Mountain River Lake Inn

New Volcán hotel defines Shangri-La

By David Young

Many first timers and visitors to Panama are struck with that wonderful dilemma: "Everything is so wonderful, how on earth do I choose what’s best for me?" Well it’s going to be even harder to choose – particularly if you stay at Volcan’s newest resort hotel: Mountain River Lake Inn. Situated on the north-end of Volcan, the inn has views to Tizingal mountain and the awesome, Baru Volcano. The owner, a retired plastic surgeon, is now using his considerable reconstructive skills on property instead of people.

When travel writers describe Panama, there is a tendency to abuse, and over-use, the word "Paradise." When referring to the mountains of Chiriqui, I prefer to use the analogy, Shangri-La. That is fitting because in the 1933, “Lost Horizons”, novel by James Hilton, his mythical community is located in an area of beautiful rivers, lakes and gorges. Ditto Volcan.

Dr. Mario Vahos Pérez.

Hilton’s community has a Buddhist lamasery- we can’t quite match that but we do have a Buddhist realtor. Shangri-La was a place of eternal youth. Volcan’s cemeteries would make a lie of that, but on the other hand we do have eternal spring. Hilton’s place had snow – we might have had that once but, when the Baru Volcano blew its top that was the last we had of the wet, wintery, white stuff.

In “Lost Horizons” I bet they didn’t have four supermarkets, three hardware stores and nearly forty restaurants and Shangri-La didn’t have cars, and so, they wouldn’t have needed Volcan’s three gas stations.

Dr. Mario Vahos Perez is the owner of the Mountain River Lake Inn. Columbian born, but now a naturalized American citizen, he has just retired after 34 years as a reconstructive surgeon in Baltimore, Maryland.

I am always fascinated as to the how and why of people’s lifestyle and career choices, so I asked Mario the inevitable question. He explained that one day, when he was an anesthetist in an emergency room, a child was brought in with a terribly burned arm.

He watched as the surgeon took a graft from the child’s leg and transferred it onto the effected arm.

Several days later he witnessed the child’s miraculous recovery as the bandages on the graft were removed. Viewing the child’s restored arm he at once saw the direction for his life’s work.

Mario has worked tirelessly repairing the after effects of life’s tragedies and has also worked in the esthetic field repairing life’s genetic shortcomings. He decided to retire and to enjoy his sunset years beautifying nature. He told me, "Some of my colleagues have literally worked ‘till they dropped, that wasn’t going to happen to me."

Mountain River Lake Inn, Volcán’s Shangri-La.
Hotel Mountain River Lake Inn, el Shangri-La de Volcán.

The transformation.
Mario took a three hectare piece of swampy cow pasture and transformed it into a flower and waterfall bedecked Shangri-La that would equal Hilton’s mythical mountain community. Early one April morning I strolled through the grounds. The sky was clear blue as I walked past the man-made lake and along the stream that flows through the property. Mario has planted over 10,000 trees, shrubs and flowers.

Small bridges take you over pools where carp, trout and tilapia glisten in the sparkling waters.

Jeannie Friedman, a local natural therapist, agreed that the place had an energizing tranquility.

I would recommend staying here if you plan to visit Volcan.

Shangri-La was mythical, but Volcan, is truly mystical. Advanced, ancient cultures once lived here. Their statues, rock carvings and highly skilled craftsmanship prove that this area had something special about it – perhaps, that special quality still remains.

There are five aparthotel units complete with fridge and stoves that rent for $55 a night and slightly larger octagonal cabins that sleep 4, $88 a night. Work is just finishing on a small restaurant that is located in the middle of the man-made lake. For reservations and contact information go to Mario’s website at www.mountainriverlakeinn.com or email him directly at vahos7@aol.com

The attractions of Summit Park

Created in 1923 by the old adminstración of the Panama Canal, Summit Park is recognized for its natural attraction and variety.

The park has 250 acres of land and is located the Highway Gaillard in Ancón.

The park has a new administrative director, Adrian Benedetti who is seeking, together with several associations, to transform the place into a first class zoo, with better comforts and educational facilities for local and international visitors.

Benedetti is already doing the pertinent diligence for these changes.

Summit Park has among its forests a rich history of research and conservation of tropical flora.

In 1960, it was a small zoo. Today, this zoo have 300 species like the majestic eagle, which is the number one attraction of the park.

You can also find other endangered species like the tapir, various felines, lizards, deer, tortoises and an extensive variety of birds.

The complex has a museum donated by Sony Corporation, so the visitors can learn about the aspects of Panamanian nature and their importance for the country.

Summit Park is administerd by Panama City hall.

The entrance price is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. The rent of installations for private activities is $8.

To reach the Summit by car, you should take the Highway Gaillard and travel north.

The best way is through the North Corridor, driving along the A. Gelabert Airport, and past the Miraflores Locks.

Taboga – Island of flowers and history

A horse gets his excercise on the sandbar joining Taboga to the islet, El Morro.

The former home of explorers, buccaneers, buried treasure, the impressionist painter Gauguin, fishermen and even prisoners, Taboga is a one hour ferry ride from Panama.

Whether you go there to laze on the beach, dine in a Mediterranean style restaurant, view the many flowering bushes or orchids, or follow a nature trail leading to spectacular views, it is well worth the $10 return trip.

Local youngsters at play.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the 16th Century Spanish leader who first sighted the Pacific Ocean, was the first European to set foot on the island, which he named St Pedro.

A monument to Paul Gauguin.

It was later changed to Taboga, aboga being the Indian name for "many fish".

He was followed by characters like Welsh buccaneer Henry Morgan and a host of pirates in the late 16th Century.

In 1998 1000, pieces of buried silver were discovered during the building of the local health center.

Paul Gauguin, who had briefly worked on the French Canal project, spent time on the Island before moving to Martinique and later to Tahiti.

The Island became the home of a rest center for Canal workers until 1915, and in World War I, the center became an internment camp for German POWs.

You can reach the island by ferry from the Amador Causeway. The pier is located just behind the entrance to The Smithsonian facility on the second of the three islands that make up the Causeway. The price is $10 return.

Iglesia San Pedro, second oldest church in the hemisphere.