Behind-the-Scenes: Our Garden

After a large effort, we have greatly expanded the size of our garden and planted 70 fruit trees around the property. A majority of the trees were planted on a hill next to the vegetable garden and around the vegetable garden in the hopes that in the future they can provide shade for the young vegetables.

We planted tomatoes, melons, watermelons, radishes, peppers, squash, star fruit, mamon chinos (rambutans), guayaba, oranges and lemons. This will add to our already fruiting guyabana, nance, lemon, and banana trees. Around the resort we have planted and sometimes already harvested squash, taro, papaya, and mango.

Executive Chef Ben Jones uses all of these items in his cooking and has focused his menu on that which is local to our property and the farms around us. Along with the ocean's bounty provided by indigenous fisherman, most of our food comes from within just a few miles of our resort, with an almost exclusive amount of our food coming from within sixty miles of our resort.

We posted some pictures of the organic garden, which is located at the back of the property between the clubhouse and the rainforest. I also took some pictures of some of the ornamentals that we have planted that have been growing well here. Lastly, I have some photos of some of the trees and plants that are giving fruit.

On-Site Activities: Snorkeling/Kayaking

Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro, can be done at a variety of different spots. We have off-site excursions where we take guest by boat to different beautiful spots all around the archipelago, including some of the most popular: Coral Cay, Hospital Point, the Zapatillas and some secret spots that we have found.

However, at times, the best snorkeling can be found just off our beach! If the conditions are right - calm ocean, no wind, and bright sun, the reef out in front of Popa Paradise really shines. About 300 yards off the beach, sits a shallow fringe reef, that breaks up any wave action before it hits our beach (making our beach a child-friendly, safe swimmable beach). This is a hard coral reef, with a scattering of sea fans, brain coral heads, and staghorn corals. Many species of fish including parrot fish, damselfish, butterfly fish, lobsters, and even the docile (read: harmless) nurse shark, call this part of the reef home. The reef is about six feet deep, making it perfect for snorkeling.

In order to help our guests reach the reef by kayak, we have installed a buoy marker that you can paddle right to and tie off your kayak while you are snorkeling. In this way, you can reach the reef and within ten minutes of leaving your room can be enjoying an underwater paradise. More pictures are posted in our Picasa Album, as well as a video, accessed on the right side of the page.

Email us for reservations and start the countdown to enjoying paradise today!

Adam

info@popaparadisebeachresort.com
www.popaparadisebeachresort.com