Land Barons of Panama

     It's official, we are the proud owners of property in Panama on Bastimentos island (about 10-15 minutes by dinghy to Bocas). We've got so much work to do now and we're proud to have Ovidio as our land manager/caretaker. We have had many workers on the property from ditch diggers to dirt haulers to tree cutters in preparation for new construction of casitas (small apartments) to begin 2014  and a new home to be built later).

Ovidio our "Land Manager" - He's awesome!

The crew cutting some hardwood lumber with chainsaw

La Jefa (The Boss)

Future site of "Dos Aguas" (Two Waters) Casitas

     We have had 4 workers digging ditches and hauling dirt (mud) to build up the elevation of our new building site. The land in this area gets a lot of rain runoff from the hillside and makes for a swampy ground. We've met Bruce who lives on Bastimentos who has a PhD in Botany and owns 60 acres of tropical fruit and hardwood trees. We hired Bruce to come and evaluate the land as to what specific and native trees we can grow...which includes everything from tropical fruits to native hardwoods.
      Bruce is currently growing many seedlings for us which will be ready to plant when we return next year. We also have plans for a greenhouse/shadehouse to grow many veggies, fruits, and tropical plants for food and for sale. Looks like Nancy is going into the fruit and plant business! Of course we will also grow fruits and nuts for the local wildlife living on the property like Parrots, Monkeys, and Sloths (pretty cool!). 

 We're returning to the USA for work mid- August ...Hey, somebody's got to pay for this living in Paradise! Ha
     We received 3" of rain in one night - July is one of the wettest months for Caribbean Panama. If you have any leaks in your boat trust me...you'll find them! And quickly!
 More blog coming soon!