PANAMA 9°80° A

Panama’s Lifestyle & Travel Magazine

CERRO LA VIEJAECO-HOTEL & SPA

FOCUS ON INVESTORSDOING BUSINESS IN PANAMA WITH YOUR EYES OPEN!

BOCAS DEL TOROLIVE THE DREAMMAINLAND COUNTRYSIDE EATERIES

COLONdes t ina t i on

EDITION 21

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11 Cerro La Vieja Eco Hotel & Spa Harmonizing with

Nature

16 Focus on Investors Doing business in Panama with

your eyes open!

20 Destination Colon The Province offers some of the

best beaches in Panama, the best Caribbean cuisine,

and interesting historic sites

36 Bocas del Toro Live The Dream

41 What’s Up? Luxurious Palma Royale Hotel opens in

Bocas

42 Altos del Maria Quality of Life Near Panama City

45 Mainland Countryside Eateries Panama’s

countryside offers a variety of destinations, from

highlands, to farmlands, from beaches, to historic little

towns.

58 Panama 9°80° Photo Contest

ContentEDITION 21

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Panama’s Lifestyle & Travel Magazine

general manager Irma Marengo

sales

sales@panama980.com

writers

Adrienne OchenkoskiJuliette PasserLee Ann HarperRobert Martz

photography

Irma MarengoYole Samudio

Peter KentSergio Ochoa

collaborators Domingo Ocallagan

Aventuras 2000

contact information

Phone: 394-3452info@panama980.com

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.

Panama 9°80° es publicada por Latin American Trails, 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

Latin American Trails, Inc. RUC: 506094-01-436477 DV:91

Impreso por Panamericana Formas e Impresos S.A. Impreso en Colombia

© 2010 Todos los derechos reservados.

10 PANAMA 9°80°Panoramic view from Cerro La Vieja

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Cerro La Vieja Eco- Hotel & Spa located in the province of Coclé, up in the mountains between the towns of Caimito and Chiguirí Arriba, opened its doors 18 years ago by Mr. Alfonso Jaén.

The story goes that the Cerro La Vieja, or the old woman’s hill got its particular name dating back to the days when Panama was part of Colombia, and the rebellious Indian guerrilla leader and warrior Victoriano Lorenzo, played his part supporting the liberals against the conservative government. Lorenzo was famous for his many women, and people say that one of them used to live on this particular hill, so every time he would go to visit her, he would tell his friends that he was going to see the “old woman”.

Cerro La ViejaECO-HOTEL & SPA

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Cerro La Vieja Eco- Hotel & Spa initially was a cattle farm previously owned by a former Panamanian Vice President. Later, the property was leased to the Gorgas Institute where they generated plasma that was sent to Atlanta laboratories to create a vaccine that would prevent equine encephalitis.

Once Mr. Jaen acquired the property, he envisioned what he wanted to do, and he started to reforest and regenerate the land and declared the property a private natural reserve.

“The location of each building has been designed to harmonize with nature” says Mr. Jaén, while he also comments that each tree and plant on the property has a reason to be where they are.

What started as a 6 bedroom hotel has grown to 22 rooms, some of which

are cabins; all rooms are strategically located along the property with great views of the mountains and lush forest surroundings. All rooms have a private terrace with a hammock and are equipped with air conditioning and, easy access for the handicapped.

The Cocobari room serves as a den, and it is a perfect place to relax and enjoy a variety of board games, watch cable TV, play pool or ping pong.

One of the many attractions that Cerro La Vieja Eco- Hotel & Spa offers is the spa. The spa is located just at the base of the hill so the energy of the mountain combined with the natural environment helps you relax and indulge in nature. The spa offers a variety of services such as a relaxing massage technique applying deep

Cerro La ViejaECO-HOTEL & SPA

Top: The cabins are located to offer the best views

Bottom: The terraces blend in with the surrounding nature

The Spa area

Bedroom in one of the suites

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clay mixed with medicinal herbs, reflexology, relaxing back massages, clay facial mask, deep anti-stress massage, mud bath, and many more to leave you completely at peace with yourself. To end the therapy on a high note, the spa also offers a sauna, Turkish bath and a Jacuzzi . Aromatherapy is available and the essences and oils are produced on the organic farm.

The spa has a terrace area where you can practice meditation. A few feet outside the spa there is a deck especially built

for practicing yoga with capacity for up to 12 people.

The main attraction of the private reserve is the Tavida Cascade located in Villa Tavida, nestled in the deep forest where you can see all sorts of wildlife from monkeys to birds. Once in Villa Tavidia you will be able to enjoy the paths to the cascade, see the petroglyphs or just relax in a hammock with views to the cascade. There are two fully equipped cabins where you can stay in this pristine area, still having

The lodge’s restaurant uses certified organic produce harvested from their own farm, offering savory Panamanian and international dishes.

View of the mountains from the terrace

The organic farm at Cerro La Vieja features non-traditional crops such as pepper (left)and vanilla (right).

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the comforts of the modern world. You can get to Villa Tavida by car, a 10 minute ride from the hotel, or a 1 hour hike if you feel like going all the way and getting in touch with nature.

The lodge’s restaurant uses certified organic produce harvested from their own farm, offering savory Panamanian and international dishes.

The certified organic farm owned by Mr. Jaen should not be missed, and hotel guests are welcome to visit. One could say that one of the most valuable resources in the area is water, finding creeks all over the place which makes the area great for farming.

The farm has over thirty thousand pepper trees, they also cultivate

cinnamon, oregano, mint, billygoat weed also known as Ageratum conyzoides, myrrh, rosemary, roman lettuce, Galician lettuce, parsley, verbena, anise, beets, and all eyes are set on the vanilla plantation and future harvest.

You will come into contact with all of these products through the lodge’s cuisine, or aromatherapy, and you will cherish them even more, once you have visited the farm and talked to the workers and the ladies that make the essences.

Cerro La Vieja Eco Lodge is more than a hotel, it is a place to nurture your soul, recharge your energy, and interact with nature and local villagers, all in the comfort of the civilized world.

