Friday, May 29, 2009
Bambu Hostel readies new website by cutting edge Dutch designers
In a week bambu hostel will launch an all new JOOMLA website designed and programmed by awesome dutch web company style shift this new site will be user friendly and feature more social networking devices like TWITTER, facebook and more. There will be new and better fotos and all in all it will be a much better user experience. Look for the new better site coming very soon!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Alternative travel: A voyage to Chiriqui province Panama
Dear Techies,
Sorry for the long delay in writing, like all of you I am riding the waves of change, recession and searching for what's really important in life.
As many of you know, last year I opened a Hostel in David Panama, 25 miles from the Costa Rican border in David Panama. It is www.bambuhostel.com we had an awesome season there selling out on many nights. We feature a lovely new pool, tropical gardens with fruit trees all over the property that provide, avocados, coconuts, papaya, passion fruit and some strange stuff that is white and sweet with large black seeds! We also have a mayan style rancho, and there we have nightly jam sessions, we have hand drums and guitars for guests. Otherwise chill out by the pool listen to our sound system, or head out to the center of David and enjoy fresh sugar cane and lemon juice, nothing better than that.
David, Panama while not considered to be a tourist destination is a great place. Located less than hour from the famous Highland paradise of Boquete www.boquete.org and half an hour to the nearest surfing beaches of the Pacific coast, and 3.5 hours to the Caribbean jungles and reefs of Bocas Del Toro www.bocasdeltoro.com
David is a crossroads and Bambu Hostel is a backpackers paradise with lovely gardens, a brand new pool and $8 dorm beds.
Currently flights to Panama are available for as little as $250 roundtrip from many places in the US. You can search at www.airtech.com click on 'lowest airfare' airplane icon and enter your dates and etc. the best link that i found there was for ATI flight..
Prices are dirt cheap in Panama, bunks at bambu are $8 and a seafood dinner across the street from the hostel will set you back $3, beers are sixty cents. Also if you need Dental work done is is %75 cheaper than in the US, I used Dental Esthetic www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/01/29/dental-estetic-opens-in-david-in-plaza-mallorca/comment-page-1/ that blog was where I found it. I saved 1500 dollars doing my dental work in Panama, with what I saved it paid for the entire trip including the airfare!
David is a great base for many trips with an hour, for example you can go soak in the Hot Springs at Caldera www.hablayapanama.com/ecotourism/hotsprings.html entrance there is $2 and you can stay all day lounging in the springs or swimming in the river. Another trip is to boquete where you can hike, see coffee plantations and rainbows and swim in waterfalls.
About an hour away from David is the amazing Lost and Found Jungle Lodge www.lostandfoundlodge.com/lostandfound/Eco_Resort.html the only Hostel in a National Park (Fortuna) in Panama. Beautifully constructed in the rain/cloud forrest, you can hike, ride horses and swim, or just read a book in a hammock as you watch magnificent condors fly at eye level. Dorm beds average $12.
There is a lot to Do in Panama if you like to surf, sail, birdwatch, snorkel, scuba, swim and bike. There are always incredible 'Faerias' going on around the country, huge county fairs where you can dance till dawn to the dynamic panamanian music mix which includes heavy doses of reggaeton, reggae in Spanish as well as Rock salsa and merenque.
So if you are looking for an adventure and you dont have a lot of money to spend consider coming to Panama, come to bambu the beer is on me! There we will help you plan your itinerary, we are all experts! If you have general questions about panama feel free to write me mike@airtech.com 212-219-7000 x1 (lv message)
One last note: Hawaii is still available and can be booked 7 days or less before date of travel, after 4/15 prices average $250 each way.. 212-219-7000 x1
Europe from NY Boston and Florida $359 one way to europe, about $400 one way back no advance purchase neccesary, this is good for last minute unplanned trips when prices have gone sky high...
www.airtech.com
Well thank you for your time, i hope that this letter finds you at peace and in health.
Mike Esterson
President, airtech and owner bambu hostel
Sorry for the long delay in writing, like all of you I am riding the waves of change, recession and searching for what's really important in life.
As many of you know, last year I opened a Hostel in David Panama, 25 miles from the Costa Rican border in David Panama. It is www.bambuhostel.com we had an awesome season there selling out on many nights. We feature a lovely new pool, tropical gardens with fruit trees all over the property that provide, avocados, coconuts, papaya, passion fruit and some strange stuff that is white and sweet with large black seeds! We also have a mayan style rancho, and there we have nightly jam sessions, we have hand drums and guitars for guests. Otherwise chill out by the pool listen to our sound system, or head out to the center of David and enjoy fresh sugar cane and lemon juice, nothing better than that.
