Shows
Travel BanterWandering the Panamanian Jungle...A few weeks ago we searched for Oropendola nesting colonies. They are unique birds that nest in groups, high under the tree canopies. The birds live in the jungle of Latin and South America. Their nests resemble long ‘socks’.We did not find them last time. But some mornings, I hear Oropendola calls near our boat. The calls are unmistakable, deep, and distinctive. To me, they sound like a melodic gurgling or bubbling of water through a metallic pipe.The calls tempted me to explore the jungle next door. I found the birds, and I foun...
2025-08-1506 min
Travel BanterRed and Deadly. We Find the Poison Dart Frogs.They are bright. They are poisonous, They are the frogs of Bocas Del Toro, Panama. When Charles Darwin noticed the diversions of features among closely-related species on neighboring islands, he arrived to a profound idea - the principle of natural selection. Darwin focused on the beaks of finches but the Poison Dart frogs of Bocas Del Toro are another great example of such polymorphism. The many islands are only a mile apart, but each has a frog of its own color. And they are beautiful. We go to Isla Bastimentos to look for them, and find them.
2025-07-2304 min
Travel BanterHomes on Stilts: Over-the-water Houses of Bocas Del Toro.Stilt homes are all around us in Panama. Some are over the water, others are embedded into to steep hillsides of the surrounding hills and mountains. We chat about these homes, their construction and ecological benefits and risks. The stilt houses are not new. The indigenous people have lived in these since before Columbus visited the area in 1502. And they only have grown in popularity since.Watch the episode for a glimpse of these places…You can subscribe for free. If you choose to support us, we donate 15% of our net proceeds to...
2025-07-0306 min
Travel BanterRainy Season in Bocas Del Toro. What is it like?Talking of weather is not fun you say? Well, we beg to differ. The rainy season in Panama lasts from May until November. It rains a lot, but the sun still shines.What is it like to live with it? Surprisingly fine. We unpack the story of the rain and share what it’s like to be here.You can subscribe for free. If you choose to support us, we donate 15% of our net proceeds to World Literacy Foundation. Help children read.Episode Summary:In this episode of Travel Ba...
2025-06-2507 min
Travel BanterOso Perezoso - The Lazy Bear.We are in the Bocas Del Toro archipelago. The islands are home to much wildlife: howler and capuchin monkeys, sea turtles, poisoned dart frogs, and many more. But today, we talk about sloth.They are unique creatures, docile symbols of the islands and the island life. We ran into one on our recent walk. We talk about their habits, habitats, and unique symbioses - mammalian-plant mutualism.This episode is both video and audio. The audio is available on all podcast distribution channels. And you can see the video episode on Substack at blueplanetstories.com, or...
2025-06-1907 min
Travel BanterThe Boats of the Bocas Archipelago.Bocas del Toro is an archipelago of 200 islands and islets on the west side of Panama. Boats are the way, the main way, to get around between the islands, to grocery shop or get to work.We talk about the two main boat types that make life possible here for the locals and tourists. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2025-06-0411 min
Travel BanterBocas Del Toro. Machetes and Coconuts.We are in Bocas Del Toro, Panama embracing the local’s way of drinking. Yes, an occasional Balboa beer, but mostly coconut water, fresh off the tree.But first, we chat about machetes, the most useful tool in these parts and the shortcut to feeling like a local.You can subscribe for free. If you choose to support us, we donate 15% of our net proceeds to World Literacy Foundation. Help children read. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2025-05-2513 min
Travel BanterCienfuegos. The Place of One Hundred Fires.In the podcast Alex narrates the story then we talk about our experience in the city of One Hundred Fires. You can read the story below and view the photo gallery after.I start on Malecon, the main boulevard connecting Punta Gorda to the center of Cienfuegos. The Malecon is busy on the weekends and for an hour before sunsets, but in the morning it is mine. Only a few electric tuk-tuk taxis, and a smoky car or two.I run between the Cienfuegos Bay and the parks, among palms and potholes, and through the...
2025-04-1627 min
Travel BanterCuba. Locals Are Not Allowed in Cayo LargoWe read the story from the island and talk about the majestic place. The story is below.The sand is the whitest in Cayo Largo. It is coral ground by the relentless swell of the Caribbean Sea. The swell crushes against the reefs, breaks the dead bits, and abrades them against the older sand in a slow motion of years. It uses the sand to make more of it.The reefs run for a hundred miles along this South Cuban archipelago. Its entire length. They form quiet lagoons and protect them from the anger of...
