Absolutely Beautiful Morning - Aug 2 & 3, 2012

This morning is the most gorgeous yet - sunny, warm breezes, lots of birds and butterflies, and quiet. It seemed as if we had more than the usual number of small birds: plus an eagle, the laughing hawk, several toucanes, at least 4 fiery billed aracari's, small and large parrots. It rained last night to this morning the air is fresh and drier.

The toucans are back making Mike happy. There were none, then just one, now we have a few but not as many as previous seasons. This one enjoys the fruits of the palm tree at our driveway entrance.

The pesote has not made an appearance since Greg left. Mike says we should have paid him for a longer contract.

We changed our mind about heading for Perez and decided to stay put. The day stayed beautiful until about 2 when the rains returned. By 4 a second storm rolled in with lots of wind. It looked as if the rain was erasing the world below our house.

Just before the storm rolled in the trucks started rolling up our road with materials for a wall Ron is building above. Truck number 3 loaded with cement block could not make it up our hill. And the hill above our house is even steeper. It never fails. Just as the roads are repaired they get ripped up.

This morning, Friday, we are getting organized to head out. I heard lots of monkeys this morning while I was drinking my coffee. They were in the direction of the valley and ridge below Las Nubes.

This and That - Aug 1, 2012

We tried this fruit at a local market, liked it, asked the name and then promptly forgot the answer. We brought some home and made a photo before eating them. Ricardo helped us out with the ID - "mangotan".

The fruit is white in side, soft tasting a bit like a white grape. The outside shell is really hard.
All things being equal, I'd rather have a pineapple.

Our real estate guy, Saul, stopped by yesterday with clients, a couple. Of course he did not call in advance so the house was as it was. That is, we had two ladders in the house poised for different projects. I don't think these two guys are our market but you never know. Saul actually called our neighbors, Karen and Frank, to tell them they would be stopping by for a look, but Karen and Frank are in San Jose. I think we were an afterthought. He saw our red truck, he stopped. It was also pouring rain, not the best time to see the view of the Osa Peninsula from our house.

Saul mentioned that the hot Zip Line is in the Osa. Greg, you might want to write that down for your next trip. Saul's assessment of the Hacienda Baru zip line was it was rather tame, but that you did see animals. It was PERFECT for me. I will not be going with Greg to the Osa Zip Line excursion.

Tomorrow is another holiday. This is a big religious holiday celebrating the Patron Saint of Costa Rica, La Virgin de los Angeles. Many Costa Ricans make a pilgrimmage to the cathedral in Cartago, and some make the last part of the journey on their knees. What is means for us is, "No Ricardo" in the morning. Who knows what we could get up to. :)

Adios Greg - July 30, 2012

Greg made his flight from Quepos without incidents. The weather cooperated and was actually rather cool with only a light wind. Perfect for flying.

We avoided paying $5 extra airport tax by avoiding the "time saving and convenience" of paying the tax in Quepos rather than standing in line in San Jose. It turns out when he got to San Jose there was one person in line in San Jose in front of Greg. But boy, that guy at the Quepos airport sure does hustle the gringos.

I am astonished that the Quepos airport charges another airport tax, $2 per person. What a ripoff.

The large gentleman on the right is the pilot. If he gets any wider he is going to have trouble getting through the door of his little plane.

We waved good bye to the departing aircraft and headed to Quepos to check out the Marina. We had never been. The marina looks very nice but it is suprising there are no small businesses around it, like restaurants or shops. Maybe they will come over time.  It looks as if the main reason for the Marina complex is the pier for big cruise ships, to make it easier for them to dock at Quepos. I suppose when there is a ship in port then the taxis will be in the area looking for fares. The marina is also where sport fishermen hook up with boats and captains. Quepos is a major sport fishing destination.

There is a beautiful little park at the end of the road that is worth checking out. Surprisingly, there is also a little theatre just before you arrive at the end of the pier.

Sightseeing to Rafiki Safari Lodge - July 29, 2012

After all the ATV action yesterday it seemed like a lower energy day was in order. Greg mentioned Rafiki, the African Safari style resort in the mountains above Silencio, along the Savegre River. Rafiki harnesses the power of the river for most of its electrical needs. You can rent African style tents with full luxury built in bathrooms at the rear. The tent sides roll up. It really is a nice combination of luxury and nature. We also wanted to inquire about the rafting excursions from Rafiki which include breakfast and lunch alongside the river. Here are some shots of the Rafiki grounds.

The pond below the main lodge, complete with two resident caiman (a bit like little alligators).

For those of you who haven't had a chance to see how bananas grow, this is a good reference photo I took on the way out. The blossom is at the bottom and hasn't opened yet. The bananas are up above the blossom. When the fruit is ripe, you cut the stock from above and hang the bananas from the flower end. That didn't make sense to us the first time but that is how it is done. Otherwise, the bananas fall off before they are ripened. As it is we have to duke it out with the birds and animals to get any.

Greg wanted one more swim and boogie boarding experience so we headed home to pick up his gear and headed to the beach. Greg was surprised to find the Pacific waters here warm. This time of year they are warm and violent, with all the storms.

ATV 4-Wheeling - July 28, 2012

Saturday dawned beautiful and sunny. Greg was up for more adventure so we headed to Uvita where he hooked up with an ATV group. They headed up into the mountains above Uvita, swam pools to waterfalls and generally had a good time. It DID start raining not long after they set off but everyone voted to keep going.

Meanwhile, Phyllis and Mike shopped the Uvita farmers market and bought a kilo of beautiful corvina for dinner. We also bought some hot sauce from Maria that really is hot! It is made with roasted peppers and tastes a lot like chipotle chilis.

Project Day - July 27, 2012

Enough of this tourist business. Time to knock off some projects a casa.

New shelf #1 in the big bodega.

Workers in the factory. I plan to call OSHA right away to report men working barefoot.

New plywood chair bottom to attempt to extend the life of the bamboo chairs. I forgot that we had a piece of plywood in our bodega behind the drawers.

New hanging rod, at least for small things that won't block the dehumidifier.

New shelf #2 in the big bodega over the desk. Good idea Gitti to reuse the old facia boards from the back of the house.

After all that hard work, we went out to dinner at Tico Gringo and watched the Olympics opening ceremonies. England really outdid herself.

Tomorrow, it is back to fun fun fun.

Mt. Chirripo - July 26, 2012

Bob and Gitti have been trying to get us to visit a hotel on the road to Mount Chirripo, the highest point in Costa Rica and National Park.On Thursday we drove about an hour out of San Isidro up into the mountains. The scenery was spectacular and the air was cool and fresh. We arrived at the end of the road where there is a sign marking the park's entrance. To get to the actual park entrance is a four mile hike in, and the walk to the top is estimated to be 4 hours. I'm not driven to scale Mt. Chirripo but I will be happy to return for a stay at the Pelicanos and hiking, Bob and Gitti, when it is hot hot here at the beach. San Gerardo de Rivas is a very pretty town near the top. The river was running strong and very beautiful. I don't know why none of us took a picture of it.

Before heading back down to San Isidro for a stop at the Feria (weekly farmer's market) we stopped for a drink at a little restaurant and hotel at the end of the road. No hiking for us today. My thighs are still aching from the zip line adventure from the previous day.

And we think that things are big in Texas! Check out this walking stick, she is bigger than a 7 1/2 woman's shoe. (Yes Ann, you may recognize those as formerly your tennis shoes. They live in Costa Rica now. They get around.)