Valle Escondido Newsletter

Halloween event at the Valle Escondido cantina

This year we plan on having a combination Halloween and Karaoke event. Only a few Halloween songs come to mind like the monster mash and Michael Jackson's epic thriller, but that won't hold us back. You can still sing any of your favorites. On Friday the 30th and Saturday the 31st come in a costume and get the first drink is on us. Prizes will be awarded each night for best costume and best singer both male and female.

Saturday afternoon/evening children will be coming from the area to trick or treat here in the pueblo area and a special event will be held for them too. So, get out that old costume and come be someone else for the night.

Both nights include Martha's homemade vegie and meat chili's to go with a cold beer. $4.50 small $6.50 large.

Valle Escondido health and beauty spa to open soon

My wife Thalia has been managing the resort operations for the past few years and now she has really put her efforts into developing Valle Escondido as a destination health and beauty spa. She has really done this right by hiring a professional spa consultant from the U.S. to help and is bringing in the finest natural body products available in the market today. She has hired a number of new staff including a hair stylist, manicure/pedicure specialist, massage therapists, and body treatment specialists. Added to this team are a group of professionals such as a nutritionist, podiatrist and dermatologist.

The entire spa area of the club is going through  remodeling and decoration. The decoration of the spa is being done by our old friend Cholo who is a fantastic Panamanian artist. He is using the theme of the various indigenous tribes in Panama as the backdrop for the spa treatment rooms and common areas. My extensive collection of pre-Colombian artifacts will be a part of the new decor acting as a sort of adjunct museum. I had registered them with the state years ago and never had a safe place to exhibit them until now.

We are building a small hut near the 70 foot waterfall for an incredible massage experience where the sites and sounds of nature will sooth you as much as the magic hands of the therapists.

The rancho behind the clubhouse has been glassed in and converted to a beautiful hair and nail salon. I was used as a Guinea pig for a men's facial last week and it was fantastic.  I have never had that experience before, but I can assure you it will become part of my regular routine. This week I go for the entire nail treatment which I am really looking forward to.

As you can tell I am very excited about the new spa operations and so is Thalia and her staff. There is a lot more to share about it, but it will be completed and operational in a few weeks and you can come and see for yourself.

New heater and salt system in our indoor pool

I have heard about the benefits of a salt system in swimming pools for years, but until I experienced one at a friends home earlier this year in Florida, I had no idea how much difference it makes your skin and hair feel. We installed a new heat pump and the salt system last month and what a difference it has made. Our indoor pool had a passive solar heater on the roof, but it only took it to about 82 degrees in the summer. Now in the rainy season the pool is at 92 degrees, nearly hot tub temperatures. I see the ladies in their water aerobics and they are really enjoying it. We have also installed a large jacuzzi behind the club near the river. This new jacuzzi has all the bells and whistles including stereo, 30 jets each individually controlled and a lighting system that would go well in a disco. So if your into water, the new club additions will make you very happy. Check with Janet for the times for daily aerobics in the pool.

Tennis court ready at last!

Our new tennis court is beautiful and the men from Costa Rica who installed the playing surface did a first rate job. Even in the depth of rainy season we still have avid tennis players out on the new court. This week we added a wind screen to the 16 foot high fence surrounding the court. We have also installed new bathrooms next to the tennis court which I am sure the golfer will appreciate as they head from hole #3 to #4. Now with tennis and racquetball courts we nearly have it all!

If you are a club member you must sign up at the country club to reserve your tennis time. Rental rackets and new balls are available at the front desk.

Friday is Karaoke at the cantina!

My wife Thalia is a big karaoke fan and our friend Bruce gave us a great karaoke system. So we decided to put it in the cantina and see who likes to sing. I was pleasantly surprised to see the crowds growing each week to where now several dozen people show up on Friday afternoon/evenings for karaoke, chili and drinks. It really is a lot of fun and many of the singers are very good and all are entertaining. Why not stop by and lend your voice to the chorus.

Enjoy Martha's homemade vegie or meat chili with chips and domestic beer. Small $4.50 large $6.50 Starts at 4:30 and goes on until the night!

New tennis court nearly ready

Well, it has taken longer than expected, but we are getting closer to having our first tennis court here in Valle Escondido. Next to the court we have built new restrooms that will serve both the tennis players and the golfers on their way from hole number three to hole number four. The tennis court is located near the stables and the lake and includes a practice wall for those on their own. The 16 foot fencing around the court is nearly ready and now we are waiting for the surface installers to arrive from Guatemala. Apparently that is the closest place to find workers skilled in the art of applying this special surface. In any case, we hope the wait won't be too long as we are all eager to get out and play on the new court! Country club members may want to sign up early as we expect the court to be busy!

