John - Epic Bucket List Adventures

Morocco Mountains: Scenic Route with Lunch at Kasbah Asmaa

Crossing the desert from Fez to Erfoud took the better part of a day. We didn’t drive straight through or rush. When traveling, particularly by bus, it’s nice to stop and smell the roses. Before stopping for lunch at the Kasbah Asmaa, we had a short visit with wild Barbary Apes alongside the road we were traveling.

Unplanned Stop with Barbary Apes

Macaque in Morocco's Mid-Atlas Mountains

Our journey included an unplanned stop in the middle-Atlas Mountains. Here, we interacted with a troop of Barbary Apes. This unexpected experience added a delightful touch to our day.

Lunch at Kasbah Asmaa

We stopped for lunch at a desert restaurant and hotel called Kasbah Asmaa. The restaurant is located at Route d’Er Rachidia, Midelt 54350, Morocco. Midelt is strategically placed about halfway between Fez and Erfoud, making it a convenient stop.

Convenient Location and Spacious Parking

Kasbah Asmaa sits right along the highway with plenty of parking. The parking can accommodate tourist buses, making it accessible for large groups. The restaurant is large enough to seat several buses at a time. However, it wasn’t crowded during our visit.

Unique Dining Atmosphere at Kasbah Asmaa

We chose a room at the back of the restaurant where our entire group could fit. The rooms were different colors, with photos and pictures on the otherwise sparsely occupied walls. Our room was green with small chandeliers hanging beneath mildly gaudy colored glass.

Limited Menu but Tasty Options

The lunch menu was a bit limited but offered something for everyone. It featured traditional Moroccan fare, primarily a variety of tajines. The daily special was fish. I ordered the chicken tajine, a dish I enjoyed throughout Morocco. It’s flavorful and always on the menu. My wife ordered the same but asked for white meat. Both dishes were tasty, although her chicken was a bit tougher.

Beverage Options and Pricing at Kasbah Asmaa

My lunch included a choice of drink. Morocco is a Muslim country, but you can usually buy beer and wine. I had a choice between Casablanca Beer or Flag Speciale. I opted for the Flag, a typical lager that was decent. The food was good, which is most important. Tajines cost around seven to eight dollars, standard for the places we visited.

Service and Facilities

Service at Kasbah Asmaa was decent but nothing to brag about. It was difficult to get the waiter’s attention, except when he took our order. The menus were in English, making things easier. The bathrooms were moderately clean and required a small fee. While not the most exceptional meal, the food was good and the atmosphere interesting.

Final Thoughts

Kasbah Asmaa provided a pleasant lunch stop on our journey from Fez to Erfoud. The experience with the Barbary Apes and the unique atmosphere of the restaurant made it memorable. If you find yourself on this route, Kasbah Asmaa is a convenient and tasty option.

A Quick Guide to Panama City’s Best Tours and Tastes

Booking the Trip to Panama

Copa Airlines recently started a non-stop flight between Raleigh and Panama City. I decided to check ticket prices for the 4th of July weekend. Prices were reasonable, with basic tickets under $500 and main economy under $600. The latter included seat selection and checked baggage. I opted for main economy, paying less than $1200 for my wife and me.

Arrival in Panama City

We flew down to Panama on the July 3rd flight, arriving in Terminal 1 early. The flight was pleasant, lasting about four hours. Our luggage was delivered to Terminal 2, requiring a half-mile walk to immigration. Immigration was nearly empty, allowing us to clear quickly. After the fifteen-minute walk, our luggage was waiting just past immigration.

Getting to the Hotel

I ordered an Uber to our hotel, not knowing what to expect. It ended up being super easy. The Uber pick-up zone is just outside baggage claim. Our Uber arrived quickly, followed by a twenty-minute drive to our hotel in Panama City. After checking in, I spent a few minutes confirming our tour for the next morning with Almiza Tours.

Day 1 in Panama: Gatun Lake and Monkeys

We got ready for our trip and headed down to the lobby to wait for our ride. Almiza Tours arrived as scheduled. We boarded the bus for an amazing trip to Lake Gatun that lasted the entire morning. After visiting all three types of monkeys found on Lake Gatun, we were returned to our hotel. My wife and I ventured out for lunch before our next scheduled event.

Lunch at Almeria

Our hotel was located next to an “outlet mall” that was nearly vacant. We decided to explore Balboa Boutique, a nearby strip mall. After a five-minute walk, we found several appealing restaurants and settled on Almeria, a Spanish restaurant. It was the best meal we had in Panama, and the lunch special was affordable.

