Forces of Nature

It never ceases to amaze me - the force of nature.

The power of water, the searing intensity of the sun, the force of the wind, the ability of the jungle to overrun a space in a matter of months.  Nature is determined to have its way.

That was made tangible in the past couple weeks in a small way.

Birds have decided to nest atop the sun drapes at the gazebo.

These flycatchers spend all day flying back and forth gathering stuff and putting it on top of the drapes (which are bunched up and next to the post which provides the perfect support and protection).  This started about two weeks ago.  They are very industrious and active - but they are very noisy and very messy (big purple blobs of poo!).  So, NO!  No nest right where we enter the gazebo.

We pulled down the various bits of grass and palm and coconut husk.  Within hours they had replaced much of what disappeared - and they were very vocal about it.  Took it down again and opened the drapes so the base would not be stable and the movement of the drapes in the wind might keep them away.  That stopped the building, but didn't stop them from arriving with materials and screeching their displeasure!

After a couple days they seemed to have relented, so closed the drapes and assumed all was well.

Two days later - an almost full nest in exactly the same spot.

We have repeated the same process, but they don't seem to be giving up, so this morning I unclipped the end of the drape and moved it all to the other side (which has the same condition of drapes and post but that they don't seem to have any interest in).  Clearly the persistence of nature is modifying my behaviour.  We will see if we can modify theirs.

Another form of the persistence of nature - the sun sets every night - sometimes it is beautiful, like this.

And So It Grows

It is actually hard to believe that the house is 3 years old this past April, and the landscaping was complete 3 years ago this month.

These photos show the transformation.

Not only has the planting changed, but so has the jungle - you can see the difference over the shower - a giant tree came down last month - hit the pump house (fortunately no damage).

A Lizard's Tale

So I spent the afternoon on the patio reading while Lisle was working with Christian.  It started to get dark, so in I come to close up the screens and settle in for the evening.

Something moves on the floor - - our first in-home gecko (actually I think it is an Anole, but I wasn't checking credentials).

I tried chasing it out with a broom - stamping at it - throwing a pillow at it - a jumpy little thing that scampers and freezes - impossible to catch and even harder to try and herd out the door

Lisle arrives home and I introduce him to our new occupant - "Did you try ...."  Of course I did but he is a fast little critter.

One might say - why not just leave the little thing be - - well, they make a clucking sound and leave behind droppings that look like thin beads of black caulk!  Not well behaved house guests!!

Lisle's solution?  We'll suck him up with the shop vac!!!!!

Approach slowly and move quickly as he runs from the major sucking machine!!

Some magic wand action and Voila!! Gecko gone!! - - Vacuum goes outside (just in case the sneaky bugger crawls out)

Well actually NO!  45 minutes later, he was sitting on the counter

Another attack with the giant sicking machine over the fruit and vegetables, around the blender and cornered behind the fruit bowl - a few jabs of the wand for good measure and DONE.  I shift all on the counter - no Gecko - all good.  Vacuum back outside. (no photos as he was doing all this in his underwear!)

6 am arrives and I venture down to open up and make coffee.  Something move in the clean dishes drying on the counter - the Gecko leaps from under a bowl and lands on the rim of one of the plastic tumblers.  Slowly I pick up the tumbler and walk it outside - the little thing doesn't move (either injured or traumatized by the events of last evening) - set it on the table come back inside and close the door - I look 10 minutes later and it is gone - a Gecko-Free home once more (or at least none we know of!)

OUCH!

Yesterday morning there was this noise at 6am - sounded like a screen door slamming shut - thud - loud enough to wake us.  No sign of anything amiss.

About an hour later Lisle noticed a smudge on the tower window - looks like a bird flew into it - - ah yes the noise!  But no bird - - look behind you - in the orchids - - AAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW - poor thing, dead as a door nail and the ants already cleaning up - latex gloves and a quick toss to the jungle.

Interestingly - no sign of the bird body this morning - something had a meal.

Change of Season

There are seasons everywhere - outside the tropics there is spring, summer, autumn and winter - in Toronto there is construction and everything else.

In Costa Rica there is the rainy season (Green Season as the Tourist Board calls it) and the dry season (Summer).  We are just entering the dry season that will last mid-December to the end of April.

With the change is a bunch of other changes - most noticeable are the plants.

The giant trees in the jungle behind the house are dropping leaves.  New growth is visible on others.  The Bougainvillea are in full bloom - vibrant red, pink and purple.

The purple hedge at the front of the property is full of tiny white blossoms - it almost looks like snow

The bamboo orchids are in full bloom

Most spectacular is a native tree called Gallinazo.  It has sparse foliage and stands tall in the jungle.  In the open areas, it is a favourite resting spot for the toucans and parrots.  The leaves are sort of like the honey locust we have in Toronto (sort of fern-like).  The whole tree looks very airy.

Well, right now it is in bloom - brilliant yellow flowers - tiny but in groups with whispy tendrils.  They are just amazing - and suddenly the mountainside is dotted with flashes of yellow.