Accommodations22 rooms and suitesFacilities, amenities and services:RestaurantSpaYoga deckCocobari room: pool table, ping pong table, board games, cable TV, internet access

LocationProvince of Coclé, an 18.6 mile drive from Penonomé. Between the towns of Caimito and Chiguiri Arriba

ActivitiesByrdwatchingHikingVisit to the organic farm, and Vaquilla communityVisit to Waterfall and petrogliphs

ContactHotel: (507) 6627 4921(507) 983 8905 / Telefax Hotel: (507) 983 8900Information: (507) 263 4278Email: info@posadalavieja.com

Cascada Tavida

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Panama is a great place to live and work. In

recent years Panama has been growing in

popularity among investors, expatriates

and retirees alike. The recently popular

online publication “International Living”

rated it as the No. 1 place to retire in the world, and

for good reason.

Panama’s prospects for economic growth are strong amidst a global economic meltdown, showing a positive growth of 2.3% in 2009 and this economic expansion is expected to continue in 2010 and beyond. This is mainly due to substantial growth in the financial and construction sectors, as well as, tourism and the commercial expectations placed on the ongoing expansion of the Canal which connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This creates a natural hub for business between North and South America as well as

between Asia and Europe with direct maritime access to over 80 countries and 3.5 billion people.

Panama’s dollar-based economy offers low inflation and zero foreign exchange risk. Its legal and regulatory regimes are business friendly. Its government is stable, democratic, and reform minded and actively seeks foreign investment in all sectors, especially services, tourism and retirement properties. Panama’s current and planned public investment in productive infrastructure is one of the highest in the region and is on par with East Asian economies, including the planned construction of a subway in Panama City. These factors are expected to contribute to lowering unemployment rates to 4.8% and 4.6% in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Its banking sector currently is comprised of more than 80 foreign banks, providing full banking services through ATM cards, Visa credit cards, check books, Internet banking and Visa debit cards. The first two banks opened its doors in 1904, one called the International Bank Corporation is today’s Citibank, part of Citigroup, the biggest financial conglomerate in the world and the second one was the Banco Nacional de Panama. The banks of Panama are strictly supervised and licensed by the Superintendency of Banks (Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá), Panama’s regulatory authority. At present, Panama is reported to have the most upgraded banking system in the world.

Panama offers a higher quality of living at a lower cost and with less

Focus on InvestorsDoing business in Panama with your eyes open!

By Juliette M. Passer

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crime than typical Central American destinations, although Panama City is rapidly reaching world pricing. Panama has a wealth of variety to offer whether it is beaches, lakes, mountains or the countryside and the prices for real estate purchases have a range of choices for practically any budget.

The Colon Free Zone, the second largest in the world after Hong Kong, is a vital trading and transshipment center serving the region and the world. Panama has no restrictions on the outflow of capital or outward direct investment. Its accession to the World Trade Organization in mid-1997 opened up trade and lowered tariffs.

According to Panama’s constitution,

nationals and foreigners are treated equally under the law. Both Panamanian and foreign companies must fulfill the same basic requirements to organize and operate most types of business activities in Panama. There are restrictions on foreigners participating in retail trade and practicing certain professions. In practice, however, there are legal ways to overcome these restrictions. Panama has one of the most modern and flexible corporate law frameworks in Latin America. Panama is an interesting and potentially profitable jurisdiction for licensing agreements and joint ventures as well as routine commercial operations for international companies.

Having listed all the good reasons to invest in Panama, the caveat is - you must be careful, so to paraphrase the famous line from the Wizard of Oz: “This ain’t exactly Delaware, Dorothy!”

Foreign investors, especially from the US and Canada, should exercise sensible caution when dealing with legal matters as one should always do when doing transactions abroad, especially if unfamiliar with the local legal system.

Panama has a court and judicial system built around a civil code, rather than the Anglo-American system of reliance upon case law and judicial precedent. Fundamental procedural rights in civil cases are broadly similar to those available in

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U.S. civil courts; however, the system can be bureaucratic and slow. Though the system is improving, arbitration is always a better choice at the Center for Mediation and Arbitration established by the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce or at various European or American arbitration centers and courts.

Since Spanish is the official language in Panama, always make sure they request your transactional documents in English as translations of the Spanish documents and never sign any agreements in Spanish if you do not speak and read the language! Legal documents are not interesting reading, but it is a must for a successful investment.

The Public Register of Panama provides transparency to the company registrations, recordings of mortgages and liens and for transfer of title to properties.

Lastly, but just as importantly, Panama has many experienced attorneys and established law firms; however, the attorney escrow accounts such as those in the US, do not exist in Panama, hence again, caution must be exercised. A good local bank can be easily hired as a trustee.

Use your common sense to build a team of advisors you can trust and you will do very well in the beautiful Republica de Panamá!

Copyright 2008-2010, Juliette M.

Passer, Esq.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Juliette M. Passer is a U.S. attorney, with over 19 years of broad international transactional experience, specializing in corporate and project finance, as well as new media transactions and e-commerce. Ms Passer holds a JD (cum laude) from Cardozo School of Law and studied Soviet Law at the Columbia University School of Law. She practiced law with the international law firms of Debevoise & Plimpton and Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler in New York, specializing in corporate and project finance. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on boards of several companies. She is listed in Who’s Who in American Law and Who’s Who in American Women. As a pro bono undertaking, she represents Russian and Ukrainian artists, dancers and musicians. She is a frequent guest lecturer and an adjunct graduate faculty member at the Russian Juridical Academy, Kaplan University, Moravian College and others.

According to Panama’s constitution, nationals and foreigners are treated equally under the law. Both Panamanian and foreign companies must fulfill the same basic requirements to organize and operate most types of business activities in Panama.

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Colón, a province named after Christopher Columbus, has had times of greatness and splendor, as well as times of decay and abandonment.

Destination ColónBy Lee Ann Harper

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Cristo del Mar in the Coast of Isla Grande, Colon

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During the colonial times, Colón’s strategic position served as a key transit point for all treasures gathered from the colonies and shipped to Spain, therefore it was a perfect target for pirates and buccaneers.

Later on, Colón also known as Aspinwall, honoring Panama Railroad promoter William Henry Aspinwall, was in the spot light during the California Gold Rush days when there was a demand for a faster route to California.

The construction of the Panama Canal brought great prosperity to the area.

