is a biologist from Spain, who also happened to be our guide. What better way to be shown something then from somebody who actually studies it? We grabbed some beers (off to a great start), and headed to lodge. And we figured out what and where we were going to do things for the next 3 days. One of the coolest things was visiting one of their friends, the Cerutti's. They're and elderly couple that retired to the area a bunch of years ago. Before it became “trendy”. And they make chocolate right there on their property. Which by the way is an AMAZING garden all on to its own. Very nice people.
Oh really need to mention the food. Ephman's wife is basically a vegan, not to mention a picky eater on top of that! But Renee Kimball was amazing. His wife, and Renee spoke on the phone about her meals. And right when the phone hung up, his wife said “I'm so happy we're staying there. She made me feel so comfortable.”. And the food was amazing. Everything is so fresh, it has to be. And it's ALL made from scratch, it has to be. Because there's no supermarkets anywhere. The food was awesome! And all the beer you can drink!!! how can ya go wrong!!!
Plus the conversations after dinner with a few beers in ya were fun. See Jim's got this theory. It's harder to get a C then an A in school. Jim got a C. Lazy people get A's. He was able to juggle the party life of the University of Texas, jobs, more partying, girls, studying, and even more partying and passed. If you get an A in school all you did was study. Anybody can do that. But Jim, Jay, Renee, Ramon, and Natalia all get an A in Ephman's book.
Once made a traveling. Never go back to the same place twice. So much to see in this world. Well maybe rules were made to be broken???
What are you waiting for? Go already! Tell them Ephman sent ya!
Bookmark/Search this post with:
Loading...
Loading...
Comments
Post new comment