I love it when nature shows off!

Yikes!!!!!

OK - so every once is a while, things happen to remind you that you are in the jungle.  Monkeys and birds are pleasant reminders - this one not so much.

Last evening the Lisle noticed the lamp on the front desk was off - the timer was out of sync or something.  So, he unplugged it and discovered.

 Fortunately it was dead - seems to have stuck its head in the grounding socket

 While I would love to be corrected, I am pretty certain it is a coral snake - no idea how it got in, but appeared to be coming out from behind the extension plugs - no idea how long it had been there, but was pretty dried out.

Yes I was wearing work gloves to do this even though it was pretty obviously dead - - No I am not brave!

Food and Flight

Two MUST's

FOOD - Ylang Ylang

https://www.facebook.com/YlangYlangRestaurant

Just off the highway in Ojochal, but way up a mountain road is an Indonesian hideaway.  Hans and Caroline offer a spectacular dining experience.  There are only a few tables in the open dining room (read someplace they only serve 10 people each evening), so reservations - even in green season are required.  The owners are engaging - Hans out front and Caroline in the kitchen - explaining how the food is made, what the ingredients are, why the different regions of Indonesia have different foods.

Appetizers (pork skewers with peanut sauce and shredded beef formed into a log, surrounded by sticky rice and cooked in a banana leaf) were just the introduction to the amazing flavours.  The main course is served family style and consists of two 'protein' dishes, vegetables and rice.  The choices are named after the regions they come from - we ordered BALI - cubes of pork in a spicy sauce (tender with just a hint of heat) and thin strips of beef in a tamarind and sweet soy sauce (sweet and savoury - flavor beyond belief) with spicy green beans, mixed vegetables in coconut milk and yellow rice - - YUM YUM YUM!!!!

A little expensive compared to other local fare - but a delicious meal with exceptional hosts.  They even offer cooking classes and sell the spices!



FLIGHT - Superman Zipline at Osa Mountain Village

At 2.1km from beginning to end, this is billed as the longest in the world.  Add to that a descent of 300m (1000 ft) and speeds that have been recorded of 120km/hr make this adventure an exhilarating 90 seconds!

http://supermandeosa.com/

Osa Mountain Village is a sustainable community development in the mountains about 15 miles south of Ojochal.  There is already home development, a community garden, a butterfly garden, and animal sanctuary and a zip-line canopy tour - SUPERMAN is the latest addition.

Unlike traditional zip-lines where you are 'seated', Superman lets you fly - you are face-down in a sling-like harness.  The sensation is so unique, you hardly have time to take in the amazing surroundings as you go from the top of the mountain ridge (3,000 ft) to the base camp (2,000 ft) that include trees, streams, waterfalls, gardens and the restaurant.

At the end there was food - nachos, ceviche, fruit, juice and pop - then a quick trip to the restaurant where you can celebrate by buying a beer or two before the trek home.

Oh, the trek - yes - the drive in from the highway and back out is NOT for the faint of heart - steep and rocky - we encountered a slide on the way up that was just muddy ruts to traverse - you really need a 4x4, and not a BEGO!  Take their shuttle - it is worth it and the guides are great fun.

The outing took about 4 hours for our group of 10 from the pick up in Ojochal to return.  At $95 per person, it is pricey, but like nothing else you will experience here - - I expect the price will drop or value adds will be introduced.

After a glorious morning with sunshine, blue skies and monkeys a gentle rain has begun – the sky I still bright to the ocean but dark over the mountains – nothing too ominous, so an afternoon swim in the rain is a likelihood.

A week into vacation, and I am only now beginning to find the rhythm of tropical life – something that until this trip has been very easy to come by – visions of incomplete construction and psychiatrist reorganizing everything have filled my dreams while the ceiling fan stirs the warm night air.

As a result, I have done little besides read and chat with our friends – comfortable dinners or morning encounters on a walk.

The house is still comfortable – although showing signs that there is need for some maintenance – the gardens are wonderfully lush – our own pineapples ready to eat – hard to think you need more than this.

Nature continues to amaze:

This fellow was living behind the cushions on the couch and spending evenings eating bugs on the wall

Giant grasshopper has been lounging in the palm for days

Birds built a nest inside the glass dome of the ceiling fan

Golden Gate Bridge

Well the things at either end are painted yellow!

Yes, We have a bridge!!!

Gone is the rustic charm of driving through the river - no more can I see the shocked look on people's faces when I say, "you go off to the right and down through the river".

I must say it was part of normal life in Costa Rica - the challenges, the lack of infrastructure, the making due - - we have only experienced it for short periods, not like our friends who have been here full time for almost 5 years!  A whole lot has changed - things that make life easier - more like North America - good in one respect, but sad in another.

Well, no more worrying about being able to get home when the sky suddenly goes dark and the rain comes down in buckets!

It is a nice bridge.

And there can be no doubt who paid for it!

Some photos of construction.