MEXICO

Some photos from a trip to Mexico back in March.  Can anyone guess where this is?

TABOGA, PANAMA

Taboga is a great day trip to escape Panama City. It's a colorful little island dotted with restaurants and B&Bs, only a five-dollar and 45-minute ferry ride from the end of the Amador causeway. (Any Angelenos out there, think of it as Panama's Catalina) At low tide, a sandbar connects Taboga to a smaller island, creating an awesome double-sided beach. Fishermen pull up boats full of fresh langostinos and sea snails that you can bring home to eat for dinner, or have prepared for lunch and brought to you right on the sand.

skeleton of a boat

the sandbar at low tide

langostinos

sea snails

The ferry leaves at 8:30 every morning and returns at 4:30pm, which leaves you a nice long day to relax on the beach, or hike to the cross at the top of the mountain.  You can bring a cooler with a nice picnic, but be prepared for quick changes in weather. If you find yourself caught in an afternoon storm like we did, you can easily slip into a restaurant and nibble on some ceviche, fried fish, patacones and yuquitas (fried green plantains and yucca fries) while you wait out the rain.

the sandbar at high tide

ST THOMAS- DARK & STORMYS + BLACK IGUANAS

I just decided to add the recipe for Dark & Stormys.  I had forgotten how much I love rum until my recent trip to the Caribbean.  I've been trying to extend the tropical vibe as long as I can which has not been difficult with the amazing weather in LA lately.  Beach BBQs, coconut banana bread and rum galore!

I spent a fair amount of time in Antigua and the surrounding islands in 2008 for family trips, getting certified for diving, and a few sailing regattas (we won Classics Week that year!) While I was there I developed a serious love for the rum punch at Shirley Heights.  The steel drum band, ancient fortress, and unforgettable sunsets were great too, but I mean, this PUNCH!  They have vowed to never reveal the recipe, so instead of trying to half-ass my own, here's another great and simple rum drink.

DARK AND STORMY

2 oz dark rum (I like Mount Gay and Ron Abuelo)

10 oz ginger beer (My favorite is Reed's Ginger Brew)

1/2 lime

Ice

Fill a tall glass with ice.  Squeeze 1/4 of the lime onto the ice and leave wedge in glass.  Pour rum over the ice, then add ginger beer. Stir slightly and garnish with the second 1/4 lime.