David, Panama while not considered to be a tourist destination is a great place. Located less than hour from the famous Highland paradise of Boquete www.boquete.org and half an hour to the nearest surfing beaches of the Pacific coast, and 3.5 hours to the Caribbean jungles and reefs of Bocas Del Toro www.bocasdeltoro.com
David is a crossroads and Bambu Hostel is a backpackers paradise with lovely gardens, a brand new pool and $8 dorm beds.
Currently flights to Panama are available for as little as $250 roundtrip from many places in the US. You can search at www.airtech.com click on 'lowest airfare' airplane icon and enter your dates and etc. the best link that i found there was for ATI flight..
Prices are dirt cheap in Panama, bunks at bambu are $8 and a seafood dinner across the street from the hostel will set you back $3, beers are sixty cents. Also if you need Dental work done is is %75 cheaper than in the US, I used Dental Esthetic www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/01/29/dental-estetic-opens-in-david-in-plaza-mallorca/comment-page-1/ that blog was where I found it. I saved 1500 dollars doing my dental work in Panama, with what I saved it paid for the entire trip including the airfare!
David is a great base for many trips with an hour, for example you can go soak in the Hot Springs at Caldera www.hablayapanama.com/ecotourism/hotsprings.html entrance there is $2 and you can stay all day lounging in the springs or swimming in the river. Another trip is to boquete where you can hike, see coffee plantations and rainbows and swim in waterfalls.
About an hour away from David is the amazing Lost and Found Jungle Lodge www.lostandfoundlodge.com/lostandfound/Eco_Resort.html the only Hostel in a National Park (Fortuna) in Panama. Beautifully constructed in the rain/cloud forrest, you can hike, ride horses and swim, or just read a book in a hammock as you watch magnificent condors fly at eye level. Dorm beds average $12.
There is a lot to Do in Panama if you like to surf, sail, birdwatch, snorkel, scuba, swim and bike. There are always incredible 'Faerias' going on around the country, huge county fairs where you can dance till dawn to the dynamic panamanian music mix which includes heavy doses of reggaeton, reggae in Spanish as well as Rock salsa and merenque.
So if you are looking for an adventure and you dont have a lot of money to spend consider coming to Panama, come to bambu the beer is on me! There we will help you plan your itinerary, we are all experts! If you have general questions about panama feel free to write me mike@airtech.com 212-219-7000 x1 (lv message)
One last note: Hawaii is still available and can be booked 7 days or less before date of travel, after 4/15 prices average $250 each way.. 212-219-7000 x1
Europe from NY Boston and Florida $359 one way to europe, about $400 one way back no advance purchase neccesary, this is good for last minute unplanned trips when prices have gone sky high...
www.airtech.com
Well thank you for your time, i hope that this letter finds you at peace and in health.
Mike Esterson
President, airtech and owner bambu hostel
Monday, March 2, 2009
Early flight to Panama
1/15/09
DEAREST READER, I AM A SLACKER AND DIDNT POST DURING MY RECENT TRIP TO PANAMA THAT BEGAN ON 1/15/09 SO I WILL RETELL THE STORY AS I REMEMBER IT IN A SERIES OF BLOGS.
BLESSINGS
MIKE ESTERSON WILLOW NEW YORK
3:00 AM Jan 15th, Newark New Jerseny and zero degrees Fahrenheit, I lug three heavy bags, into the car service, on way to Liberty Airport. I cant complain though, as it was only $250 incl tax roundtrip flight to Panama City, and then on to David Panama to my hostel I cant believe I am off to Panama for 6 weeks, 6 weeks to soak up sun and hang at bambu.. I arrive at the airport, two hours early, breakfast is bad coffee and salty eggs, foreshadowing the lame breakfasts and surprising dearth of great coffee in coffee producing panama. I feel guilty about the food, i lead a fairly organic life in woodstock..but when i travel i tend to eat and drink stuff that i usually avoid. Stuff that is greasy and salty and generally bad for you.
I get to Houston, the layover is brief in fact i only have 30 minutes to make the flight! i make it to the gate and we take off, i sleep for the rest of the flight and then i am in Panama City.
I am giddy as I clear customs and feel that blast of heat. I get a taxi for $25 and head straight to Mamallena's a classic and well run Hostel. Stuart, owner is a hospitality industry veteran. He runs a very good hostel that is always full. It is a 24 hour operation and I eagerly watch how they pull this off.
Keep in mind that although i own bambu hostel i still have not been there in person since its opening in July 2008. The last time I was at my hostel we had just started the buildout and before we had the pool and rancho built. At Mamallenas at least it looks like hard work. There is traffic night and day, no rest. The hostel is a hub for backpackers some there for a day or so some for a few weeks. Most are going to or coming from Columbia. Some are there to take tours to the kuna islands, the Caribbean pearls of Panama..