By the time the Panama Canal was finished in 1914, visionary businessmen started to work on the idea of turning Colon into a merchandise redistribution center, so they lobbied their idea until 1946 when Panamanian President Enrique A, Jimenez, hired American Dr. Thomas E. Lyons a renowned foreign trade zone authority to do a feasibility study to create a free zone in Panama. Once the study was finished, and all positive aspects were highlighted, Colón was chosen for its “port like” characteristics to be the best place in Panama to host the free zone.

Even though the Free Zone represented

Destination ColónUNRELATED TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC

SITUATION OF COLON, THE PROVINCE OFFERS

SOME OF THE BEST BEACHES IN PANAMA, THE BEST CARIBBEAN

CUISINE, AND INTERESTING HISTORIC

SITES.

Colon 2000 Port - Photo by Yole Samudio

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a huge step for Panama’s economy in the 1960’s, the Province of Colón faced a great economic decline by the end of that decade, and many people migrated to Panama City.

Today Colón city is a town of great contrast, while there are alarming poverty rates, and safety and social problems are on the rise, it is also a place where billions of dollars are generated annually.

Unrelated to the socio-economic situation of Colon, the Province offers some of the best beaches in Panama, the best Caribbean cuisine, and interesting historic sites. Colon City is conveniently located near Panama City, a 35 minute drive will get you there, and it is definitely a place worth visiting. We will guide you through your visit to the Province of Colón and all of the activities available.

These are the areas we recommend visiting. Always ask your hotel about the areas that you should avoid and exercise caution.

One more thing…..this province works on island time, and service has a long

way to go, so be patient, put on some sun block and light clothes, and enjoy the Caribbean.

G A T Ú N L O C K S

Conveniently located on Colon’s Atlantic coast, is the Panama Canal’s first set of locks constituted by 3 chambers with a length of a 100 feet wide and a 1000 feet long. Vessels are raised 87 feet above sea level to enter the Gatun Lake, an artificial lake that serves as a great water resource for the Panama Canal operations. Once the vessel finishes the transit throughout the reservoir, it will meet the next two sets of locks that will gradually lower the vessel to sea level exiting in the Pacific Ocean.

The Gatun visitor center may be smaller in size and infrastructure than the Miraflores visitor center in Panama City, however it is a great experience with excellent views of the vessel transit, the national park, and the Caribbean sea. Friendly and knowledgeable staff will keep you informed during the whole transit process.

The one thing that makes the Gatun locks experience unique, is the fact that you can drive through them, allowing a very close look at this magnificent work of XX century engineering.

Hours:

8:00 am to 4:00 p.m.

$5.00 charge to enter the visitor center.

F O R T S A N L O R E N Z O

Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO is one of the oldest Spaniard fortresses in America.

Built in 1597, by King Phillip II of Spain, to strategically protect the mainland coasts as a consequence of many attacks from Pirate Francis Drake in the nearby regions, especially the towns of Nombre de Dios and Camino Real. During those days Panama served as a transit point for all the treasures coming from Peru.

In 1671 Admiral Henry Morgan sent 400 men under the command of Pirate Joseph Bradley to take over the fortress in an uncertain and challenging expedition. First Morgan’s men were forced to retreat by the Spaniards,

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A cargo ship passes through The Gatun Locks

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but just when the enterprise was about to lose momentum, one of the Englishmen was able to set fire to the fort, helping them advance, killing the Spaniards and allowing them to take over. Morgan destroyed the fort before his departure.

In 1677 the Spanish rebuilt the fort and restocked it with additional cannons, batteries and barracks.

On March 22nd 1740 English Admiral Edward Vernon, bombarded, captured and demolished Fort San Lorenzo after successfully taking over Portobelo. The fort was bombarded for two days with 210 pound mortars filled with gunpowder, causing major destruction. Admiral Vernon and 120 men took over the fort, and destroyed it later.

What you find today at the grounds of Fort San Lorenzo, are the remains of the last reconstruction by the Spaniards in 1750.

Fort San Lorenzo is a short drive from the Gatun Locks. You must enter San Lorenzo National Park; on your way to the fort you will have the opportunity to observe all kinds of wildlife, from sloths to toucans.

S H E L T E R B A Y M A R I N A

Located at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal, Shelter Bay Marina , as it name implies, serves as a shelter for sailors from all over the world, especially boats coming from the Caribbean islands.

Shelter Bay Marina is the best place to prepare a boat for a Panama Canal transit, do repairs, dry storage, or simply take a break from cruising.

The marina offers a variety of services to cater to you and your boat´s needs;

the docks can accommodate a wide range of boats of different sizes, supplying them with electricity and potable water.

There are 11 hotel rooms available equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, balcony and hot water. The hotel has a swimming pool, and its restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with an international menu. The restaurant is the favorite lunch getaway for Colón Free Zone executives who want to grab a bite in a safe and quiet place with beautiful scenery. This is also a regular stop for those visiting Fort San Lorenzo.

Shelter Bay Marina is a 30 minute drive from Colon City, and a very short drive from Fort San Lorenzo.

For more information contact:

Francia O’Donnell, Marina Manger

Tel: +(507) 433-3581

fran@shelterbaymarina.com

www.shelterbaymarina.com

C O L Ó N F R E E Z O N E

The second largest Free Zone after Hong Kong, started operations in 1948 by presidential decree.

Nowadays, Colon Free Zone serves as a hub for international commercial activities, hosting more than 2500 companies, and generating around 19,167,000 million dollars in operations.

If visiting the Free Zone as a tourist, you must know that retail sales are limited, highly supervised and regulated, and people can’t leave the free zone carrying merchandise. Purchases are shipped to Panama’s international airport and delivered to buyers upon departure.

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Shelter Bay Marina

Statue of Admiral Cristopher Columbus in Downtown Colon

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Colon Free Zone´s narrow streets and thousands of businesses create a hectic and sometimes chaotic atmosphere, but at the same time it is just impressive to see all the commercial activities that are taking place in just 1064 wealth generating hectares.

Colón Free Zone is located in Colón City, and you can get there from Panama City by car, bus, train, and chartered flights.

C O L O N 2 0 0 0 P O R T

Since Colon 2000 Port opened in the year 2000, the port has seen around 1500 cruise ships, and has contributed significantly to Panama’s economy.

