Shelter Bay, Atlantic Side of Panama

 

Located on the Northern Atlantic water side of Panama is the famous port of Colon. Just a short distance WEST of Colon is the one and only hurricane safe marina in Panama.. Appropriately named Shelter Bay, this is a beautiful nautical point on the tip of Panama on the Caribbean / Atlantic side.  When coming from the Colon side of Panama to get to Shelter Bay you have to literally drive THROUGH the canal. A very awesome and cool experience. Definitely one for the bucket list. Photos of driving through the canal are in upcoming post on the Gutan Locks.

A short 20 to 30 minute drive WEST from Colon, the trip is worth the drive. A well maintained road is the route one drives but be prepared for some curves and bumps. Due to its high level of travel and erosion from the months of rainy season here, there can be a multitude of patches and still to be repaired holes. Unlike a lot of other parts of Panama, signage to Shelter Bay Marina is quite good. The road basically leads to the Bay with only a few alternative options along the way. 

The drive is mostly through the lush green rain-forest but does also trace the coast line. When the water is along one side their are intermittent blue signs indicating that there is access (by foot only) to the water. During our adventure, there were numerous local families with their cars parked on the green grassy shoulder off picnicking and playing in the water. 

At the end of the road, you arrive at Shelter Bay and an old military entrance check point. Maintained by the Panamanian government, we have to check in and gain permission to access. Our original destination was to be past Shelter Bay at old Fort San Lorenzo. Unfortunately per the Military guard the road was closed and that we could only go as far as the Shelter Bay Marina. The actual marine is located inside what once was a large well maintained US Military Base in Panama. The history of Panama is rich with US occupation and a strong Military presence until 1999 when the Canal was returned to Panama's Government. Sadly, many of the military installations sit in ruins and decay often covered in graffiti and ready for demolition.

At Shelter Bay Marina there is a fully operating Yatch Club, quaint hotel, ship repair yard and a small community of full time boaters. Shelter Bay is the "stopping point" for private vessels NOT passing through the canal, down from the Caribbean island, Bocas del Toro, and preparing to pass through the canal. In the distance off the most norther point you can see larger container ships and sometimes cruise ships waiting for clearance to enter the canal. More on that later. 

Nestled in the marina itself is a great restaurant, The Dock, with a nice quaint hotel upstairs.  Owned by a European and managed by an America, stopping at The Dock is am absolute must for a bite to eat, drink, and to enjoy the view. More on the Dock Restaurant in my next posting.

To see more about the great options at Shelter Bay visit their website.

Keep on Truckin' Jayden Style

A few months back a friend of mine posted on her Facebook page this story of Jayden Lamb. A sweet innocent little boy who died of cancer just days before his 9th birthday. In their grief his incredible parents rather than implode and collapse, found the inner strength and courage to honor his young life with a pay if forward movement. 

As a widower myself, I am in aw of how incredible their love and spirit is to create such a beautiful and moving jester for the benefits of others rather than be angry at the world. I know from my experience the need to keep living and moving forward after the death of a spouse. As a mother of a then 8 year old, there was no option to collapse or give up on life. The Lamb had other children to live for as well. But the beauty in this Pay It Forward movement is how Jayden's spirit has lived and helped heal his parents in their loss.

I was honored to share the news of this movement down here in Panama, Central America. I did my best as a single parent and educator to pay-it-forward for a maintenance worker's family at my school in buying each of her 3 children 2 presents and some stocking stuffing items.Ample referred to as Secret Angels at ISP, I felt is appropriate to honor Jayden's memory with toys for underprivileged kids. 

This coming year, I aim to pay-if-forward more and more as I find opportunity. Through both act of kindness, community service, as well as gifts, we can all make this place a just a little bit better of a world for all of us. I invite you all to Pay It Forward too.... Jayden Style!

Keep on Truckin' Team Jayden!

Follow the story on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/KeepOnTruckinTeamJayden

Our other NEW Panamanian TAIL member

"Those who say money can't buy happiness, have never paid an adoption fee to a rescue shelter" ¬unknown.

I must embarrassingly say, that I failed to share the arrival of Ms. Cinnamon back in June this year when she come to live with us. Shockingly, I shared news of her joining the family on Facebook but forgot to pop over to the blog to share too. Ironically, Cinnamon is tail-less (one of the cruelties of her young life) but still part of our Travel Trails and TAILS (hoping many of you catch the intentional misspell). SO with no further delay - Introducing Ms. Cinnamon Yemothy.

In June when she came home. She could fit in the bend of your arm, weighted 8 lbs, and was timid, shy, and shared. She come from the Panama version of ASPC and had been removed from an abusive family. They had cut off her tail, tattooed her ear, and beat her to some degree that she is still scared of dark skinned males. 

