TGT trips are all awesome adventures and yet each so different. The accommodations, tourist and energy that comes with commonly traveled destinations is always fun but this year my mood was a destination less traveled.
When we got off the plane we set out on our 4.5 hour drive from Panama City to Morrillo Beach. Our driver Eddy spoke good English and started us off with a warm welcome. We passed through Panama City, the mountains, small towns and crossed many rivers. Eddy gave us a history lesson at every opportunity and the cooler full of beer in the van helped ease the stresses of travel. Barring the many bathroom stops, made in Panama’s finest gas stations, the drive wasn’t too bad.
As we traveled through the mountains the clearcutting of the jungle was evident but at our location the jungle was in full force. The Morrillo Beach Eco Lodge was built on a hill overlooking the tidal portion of the beach. This was not going to be a location where the flashing lights of bars and entertainment led us out in the evenings.
The surf setup was beach break. It was generally head high and it kept us busy filling in our spare time. Getting there was a quick paddle across a small tidal river and a short walk down the beach. It was great seeing all the old timers in the water again. Jof was the kid of the group and would not leave the surf. He had the knee and rib rash to prove it. His son Shane elevated every surf session with his youthful exuberance and kept the smiles and energy flowing. Joe paddled out for some of the fun while Bob kept his drone in the sky looking for that lucky shot. Not much subject matter to shoot with the quality of surf and surfer but we certainly appreciated his dedication.
When we were not surfing, we were out on pangas fishing the local coast. It was an early morning drive down the highway and some dirt roads to a local river mouth where we would load up the pangas with gear and set out for the day. We trolled for bonita, trevally, sierras and tuna. Shane kept the smiles on tap ensuring us he was landing the largest fish of the trip each time he hooked up to a bonita. Ian tells us every year he cannot fish but it was he who caught some of the biggest ones. Bob and Joe showed up this year armed with fresh tackle and another years’ worth of experience. At the end of the trip the NorCal / Florida boat took the honors with a biggest trevally and a jumbo snapper! So-Cal’s fishing dominance was finally crushed.
One day our hosts at El Morrillo Beach Resort packed up their cars and drove us a few miles up a dirt road to visit with their friends. Before we left El Morrillo, they handed Shane a chicken in a bag with the strict orders to carry it along without injury. It was nicely wrapped in cloth and appeared calm with only its head exposed. Shane was very nice to that little bird and for the next few hours he protected that bird like it was his own.
The dirt road we drove up was good for a mile or two until it ended up rutted and too steep to drive on. We parked the cars and walked the last mile on foot. The “Abuelos” home had a wide wood arch over the entry stairs and porch with poorly painted woodwork on the outside leading to dirt floors and exposed wood/thatched roofs on the inside. It was raw and simple. The dogs, chickens and farm animals were roaming around. Farm tools and materials were piled about the yard. The men of the family and neighbors were cutting trees for an unknown project they were working on. We spoke with the family the best we could and enjoyed the simple surroundings.
The home was like a plantation in the hills with nothing but trees and nature around it. A stream led through the property down the hills into many deep rock pools along its way. We swam in many of them and spent the day jumping from pool to pool. Exhausted, we returned to the Abuelos house and discovered that the chicken Shane was so carefully looking after was our lunch! It was a good lunch.
Walking out of that place in the heat was a chore for this army of ageing men. The hills were steep and we felt every step. Swimming in the beautiful pools in the jungle with a belly full of the Panamanian farmhouse chicken was a wonderful experience. It was not your typical vacation stroll to a nearby restaurant. We were so thankful and appreciative that we met that family and enjoyed the little slice of authentic Panamanian culture they offered us.
There were other adventures as well.
- We spent time at a local restaurant down on the main road and cooked in the yard with the family kids, dogs and chickens running about and the local’s watching soccer on the tele.
- We did a day hike up another local canyon and saw poison dart frogs, green tree snakes, birds and spiders. It was a testament to how alive these jungles are.
- A day visit to the Panama Canal at the end of our stay.
- Off in the distance from the large deck at the Morrillo Eco Resort was an awesome lush island that divides El Morrillo proper from our Morrillo beach and resort. There was a small land finger that allowed access. It was a fun short walk. This little island was made of dark volcanic rock. We discovered trails of leaf cutter ants and the sounds of chirping of parrots in the trees. This was fun exploration and could have had awesome fishing if we explored more.
- Howler monkeys were plentiful and we were told this species was endangered. They visited our resort every day and made sure we heard them each morning as daylight approached. They were a highlight of the trip as they traveled through the trees overhead giving us plenty of Nat Geo moments all while we enjoyed the drinks and meals offered by the Morrillo Beach Eco Resort staff.
Each trip we take is an adventure in and of itself. The Panama 2024 trip to Morrillo Beach was a little slower in pace but an extraordinary experience none the less. The flora/fauna and quality time spent with friends is priceless. Would I go there again? Yes, I would. I appreciated the hosts (The Mackey’s) and their over-the-top hospitality. The Panamanians are a special people and their country has much to offer. In the end this was an awesome trip and another feather in the TGT trip lineup. Thank you to all who attended TGT 2024 and made this year so great.
Your HM, Wyatt