The port offers two terminals, the first terminal is what is known in the industry as Port of Call, receiving and providing services to cruise ships that stop by as visitors. When visitors disembark in Colon 2000 Port, they have access to different kinds of tours such as Panama City tours, monkey viewing tours, train trips, a visit to the town of Portobelo, biking, fishing, kayaking, and even a visit to an Emberá indigenous community.

The second terminal is called Home Port, where cruises depart to different destinations in the Caribbean.

In recent years, Panama has become the Home Port for Royal Caribbean and Pullmantur cruises.

Cruise season starts in October and ends in April and during that period you will see cruises from Carnival Princess, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, Holland America, Aida, Pullmantur, and MSC.

For more information about Colon 2000

port, contact info@colon2000.com or

go to www.colon2000.com

WHEN VISITORS DISEMBARK IN COLON 2000 PORT, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT KINDS OF TOURS SUCH AS PANAMA CITY TOURS, MONKEY VIEWING TOURS, TRAIN TRIPS, A VISIT TO THE TOWN OF PORTOBELO, BIKING, FISHING, KAYAKING, AND EVEN A VISIT TO AN EMBERÁ INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY.

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EXTREME ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS

Moving over to what is known as the lower coast of Colón Province, the scenery changes and the atmosphere becomes relaxed, colorful and, adventurous. These are some activities you may engage in:

Z I P L I N E S :

The community of Rio Piedra is located 5 minutes past María Chiquita; there you may find one of the finest canopy zip lines available in Panama. Panama Outdoor Adventures is located within 28 hectares of lush natural jungle, featuring 9 cables along its course of tree-top-zip lines. The longest line on the tour is over 220 meters, and heights can reach approximately 30 meters offering spectacular views combined

with a bit of adrenaline. The average tour takes around an hour and a half.

Panama Outdoor Adventures also offer other activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, birding, and a visit to Errebache Embera indigenous village.

For more information visit

www.panamaoutdooradventures.com

D I V I N G

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

Depths range from 18 to 40 meters in the nearby points and there are several spots that cater to the most adventurous divers.

You can spot fire coral, brain coral, sea fans, sponges, and other species with

vibrant colors and exuberant shapes.

Since the word Panama means literally, abundance of fish, diving in Portobelo waters will allow you 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.

Dive master Fernando Romero, also known as “the renegade dive master” from SCUBA Portobelo, tells us that learning to dive in Portobelo is easy because there are no strong currents, and diving spots are chosen according to diving skills.

At SCUBA Portobelo, they offer the whole range of courses, from beginner’s courses, to coveted certifications like

Canopy ziplining in Colon

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Dive Master and Dive Instructor.

There are lodging facilities available at SCUBA Portobelo, and you can also rent your equipment, take a tour to a nearby beach, or take a snorkeling tour.

For more information go to www.scubapanama.com or call:

+ (507)261-3841

P O R T O B E L O

Declared by Unesco as “World Heritage”, the town of Portobelo is known as a “historic monument collection”, since you can visit several sites in the same place.

P O R T O B E L O B A Y

Even though Christopher Columbus visited the bay in his fourth voyage in 1502, it took another 95 years to build a town in that area.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth century, Portobelo became one of the most important silver exportation ports of Nueva Grenada, the Spanish Colonial Jurisdiction corresponding to what is today modern Colombia, Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela. Portobelo also became one of the most important departure points from the “Indies”.

The fact that Portobelo harvested so much valuable merchandise, created the necessity for a fortification. For the same reason, this town was subject to many pirate attacks from Francis Drake, William Parker, William Hiking, Henry Morgan, Edward Vernon, and William Kingles.

Some of the attacks were very intense as was Henry Morgan’s in 1668, when a fleet of privateers and 450 men led by Morgan, who despite Portobelo’s great fortifications, was able to brutally capture and loot the town for 14 days, stripping it of all its wealth.

Another famous attack was led by Admiral Edward Vernon in 1739, but this time the town was recovered by the Spaniards, and Vernon was forced to return to

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Fort Santiago, Portobelo, Colon

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England with many casualties.

Many of the fortresses, castles and buildings, still remain today, like Fort Santiago, San Jerónimo San Fernando, the Customs and Controller’s building, and the San Juan de Dios Church.

F O R T S A N T I A G O

It was created with the intention to protect the town after Francis Drake’s attacks. Today, this will be the first fort you encounter when arriving in the town of Portobelo. You can still observe some details like rows of cannons pointing out to the bay, dormitories, kitchen and the gunpowder house.

F O R T S A N F E R N A N D O

The ruins of Fort San Fernando can be spotted on the other side of the bay of Portobelo, this fortress was created after Henry Morgan´s vicious attack, offering a second defense line for the bay. In the ruins, you can observe the 14 cannons pointing out the bay, and barracks.

F O R T S A N G E R O N I M O

Fort San Geronimo was attacked by Henry Morgan while the fort was under construction. It was reconstructed, and later it was attacked by Edward Vernon during the war of Jenkins Ear.

C U S T O M S A N D

C O N T R O L L E R ’ S B U I L D I N G

This building is a museum today exhibiting colonial artifacts, guns, cannon balls, tools and pottery. Back in the days, this place served as a storage place for all wealth, including silver and gold brought from South American colonies.

S A N J U A N D E D I O S

H O S P I T A L - C H U R C H

Originally built in 1598 as the first hospital in Latin America with the objective to cure dysentery patients and to aid crew members disembarking from galleon fleets arriving to port.

This church was partially destroyed by William Kingels in 1774 and

Fort San Lorenzo

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ISLA GRANDE IS SMALL AND THERE IS A STRIP OF SMALL HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS CATERING MOST BUDGETS.

THERE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SNORKELING AND PRACTICING ALL KINDS OF WATER SPORTS.

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reconstructed in 1801. Today this church is home to the famous Black Christ, who draws thousands of pilgrims every year, due to the legend of his miracle.

Aside from the historic buildings, the town of Portobello offers many restaurants where you can taste the local Caribbean cuisine.

I S L A G R A N D E

Located across the mainland town of La Guaira, offers crystal clear waters, coral reefs, and white sand beaches.