2025-04-0214 min
Travel BanterCuba Stories. Monkeys, Rangers, and Flotsam of Life.We rounded the Western Tip of Cuba and explored islands of the Archipelago de Los Canarreos. In this episode, we talk about our visit to Cayo Campos and read a story from that island.It is a slice of paradise, a site for a study of human impact on remote areas, and a place to ask ourselves questions about what we want to see for ourselves.You can subscribe for free. If you choose to support us, we donate 15% of our net proceeds to World Literacy Foundation. Help children read.
2025-03-2620 min
Travel BanterScott Mayer, and BostonWe have been traveling since the beginning of September and seldom had a moment to produce Travel Banter with other work and responsibilities. But here we go with the latest update on what is happening on our sail from New England to the warmth of the Caribbean. Today, we are catching up with Scott, who travels much for his work. We talk about the world of a yacht broker, the islands he loves, and others that he finds challenging.Then, we share our very positive sentiments about a four-day stop in Boston. ...
2024-10-0540 min
Travel BanterAcadia National Park. Carriage Roads.We go hiking and talk about the trails and peaks in the park. Egor chats about the history of carriage roads on his run through the park from Bar Harbor to Northeast Harbor.From the show:“…It's Saturday morning and the weather is excellent. Our friend Anna is with us and her dog with us as well. So we thought we'll climb up to the top of the Sargent Mountain. And the trail looked fine and fairly straight. But that's apparently the thing. When they're fairly straight, they're fairly steep. And man, this trail is nuts...
2024-08-2221 min
Travel BanterAcadia National Park and Bar HarborWe made it from Provincetown to Bar Harbor in one shot by staying far in the ocean to avoid lobster traps. It worked and we saved four days of hopping along the coast. We love this place (when the weather is nice).From the show:“…Roots, rocks, and a dog pulling me out of sync with my steps. So it's always a bit tricky to climb these things because I have to worry about my balance more than I normally would. But on a straight where it's not quite as technical, there is a little bonu...
2024-08-0822 min
Travel BanterNantucket and Provincetown, Cape CodWe left Martha’s Vineyard and spent a few days in Nantucket, followed by a few days in Provincetown at the very tip of Cape Cod.From the show:“…Does it happen to you when you get a certain idea of the place that you know is entirely false, but you keep hanging on to it no matter what? That is essentially my history with Nantucket… fishing village it is not…”“…rows and rows of colonial-style houses with your... Your cedar shingles. But all of them have these little decks on their roof. It's...
2024-08-0216 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: Martha’s VineyardWe almost wrote off Martha’s Vineyard after last year’s subpar experience. But we made a lovely detour to Edgartown that changed our perspective.From the show:“…can already tell, it's a very beautiful little picturesque place. There is a beach with a bunch of sunbathers on it and boats that are anchored just outside the inlet. That is where we'll find ourselves. The plan was to go to Nantucket, but we changed our minds based on the weather. It is beautiful today…”“… The whaling ships would go out and they'd reach California and t...
2024-07-2616 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: Block Island, Rhode IslandWe planned to stop only for four days but stayed a week. We enjoyed Block Island. Good restaurants, many greenway trails, and stunning views.A favorite may have been the bakery boat delivering calzones, cannoli, and cookies to anyone who hails them on VHF channel 71.From the show:“… it was named after a Dutch explorer, Adrian Block, who charted the area in, I believe, 1614. Prior to that, the island was populated by Narragansett Indians and was called Manisses, meaning The Island of the Little God…”“…I'm always perplexed by the serendipitous occurrences...
2024-07-1816 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: Sailing Around the Graveyard of the AtlanticWe sailed from North Carolina and landed in Rhode Island - our longest passage, 600 miles - while sailing the East Coast of the United States. We share with you the episodes from the voyage that we captured while on the way.From the show:“…In the ocean, like life, the fastest path to destination sometimes is not a straight line. And if you were to look at our track, you'll notice that we are traveling quite far out, up to 150-200 miles offshore and then coming back… So we're making almost a very shallow triangle..”“…D...
2024-07-1121 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: Wild Horses and Arm Wrestler CrabsThe crabs are actually Fiddler Crabs but I stick by our name for the reasons in the podcast.We love Beaufort, NC. A lively community with pleasant people and plenty to do, if you like nature and low key places.From the show:“… the wild horses are definitely an attraction here. They live on the Carrot Island, which is the one right next to our boat, just a few feet away, really. And on Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Park. A beautiful area here…”“…it's a mat of crabs...