Chocolate Making at Nome Chocolates

After lunch, we returned to the hotel to regroup. We had a 4 pm class at Nome Chocolates to learn to make chocolate. After a short Uber ride to Casco Viejo, we had time to explore before our class. We walked around Independence Plaza, exploring gift shops, stopping for coffee, and then heading to Nome for our class. The chocolate-making class was more demonstration than hands-on, but very informative. It culminated in making our own chocolate bar and a sampling session.

Strolling Through Cinta Costera Park

Racoon on the breakers along Costa Cintera

After our class, we headed to Sisu Coffee Studio to try the Geisha coffee but arrived too late. We decided to stroll back to our hotel, passing through Cinta Costera Park. The park runs along Panama Bay between the sea wall and the Pan-American highway, offering a scenic and leisurely stroll.

Dinner and Day 2 Plans

We arrived back at our hotel just after dark. We had a late dinner at Petit Bon before settling in for the night. The following morning, we had breakfast at the hotel before catching an Uber to Miraflores Locks. We arrived in time for the early showing of the 3D IMAX movie on the Panama Canal, giving us time to explore the visitors center before heading back to Casco Viejo.

Day 2 in Panama: Casco Viejo and Cooking

Coffee presentation at Sisu Coffee Studio

We took an Uber back to Casco Viejo and were dropped directly at Sisu Coffee Studio. We purchased a Geisha Coffee and Matcha Latte. The coffee was disappointing and expensive. I had planned to purchase a pound but changed my mind after tasting it. We then explored the Metropolitan Basilica before heading to our Panamanian Cooking Class.

Cooking Class and Dinner

The cooking class included a walk to the meat, produce, and fish markets. After obtaining our ingredients, we returned to the restaurant to prepare our meal. We spent the entire afternoon learning about Panama, cooking, and our guide Jorge’s personal story. After finishing the class, we enjoyed the meal we prepared. It was tasty and authentic.

Day 3 in Panama: Embera Village

We met our tour guide, Esteban, for our excursion to visit the Embera Village. We picked up our group of eleven before heading towards the village. The visit included cultural lessons, a meal, dancing, and demonstrations. We also toured the village and purchased handmade crafts. Our return trip included a waterfall stop before heading back to our hotels.

Dinner at El Trapiche

I asked our guide for a dinner recommendation and went to El Trapiche. It was recommended by others as well. The restaurant reminded me of a diner in the US. It offered authentic Panamanian fare at reasonable prices. However, the meat was tough in both entrees, making the meal unenjoyable.

Heading Home

We returned to our hotel after dinner to pack for our trip home. We took an Uber to the airport in the morning. Traffic was light, so we arrived early, giving us plenty of time to check in, drop our bags, and clear security. The process was quick and seamless, getting us on our journey home.

Summary

Our trip was amazing. Three full days seemed adequate to explore Panama City, but there are many more excursions to take. There is enough to do for a full week, possibly more. We checked the top things off our list and managed to squeeze them into three days without feeling rushed. It was an amazing trip that I would highly recommend. Most notably, the Panamanian people are incredible hosts. They were very welcoming, no matter where we interacted.

Lake Gatun: A Morning Monkey Adventure on the Panama Canal

During our recent trip to Panama, my wife and I had a checklist of adventures to explore. First on the list was visiting the monkey islands on Lake Gatun. We booked with Almiza Tours for our first day in Panama. Since we arrived late the night before, I was unsure what to expect the next day. I messaged Almiza and received a quick response indicating our pick-up time, shortly before 7 am. They even provided the vehicle and license plate number for added security.

The vehicle, an ornately decorated Toyota Coaster minibus, was a delight. The exterior was wrapped with images of monkeys and sloths, with a green boa adorning the windshield inside. The minibus was air-conditioned and comfortable, making for a pleasant ride. We picked up a few other riders along the way to Lake Gatun, bringing our total group to about twelve.

On our way to the lake, our guide Danny provided an informative history of the area. He expertly switched between English and Spanish to accommodate all guests. Danny’s combination of information and humor showed his experience in dealing with tourists, making the ride enjoyable.

When we arrived at the lake, a boat awaited us, ready for our adventure. We were each provided with a mandatory life jacket before boarding. The fifteen to twenty-minute boat ride across Lake Gatun was scenic. While traversing the lake, we witnessed a couple of large container ships passing through the canal. Their massive size dwarfed our small touring boat.