The island is small and there is a strip of small hotels and restaurants catering most budgets. There are great opportunities for snorkeling and practicing all kinds of water sports. There is famous surf break by Sister Moon hotel but we advise to exercise caution as the spot requires some expertise and knowledge of the coral reef.

Isla Grande’s famous landmark is the Sea Christ, sculpted by Meneses, a sculptor that lived on the island and created this work of art after his son suffered a serious accident. He made an offering of the statue so he would get better, and so it happened.

T H E L I G H T H O U S E

Visited by many tourists, it was built by the French in 1893, is 99 feet high and is located 148 feet above sea level, helping with the canal’s navigation; it has served its mission since then and without interruption.

T H E C O N G O D A N C E S

During the colonial era, the African slaves used these dances to communicate amongst themselves, sometimes about their condition, subversive messages, sometimes making fun of white men, many times using a language that was created by speaking Spanish backwards. Dressed in their most filthy and worn out clothes, they painted their heads with soot to represent those who had nothing. Today, their descendants share these dances as a demonstration of joy during regional festivities.

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F O O D

The abundance of seafood and coconut create a perfect fusion to serve dishes like conch, lobster, king crab, octopus, squid, shrimp, fish and many other dishes. Rice and plantain are must have pairing companions for all meals.

E L N I D O D E L P O S T R E

One of the must visit places on Isla Grande.

Originally from France, owner Francois Obert, moved to Isla Grande 8 years ago and started an exotic dessert

restaurant, something dreamed about but not available in the island. After a lot of demand and continuous growth, Francois expanded his menu and today he also offers a wide variety of seafood dishes and natural juices. He and his wife run a small hostel with private and shared rooms. Snorkeling and sight seeing trips can be arranged by request.

Other places where you can grab a bite and or sleep are Cabañas Villa Ensueño and La Cholita, both located in front of the Sea Christ, offering Caribbean style meals, tables by the sea, and a perfect area for bathing in calm clear waters.

Isla Grande, Colon

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Peter’s affinity for the archipelago is how ‘Inspired Living’ came to be his company’s motto. His emigration to Bocas and subsequent marriage to his wife Andrea, an accomplished interior designer, motivated him to start a real estate development company and revive the name Kentways, originally a family business in the 1960’s that provided luxury vacations throughout Europe. Today Kentways is a respected company in Bocas, known for quality construction and the practice of environmentally low impact development.

Having been raised on an island off the coast of Spain, the colorful Latin culture of Bocas del Toro brought back fond memories of Peter’s youth. The lively Caribbean atmosphere, tropical weather, friendly locals and diversified water sport activities prompted him to take a closer look at the country and consider making a larger investment in the area. Panama’s geographic location allows easy traveling access from North and South America as well as Europe, and the country is safely below the hurricane belt. There has never been a hurricane in the region in documented history. The currency is the U.S. dollar and the economy is stable and flourishing. The cost of living is substantially lower than other countries, there are considerable retirement benefits and Panama City offers excellent medical care.

In the islands of Bocas del Toro specifically, the pace of living is relaxed and there are no traffic lights, just the open water. A traffic jam in Bocas occurs when three boats pull up to the

Bocas del Toro Live The DreamInspired defined means ‘to be filled with the urge to do something creative’. That was Peter Kent’s sentiment when the natural beauty of Bocas del Toro prompted him to make the islands his home in the early 1990’s.

By Adrienne Ochenkoski

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waterfront gas station at the same time. After saying to himself, ‘How can it be better anywhere else?’ Peter determined this was the ideal place to invest in for the long term. He had a background in international construction experience, having previously worked on development projects in the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Costa Rica. As he arrived years before many other ex-pats made their way to the area, he was fortunate to acquire prime titled waterfront properties near to Bocas Town with all its services. In the past fifteen years Kentways has built eighteen homes and has handled over seventy property transactions in the islands, establishing a track record of success that should instill confidence in potential clients.

Kentways is currently offering for sale or joint venture a variety of desirable titled properties, from lots starting at just $55,000 to several acres perfect for a resort or development. Owner financing with very reasonable terms is available in

order to facilitate the ease of ownership. Amenities such as underground electricity, individual boat slips and a communal swimming pool ensure that you will be enjoying your island home in comfort. For some lots, in order to ensure standards and protect each client’s investment, Kentways will build an attractive Caribbean style house exterior. Each homeowner can then create the unique interior of their dreams.

Vista Azul Lodge, Peter’s luxurious 5,000 square foot private residence, is currently available to rent. This offers anyone considering a holiday in the islands a rare opportunity to stay in a gorgeous home that was a true labor of love in the construction process. It took four years to complete and was built with sixteen different types of local wood. All of the wood was cut free hand with a chainsaw, carried out of the jungle, transported by dugout canoes and dried for several months before use. All doors, windows and cabinets were made by hand on site by local artisans. The expansive rooms, cathedral

Photos by Peter Kent

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ceilings, walls of glass and Thailand-style upper roof are awe-inspiring.

Peter met his wife, Andrea, just as the home was nearing the stage when the interior needed to be completed. She decorated the home with Caribbean and Balinese Plantation style furniture, tasteful, modern fixtures and vibrant works of art. The home has six bedrooms with king size beds, en suite bathrooms with tubs and a loft with two double beds, making it comfortable for up to eighteen guests. A perfect retreat for a family reunion, group of close friends or destination wedding party, Vista Azul is located directly on a white sand beach on Carenero Island, just a few convenient minutes from Bocas Town by water taxi.

Since collaborating on that first home, Peter and Andrea have combined their talents to create comfortable homes that are a marriage of practical living and artful expression. That’s the essence of ‘Inspired Living’, being motivated by the raw beauty of Bocas del Toro to make dreams reality and create an island lifestyle. Kentways offers anyone the opportunity to do just that. Visit www.kentways.com to find out more information regarding properties for sale or joint venture,

and the rental of Vista Azul Lodge.

Peter met his wife, Andrea, just as the home was nearing the stage when the interior needed to be completed. She decorated the home with Caribbean and Balinese Plantation style furniture, tasteful, modern fixtures and vibrant works of art. The home has six bedrooms with king size beds, en suite bathrooms with tubs and a loft with two double beds, making it comfortable for up to sixteen guests. A perfect retreat for a family reunion, group of close friends or destination wedding party, Vista Azul is located directly on a white sand beach on Carenero Island, just a few convenient minutes from Bocas Town by water taxi.

