Here are a few photos that we captured before the party began. They are precious boys. We all love them both very much! And we are lucky that their birthdays are close enough together that they can share the party. Thanks again everyone.

Scott decided that he wanted to invite all of his classmates from the Tangerine School on Isla Colon and some of his other friends from Bocas out to Tranquilo Bay for his birthday party. It was a great day. The kids all kayaked, swam, played, ate, beat up the pinata, wrestled for candy - you know all the fun things one does at a birthday party. The parents had some fun too. Here is a quick look at the party and all the children having a great time! Thanks to all that came. It was a great day for all of us.

Happy 17th Anniversary to Jim and Renee! Many more years of wedded bliss to follow.

Happy Birthday to our little girl. She is the princess of our place. She reigns over all of our hearts.

Gina and the boys have had to reschedule this party several times now due to Tres' previous bugs. Now they were ready to go. It was a fancy party. We had refreshments: Citronella tea (a story in and of itself), pineapple punch, shortbread cookies, lollipops and jellybeans. We saw some of what the boys do in school each day and then they gave us a great puppet show. So for those family and friends near and far unable to attend today... see for yourself!



Please forgive the quality of this video. We are working with the little camera right now as we have been unable to send the G10 to the USA for a onceover since it went into the ocean. We miss it!

As I was downloading the photos from last week yesterday, this one really struck a cord with me. Just sitting on the edge of the boat looking off at the ocean and the beautiful blue sky filled with white clouds. A perfect afternoon at the beach topped off with some really great conversation and moments of peace and quiet. This is a wonderful memory of one's vacation in Bocas del Toro, Panama.



We are starting a month long behind the scenes series on April 1. Stay tuned.

I am amazed that I need to write this post during the first week of March, but in all fairness to any interested parties it is necessary. What am I talking about? Well, for any of you who are considering a trip to Tranquilo Bay over the December holiday period, you need to take action. We are answering quite a few inquiries on a daily basis with regard to the holidays and the week before New Year's is down to just two cabanas. A trip down here is a great gift to both you and your family so if you are thinking about it - give us a call.

Well, it was a rough week. Tex took ill late last week. We took him to the vet in David on Monday. He seemed to be improving so much so that the vet allowed him to come home on Wednesday. When he arrived in Bocas he began having complications. It wasn't possible to turn around and go back to David as it was too late in the day and the vet assured us his electrolytes were just off. So we began nursing him as we were instructed. It was too late. By 5:00 pm on Thursday he was gone.

We miss him. He was a good friend.

Bimini has left her earthly home here at Tranquilo Bay. It was time. She spent over fourteen years on this big ball. She had a good life. But, we will miss her. Buenos suenos con los angelitos, Bimini.

Here are a few of the photos that Marilyn and Greg got the day that we went to the beach. It was a great day off for all of us. Neither Jim or I took any pictures so we are grateful for the ones that Marilyn and Greg snapped of the day. It was Marilyn's idea to take a photo of the Kimball family since it was Jim's birthday. We would have just gone on playing in the water. Thanks guys.

This is Marilyn's third trip down in as many years. She came the first time right after Boty was born. She has been talking that entire time about taking a trip with both Victoria and Greg. This year it came to fruition. It was neat to see Marilyn in action with all the kids. Here she was down on the dock with Boty.

This is our niece, Victoria. Her trip to Tranquilo Bay was the impetus for her to get a passport. She hasn't ridden on a plane since she was about 18 months old. Now, many years later, she managed to make it on three flights in one day to make it out to see us. We had a great time with her here. She came with her Dad and her Grandmother. They took some amazing photos during their stay.

Beaux and Mary Kathryn are getting married right now! Congratulations guys!

What is it about a vacation that excites a child? Is it going someplace new? Different? Seeing people or places that are different than everyday life? Is it riding on an airplane? I think it is something different for each person. Our children have been counting down the days until their vacation begins. They are excited about going to Texas to see their extended families. They have certain traditions that exist only in Texas (or so they think). The countdown to the trip is about each and every one of these things. It is about a break from school. It is about trying out new things.

It is really no different than when you, our guests or future guests, are preparing for a trip to come here. There is a spark of excitement in a change from the every day. Our every day is wonderful. Ask our kids, they will tell you the same thing. Yet they are excited about a trip to Houston, Texas. Arguably, Houston is not a vacation capital. But it works for us.