Our first stop was a small island inhabited by Capuchin Monkeys. The Capuchins are very brave and extremely fast. They jumped onto our boat, darting around to explore the visitors before jumping back into the trees. Unsalted peanuts helped attract them to the boat, although I am unsure how I feel about feeding the monkeys. Either way, it was fun to watch the monkeys, including a mama monkey with baby in tow, interact with the passengers.

After visiting the Capuchin Monkeys, we stopped at another small island where tiny Tamarin Monkeys greeted us. These monkeys were far more cautious but came to the bow of our boat to say hello. The small monkeys were cute and made faces at us. We captured some great photos before moving on.

Before heading to the final type of monkey found on Lake Gatun, we stopped at a large tree where a family of proboscis bats was sleeping. The fifty-cent-sized creatures were spaced out along the trunk of the tree. At first, I wasn’t sure what we were looking at, but finally, their tiny bodies came into view. It was an interesting sight to behold.

Finally, we visited the Howler Monkeys, which do not approach the boat. When threatened, the Alpha will hoot out, hence the name howler monkey. These monkeys weren’t threatened enough to howl at us, but they did get close enough in the tree canopy for us to capture some great photos. There were quite a few monkeys in the trees, some obscured by the foliage. But we did manage to get some great photographs.

After visiting the Howler Monkeys, we headed back to the docks. From there, we made a short bathroom stop at a nearby restaurant/grocery before heading back to our hotels. The tour was very reasonably priced, brought us close to each of the three types of monkey found on Lake Gatun, and included a great narrative on the history of the Panama Canal provided by our guide Danny. I would definitely recommend this particular excursion, as well as Almiza Tours for anyone visiting Panama.

Overview of our three-day trip to Panama!

Sipping Geisha Coffee in the Old Quarter: Sisu Coffee Studio

So, how did we end up at Sisu Coffee Studio? Well, before our Panama trip, my wife and I researched top things to do. Among them, we discovered Geisha coffee was highly touted. Known as one of the world’s most expensive quality coffees, we were determined to try it.

Recommendation for Geisha Coffee

While visiting the Old Quarter, we asked for a coffee shop recommendation for Geisha coffee. We were directed to Sisu Coffee Studio, located at the corner of 9th and B in the Old Quarter. It was a short walk, but we arrived after 5 pm, only to find the shop had already closed for the day.

We returned the next morning after visiting the nearby Miraflores Locks. Knowing this was high-quality coffee, the ten-dollar price tag for a cup of Geisha pour-over was only mildly shocking. My wife ordered a Matcha Latte, which was half the price of the Geisha coffee.

Visiting Sisu Coffee Studio

The coffee shop has a modern industrial vibe with concrete and brick accents. The atmosphere was bright, open, modern, and clean, providing a pleasant setting for our late-morning coffee.

Research revealed that Sisu is owned by the Lamastus Family, a Panamanian coffee producer. Lamastus is known for their Geisha coffee, so it’s likely the shop sells the genuine article. This is reassuring for travelers wary of scams selling cheap counterfeits.

Geisha pour over coffee and a Matcha Latte from Sisu Coffee Studio

However, I wasn’t sure the correct amount of coffee was used to prepare my cup. The Geisha coffee was tepid and weak, with barely detectable flavor. My attached image shows the coffee’s light color, reflecting my disappointing experience.

On the other hand, the Matcha Latte was excellent. The drinks’ presentation added a nice touch. Ultimately, the reason for our visit—a cup of Geisha coffee—was a letdown. The coffee shop also offers a variety of pastries, which we didn’t sample, but they looked appealing.

Presentation of Geisha coffee and Matcha Latte

Observations

Rating Sisu Coffee Studio is difficult. There was a lot to like: great vibe, attractive presentation, and good matcha. However, the steep price for a weak cup of coffee was a downside.

Based on my experience, I didn’t purchase a bag of coffee to take home. If, in fact, Sisu shorted me on the coffee, it was their loss. Whatever they saved on my cup, they lost in the sale of their expensive coffee beans. If you’re interested, Sisu sells Geisha beans for forty dollars (200 grams), equating to about 7 ounces—about 90 dollars per pound.

If you visit Panama City, the Old Quarter (Casco Viejo) is a must-see. Sisu Coffee Studio is located just blocks from Independence Square. Give it a shot and report back if your coffee experience is better than mine.

