Jungle Time – Sloths, Monkey’s & Frogs…OH MY!
Loading up into the dinghy, we all tried to play it cool. We didn’t want to get overly excited or hype up our expectations and honestly, we didn’t know what to expect. We’re no National Geographic after all, but the idea of the adventure we’re about to embark on sounded worthy of a NatGeo assignment.
A group of traveling sailors, thirsty for an adventure, head into the indigenous village of the Ngöbe-Buglé people on Isla Bastimentos. In search of wild sloths, monkeys and poison dart frogs. They enlist the help of a native villager to guide them deep into the thick, dangerous jungle. What they didn’t expect to discover was …ok, you get the idea. We booked a native guide to take us into the jungle and we were pretty stoked about the idea of it all.
We’re anchored outside of a resort on Isla Bastimentos called Azul Paradise. The indigenous village of Salt Creek is a short walk away. It’s the best, and possibly the only, way to access the trails Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (Panama’s first national marine park).
We knew going on a mission in search of wild jungle life would be a hike filled with chance. It’s not like walking into a zoo. There are no guarantees we’d see anything, other than rainforest (of course). Considering this was our first big trek into the jungle, the hike alone is enough to satisfy us. But, with luck and our native guide Alfred, we got much more than a simple jungle tour.
Our mission was a success and then some. While I can’t say we’ll be making it on NatGeo anytime soon, it was an adventure! We went in search of jungle life but what we didn’t expect to discover was so much about the Ngöbe people. Wandering along the footpaths, learning about their homes, their way of life and the jungle from a native like Alfred is a truly unique experience.
Sailing Report
To see our full map with interactive pins, click here: gonewiththewynns.com/map
- Dates: August 10 – 11, 2017
- Nautical Miles Sailed: None
- Anchorage: Playa Azul, a calm and quiet place to drop the hook. The anchorage can be found easily on Active Captain.
- Cell & WiFi: We had no cell phone service here. We used our Iridium Go to stay connected and check weather.
Gear Used In This Video
- Hiking/Water Adventure Shoes: http://bit.ly/2uZs620
- Quatix 5 Watches: Garmin Wearables
- Waterproof & floating phone case/handbag: gonewiththewynns.com/product/productugo-waterproof-pack
Cameras Used to Capture This Video
- Main Camera – Sony A7ii (one used to capture close up animals): http://bit.ly/a7rii-sony
- Sony Zoom Mic: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/product/sony-gun-zoom-microphone-black
- Sony 70-200 f4 G OSS: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/product/sony-70-200
- Sony A6000: gonewiththewynns.com/product/sony-alpha-a6000-interchangeable-lens-camera-with-16-50mm-power-zoom-lens-white
- Iphone using OlloClip filmers kit: http://bit.ly/2xYErGv
- All of our photo and editing gear: gonewiththewynns.com/best-travel-camera-video-photography
The Crew
Dale and Justin are our first Patreon’s aboard from our recent Crew Call. If you want to check them out, you can find them here:
- YouTube (their video submission) – youtube.com/channel/UC5JTLYjTrJC5TJl9_KJPD4g
- Instagram – instagram.com/djsdives/
- Twitter – twitter.com/DjsDives
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jessicahische
Hi Nikki,
Really Nice article.The pictures are amazing.Thanks for sharing this article with us.
Sara Vinas
Hi Nikki!
Thank you for the update on the compostable toilets. We are having 2 installed ?
Now the nitty gritty–what insurance company did you use? Everyone is running scared since two hurricanes hit.
Thank you for all your help.
Fair winds and following seas ❤
Sara
Curious Minion
The reason they’re in Panama is to get out of the hurricane box for insurance purposes. You can read all about the insurance here: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/exhausting-journey-buying-cruising-sailboat
mary vancompernolle
I wonder if a turtle is faster than a sloth…
Loved the bright colored mushrooms and frogs, such beautiful colors!
George Moskowitz
What a joy to watch you guys especially after recovering from the hurricane. You really escaped in time. We are in the middle of replacing drywall and dealing with the mess and your video really helped us escape for a few minutes.
Thanks again.
Doreen Colnaghi
Really enjoyed! Reminds us of Costa Rica. Great photos and interesting facts. Thanks! Be safe
Marsha
I couldn’t understand what the food was, can you explain? Have you ever gotten sick from eating local food? Loved the video!
Bernard Schaer
Hi guys and gals, I really want to thank you for sharing your jungle day with us!! Be safe, Bernard
michael robinson
i sure enjoy laughing with you all. your adventure is fun to be a part of from nw pennslyvania usa…blessings..m
Jeff
Hey Guys!
Like a previous commenter, ya’ll are making me relive some of my own history down there. I spent several years in Panama as a kid. I’m super happy to see it through your perspective and Ill keep my fingers crossed for better dive visibility for you in future. Your sailing adventures have inspired me do much that I went down to the windward islands last month and got my ASA certification for both monohull and catamarans. I was there when Harvey blew through but it was just a lot of rain there…. lucky. Have you guys been getting any bad weather? Maybe you got out of the Carribean just in time! Jason, kudos to you for learning Spanish. I’ve got a new word for you, bro. Vez (pronounced like ‘face’ but with a v). When you’re trying to say something like ‘one more time’, you can’t translate that literally as ‘uno mas tiempo’, Instead say ‘Otra Vez’. You’re doing great though. Keep going! Best Wishes Guys! Sure wish I was there.
Tracy
Thank you, you inspire me each week with your video!
Tracy H
Jason, your photography is just fine. Superb even. I LOVED the sloths, did see the monkeys and everything else was just great. Happy Adventures!!
Nancy Fernandez
Always look forward to the Sunday Video Funday. Wonderful hike through the jungle and great video even though you had a hard time Jason with capturing. Thanks for sharing. Have fun and be safe.
John Lockhart
Am constantly looking forward to Sunday night to see where your travels have taken you! Nice job as usual with the video. As Jason stated early on, Alfred was a pretty amazing individual! I saw a good tip recently about taking a pair of sandals/watershoes in your backpack in case you encounter water so you can keep your hiking shoes and socks dry. I’m sure this won’t be the last time you encounter a trail like this!
Nikki Wynn
The shoes we have are water/trail shoes perfect for this environment. Alfred suggested we take off our shoes and go barefoot. It was a fun experience and I secretly didn’t want to get my new shoes that muddy, so I was happy to do so. 🙂
JOHN SCHRETLEN
Easy to enjoy this video. Can’t understand how anybody would give it a thumbs down.
Charles Phillips
Really nice, normally the sailing videos that have exploring the land get the fast forward treatment, but that was enough for me to watch it all then make a note to visit. Thanks!
Kelly
Great video! My favorite was the hummingbird, and learning about the sloths. Jason’s spanish is coming along so quickly – very impressive!!
H George Hofmann Jr
Absolutely stunning photography and sound. I have to include editing because the results are amazing! You all have my permission to carry on!
Daniel Lemaire
Congrats on the way you moored the dinghy! Adding a stern anchor is THE way to protect it from chafing against the dock, especially where there are tides (you don’t want to come back to the dock and find your ride home stuck UNDER the dock, and maybe punctured, because the tide has risen…).
When walking in muddy trails, I usually keep my shoes on (without socks): they’ll be wet and muddy, but it’s better than an injury to my feet, which takes for ever to heal in damp climates.
Keep the great videos coming, we love them!!
🙂
Daniel L.
Sue Goetzinger
Jason your Spanish is getting impressive! Enjoyed seeing the jungle and life on the island.