This year it is interesting to watch Scott and Tres as they calculate the number of days until we arrive in Houston. They are doing it on their own this year. Once they designate the number of days for a given day, Boty follows suit and will repeat it several times throughout the day letting anyone who comes within her zone know that she is going to Texas in X number of days. Children's excitement is like a virus - super easy to catch. I am happy they gave me this infection.

People often ask us how we handle certain things given that we are living out here on an island. Well, we pick and choose how we do things. We do not have anything forced upon us since we do not have the media and marketing bombarding us with messages about what we are supposed to be doing. Thus, what to do for Halloween?

The boys have been dressing up for a few years now. The first year I could barely get Tres to put his costume on and go knock on the kitchen door. The next year we had the boys dress up and go around to the different buildings and trick or treat with the staff. Last year all three kids dressed up and went on a scavenger hunt in front of the main building. The weather looked a bit ominous so we decided to stick close to the house.

This year Halloween has been a bigger deal. I think it is because both boys expect more from it. I also believe it is because we have gone into more effort to make costumes and get prepared. I made both Boty and Tres a costume. I wasn’t sure I was going to have time as we approached Halloween so I made sure the costumes were completed at the beginning of the month. Tres declared early on that he wanted to be Superman. Boty of course then needed to be Supergirl. Scott wanted to be a pirate. I knew better than to make two superhero capes without making a third. Thus - we have had children trying on capes and learning to fly all month long. Scott’s grandmother decided she would make Scott’s pirate costume. She also very graciously made a second vest for Tres so that he could use it for dress up after Halloween. We have also been listening to spooky music all month long in preparation for the big day.

I found a fabric panel that had a Halloween trio of jack o laterns on it in one of the stores in Bocas earlier this month. Tres and I were so surprised to find it that we knew we had to buy it and do something with it. At $1.25 it was a bargain. I put on a backing and quilted it into a little wall hanging for the kids to enjoy all month. After all - we can’t go to the pumpkin patch and buy one to carve. So we make do.

I checked in with the boy’s teacher to determine if they could wear their costumes to school for Halloween. She thought it was a great idea. So we will have a pirate and a superhero in school today. We will be trick or treating around the lodge in the different buildings. We are having a spooky dinner and special guests. Papa and Grandma are arriving on the afternoon flight. They will get here just in time to join in on the festivities.

Patrick has been back here at Tranquilo Bay since September 16, 2008. His doctor decided that he was doing so well at that time that he could make the trip home and go back to Panama City to get his shots when necessary. So he came to Tranquilo Bay for the first time that day with is mom and paternal grandmother in tow. He has done super since he came home. He went to the doctor yesterday for his shots and weighed in at 8.5 pounds. So even though he joined us about six weeks early there are no signs of any issues at this time. Here are a couple of photos of him that really show how much he has grown. What a miracle life is!

Here is another photo of Patrick - this time outside of the incubator. He was released from the hospital about a week ago. He is doing great. All of us here in Bocas, including Jay and Scott, are counting the days until Patrick gets to come home to us here.

We have another new addition to announce! Patrick James Viola was born on August 21, 2008 at 12:09 am. Baby, Mom and Dad are all doing just fine. PJ’s initials are the same as his paternal grandfather who passed away earlier this year. PJ was born between 6 and 7 weeks premature, however he is doing just great. He is currently in the NICU at Punta Pacifica Hospital in Panama City. He is expected to be released in less than a week. Stefanie and Jay are in Panama City (obviously). Stefanie and PJ will stay in Panama City until around PJ’s original due date, October 4. We do not anticipate any problems, however to be on the safe side the Neonatologist/Pediatrician has asked that PJ stick around Panama City for a while. Scott, Tres and Boty are all waiting anxiously to meet little PJ in person as are the rest of us here at Tranquilo Bay.

We were fortunate to learn about a litter of puppies in Panama City through our friends Frank and Joyce. Jim and the kids checked them out on our return from the USA in June. They were too young to bring back to Bocas at that time, but we told the man who had the dogs that we were interested in getting a couple of them - one girl and one boy.
Jay went back to the USA to visit his mom and upon his return Stefanie and Scott met him in Panama City to take care of some business. The puppies were ready to come back to Bocas so they brought them back with them last Wednesday. Here are a few pictures of our newest family members: Tex, the boy, and Fula, the girl.

