The Surfing Turtle Lodge - The Lodge has No Surfs Boards, but it does have some wax available. It has no Turtles, they were eaten many moons ago according to the locals. But it sure is relaxing.........
The web's original travel blog
The web's original travel blog
The Surfing Turtle Lodge - The Lodge has No Surfs Boards, but it does have some wax available. It has no Turtles, they were eaten many moons ago according to the locals. But it sure is relaxing.........
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A little GEM: Great Exaggeration and Misrepresentation.
Where to begin? There's so much wrong at the Surfing Turtle Lodge.
First of all they don't have any boards that are in a decent shape, so forget about surfing (lessons) unless you bring your own board. Second, with no eggs or turtles, there is no hatchery. So they might want to rethink their name.
The Lodge is everything BUT ecofriendly. The solar panels on the beach are obviously just decoration, cause in the month that I spent volunteering there, they were not used. In stead - on the rare occasions there was power - they used a gasoline slurping generator which was faulty and literally made a hell of a noise (so forget about the tranquil environment they promise on their website). No electricity means no light or WIFI. They don't grow their own vegetables or spices as stated on their Facebook page. Beach volleyball and basketball sounds very nice, but it would be nicer if there was actually a ball that bounces and has air. As for the boardgames - none of them are complete. I didn't see any learning centre. They say they work with local students and volunteers to clean the land, but why then is the beach full with litter?
The website is a beautiful site - making the place sound like paradise - but unfortunately very misleading. Clearly the guy updating the website (and Facebook Page) hasn't visited the Lodge lately. It's easy to list all the amenities and activities you offer, but then you should also be able to offer them! If not, change the information on your site to reflect the real state the Lodge is in. Be honest to the people. This way guests won't leave disappointed.
I busted my ass off for them, trying to save whatever was left to save of this sham of a place. Most days I was on duty for 16 hours and in the end the guy in charge didn't even thank me.
As an ex-volunteer, I was greatly disappointed by the state the Lodge was in as well as in the management. Therefore I DO NOT recommend to 'volunteer' at the Lodge, unless you are prepared to WORK long days in unacceptable conditions and feel unappreciated.
As for staying at the Lodge, unless they seriously turn things around and do all the things they promise on their site, I'd recommend to stay away, because the place is everything BUT paradise. For in paradise at least there's light.