I am in Panama for two days but last only a day at the hostel. Honestly i am about to go live in a hostel for six weeks the one that i own and decide to opt for the comfort of a hotel. Ok I admit it here i am not a backpacker, please dont tell anyone. I find a great place called Hotel Andino near Calle Cuba and sixth street..about $35 dollars a night and includes wifi AC and hot water. Surprisingly the place is almost empty. Panama city is popping, and I went to a few hotels at $25 a night that were all full..i guess that it is the price point of $35..
One of my goals of this initial part of my journey to Panama is to meet the co owner of the lost and found jungle lodge the only hostel in a national park and rain forest in Panama.
His name is Patrick and apparently is quite the expert on Panama City Nightlife, a bit of a bon vivant i am told.. and after a few emails and messages to his mobile we agree to meet for a chat and an inspection of Panama City at night. Patrick is an extremely charming and bright Canadian. He has worked variously as an English Teacher and tour guide and is currently writing a virtual novel about backpackers in Panama. We start in the Casco Viejo. This stop includes an entertaining belly dancer and $5 drinks, New York Prices. Impresive.
Next we go to the entertainment district in the new part of Panama City, actually everyone in Panama City and Panama Call Panama City 'Panama' if you are in Panama and someone says that they are going to Panama they mean Panama City..
The next few stops are good, one is a dark lounge with sultry electro music. We are into our 5th round of drinks, i am drunk. We are drinking the national rum, its' called abuelo, or grandfather, its great stuff. I drink it on the rocks with a twist of lemon, Patrick as cuba libre, or rum and coke.
Then we find ourselves at the famous hooker bar 'Bodegita' as promised it features beautiful Columbia women. many appear to have had surgery of one kind or another, these women are hookers, and they are all very friendly, we have more rounds of drinks, there is a lot of hazy dancing and a lot of toasting, then a taxi ride to a strip club..that is pretty lame and we leave fast, Patrick 'forgets' to pay the bill and we end up paying $20 to an angry bartender that chases us out to the street.
One last whirl to a an alternative crowd party in the casco viejo..a few more drinks and i am officially 4 sheets to the wind.
I make it to hotel andino, amazed at the lateness, the heat, or better yet the lack of cold. I gratefully turn on the AC get into my bed fully clothed and fall into a drunken spinning sleep...
DEAREST READER, I AM A SLACKER AND DIDNT POST DURING MY RECENT TRIP TO PANAMA THAT BEGAN ON 1/15/09 SO I WILL RETELL THE STORY AS I REMEMBER IT IN A SERIES OF BLOGS.
BLESSINGS
MIKE ESTERSON WILLOW NEW YORK
3:00 AM Jan 15th, Newark New Jerseny and zero degrees Fahrenheit, I lug three heavy bags, into the car service, on way to Liberty Airport. I cant complain though, as it was only $250 incl tax roundtrip flight to Panama City, and then on to David Panama to my hostel I cant believe I am off to Panama for 6 weeks, 6 weeks to soak up sun and hang at bambu.. I arrive at the airport, two hours early, breakfast is bad coffee and salty eggs, foreshadowing the lame breakfasts and surprising dearth of great coffee in coffee producing panama. I feel guilty about the food, i lead a fairly organic life in woodstock..but when i travel i tend to eat and drink stuff that i usually avoid. Stuff that is greasy and salty and generally bad for you.
I get to Houston, the layover is brief in fact i only have 30 minutes to make the flight! i make it to the gate and we take off, i sleep for the rest of the flight and then i am in Panama City.
I am giddy as I clear customs and feel that blast of heat. I get a taxi for $25 and head straight to Mamallena's a classic and well run Hostel. Stuart, owner is a hospitality industry veteran. He runs a very good hostel that is always full. It is a 24 hour operation and I eagerly watch how they pull this off.
Keep in mind that although i own bambu hostel i still have not been there in person since its opening in July 2008. The last time I was at my hostel we had just started the buildout and before we had the pool and rancho built. At Mamallenas at least it looks like hard work. There is traffic night and day, no rest. The hostel is a hub for backpackers some there for a day or so some for a few weeks. Most are going to or coming from Columbia. Some are there to take tours to the kuna islands, the Caribbean pearls of Panama..