Overview of our three-day trip to Panama!

El Trapiche Restaurant: Why I Found It Disappointing

During our brief visit to Panama, my wife and I received several recommendations to try El Trapiche. On our last night in Panama City, we decided to give it a try. This happened to be last Saturday night, when Colombia and Panama played each other in the Copa America competition. Most of the restaurant patrons were glued to the television. For anyone who pays attention to these things, it was a very disheartening night.

Unfortunately, my dinner experience reflected that disappointment. After receiving two top recommendations for El Trapiche, my hopes were high. Understanding that this is a reasonably priced family restaurant featuring Panamanian food, I still expected a degree of quality.

After reviewing the menu, I ordered a passion fruit juice and ropa vieja. I am a fan of the Cuban take on ropa vieja, so I figured this was a safe bet. I also ordered an appetizer of pork belly. My wife opted for the pork in garlic gravy. Service was about what one would expect at a busy restaurant. We didn’t wait an inordinate amount of time for our food, so I would grade the service favorably.

The food, on the other hand, was not so great. My ropa vieja was inedible. I ate a couple of bites and left it. It was far too tough and didn’t have a lot of flavor. It was served with rice, salad, and a plantain, which constituted most of my meal. The pork was overcooked and dry, but the flavor was good. My wife shared some of her pork with me. Had it been tender, it would have scored highly. With that said, the pork belly was pretty good. I would also note, as demonstrated in the photos, that the portion sizes are generous.

The prices were reasonable. Everything was under ten dollars, to be more accurate, under eight dollars. I believe all three items were priced about the same. The pricing was slightly cheaper than what you would pay at a diner in the United States. This felt similar to a US diner experience, which can also be good or bad, depending on where you go.

I would probably not go back to this restaurant on a return trip unless convinced by a trusted friend that our experience was an anomaly. I tend to think this was typical, and it may also have been a factor of what we ordered. But having both entrees equally tough seems more than an anomaly. Not recommended.

Our experience at El Trapiche differed dramatically from our meal at Restaurante Almeria. Although they do not serve Panamanian food, this Spanish restaurant in Balboa Boutique is an amazing alternative option.

Overview of our three-day trip to Panama!

Best Lunch in Panama City: Almeria Has An Affordable Lunch Special

The strip mall offered several restaurants to choose from, with options that included Indian, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, a steakhouse, rotisserie, and more. On this hot day, we were drawn to the restaurants with indoor seating. Almeria, a Spanish restaurant, intrigued me the most. It already had diners, a good sign when you’re unsure where to eat. The atmosphere was inviting, and they had a lunch special that caught our eye.

The special included creamy bean soup, a choice of Alfredo noodles or beef, a glass of juice, and a shared dessert. All this for less than ten dollars! We both opted for the strawberry juice, which was absolutely delicious. When the creamy soup arrived, the presentation was impressive. For a lunch special, it was nice to see that Almeria cared about the presentation. The orange soup contrasted beautifully with the square black bowl, and the taste was incredible.

Next came the entrees. The beef option featured dense ground beef in a sauce reminiscent of the flavors in ropa vieja. It came with a salad and french fries. The noodle dish was served with two slices of bread. Both dishes were flavorful and well-presented, maintaining the high standard set by the soup.

Spaghetti Al Fredo lunch special at Almeria

The final course was a shared dessert, part of a special addition to the normal lunch menu. It was a small bowl of rice pudding. While it was delicious, rice pudding isn’t typically my first choice for dessert. Nevertheless, it was a satisfying end to our meal.

Our waitress spoke English and helped us navigate the menu. Despite the restaurant getting busier after our arrival, she ensured we had everything we needed. Her attentive service added to the overall great experience.

When we travel, we rarely return to the same restaurant, preferring to explore new places. However, we would consider revisiting Almeria. It was a delightful discovery, offering delicious food, excellent service, and great value. Great job, Almeria!

If you prefer to cook your own meal while you are in Panama, check out my Cooking Class post! Overview of our three-day trip to Panama!

Traversing Cinta Costera at Sunset: A Fun and Free Adventure

Following our Chocolate Making Class, my wife and I decided to walk back to our hotel from Casco Viejo. It was evening, just before sunset, and I figured if things looked sketchy at Cinta Costera Park, we could always order an Uber. My concerns, however, were completely unjustified.