Gina, the boy’s teacher, is holding the two pups for their first night in their new home.



Jim and the kids with the pups. Fula is on the landing and Tex is biting on the leaf with Jim and Tres. Boty is taking it all in.

We all want to wish you and yours a happy, healthy and safe holiday season. December is a time for all of us to celebrate our families, friends and opportunities. There are the different religious holidays, the cultural holidays and the new beginnings to prepare for and contemplate. Then there is the time to just ENJOY. We all wake up each day thankful for the opportunity we have here to live, run a business, raise our families and spend time with each of our guests = and we get to do all of this in paradise. Take care until we see you next. :)

Excursion: Tarpon Fishing
Area: Bocas del Toro, Panama
Weather: Overcast morning, sunny afternoon

Its not often you get to throw your 68-year old father-in-law into a bar fight and then stand around taunting him as he is getting his butt kicked. Today I would have just that chance, and I can’t say that I haven’t been looking forward to the show.

My wife’s father, Charlie, has taught me much about business and life over the last 17 years, but today, he was in my world, Tarponville.

Jay and I had previously hatched a plan long in preparation. Little did Charlie know that we were to be the anglers and he was to be the fish. We figured with just the right amount of shame and a dash of sarcasm, we could have him chomping at the bit to catch a Panama Silver King. You see, Charlie hasn’t fished in over 20 years, and he has never caught anything larger than a red snapper. Those who have tangled with a Tarpon over 75 pounds know what old Charlie was in for, but he had no idea.

Prior to his Panama vacation, we chummed the waters a little. Due to his long break from fishing, it was easy to stoke the fire and get him all excited. We told a few outlandish fish tales for the old man and sprinkled in a few photos, which were received with a very sarcastic show me attitude I might add. It is not easy to find these days, but our bait was a new Central American Tarpon discovery all to ourselves. Who could resist?

Poor Charlie, he sucked it down like a hog taking a truffle. After reviewing the Tranquilo Bay tarpon photo galleries on the website, Charlie decided he wanted to catch a world class Central America Tarpon in Panama.

As we pulled up to the area, it couldn’t have been staged better on a movie set. Tarpon were rolling everywhere. Charlie’s eyes got big like a deer in the headlights. He said, “that’s amazing, I had no idea they got that big.” At one point, a pack of at least 30 Tarpon came bulldogging by the boat, clearly agitated about something. A few minutes later we saw the fin and back of about a 5-foot long shark in hot pursuit. The surface action was furious, but the bite had not quite started.

After a short while we had our first chance, I handed Charlie a rod with a screaming drag, then abruptly yelled in his ear to get the blood flowing. “FISH ON!” For the next twenty minutes Jay and I sat there drinking a cold beer while taking turns shouting out sage advice. “Keep that rod tip up”, “keep the pressure on him”, “put your back into it”, what fun.

Charlie’s knees were quivering, and sweat was pouring down his face. This was serious business, because for Charlie, there was more on the line than just another fish. He knew he had to do whatever it would take to pull that Tarpon up out of the water, showing the two young bucks how a “MAN” does it. Well, he would just have to wait, that fish turned out to be a 30 pound Jack Crevalle, not the Trophy Tarpon he was looking for.

About one hour later it happened, the drag started screaming and before we could even get the rod out of the holder, a huge Tarpon went flying 10 feet into the air. Charlie had found what he came to Panama looking for, and so had we. “FISH ON!” Jay looked at me and appropriately said, “Let the games begin.”

For 40 minutes Charlie battled this incredible Tarpon in Bocas del Toro, without another boat in site. Jay and I stood by for the show, knowing that Charlie’s 68 years of experience and wisdom would not help him get that fish to the boat. The instructions were flying, “keep that rod tip up, put your back into it.” As he danced around that boat sweating, praying, and cursing we new exactly how he felt. It’s a bar fight.

After all was said and done, we caught several Jack Crevalle, and four Tarpon. Charlie finally said enough, but he didn’t get his butt kicked. He has a victory picture with his 80-pound Tarpon, proof to the world he showed two young bucks how it is done, but I don’t think he will be stepping back into another Panama Tarpon brawl anytime soon.

We had some friends from Houston down visiting and fishing again this year. Last year we thought we had an incredible week of fishing, this year each day was better and better. There were so many double and triple hook ups that we lost count. One time Jim had three different hook ups on the same cast. It has been a great week.