I am in Panama for two days but last only a day at the hostel. Honestly i am about to go live in a hostel for six weeks the one that i own and decide to opt for the comfort of a hotel. Ok I admit it here i am not a backpacker, please dont tell anyone. I find a great place called Hotel Andino near Calle Cuba and sixth street..about $35 dollars a night and includes wifi AC and hot water. Surprisingly the place is almost empty. Panama city is popping, and I went to a few hotels at $25 a night that were all full..i guess that it is the price point of $35..
One of my goals of this initial part of my journey to Panama is to meet the co owner of the lost and found jungle lodge the only hostel in a national park and rain forest in Panama.
His name is Patrick and apparently is quite the expert on Panama City Nightlife, a bit of a bon vivant i am told.. and after a few emails and messages to his mobile we agree to meet for a chat and an inspection of Panama City at night. Patrick is an extremely charming and bright Canadian. He has worked variously as an English Teacher and tour guide and is currently writing a virtual novel about backpackers in Panama. We start in the Casco Viejo. This stop includes an entertaining belly dancer and $5 drinks, New York Prices. Impresive.
Next we go to the entertainment district in the new part of Panama City, actually everyone in Panama City and Panama Call Panama City 'Panama' if you are in Panama and someone says that they are going to Panama they mean Panama City..
The next few stops are good, one is a dark lounge with sultry electro music. We are into our 5th round of drinks, i am drunk. We are drinking the national rum, its' called abuelo, or grandfather, its great stuff. I drink it on the rocks with a twist of lemon, Patrick as cuba libre, or rum and coke.
Then we find ourselves at the famous hooker bar 'Bodegita' as promised it features beautiful Columbia women. many appear to have had surgery of one kind or another, these women are hookers, and they are all very friendly, we have more rounds of drinks, there is a lot of hazy dancing and a lot of toasting, then a taxi ride to a strip club..that is pretty lame and we leave fast, Patrick 'forgets' to pay the bill and we end up paying $20 to an angry bartender that chases us out to the street.
One last whirl to a an alternative crowd party in the casco viejo..a few more drinks and i am officially 4 sheets to the wind.
I make it to hotel andino, amazed at the lateness, the heat, or better yet the lack of cold. I gratefully turn on the AC get into my bed fully clothed and fall into a drunken spinning sleep...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Bambu Hostel: Existential Angst? Or who are we?
First of all I send New Years Greeting to all that read this! A better time is coming, we have arrived!
Bambu Hostel in David Panama is many things. But the first important thing to thing about is that we are less than 6 months old, and really the 'hard' opening occurred after construction of our Pool was completed in Late August 2008. Running a Hostel is a learning curve. Most of the people that come through really love the place, it has a very tolerant atmosphere that allows for people to have a good time, i mean a great time! But we are now learning that we have to have a certain amount of rules to keep the whole place flowing right..for example, we had no curfew for the music, now it has to be turned down after 11PM. That is for the benefit of neighbors and guests..we will make some exceptions for weekend parties. We did get some negative feedback about the place it read:
"The guy is just starting out.. 3 months now.. it's a nice place to stay without lot's of rules.. but they do lack the experience and discipline other hostels do have. They have to start run the place instead of being everybody's friend. "
That is very fair, and we took a lesson from that. But there is a fine line of running a tight ship and creating a place that feels to controlled, too many rules, thats not fun..
Gregg and i are both types of guys that have always played life with our own rules, one can argue that the rules help or hinder..either way backpackers on the road need to relax and have fun. We are striking that delicate balance at Bambu, that allows one to have fun, listen to some music, dance or drum.. without trampeling on the rights of others to have peace if they want that.
Bambu Hostel in David Panama is many things. But the first important thing to thing about is that we are less than 6 months old, and really the 'hard' opening occurred after construction of our Pool was completed in Late August 2008. Running a Hostel is a learning curve. Most of the people that come through really love the place, it has a very tolerant atmosphere that allows for people to have a good time, i mean a great time! But we are now learning that we have to have a certain amount of rules to keep the whole place flowing right..for example, we had no curfew for the music, now it has to be turned down after 11PM. That is for the benefit of neighbors and guests..we will make some exceptions for weekend parties. We did get some negative feedback about the place it read:
"The guy is just starting out.. 3 months now.. it's a nice place to stay without lot's of rules.. but they do lack the experience and discipline other hostels do have. They have to start run the place instead of being everybody's friend. "
That is very fair, and we took a lesson from that. But there is a fine line of running a tight ship and creating a place that feels to controlled, too many rules, thats not fun..
Gregg and i are both types of guys that have always played life with our own rules, one can argue that the rules help or hinder..either way backpackers on the road need to relax and have fun. We are striking that delicate balance at Bambu, that allows one to have fun, listen to some music, dance or drum.. without trampeling on the rights of others to have peace if they want that.
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