Passing the Mercado Publico del Marisco (Fish Market), we entered Cinta Costera Park. The park is a thin strip of land between a blue seawall and the Pan-American Highway. Our hotel was less than a ten-minute walk from the park’s eastern end, making it a leisurely hour-long walk from Casco Viejo.

View of downtown Panama City from Costa Cintera Park

Although it was sunset, the park was bustling with people. Fitness was the theme as runners and cyclists sped past, enjoying the park’s well-maintained paths and fitness equipment. Even with the sun setting over the Pacific, the park felt safe and lively.

Vendors lined the walkways, offering street foods, gifts, and local crafts. While many were packing up for the night, there were still plenty of stalls open as we strolled through the park.

We stopped along the seawall to snap photos of Casco Viejo and downtown Panama City. Locals were feeding cats and raccoons living within the concrete erosion jacks along the beach. My first impression? I’d never seen a cat eat a cheese puff before!

I did wonder about the health implications of feeding junk food to cats and raccoons. There were no signs forbidding it, but it still didn’t seem like a great idea. I took a few photos of the animals but kept my distance, knowing raccoons can carry diseases. They looked healthy, but I didn’t want to tempt fate.

As darkness settled across the city, we finished our stroll through the park. A pedestrian walkway allowed us to cross safely over to our hotel across the Pan-American Highway.

The park is free, appeared safe, and was quite popular. I would definitely recommend a visit. Plus, you can snap a photo at the iconic Panama sign located within the park!

Overview of our three-day trip to Panama!

How to Visit Miraflores Locks in Panama While Saving Money

On our three-day Panama visit, my wife and I packed our schedule full of adventures. We wanted to see the Miraflores Locks but didn’t have time for a half-day tour. So, we decided to visit the locks on our own.

Timing Is Everything

With only two hours before our cooking class, we ordered an Uber around 9:15 AM. This gave us thirty minutes before the first IMAX movie at the Miraflores Visitor Center. Our Uber arrived promptly, and we made it to Miraflores with a few minutes to spare.

Ticket Time

We bought our tickets at the office, spending about $17 per person. This included the IMAX movie, which was about to start. Showtimes are:

8:45 am
11:00 am
12:15 pm
1:30 pm
2:45 pm
4:00 pm
5:15 pm

IMAX Experience

We showed our tickets and ascended two sets of escalators to the IMAX theater. To our surprise, it was a nearly full theater with a concession stand offering popcorn and more. I would estimate that 2/3rds of the 500 seats were occupied. We grabbed our 3D glasses and found our seats just as the film began.

A Journey Through History

Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the forty-five-minute film provided an excellent narrative on the history of the canal. It also shared cultural insights into the local area. After the movie, we exited through the gift shop before heading up to the viewing platforms.

Lock Views and Rainy Skies

We arrived at a time when no ships were scheduled to pass through the locks. We knew this from the schedule but had no other option due to our packed itinerary. Although we’d seen locks before, these were still impressive.

Staying Dry and Snapping Photos

Despite the light rain, we got a great vantage point of the locks. The platforms are covered, keeping us dry. We snapped some photos and checked the view from both platforms before heading out.

Panama Bay side of the Miraflores Lock set to the Bay level to begin receiving ships.

Coffee and Cooking Class

Next up was Geisha Coffee at Sisu followed by a Panamanian cooking class. Our visit to Miraflores Locks was brief but memorable.

Cost Breakdown

We spent about $20 on Uber and $35 on two tickets, totaling around $27 per person. This was significantly cheaper than many formal tours. We also enjoyed the flexibility of doing things on our own schedule.

Conclusion

At $17 per person, the Miraflores Locks seem a bit pricey. However, half the price is for the IMAX 3D movie, which is worth it. The rest is for viewing platforms. On a busy day, crowds might make it hard to see or take photos. Still, this is a must-see as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Despite the cost, it’s an experience you shouldn’t miss.

Overview of our three-day trip to Panama!

Discover Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica in the Old Quarter

Squeezing in Panama City’s Highlights

My wife and I packed many points of interest into our short three-day Panama visit. One highlight was visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria the Ancient, located in the historic Casco Viejo district.

View of the chancel from the rear of the Metropolitan Cathedral

Choosing a Self-Guided Tour

We chose to explore the cathedral on our own rather than join a walking tour. We wanted to spend our own time and had a cooking class and a chocolate-making class nearby.

