As both my niece and I are interested in nature, science and exotic environments with lots of unfamiliar bird life, I chose to take her to Panama as a high school graduation gift. And on advice from my travel agent, we picked the Gamboa Rainforest Resort as our primary destination.
The physical location of Gamboa gave us lots of opportunities for nature activities. On day one, we visited Monkey Island, reached by boat via the Chagres river, which merges with the Canal. Capuchin monkey troupes run the island and become quite indignant is visitors don’t bring them banana snacks. They even come aboard for their handout. Unlike the Capuchins, the Black Howlers, also resident on Monkey Island keep to themselves, but easily within sight. The water surrounding the island abounds with crocodiles and caimans, both frequently seen.
Next we took Gamboa’s aerial tram through the rainforest canopy where, except for an occasional sleeping tree sloth or iguana, the main interest is in the varieties of trees and vines, especially those from which medicines are extracted by local Indian shamans as well as Western researchers. What’s more, by careful observation—and with the help of the local who drove the tram—we spotted 27 birds neither of us had ever seen before!
On another day, we were thrilled to meet a few of the native Indians on whose land the resort is built and who continue to live in rather primitive style in the area. And as you can imagine, all of these jungle experiences caused my stock to rise sharply with my niece.
I was so pleased by the quality time I had with my niece that I wonder, have you tried exotic destinations as a way to bond with the teenagers in your life? How did it work out?
Paula "coolest aunt ever" Gifford