It's Guest Blog Sunday featuring Jackie Ralston

Panama – Wow, what a country!!!! For nature lovers, like my family, there are endless options easily accessed by car, boat and plane in just a short amount of time.

Let’s start with water. A one hour flight from Panama City to David, 45 minute taxi ride to the water and 15 minutes by boat brings you to a breathtaking paradise….your private island eco-lodge called Propiedad de Paradise.  It sure is paradise – solar powered energy provides light and air conditioning to provide perfect comfort while enjoying Nature’s offerings – white sand beach, turquoise water, brilliantly colored birds in the nearby trees, turtles swimming lazily in view, kayaking, sunsets and of course easy access to what for many is the main event – fishing. Both inshore and offshore offered by Capt. Shane Jarvis who is a total pro in knowing where to find the fish that will send you home telling TALL tales, that this time…..will be true!!! Just look at the website for the amazing photos of sport fish catches. After an exciting day on the water you return to comfort and a simply delicious dinner. This destination is one that adventurous travelers looking for comfort and privacy search the world ….well, let me tell you …..here it is. Sssshhhh…let’s keep it our secret.

Next to the mountains – a little speck of a village just north of Penenome is home to Posada Ecologica also know as Cerro La Vieja. You will find yourself surrounded by Mountains, hilly landscapes, distant ocean views and cooler temperatures. We feel the need to visit several times a year as the property abounds with lush tropical gardens attracting the showy birds Panama is famous for. You could go hiking, but you can also sit on the terrace, drink famous Panamanian coffee and take award winning photographs of Blue Motmots, Red legged honey creepers, Hummingbirds, Chachalacas ETC!!!!!  Secret destination #2!

Meanwhile back in Panama city…..the beginning and the end of almost everyone’s itinerary. You can stay in hotel categories of all descriptions while choosing to dine at world class restaurants ….choose your cuisine style. View ruins of the old old city or wander the old city now, a UNESCO world heritage site, soon a Frank Gehry bio-diversity museum will be open and in between sneak a walk on the Pipeline road……a destination that attracts birders from all over the world, but also a great place to see Monkeys and Sloths.

So in case I need to spell it out for you….give yourself enough time to  DO IT ALL. Have fun. Jackie Ralston