4th of July BBQ

 It was a great afternoon with live music, great food, dancing and even fireworks here in Valle Escondido this 4th of July.
About 100 people signed up for this event and even the weather cooperated with only a short sprinkle. I really want to thank all who attended and especially Caesar and his band, the staff who put it together and Janet who cooked the food and coordinated the event. Click to see a photo album of the event.

‘Napa Valley’ coffee tour in Boquete

Put coffee and adventure travel together in one sentence and you'll think "what"?. Well that is exactly what you will find in Panama.

Panama, once famous as the cross road for world commerce, has now become synonymous with Coffee. In 2007 La Esmeralda Estate sold their Geisha bean, at auction, for $130 a pound green. All of a sudden, the eyes of the coffee world were on Panama. Think coffee and what comes to mind; Kona, Jamaican Blue, Ethiopian, or Costa Rica. Now Panama had the spotlight.

Few people realize that outside Panama City, and the canal zone, is a valley of wondrous riches.

Boquete Volcano

In the province of Chiriqui, near the border to Costa Rica, is a once active Volcano. The Volcán Barú Boquete (also Volcán de Chiriqui) is the tallest mountain in Panama; 3,474 meters (11,398 ft) high.

This once active volcano has created a valley with a micro-climate like no other in the world. Boquete is often called the Valley of the Flowers, as they grow year round here.

What makes this mountainous area so unique is that its many valleys create unique micro-climates, with six or seven in less than six-square miles. It is a perfect climate for coffee; and also wildlife.

An Adventure to Reach the Coffee

However, since the discovery of this fabulous coffee is so new, just to get to some of the estates requires a 4x4 vehicle, and during the rainy season, sometimes even that is not enough.

So, here comes the coffee and adventure part. With a Kona coffee tour or a Napa Valley wine tour, you can just get in your car, take a drive, and you're there. But in Panama, to sample single estate coffee from these special small micro-growers, requires a guide, hiking shoes, and/or a rugged truck.

So you can combine coffee and adventure in the same travel experience. You just have to come to Boquete, Panama. If coffee is not your thing, Boquete also has the Resplendent Quetzal, Howler Monkey's, Sloths; an abundance of wildlife that can also be seen on your trek to taste some of that award winning coffee.

To read more about Boquete, Panama and adventure travel, check out Boquete Mountain Safari Tours

Panama Info.com article.
Boquete offers amazing coffee farm experiences.  We just went with  Boquete Safari Tours on their  a new Three Coffee Estates tour, which perfectly  showcases the Boquete coffee experience. The tour takes you to three very different estate coffee farms to taste three kinds of coffee and experience three uniquely Boquete coffee farms. One farm is a simple one by a humble  farmer who is a kind of local genius, another a more sophisticated farm by a longstanding Panamanian grower and finally a  small totally organic farm run by an American couple who grow and harvest according to the lunar cycles just Latin America’s ancient civilizations have. At each farm you do a professional tasting to savor the different coffees and take short farm tour.  The tour takes you all around upper Boquete and the mountain views and scenery are beautiful. Highly recommended

Carol Delonis
507-6613-1472 Panama cell
Carol@BoqueteSafari.com
www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com

Mystery guest revealed

Saturday night was a real treat for the many who attended a special event with our mystery guest. Unfortunately, he had to remain a mystery up until this appearance for fear of reprisals for an incident that took place in Panama nearly 20 years ago.  Mr. Kurt Muse gave a stunning account of his harrowing experience of being captured, taken from his family and put in a Panama prison just before the American invasion of Panama in 1989. He not only survived this ordeal, but became the first American civilian ever rescued by the famous delta force. A true life adventure novel has been written and a movie is in the works. Be sure to read the book, "Six minutes to freedom" and learn about this heroic American and the many people who risked their lives to free him.

Amazon reviews:"Grabs you at the first paragraph and refuses to let go. This true story reads better than any fiction and is impossible to put down. Harrowing, entertaining, inspiring, and very, very readable." -- Col. Lee A. Van Arsdale, US Army Special Forces (Ret) Former Delta Force Squadron Commander

"Crackles with such tension and fear that you'll read this with your heart in your throat. This is everything a great thriller should be ... but it's all true." --Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of Vanish

"What a read! A courageous family caught in a vortex of international politics, a cliffhanger drama of survival against all odds." --Jeffery Deaver, New York Times bestselling author of The Twelfth Card 

"A dramatic portrayal of idealism, courage, integrity and fortitude, concluding with one of the most spectacular true-life action sequences ever set down on paper." --John Douglas and Mark Olshaker, New York Times bestselling authors of Mindhunter

Kurt, his wife Annie, Thalia and me.