Perfect Timing

Our schedule was packed. We visited the cathedral between the Miraflores Locks and our Panamanian cooking class. After leaving the Miraflores Locks, we stopped at Sisu Coffee Studio for a pour-over Geisha coffee. Then we headed to the cathedral with nearly thirty minutes until our class.

Getting to Metropolitan Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria the Ancient stands as a magnificent testament to Panama’s rich history. The church spans centuries, marked by colonial ambition, religious devotion, and architectural evolution.

Map showing the Basilica to the west of Independence Plaza.

Early Beginnings

Panama City was founded on August 15, 1519, by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila. A small chapel was constructed soon after to serve settlers’ spiritual needs.

Destruction and Rebirth

The original Panama City faced attacks from pirates, the most infamous being Henry Morgan’s sacking in 1671. In 1673, the new cathedral’s cornerstone was laid in Casco Viejo, symbolizing the city’s rebirth.

Architectural Splendor

We learned that the cathedral’s construction spanned over a century, completed in 1796. It blends Baroque and Neoclassical styles, with twin bell towers inlaid with mother-of-pearl from the Pearl Islands. Inside, the cathedral boasts a spacious nave, chapels, religious artworks, and intricate woodwork. The high marble altar is a focal point.

Historical Significance of Metropolitan Cathedral

The cathedral has played a central role in Panama’s religious and cultural life. It witnessed significant events, including Panama’s independence from Spain in 1821 and its separation from Colombia in 1903. Pope Leo XIII elevated the cathedral to a basilica in 1882, recognizing its importance.

Metropolitan Cathedral in Modern Times

In recent years, efforts have been made to preserve and restore the cathedral. Renovations were completed for Pope Francis’s visit in January 2019. The chair he sat on is encased in glass in the sanctuary. I was unable to obtain a good photograph of the chair due to light reflecting from the glass enclosure. Restorations during this time frame aimed to preserve the cathedral’s historical integrity. The interior of the church is impeccable, a stark contrast to the exterior. But it is clear efforts were made to capture the historic details of the structure.

Conclusion

The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria the Ancient is more than just a religious building; it is a living chronicle of Panama’s past. It embodies the spirit and perseverance of the Panamanian people, attracting thousands of visitors annually. Donations are accepted but not required for this visit. There is a small chapel to the right of the chancel with a donation box. Another donation box at the rear of the basilica is for maintaining the impressive pipe organ at the rear of the sanctuary.

The beautiful pipe organ pipes at the rear of the Metropolitan Cathedral

Overview of our three-day trip to Panama!

Make Your Own Chocolate: Class in Panama City’s Historic Quarter

My wife and I decided on a last-minute getaway to Panama City. While searching for activities during our brief visit, the opportunity to make chocolate caught my eye.

Nome is located just to the west of Independence Square

The class was scheduled for one hour at Nome, a high-end chocolatier. Located just off the main square in Casco Viejo, the “Old Quarter” of Panama City, Nome offered a unique experience.

Our group included about a dozen chocolate enthusiasts, including two young sisters with their mom (they weren’t fans of unsweetened chocolate).

Eric demonstrating the process of bringing the chocolate to the correct temperature.

The owner, Eric, welcomed us and led the class, offering an introduction to the chocolate-making process. After washing our hands, Eric explained the process, starting with the cocoa pods.

Ingredients used in the process of chocolate making along with photos of processes prior to the current state. — Photos, Cocoa Beans in Different States, Cocoa Butter and Sugar

Eric’s class covered all the steps in chocolate making. He explained the importance of temperature and how chocolate percentages work. The class was interactive, primarily through Q&A, until we went hands-on to make our own chocolate bars.

Each group received a mold with instructions on filling it, removing excess chocolate, and tapping out air bubbles. We were provided with various ingredients to add to our bars, including fruits, nuts, and nibs (which I selected).

Eric demonstrating process for separating nibs from shells — Eric demonstrating a tool for separating nibs from shells

After finishing our bars, we enjoyed champagne or water while engaging in more Q&A and shopping. This portion included sampling different creations, from dark chocolate to bonbons. I particularly liked the sea salt dark chocolate and the coffee ganache bonbon.

The candy bars were small but consistent with the shop’s offerings. It’s a clear case of quality over quantity. The chocolate was exceptional. What impressed me most was Eric’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for chocolate.

This made for an engaging and informative outing. It’s fun for kids of all ages.
For my fellow foodies, check out the 4-Hour Market Tour and Cooking Class offered by Jerin at Panama Day Trips.

Overview of our three-day trip to Panama!