While life in Panama can be a challenge now and then when the power goes off and your battery back up systems slowly drains to zero, life without internet and email does not mean the end of the world. My daughter is here for another two weeks and having weaned her off of her Blackberry (a real challenge) and instant messaging, she now enjoys just chillin and traveling and working on her photo album documenting her voyages in the interior with Dad.
Today, we have the typical 15 minute episode where the power goes off so we quickly get what we need done just in case it might be out for longer. We also patiently await the census takers who are scattered throughout the country and cities today taking the national census. Unlike the US and other parts of the world, Panama takes its census very seriously and you are to stay at home until your interview is complete and you are handed a paper acknowledging that you have been counted. Otherwise if you are caught driving around without it, you are subject to a large fine. So here we stay and patiently wait our turn. Time for Dad to catch up on his blog and promote another good deal that we can recomend.
The last two days were again beautiful so we took a trip to Boca Chica where we stay with friends at their place called Seagull Cove Lodge. The owners Flavio and Pillar are the most wonderful couple that you will ever meet and the service at their place is impeccable.
Seagullcove Lodge is also for sale and will not stay on the market much longer as the owners have reduced the price from $2 million to $1.4 million. The Property includes the owner’s apartment, restaurant, bar and dining area and 5 casitas that lead down to the beach. They own the property with clear title down to the beach where they have a concession for the beach terrace, a long dock and the right to expand the marina operation. It is an unheard of bargain and could not be duplicated for the money. In addition, Flavio has plans to add another 5 units and we discussed a concept to develop an owners private residence on the property as well. Call me or drop me an email for details on this before it is no longer available.
We arrived in the morning early and met a local captain who we go out with to the islands in a small panga and set off on our journey. Boca Chica has some of the most beautiful coast line in Panama and a national marine park comprised of dozens of little tropical islands and sandy coves that remind one of Robinson Crusoe. Our first order of business was to catch bait which my daughter accomplished quickly so we were of to my favorite fishing hole in minutes. Literally, the ocean opens up a huge hole in the water when the swells cover a rock the size of a football field and recedes. After catching our dinner we tried to stop a couple of huge fish that proved too big to handle and were very well practiced at hiding in caves and cutting lines but at least we had a nice 10 pound red snapper ready to take back to chef Flavio.
This one did not get away!!
Next stop, Isla Bolanos for a little snorkleing, swimming and lunch. 
This is why I live in Panama and why I chose to live here in Boquete, because I am 2 hours from the most spectacular coastal area in the Pacific south of the Southern Passage in Alaska and the fishing for snapper, wahoo, tuna and marlin is incredible. And the family loves to fish! Besides snapper, the tuna run this year was spectacular and it was not unusal to catch several ones over 120 pounds and many more from 25 to 80 pounds. Three weeks ago we brought home 300 pounds of fresh sushi grade yellow fin that was shared between myself and two of my friends.
Ashleigh caught a mess of snapper.
My son Thomas landed this 150 pound tuna. 
Well, it is time to hit the send button as we are fixing another Sunday brunch at home here in the mountains as we wait our turn to be counted. I would add that we will be counted as one of the lucky ones to be able to live in such a place.
PS: There were over 40 home sales closed last month and the supply of exisitng homes for sale are down to under 100. For a town of 18,000 people that is huge and as I have mentioned before, the velocity will continue as people realize the quality of life equation that exisits here in Boquete.
“Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high…There’s a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby. Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true. ” – E.Y. Harburg
There is indeed a land where rainbows often grace skies that are unencumbered by pollution, life is unhurried, and retirement dreams are fulfilled for many, in the Chiriqui highlands of Panama. Here’s the story…
Ex-pats, for those who are unfamiliar with the term, are those who leave one’s native country to live elsewhere. This unique breed may have a few motivational variations for permanently traversing beyond borders, but they tend to share a common character trait – a great sense of adventure in abandoning what is socially, culturally, and geographically familiar to pursue their dream of a healthier, happier, less hectic lifestyle. And, given the current economic state of affairs, perhaps they share the collective desire to avoid a possible catastrophe.
They seek a better quality of life married to a lower cost of living. They’re confident enough to start over in a new environment, making new friends. Ex-pats likely possess a libertarian streak, a do-it-yourself mentality that propels them to create their lives anew, whether it means transforming a piece of property into a model of green energy self-sufficiency, launching a new school for local kids, or opening a new café. And characteristically, they want to integrate into a community of similar-minded souls.
What gives a particular area the gravitational pull for ex-pats? It often starts with a warm climate and beautiful scenery surrounding a charming, affordable city or town. An abundance of fresh water sources, locally grown food and reliable hydro-electric power. Add a big welcome mat to foreigners from the local people, and a government actively enticing you to stay with such incentives as no property tax for the first 20 years, a generous program for newcomers to guarantee permanent residency, equal rights under the law, discounts for products and services across the board, plus excellent asset protection and maximum privacy from the banking institutions. Welcome to Boquete, Panama, and leave the door open. There’s more coming.
WELCOME TO MY HOME IN THE LAND OF THE RAINBOWS
Very truly yours,
Tom Brymer
In the US call 305-448-1003
In Panama call 507-6810-1074