Since collaborating on that first home, Peter and Andrea have combined their talents to create comfortable homes that are a marriage of practical living and artful expression. That’s the essence of ‘Inspired Living’, being motivated by the raw beauty of Bocas del Toro to make dreams reality and create an island lifestyle. Kentways offers anyone the opportunity to do just that. Visit www.kentways.com to find out more information regarding properties for sale or joint venture, and the rental of Vista Azul Lodge.

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What’s Up?Ideally located on Main Street, just 20 meters from the sea in a quiet area of Isla Colon, Bocas Del Toro, sits the charming new Boutique Hotel, Palma Royale. This welcoming 4-story residential refuge is a delightful example of Caribbean architecture.

The Palma Royale has windows and doors that blur the lines between inside and out, blending nature-inspired designs in 4 comfortable studios, 10 amazing suites and an incredible 2- bedroom, 2- bath penthouse. All having large interiors with stunning ocean views. The feel here is spacious and bright, carefully designed using bamboo floors, ornate Colombian marble, and the finest in rattan furniture. The penthouse and spacious suites area located on the top

three floors, 5 with full kitchens, 6 with 2 queen size beds, and all with private balconies where sea and mountains on the horizon become dreamily indistinguishable.

A smile and warm welcome will greet you here as the warm ambience at the Palma Royale is in the part due to the hotel’s team of friendly, professional staff who will anticipate you every need.

A world away from life’s pressures, the atmosphere will seduce you into total relaxation. Once rejuvenated, wander downstairs to the Under the Palm Café amidst tropical gardens just steps away from the Caribbean. A great place for all of Bocas to enjoy.

The only thing we overlook is the sea.

LUXURIOUS PALMA ROYALE HOTEL OPENS IN BOCAS

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The developers have invested in the necessary infrastructure for the entire development covering over three thousand acres of mountain valley. This includes paved roads with year-around maintenance, an independent electrical power grid serving every lot within the development, three private filtered water plants so every resident has pure drinking water on demand, a community center with social areas, a natural swimming pool next to a waterfall, heliport, satellite TV, and high-speed internet service.

Without a doubt, Altos del María is

the most successful gated mountain community in Panama, not only because it offers great infrastructure and beautiful scenery, but also because there are presently over 350 homes already built, including weekend, vacation and primary homes. 55 families have chosen to make Altos del María their permanent home.

Spacious residential lots and houses are available in areas with different altitudes, price ranges, views and climates. You also have the choice of building your home as you please, or choosing from a variety of models built on predetermined lots.

Altos del María

ALTOS DEL MARÍA, A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGICALLY LOCATED NEAR

THE COMMUNITY OF SORÁ AT AN ALTITUDE BETWEEN 1600 AND 3500 FEET ABOVE

SEA LEVEL, OFFERS A MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAIN SETTING WITHIN EASY ACCESS TO

PANAMA CITY, THE PACIFIC BEACH STRIP, AND EL VALLE DE ANTÓN VIA A PRIVATE

GATED ROAD. THIS LOCATION AND ALTITUDE RESULT IN A SPRING-LIKE CLIMATE WITH

TEMPERATURES VARYING LITTLE FROM 70°F THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

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Altos del María has very strict 24-hour entrance control with several staffed gatehouses throughout the development; and only residents, property owners, and owner approved guests may enter the community.

The flora and fauna are abundant and you can spot deer, monkeys, sloths, countless birds and butterflies, and the golden frog, endemic only to this part of the world. Altos del Maria’s landscape offers many waterfalls, rivers, creeks, hiking trails with suspension bridges, observation decks, parks, and lookout points. One of its main attractions is the María River which runs through the entire property. Another notable landmark is the Cerro Picacho, a gorgeous mountain that can be seen from many angles throughout the development. Many of the properties

located at the higher altitudes have views of the Pacific Ocean, and even luckier property owners have views of both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans from their homes.

For these and many more reasons the quality of life in this community meets all expectations. The residents of Altos del María have a secure mountain community lifestyle, and a convenient location that gives them the ability to go to either El Valle de Antón with its Sunday market and its restaurants, or the Pacific beaches with their world-class golfing and shopping centers, within 30 minutes. Panama City is only a 90 minute ride from Altos del María, so residents can easily access all the wonders of coastal Panama and enjoy splendid sunsets in this peaceful mountain setting.

44 PANAMA 9°80°Grilled Duck Breast at The Rock, Boquete

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LUNA ROSSA Owner Bruno Baragli purchased the restaurant from a friend in 2001 and moved to Coronado seeking a more relaxing lifestyle.

The restaurant is located in what used to be the original location to the “only” convenience store in the whole community, a placed called “La Cosita” meaning the little thing.

Those who grew up spending many summers and weekends in Coronado, have kind of a sentimental appreciation for the location.

Luckily, now that we are all grown up, we can still hang out in what is humbly considered by us as one of the great restaurants outside Panama City.

Luna Rossa’s cuisine is a reflection of

Mainland countryside eateriesPANAMA’S COUNTRYSIDE OFFERS A VARIETY OF

DESTINATIONS, FROM HIGHLANDS, TO FARMLANDS,

FROM BEACHES, TO HISTORIC LITTLE TOWNS.

EVEN THOUGH THE RESTAURANT SCENE OUTSIDE

PANAMA CITY HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED IN THE

RECENT YEARS, IT STILL CAN BE CHALLENGING TO FIND

A GOOD QUALITY, WELL EXECUTED MEAL.

WE PRESENT YOU WITH A LIST OF OR FAVORITE SPOTS

OUTSIDE PANAMA CITY.

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King Crab Spaghetti served at Luna Rossa

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Baragali’s Tuscany heritage, homemade pastas and bread, fresh and imported ingredients are standards of quality and appreciation for a good meal.

We start with the Antipasto Toscano, a collection of buffalo mozzarella cheese, peppers, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, little onions and mushrooms, perfectly marinated and seasoned.

The antipasto was followed by the Luna Rossa’s pizza, a mix of ham, pepperoni, olives and mushrooms, on a thin crispy crust.

The Fettuccini Nero in its squid sauce and calamari were so delicate, and yet so savory it was a pleasant surprise, and we could not stop eating them.