Today, at 6 months age. She is towering over the other 3 children. Weighing in at nearly 25 lbs she still thinks she is a small 8 pounder, crawls up into chairs very delicately and sits on your lap as if she could fit. But minutes later she will go off rolling wrestling and playing with Reyna as if they are viciously fighting. It is hilarious  They tackle, the roll, they pull each others feet out from under the other... then 30 minutes later they are passed out or snuggled in bed together... then taking turns cleaning each others ears. To sisters from different ends of Panama, both off the streets, and totally happy here with us. 

 

Melia Hotel - Colon, Panama

"What I love most about this crazy life is the adventure of it."

¬J. Binoche

Located on the gorgeous Lake Gutan, this 5 Star hotel is stunning in beauty but lacking in service. Located on the old US Military Bases grounds and in the buildings of the largest American school on the Pacific side of Panama, the decor and facility has charm, the lush rain forest surrounding are tropical and the views of the lake and the pool are spectacular.  

 

On the surface the hotel has the appearance of the 5 star rating and an affordable rate, we are pleased with the building itself, the rooms are mostly clean and the space is more than ample. Having traveled to other 5 star hotels in Panama (non-city locations) at a higher rate per night, the complex and facilities as well as the amenities are fine. 

I can even handle the bump and hiccups of our reservation being lost, the room being just cleaned as we walked in, and the mini-fridge missing. But when it took over 30 minutes and 4 requests to order food at the pool side then an additional 45 minutes for our food to even arrive, it started to become apparent service was going to be an issue. In an effort to be understanding we did acknowledge it was a holiday window AND they were well understaffed. Sadly, it is a weak excuse for a hotel to say despite being at near full occupancy and hosting a New Years celebration party in their banquet facility, that they were unable to staff their hotel to serve the guests.

In the effort of moving on with the our 2 night 3 day escape to the Colon side of Panama, we spent a wonderful hour relaxing poolside, swimming in a high crystal blue water pool with the large in clear view. The weather may have been in the low 90s but with the breeze off the lake it was very comfortable. Poolside the hotel provided plenty of recliners and umbrellas  Unlike other hotel we have visited where there are only a few umbrella to shelter from the sun, Melia was plentiful with shelter to chair/guest ratio. 

The multi-level pool was also huge. Plenty of room for different preferences.  Never deeper than 8 feet and offering 2 ft shallow  play options too. For my teenage sun, his favorite was the 6 foot waterfall  or "jumping off point" to the lower pool. Feel to play, kids were cannon balling, jumping and doing flips off to the lower pool. Safe in design there was a bit of a overhang to keep the kids smacking the wall.


Unfortunately, when we returned to our rooms, one of the rooms had lost power. Out of the entire hotel, this one room had blown it's breaker. Okay, simple enough, just fix it. Unfortunately, again it took 3 requests of over 2 1/2 hours to get anything done about it. In the end, on New Year's Eve at 11:30 in my PJ's, I had to go the lobby to request a new room for my parents. Sadly it took a lot of demanding and complaining in Spanish (a challenge in itself) to make this happen. 

The next morning, breakfast was acceptable but not as lavish as promoted. A common complaint we heard from friends was that the price for the food was not comparable to what one received. Internet rating's that are negative seem to reference food issues too. But in all honest, we did not come for the food, we did not even really come for the   hotel itself. We came for the adventure and to see Colon and the Atlantic side of Panama. Sadly, though not having a clean place to sleep, a room with electricity (safety concerns started to creep into our thoughts too), and an ability to relax after a great day exploring, brought frustration and aggravation to the vacation. 

In the end, we left a day early and drove back to our Pacific side of Panama. Only a 90 minute drive, we were lucky to not be stuck with a longer drive home or a plane flight we had to wait for. The disappointing part of the settlement was the disinterest in really trying to make us happy. Not only was the manager unwilling to come talk with us face to face after the initial complaint, her response was to see me the next day at 8am when she was available  Not sure what kind of 5 star hotel  operates with out a manager or at least an assistant manager on side especially when they are at near capacity. Having worked in hotels in Asia myself, I can tell you that is a recipe for disaster. A mere 20% discount off "one charge" at the facility was their offer. Not quite acceptable on a $400 charge for 2 night for 2 rooms. After some long discussions and starting to call Capital One, they hotel ended up canceling the 2nd nights reservation, comped the no-electricity room for the 1st night and only charges us for 1 room for 1 night. 

In my next blog about the Gutan Lakes and the Shelter Bay Marina, I promise to shed a beautiful light on the incredible side of Colon Providence of Panama. 

Adding to Our Panamanian Family - Meet Reina!

"The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of appearing ridiculous; it is indissolubly connected with the fate of men." ~ Émile Zola

It wasn't a hard decision to offer to her home. It wasn't even a question. She was homeless and needed a family to love her. An amazing women found her on the streets, scared & confused, infected with flees & ticks, and very malnourished. She picked her up and took her to her vet. Where the pup found shelter and treatment. Then 6 weeks later when she was health and happy, another good friend helped find her a home. Home with us.