Want to visit Buenos Aires?

If you have ever dreamed of visiting Argentina there is no better time than now. The dollar is strong, making it one of the least costly cities of quality in the world. Buenos Aires is really a city of art. Whether it is food or paintings and statues, the city is comparable to Paris in many respect. Now you can visit Buenos Aires and stay in one of the best private residence the city has to offer, in the best location and at a super rate. We have a penthouse (5th floor) in the famous Recoletta neighborhood of the city. My company bought the property in 1997 and rebuilt it back to its turn-of-the-century glory. This property is very near the Alvear Palace and the quality of the furnishings equals that prestigious hotel's presidential suite. If you would like to visit BA and stay in this glorious property at half the normal rate just let me know. Here is a link where you can get more details and view the photo album.

Mystery guest to speak at Valle Escondido

Valle Escondido has been fortunate over the years to have a number of famous people visit this beautiful valley. This coming Saturday we will be hosting another important visitor who has been kind enough to offer an hour or so of his time to share his experiences and information on an upcoming movie project that he is involved with. He has asked that we do not publicize his name or invite the press. He also asked that we limit the number of people who may attend to 100. The meeting will be held in the Bamboo room in Valle Escondido Saturday the 17th, from 5-6 pm. There is no charge to attend. Please send an email to eventos@valleescondido.biz confirming the names and number in your party who will attend. I am sure you will enjoy this very much!

Merry Christmas from Valle Escondido

From all of us at Valle Escondido, we want to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Special mothers day dinner Dec. 8th

What’s Up in Boquete?

I am sure you are aware of the flooding we have experienced in Boquete last week. It is important to understand that although the flood was devastating to those who were directly affected, for the most part the damage was contained to a relatively small area of the community and the town of  Boquete was mostly unaffected. The hotels, restaurants and activities of the area are all still operating.  I have met with the mayor and he assured me that the fair grounds are being cleaned and the fair will take place in January as scheduled. We could use all of your help in getting this message out to the general public as the negative impact on tourism for the town will be more severe than the flood in the long term. Here is a press release in  English from the Boquete Business association. A Spanish version  can be found here. Download Nov-28 Comunicado de Prensa Boquete Hoy

For Immediate Release

What’s Up in Boquete?
It’s business as usual in Boquete as the town puts the spotlight
where it belongs: on its beauty and its people

BOQUETE, PANAMA: Boquete was in the spotlight this past week, not for its natural beauty, award-winning coffee and friendly people, but because of the damage caused by the Caldera River. The dramatic footage and photos don’t tell the whole story: Boquete didn’t experience long-term flooding. The river grew quickly during a short period of time and affected some structures in its immediate vicinity. The fact is, the majority of Boquete, including the downtown, roads, tours and activity businesses and most restaurants and hotels, were untouched.  The people of Boquete and the business community have come together to invite the public to experience Boquete today.  

“It is business as usual in Boquete,” says Charlie Collins, Owner and Executive Chef, Panamonte Inn and Spa. “Of course, it has been a difficult week for the people of Boquete and our hearts go out to the families affected. My family has been in Boquete for three generations and some things never change: the things that Boquete has always been known for—its natural beauty, relaxing environment, fresh air, friendly people and welcoming spirit—were 100% unaffected.”

Earlier in the week, media, websites and blogs were reporting on the situation in Boquete. But the photos and footage was limited to a very small section of Boquete, the rest of the town was untouched. 

“Everybody saw the photos and footage, but it’s important to remember: the story didn’t stop there,” continues Chef Collins. “The Boquete community rallied together to help the people in the areas affected by the river. The speed at which those vulnerable points were fixed was truly amazing. It speaks volumes about the character and spirit of the people in Boquete.” 

‘What’s up in Boquete?’

o    Airport service to David and the main road connecting David to Boquete was unaffected
o    All the main roads and the downtown were untouched
o    Traditional Boquete activities Panamanians have always enjoyed—visiting gardens like Mi Jardin es Su Jardin and El Explorador, stopping for strawberry drinks, enjoying coffee, sharing the beauty with family and loved ones—never stopped
o    Great restaurants and hotels are open for business
o    All the exciting outdoor activities Boquete is known for are still available: hiking, rafting, ziplining, rock-climbing, horseback riding, bird-watching, hot springs and coffee tours

“All of the traditional activities that Panamanian families have enjoyed over the years never stopped,” says Lissette Ameglio, Fresas Café. “The gardens of Mi Jardin es Su Jardin and El Explorador. Stopping for a delicious strawberry batido. Enjoying a fresh brewed cup of coffee. Relaxing with your family. Boquete is the perfect place to do this. Now the sun is out and we want people to experience the beauty of our special town today.”