Another charming dish was the chestnut ravioli, dressed in a creamy rich sauce, so pleasant in so many ways, yet not extravagant.

The King crab Spaghetti is the house’s most popular dish, cleverly served inside a King Crab’s shell, abundant in crab meat tossed in fresh pasta, and a homemade tomato sauce, naturally great. It is known that people drive

from other beach communities to Luna Rossa, just to have a taste of this famous dish.

The menu is well thought out and there are many options in the meat, fish and poultry section. They offer kosher food, and to finish on a sweet note, they also serve traditional desserts such as tiramisu and panacotta.

The restaurant is a rustic and charming place that plays a very important role in the community; their take out clientele is extensive and exclusive, and they take pride in their good food and warm service.

Location:Coronado Beach community, Roberto Eisenmann street.HoursFridays from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 pmSaturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.Open during some holidays and mid-year

school vacations.Tel+ (507)240-1455

Visa, Master Card, Clave

Antipasto Toscano

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LOS CAMISONES I must admit that I was seeking a story behind the name of the restaurant, since the word Camisones means “the nightgowns”, or “large shirts”, but my imagination and curiosity were quickly dismissed by a simple response… it is the owner’s last name.

Located in the town of La Hermita, KM 104 on the Pan-American road, Los Camisones have served the nearby beach and mountain crowds for 21 years with quality meals in a rustic environment.

The place started as a palapa, and due to increasing demand, they have

Jumbo Shrimp in Garlic Sauce

A Panamanian classic: Patacones

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undergone many additions including a palapa extension, a terrace, a bar, and now a nice garden.

The first thing you see when you enter the place is a sign that reads “aquí se hacen amigos” meaning “we make friends here”.

The menu is extensive and there are many Spanish inspired dishes as well as latin creole creations.

We started with the “piquillos” scallop stuffed red bell peppers in a creamy sauce, a great way to wet your appetite, the scallops were tender and juicy and the richness of the bell peppers was just the perfect mix of flavors.

A popular dish is the lobster croquettes, served with a special house mayonnaise.

Who said garlic? A clay casserole arrives with jumbo shrimp covered in sautéed and thinly minced garlic, juicy, tasty and cooked perfectly. Their Creole tomato base sauce is also a great version of this dish, sometimes the favorite version depending on the palate’s mood.

Last but far from least the “cochinillo” or suckling pig, one of the best if not the best in the whole country, the combination of the crispy and flavorful crust in contrast with the juicy tender meat, makes an incredibly savory, should feel guilty but won’t feel guilty dish.

Sometimes you just have to pamper yourself; this is it, the ultimate pampering therapy.

Other famous dishes are paellas, Spanish omelet, oxtail in a red wine reduction, stuffed calamari, breaded mushrooms, octopus cocktail, and any dish that is served in Creole sauce.

Los Camisones is famous for attracting the social and political elite, including mainstream personalities such as TV hosts and legendary sportsmen, as a regular crowd.

Location:La Hermita, San CarlosKM 104 Inter-American road, between the entrance to El Valle de

Anton, and Santa Clara.

Hours:Monday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.mFriday, Saturday and Sunday: from 11:00 a.m.

Visa, Master Card, American Express

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GRAN CAFÉ

When Nabil and Talal Darwish arrived in Colon from Lebanon, they started selling falafel and sandwiches from their street cart in the busy streets of Colon Free Zone. The business became good enough so they opened a Mediterranean butcher’s shop and a bakery, due to the business growth, they moved from their location next to the Hotel Washington, one of Colon s landmarks, to 1st steet where they started the restaurant that soon was demolished by the town hall.

Nabil insisted on trying and fighting for what he had worked so hard for until he finally achieved what is today s Gran Café.

Gran Café is by far but arguably the best exponent of Lebanese cuisine in Colon, and perhaps one of the best in Panama.

GRAN CAFÉ IS BY FAR BUT ARGUABLY THE BEST EXPONENT OF LEBANESE CUISINE

IN COLON, AND PERHAPS ONE OF THE BEST IN PANAMA [...] THE MENU IS EXTENSIVE

AND THEY SERVE A WIDE VARIETY OF DISHES FROM RICE TO SEAFOOD AND

SANDWICHES.

Gran Cafe’s popular Falafel

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The meal started with a Fatush, a traditional salad made with fried pieces of pita bread, combined with mixed greens, tomatoes, spices and lemon.

The falafel, one of their most popular dishes, is a patty made out of ground chickpeas topped with a salad, pickles and parsley, dressed in a tahini base sauce. This is one of those dishes that you should order every time you visit Gran Café.

The humus stands on its own and it is the master of its domain, prepared to perfection and served with diced meat.

When it comes to Kebabs, the first thing that comes to mind is how incredibly well seasoned they are. We tried chicken kebab, meat kebab, and

the kafta minced meat patties seasoned with aromatic herbs, all served with a surprisingly delicate garlic sauce.

The Gran Café menu is extensive and they serve a wide variety of dishes from rice to seafood and sandwiches.

This is a hot spot for all Free Zone executives, and a “must” stop place when visiting the province of Colon.

Location:

Colon City, 1st. Street

Hours:Everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.Tel: + (507) 433-2092 / 433-2096

Visa, Master Card

Hummus served with diced meat

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THE ROCK

Located by the Palo Alto river, The Rock stands strong in the Boquete highland restaurant scene and offers a casual and relaxing riverside dining experience.

The friendly staff welcome us into the restaurant decorated in sage and aubergene tones and the large picture windows provide an unobstructed view of the beautiful landscape including the outdoor wooden terrace. Candles, freshly cut flowers and tall, breezy palms contribute to the warm and inviting atmosphere as does the trendy music. The cozy fireside seating area is the ideal spot to enjoy a cocktail or the locally brewed artisan beer.

Chef Oliver Blonde along with Executive Chef Heiner Gellenberg, CEO of Food for Senses, have put together an enticing and creative menu offering a variety of savory dishes using locally grown and organic produce when available.

Our meal begins with crispy sea bass wafers served with a sweet chili dipping sauce, the braised duck breast with caramelized apples and the watercress, tomato and blue cheese crostini. All of the appetizers were attractively plated and deliciously prepared. The succulent and tender duck breast shouldn t be missed.