Many like to tease me for my "zoo" life style. Something I have always loved. From my science classroom to my home, I live to have life around us. Also something Jordan loves greatly too. I think that is why we both still dream of building our school for foster girls and animal ranch in Montana. But I digress...

Named Reina by the Vet's nurses and meaning QUEEN in Spanish, she has come home on to RULE this kingdom. Einstein and Zorro are seeming cool with her living here. They are working out their opinions quite well. Even sharing the water bowl and basket of toys. Amazingly the older and sometime more grumpy one (Zorro) is more content with Reina than the younger baby of the family (Einstein). If it funny watching him suffer the same "let play" taunting from Reina that he use to do to Zorro years ago. His frustration and response is similar to how Zorro responded to him. Talk about ones past actions coming back to "bite you" literally. 

 

She is a cuddler and a sweet young thing... it's great having some new bouncy puppy energy in the home. Welcome home Reina.....

I find myself at a crossroad I did not see coming.

“I think you will agree that life's plans are not always tied up in neat little packages. Occasionally we find ourselves at unexpected crossroads with more than one opportunity from which to choose. Time itself is often the best indicator of which decision to make, for it can tell so many thing that are now hazy.” ― L. Chaikin, Tomorrow's Treasure

I knew moving to Panama was a crossroad and it was a welcome change. But I think sometimes our past experiences taint our future even when those experiences were positive. I intentionally chose not to explore opportunities in Asia as I did not want to feel like Tim's spirit was everywhere and I did not want to be constantly trying to relive the past. What I did not expect or realize was that subconsciously my past international experiences would be frequently measuring and judging this new Panama experience. To complicate matters those "internal subconscious evaluations" seem to be effecting me happiness and inner core.

As we mark mine months in Panama next week, I am finding myself uncertain that Panama is truly home. While an interesting country steep with history and luscious forests, it isn't feeling like home. Despite having a house, furnishing it our way, building our garden, and trying to "nest". It all feels forced or fake. A friend once said she was taught to "fake it until you make it" and I get the meaning, but inside I feel so phony and false almost like I am trying to convince myself it is real.

Oddly the language is the most frustrating for me despite years of Spanish schooling. I know that nearly 20 years of non-use has rusted my brain. I guess I thought it would come back quicker or more naturally. Funny how that is! In Hong Kong, I don't remember the Chinese language barrier being so frustrating or paralyzing. Maybe that was because there was more English around (given it had been a British Colony more recently) or maybe it was because my husband spoke Cantonese fluently. But here, I feel captive and hesitant to explore beyond the local boundaries for fear of failure to communicate.

To add a layer of perplexity to the equation. Life has presented me with an opportunity to change my mind and head back to the US this summer or even next year. A part of me feels like taking what my mind call the "quitter" or "easy way out" and head back to Washington. Maybe because it is comfortable and familiar. Maybe it is because I actually for once laid down roots there (6 years in one place is a long time for me). But I know I wasn't feels content or happy those last year, which is why we sought out the change. Maybe it is because I have my 5th wheel there waiting for me to go explore America (the path not chosen because we chose Panama).

But then my rational side starts to argue "have you really given it a chance", "what about all the money you spent to move and settle", "is one year enough to really make that big of a decision on", "will one more year kill you", "how do you know going back will be any different", " so many others seem happy here, what component are you missing", and so forth. The real problem is that I don't feel comfortable with any of the three path that lay before me. It is the quagmire I find myself in. We will see where we end up.

Happy Purim 2012

Today was the great Jewish celebration of Purim. It has historical meaning and significance but it is more commonly known for the "fun" and "festivity" of the costumes and carnival. Sometimes referred to as the Jewish Halloween, the day is nothing like a night of trick or treating. The day is full of stories, song, games, costumes, and special food all significant and special due to the Jewish history of Queen Ester and the non-slaughter of the Jews by Hamam. Celebrating Purim annually is a mitzvot (Jewish good deed).

At school today we had a Petting Zoo, Rock wall, Mechanical Bull, Walkding on Water, and Ziplining for elementary and middle school.

Part of the celebration of Purim is to dress up too. From students to adults it was a sea of fun fabulous costumes. For me it was a flashback to the 80's as Cindy Lauper. What was most hilarious about my costume was that everything for my outfit other than my shoes, are from local department stores, cost less than $3.99 and in the "everyday" clothing section of the stores. Yes the neon and big bangles are back!

Other teachers came up with some great solutions from the 7-month pregnant "baseball" belly and the Panama Jack Explorer to the Homemade Chicken costumes from feather boas. One of the Pre-K 3 teachers was a giant piece of Laffy Taffy and she even made her dangling earrings out of actually laffy taffy. We even had Thing 1 and Thing 2, the Scary Nurse and Captain Jacksparrow. The kids rocked the costumes too (though I can't show them for safety reasons) we had recycle cans, a sushi roll, a group of middle school girls be deck of cards (all different cards), and there was also my favorite Barbie in a Box... it was priceless.