THE Casa Del Mundo

Ok, so this place is pretty freakin´unreal.

As we boarded the little boat from the docks of Pana, we headed toward the quiet town of Jaibalito and the super resort that is Case del Mundo.

All of the recommendations were well deserved. This place was built up from nada by American husband and Guatemalan wife.

There are about 12 to 14 luscious rooms, most have a killer view of the lake.

It was a tad expensive (but SOOOO worth it) and we were truly treated to a resort like setting (which isn´t my cup of tea every day of the week, but hey, I´m on vacation, I left my job, time to celebrate!).

I have a few pictures to share,but let me try and set the scene. As you approach Casa Del Mundo from the lake, you can´t help but point and say ¨whoaaa, look at that place¨as you first notice the many patios, hammocks, swings, vistas, and tables.

Then you realize it´s where YOU are gonna stay for awhile. A-w-e-s-o-m-e.

After we settled into what I will forever defend as one of THE nicest rooms in the joint, we met our Canadian friend Gregg and walked to Santa Cruz (another island town). I was proud of us because we most certainly could have stayed at the casa, swinging on hammocks, reading and relaxing. But no, not us.

Santa Cruz was wild. Once you got past all the touristy bling, and after a VERY steep set of three inclines, you arrive into the real town of Santa Cruz. We were met by many ¨holas¨and ¨buenas tardes¨as we made our ascent into the belly of the village. Finally we cooled off with 2 7-ups and talked about the vast differences between our world, the village we were in, the resort we were staying at,what it meant to us, how it relates to the human condition, why we live the way we do in the U.S.A., etc. Very meaningful experience.

Finally, we earned a dip in the lake and it felt AMAZING. Totally perfect temperature, although as the guidebooks predicted, the water was a bit choppy in the afternoon.

Later that evening we were privy to a family style dinner for all of the guests at the hotel. Gregg sat across from parents of a student he taught for three years. We were seated closely to a couple from Pacific Heights SF! And one more treat was a Danish French speaker who now lives Jaibalito.

Sadly, we had to leave Casa del Mundo the next morning (it books up quickly), but we got a reservation for Friday night. Which happens to be Roni´s Birthday. If you forgot, you better holler at her.

Happy Birthday Roni!