Like the road to Paradise,
the route to the Banana’s Resort is full of pitfalls. Not,
in this case the temptations of the flesh, but the holes that pepper
the last 20 kilometers of the journey, from Portobelo to the community
of Juan Gallegos. It’s there where you pull into a secured
Bananas parking lot, and the gates of Heaven begin to open.
A courteous attendant
quickly marks you off on his list, takes your luggage, and leads
you on a short walk to the water’s edge for a sparkling ten
minutes ride to the resort in a water taxi. As the skilled operator
guides you through the surf you begin to appreciate what this Caribbean
paradise offers.
If you don’t fancy
testing your shocks on the approach road, Bananas provides a modern
bus service, $20 each way.
As you dock you are met
by an attendant who guides you through the palms, with the sea lapping
on the beach to one side, until you reach the check-in desk, located
in the poolside restaurant. A few quick formalities, a welcoming
fruit punch, and you are on your way to your reserved chalet surrounded
by (what else?) banana trees and palms, Your chalet is spacious,
with two large beds, and the large bathroom has hot and cold running
water. A thermos of iced water stands on the sideboard next to the
TV, which has English and Spanish programming.
Minutes later you are
poolside, or wandering through acres of grounds that curve around
the base of a tropically forested hill.
If you chose the relaxed
life, and maybe after playing rally driver over 20 km of pot holes,
you deserve it, you can sip a frozen daiquiri or marguerite while
you watch others at play.
Otherwise there is kayaking,
snorkeling, table tennis, and pool, with all the necessities provided
free. Or you can slide a lounge chair into the shallow water a bordering
the beach to catch your first dose of sun. Go armed with lots of
protective lotion as the reflection from the water can burn you
very quickly.
The beach is narrow,
but the water leading out to the reefs is calm and perfect for swimming,
snorkeling or kayaking, or you can sit at the waters edge under
a rancho or sip a cool one in a newly built bar water’s edge
bar.
Evenings are for relaxing
and eating. All meals with the European plan come with a glass of
wine but, as you listen to the waves lapping a few meters away,
and watch the moon reflecting on the white surf breaking on the
reef, you will likely linger for a second or third.
If your stay includes
Saturday night, there is entertainment from a local Congo roup with
traditional dances and singing, complete with fire crackers and,
if you are energetic and lithe enough, feel free to join the gyrating
dancers on the sand.
The show, and the regular
menu are complimented with a barbecue offering a variety of meats
and freshly caught seafood, including octopus.
Watching over all is
French born manager Francoise Obert, constantly checking with staff
to ensure that all services are provided up to his exacting standards.
If during your stay,
you feel the need for some more vigorous activity, there is always
"the trail", a long climb up the hill and through the
jungle that surrounds Bananas. You will experience some of the feeling
of the early explorers, wondering if the upward climb is ever going
to end. But it does, and the path heads downwards to a small island
village, where you can slake your first in any of a dozen or more
seaside restaurants and watering holes. Nothing glamorous, but everything
colorful.
Manager Francoise Obert checks to maintain
standars.
You will see the Black
Christ on a crucifix at the edge of a reef that protects an area
of shallow water, providing a giant natural swimming pool. with
a flat sandy bottom. Try it between sips of your drink.
Returning? If you can’t
face another climb towards the sky, there are water taxis a plenty,
all providing passengers with life jackets. Come to think of it,
if you are not up to the climb, you can use a taxi both ways. It
costs about $5 per person each way. The staff will give you a number
to call.
You can reserve your
visit to Bananas by calling :263-9510.
where
the arrival makes the journey worthwhile
