Garden of Eden

Click on Title to see photos or scroll down to see slide show.

November 1.

This afternoon I went down to Jampan [PICS] run by Chuck Stephens and his wife Wanda. I told him I had to get off this island and related what happened last night. He knew all about it; he lives right above me. Small world. He suggested I go to the"Garden of Eden". He had a boat leaving in 10 minutes. Since I'd lost my Tilley (and yes I will moan about that until I get a replacement) I had to run off to get some sunblock. We dropped 3 people off at a nearby resort and 2 people at Red Frog Beach, We picked up a couple at that spot and took off for parts unknown. Despite having been told 3 times before we left that he was to take me to the Garden of Eden the driver had no idea where it was. We stopped off at a "Dive Hostel" a house on stilts without even a catwalk to the land. The driver asked the man who came to the dock where the Garden of Eden was. The man went to his computer looked it up on the internet, made a phone call and pointed out the directions. We took off and the driver tried to go right past the place. There was only one building around and it had a big sign that said "Garden of Eden" so I was pretty sure we found the right spot.

Three people were departing, escorted by a women. I said "Helena, I presume." To which she replied "You must be Jim. Chuck called. Those people have a flight in 1/2 an hour." Ouch. It's possible, but not likely. We walked up the hill to a combined eating area / bar / game room where I met her husband Robert. The place was immaculate. There are only three rental rooms and there are 2 house keepers, Migala and a girl who just started today Kalmia ?????.

I just sat at the bar and talked with Robert and Helena for hours, the boat wasn't coming back until 7:00. I mentioned that I liked snakes and Robert said "Migala, can you show Jim the boa constrictor?" We walked down a well kept path and in the plantain tree next to the staff housing quarters was a small boa, probably born in the spring.

We chatted about everything from building construction (Robert is a semi-retired builder), tools, moving, Bocas, guns, shooting. The most interesting was the fact that these very personable people never leave the two acre island. It's beautiful but not enough room for my restless legs. I need to get at least 3 or 4 miles of walking or 12 miles of bike riding in a day or I'll go crazy. They have people that go to David, buy the food and liquor and drinks they need for themselves and guests and deliver it all the way to the house. Robert said that he doesn't get lonely, the guests usually want to talk.

Then Woody, their pet toucan came for a visit, they showed me their red frogs which they have in a terrarium. I fed their "pet snapper". I took the table scraps down to the front dock with the two girls, stamped my feet and they all showed up. Then I emptied the bucket of vegetable scraps they had accumulated and the fish ate it up, potatoes, onions and all. Pre-stuffed snapper.

The boat came in and we said our good byes. This would be an absolutely wonderful place to stay. Just catch the water taxis to take you to Red Frog Beach or one of the many other interesting places in the vicinity when you want to stretch your legs.

I'd love to go back for a lazy afternoon chat. Let's see if I get invited.

Mouse over to display controls.