2024-07-0310 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: Solo Sailing from the IslandsAs soon as June arrived we knew our Bahama adventure was coming to a close. Hurricane season starts June 1st, and this year is supposed to be an active one.As we worked our way back up the chain of islands, we got some sad news from home and Alex flew out to be with family.Which left Egor and Bèlá the task of sailing back to the US, alone.After some storms of their own, and 3 days at sea, they safely made it back to 🇺🇸. Home again. Get...
2024-06-1916 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: Warderick Wells ReefsThe Exuma Cay Land and Sea Park is a place to see. Headquartered in Warderick Wells Cay, it is home to beautiful and lively reefs. We had a chance to dive them, swim with stingrays, and wonder about the intentions of a rather inquisitive Caribbean Reef Shark.If you are in the Bahamas, Wardericks Wells is a place to stop. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2024-06-0514 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: Staniel Cay, Bahamas.Fast restaurant service (in Bahamas?), James Bond and Thunderball Grotto, hot walks to the beach, and 1990s music.What a lovely island for a couple of days stay. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2024-05-3113 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: Bahamian FestivalsBefore we left Rat Cay, we stopped at a festival in Barraterry, Exumas. We missed the main festivities but learned a bit anyway.At Rudder Cut Cay, we dove “The Paino and the Mermaid”, the underwater sculpture commissioned by David Copperfield.Then we moved onto Black Point where we met Killer and enjoyed some proper cocktails. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2024-05-2812 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: Friends on ExumasWe had visitors last week and did the quintessential Exuma things. We snorkeled the reefs, visited an Iguana island, and hung out with pigs and a brood of tiny piglets that live on White Cay.It is rewarding to host friends. They help you engage with the place and with each other. Through their eyes, we are reminded why sailing the Bahamas is an amazing time. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2024-05-2312 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: 05.20.24We are in the Bahamas off-season. Beaches are empty, boats are sparse, and the cold beer is a little harder to find, but only a little.We have to time our stops at restaurants as they may be closed early. And we may have to visit a couple before we find one that is open. But… It is all worth it when we make it to a beach devoid of anyone. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2024-05-2012 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: 05/09/24We made it to Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas, in one shot, much faster than we had planned. But it came with a bit of an adventure.The Exumas are as relaxed as Eleuthera, and the island time is… well… I don’t know if they even wind the clock.Beautiful place. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2024-05-0915 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: 05.03.24We learned about the color pink, “potcakes”, and that donuts and cops are a universal pairing…We sailed to Governor’s Harbor in nice conditions and planned to stay here only one night but after discovering a beautiful running trail along an equally beautiful beach, we decided to stay an extra day. Fantastic decision! Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2024-05-0412 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: 04.30.24We left Spanish Well and sailed through the Current Cut to Goulding Cay. The winds were twice as strong as forecasted, and the sea was higher and less pleasant than we preferred, but we arrived at a beautiful location.Thank you for reading Blue Planet. This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2024-04-3017 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: 04.26.24After a beautiful night sail across the Tongue of the Ocean, we arrived at Spanish Wells, a small town on St George Cay. We explored the town, the beaches, and everything named Pinder.Join us for a twelve-minute banter about the last couple of days.Thank you for reading Blue Planet. This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Blue Planet Stories at www.blueplanetstories.com/subscribe
2024-04-2712 min
Travel BanterTravel Banter: 04.22.24Travel Banter podcasts are our informal updates on where and what we are doing. These episodes are specific to places we are currently visiting, people we meet, and observations that make an impression.In this episode, we banter about our hard-earned eastward miles on the way from Key West to Spanish Wells.Have a great day, and don’t forget to subscribe and share.Thank you for reading Blue Planet. This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Blue Planet St...
2024-04-2416 min
Blue Planet StoriesStorms Between Two WorldsWelcome to our inaugural podcast. We live on our sailboat and travel around the North Atlantic and Caribbean. We are lucky to meet interesting people in interesting places. We write stories about our experiences. We also read stories by writers from around the world telling of people and places, and the culture that connects them.We want to share these experiences through interviews and by reading these stories.Today, we begin with the story about us, experiencing life while sailing north in Gulfstream, riding through a storm, and bonding with the boat and each other.
2024-03-2427 min