Donte J.
Panama 2024
A group trip with a collective of people, many of whom you've never met can seem daunting, scary, intimidating, yet still intriguing. I've never been on a trip of this nature to this scale and I did not know what to expect. I'll start with the most important part. I had a blast and would certainly recommend this group to anyone itching to venture on a trip, who may be on the fence. The stay: The hotel was amazing and not just from a comfort level. The convenience to get to all necessary locations was second to none. The art and beauty of the hotel interior really made you want to explore the and take in the beauty. The 24 hour pool, which kept the water temperature regulated through all hours of the day, was amazing as it also had a bar for people to purchase drinks to enjoy poolside. The events: Have you ever been on a trip to a new country and only felt like a tourist? I know I have but with this trip, I got to experience the beauty of Panama in ways I would have never imagined. We experienced the fun that you would expect on a group trip, but being able to visit an indigenous tribe, walk through a legitimate rainforest, only to be reach a beautiful waterfall that we all were able to experience in person was an unforgettable experience. Going to the indigenous tribes community, and be welcomed, in their unique language that requires a Spanish interpreter to even interpret to English, and then witness a ceremonial dance with music was something I could not think to ask for on my own. All of that was just one day of this trip. There's so many things I could detail but I want to leave some surprises for whoever reads this and decides to book a trip. The people: Passport Poppin has some amazing hosts. Akeia and Chasmin were nothing short of amazing. They made sure to make everyone feel welcome. They made sure to remember everyone's names so no one just felt like a random person on a trip. Akeia being, at the very least, bilingual was also an amazing add as she could not only speak directly to the natives, but help any of us who are lacking in the ability to communicate as effectively as we may want to with our limited language knowledge. Another testament to their hosting is their ability, and willingness, to listen to the group. There's many hosts who would plan something, and regardless of what the group wants, they move forward with no adjustments. They are not those hosts. When the group realized our bus the first day was too small for our comfort, we were awoken to a larger bus the very next day. On the first day when hunger struck and the schedule dictated that lunch would be another few hours later, they called an audible to allow a group of people to be satiated and satisfied, and I believe this shows how their focus is the group. Overall: While I have known The Hike Crew, who partnered with Passport Poppin for this trip, I had never met anyone from Passport Poppin. After leaving this trip, I genuinely feel that I made some new friends. I have memories that will not leave me. I have a huge respect for this group, that is Black Woman owned and led, creating spaces for people to safely experience new things with new people. If you take anything from what I wrote, just book and go on a trip.