The bourbon spiced fettuccine tossed in a light cream sauce with forest mushrooms and scallions was cooked to perfection. The flavorful sauce was delicious, creamy and the portions are generous.

Continuing our journey, we ordered the Thai chicken curry

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consisting of tender chunks of chicken and vegetables served in a velvety curry sauce and paired with steamed rice. This dish is extremely aromatic, colorful and flavorful. When taking the order, the waiter kindly asked the level of heat I preferred for the curry. It was just right.

If you are feeling like more casual fare, the angus burger on a homemade sesame bun served with crispy fries is grilled to perfection and the Rock s signature flank steak is a sure bet.

Thursday night is The Rock s famous all you can eat rib night. The succulent pork ribs are laced with sugarcane and papaya barbecue sauce, fall off the ribs and are served with a vinaigrette tossed salad.

We sealed the evening with a clever interpretation of Tiramisu. The seco infused Tiramisu has layers of creamy cheese, coffee and seco infused sponge cake accompanied by a guava-filled pastry stick. Paired with a freshly brewed cup of local coffee, this was a perfect way to end a very enjoyable evening.

The Rock also has a children s menu, accepts reservations and has ample parking.

Location:

Boquete, Palo Alto, April 11th street.

Hours:Wednesday to Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.Closed on Tuesdays

Visa, Master Card, Clave

Curry Chicken

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Pulpo a la Gallega

Chicken Cordon Bleu

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TOCO MADERA RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

David Carballeda, owner of Hotel Ladera was very careful in creating the right combination of atmospheres in his restaurant, a formal dining room, and a laid back lounge with nice views to the outdoors both connected by a fireplace.

“Toco Madera” is an expression that is associated to wishful thinking and evoking good luck.

So talking about luck, we were lucky to visit the restaurant during Sunday brunch, and being Sunday the day to relax, we chose to sit in the lounge area where a very swanky jazz band was performing versions of popular music.

We ordered the Pulpo a la Gallega, or Galician style octopus, tender meat, drizzled with olive oil and paprika, excellent seasoning.

We ordered the halibut tempura, generous pieces of crispy, yet moist and flaky halibut, with a special dipping sauce and steamed vegetables.

The cozy atmosphere inclined us to taste their twist on traditional dishes so we went for the Filet Mignon, a perfectly cooked steak dressed with a hearty and rich mushroom sauce with a side of sautéed potatoes, asparagus and the house salad.

The chef took a gastronomic liberty, and served us a modern version of the Chicken Cordon Bleu, with a velvety cashew sauce, not only a delightful dish, but also cleverly presented.

We ended our experience with a lemon infused trout, a whole fried fish with a subtle citric aroma, yet savory, with a side of vegetables and mash potatoes.

Toco Madera Restaurant and Lounge serves hydroponic products, organic oils, and flor de sal, the finest sea salt harvested from crystals that are skimmed off the surface of brine.

The restaurant also offers a variety of salads and appetizers, sandwiches, local and international dishes.

Location Boquete, Chiriquí, April 11th street.

HoursEverydayFrom 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.mFrom 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.From 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.Sunday Brunch starting at 11:30Tel: 730-9000www.hotel-ladera.com

Visa, MasterCard

56 PANAMA 9°80°Panamonte’s Ceviche con Cítricos

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RESTAURANTE PANAMONTE

Chef Charlie Collins raises the game in the Chiriquí province with his proven knowledge, experience and great execution, cleverly pairing local ingredients with international and national dishes.

After many years of traveling to Boquete, more than I’d like to admit, Restaurante Panamonte has become a regular stop to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner, sometimes the three meals in the same day, so let s say that I have surfed the menu up and down, left and right, and still it surprises and pampers me.

On this occasion, we started our meal with the Ceviche con Citricos, raw fish cooked with citric juices, tossed with diced tomatoes, served with plantain chips, very delicate and savory.

The evening progressed with the creamy mushroom soup, aromatic and tasty, certainly a member of the comfort food family.

The must have tuna Carpaccio is topped with julienned red onions lightly drizzled with local citrus, making a delicate match with the herring mayonnaise and caviar.

The special thick cut, smoked pork chop comes glazed in an orange- mustard- pineapple- balsamic reduction, served with onion confit, mash potatoes, and steamed broccoli, just amazing.

One of the favorite items on the menu is the Angus steak in a wine reduction, of course medium rare, served with mashed potatoes.

The restaurant has a great variety of dishes such as their famous butter almond trout, yellow fin tuna, pumpkin soup, and great sandwiches.

You have the option of sitting in the main dining room, or sitting by a fireplace in their cozy bar.

Location:

Boquete, Chiriquí.

Hours: From 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.From 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Everyday

Visa, Master Card, American Express, Clave

Angus steak in wine reduction

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On the next pages, you will see a selection of our favorite runner-ups. Once again, thanks to aII those who entered.

If you missed the closing date for the 2010 photo contest, please be sure to enter next year. We will be accepting entries all year until August 15, 2011.

Photos must be sent to 980PHOTOCONTEST@GMAIL.COM and should be in jpeg format in as high a resolution as possible. You may enter as many photos as you like, as long as they are taken in Panama.

Panama 9°80°PHOTO

CONTESTTHANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SENT IN PHOTOS

FOR OUR THIRD ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST . WE HAVE

BEEN OVERWHELMED WITH ENTRIES AND THEIR GREAT

QUALITY. THE WINNING PHOTO, SEEN ON THE NEXT

PAGE, WAS TAKEN BY MICHAEL SAGER

PANAMA 9°80° 59Michael Sager

60 PANAMA 9°80°Ricardo Alvarez

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Anthony Strickline

Richard Vlonik

Susana Marina Lezcano

Anthony Strickline

Jane Abrutyn

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Olga Gutiérrez

Arelis González

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Starfleet Massage & Day Spa 757-96301st Street, Isla Colon, above StarfleetGeorgina@starfleetscuba.comwww.starfleetscuba.com

La Buga 757-9534Main Street, Isla Coloninfo@labugapanama.comwww.bocasdeltorosurfschool.com

Barracuda 6854-0940Third Street, Isla Colon

Martha Skinner

Magda Crespo

Omar Herrera

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