For more information about what is happening in Boquete, please visit www.boquetetoday.com/ and Experience Boquete Today! 
For more information, please call: Jessica Real, 6-615-2965

Brazil night in VE, a great success!

 

Last night we had a real treat here in Valle Escondido. Performers from Brazil provided the entertainment and the food for a very fun night that I am sure everyone will remember. This was not your typical dinner and show, this was a real party where everyone was involved and having a great time learning to samba and watching the professional dancers. Be sure to click on the photo album here.

New riverside deck and breakfast menu for Higueron

You may have noticed our new riverside deck at the Higueron restaurant and the remodeled interior. Now we have developed a new breakfast and lunch menu that we are sure you will enjoy. Not only is there an expanded choice of items, but the prices have been significantly reduced on many of the typical favorites. Today I will post the breakfast menu in English and Spanish. Later I will post the new lunch menu.
Come on down to the old banyan tree by the river and enjoy breakfast or lunch with friends and family. Click on menus to enlarge.

 

Boquete charity auction Dec. 7th

One of the 4 charities that will benefit from a charity auction/sale on December 7th is the Lion's Club. The Lion's clubs in David and Boquete are currently devoting all of their resources to flood relief. They will receive 1/4 of all auction proceeds. The other 3 charities are also involved in flood relief but not to the extent of the Lion's Club. Therefore, if you want to help out (and have a fun day and go home with good stuff) come to the auction on December 7th at the Boquete Fairgrounds. It starts at 2 pm.  We currently have more than $17,000 worth of new goods and services that will be auctioned. In addition all proceeds from the sale of baked goods, snacks, coffee, alcohol, beer, wine, organic produce, handmade indigenous crafts, books, haircuts, palm reading, 50-50 raffle, a coffee tour, etc will go into the fund. For those of you wondering how to help . . . this is a great way.

Columbus day dinner

Sunday, October 12th is Columbus Day and Chef Melissa has prepared a special dinner menu.

Help needed in the Comarca Ngobe-Bugle

I just received this note from John Miller, Boquete Outdoor Adventures asking for some immediate help with supplies or funds. You can reach John by email john@boqueteoutdooradventures.com

You may have heard that last week there was a severe flood on the Rio Fonseca in the Comarca Ngobe-Bugle.  A number of people lost their lives and many lost everything they owned (including houses).Apparently an entire community was washed away.

We are in contact with Dennis Vilorio. He is a Peace Corp volunteer based in Soloy in the comarca. There are two other volunteers in the area (Brenda Barta and Brian Henry). They lost their house to the flood andescaped it by climbing a tree. Dennis was able to return to Soloy only yesterday.

Sinaproc is in the area helping out and looking for stranded people (and bodies). But there is much more that needs to be done. Here is what Dennis sent me: "I just spoke to Orlando Guerra from Sinaproc. He said that what is needed most is food, water, underwear (all sizes), rubber boots for adults (they have plenty for kids), kitchenware, diapers, personal hygiene products (pads for women, soap, toothpaste, etc.), detergent or laundry soap, scrubbers, and rubber gloves. They're bringing in water every day, so I think the other items are of more importance. He said you could send everything to the school in Gevai. Sinaproc will be there every day (they're sleeping in the school) until 5 pm."

We (Boquete Outdoor Adventures) are asking that you donate any of the items mentioned above or money. We are setting a deadline of Sunday, September 14th. On Monday, we will deliver the supplies to the comarca. If we receive enough donations prior to Sunday, we will make a trip sooner. Please be generous and help out. Many of these people had very little to begin with. If you wish to donate food, please stick to basics (rice, oil, canned goods, canned milk, etc.). If you wish to make a monetary donation, we will buy supplies with it.

Donations (food, clothing or money) can be dropped off at our office in Plaza Los Establos. If you do donate money, please email and tell me how much you are donating and when you dropped it off at the office (if I am
not there). If you have any questions, please call me at 6474 0274 or call our office at 720-2284.

Please help out now. The need is great and it is immediate.

New menu for Thursday wine night!

Each Thursday, Chef Melissa comes up with a fantastic new menu for Thursday wine night. Be sure to put this on your calendar. Click to enlarge menu.