In Case You Were Wondering . . .

Painting starts on Monday - if the weather cooperates, it should be a week - I suspect two is likely - guess that means they will be around for the rest of our stay.

New possibility for internet service - ICE is slow (about .5M, and unreliable (although not to bad this time).  $25/m for the stick - - NetsysCR is a new player in the residential market -  - offering 4M for $75/month - came to the house to check reception - need to put an antennae on the house - - no sure what technology it is but the guy went on and on about fibre optic to Uvita and Coronado and an IP land line for the house - Lisle is interested, so it is likely a go - - see what it brings - a new CR adventure!!

Hot sauce is done - - man is it hot!  1.75 pounds of peppers gave us enough for 6 small bottles of sauce - but I think it is almost too hot to use - cut it and expand the output!  Gee - sound like a drug lord!  have to figure it out - - the stuff is potent!

The company that did the landscaping is rebranding and doing new materials - so they were here for a photo shoot - the photographer is a Canadian who has been in CR many years and is well known for her work with resorts and properties - does great shots - really friendly - we sat and had coffee while she was waiting for the right light - - -too sunny or too cloudy was the general state of affairs - can't wait to see the shots - here is one that got sent ahead as a teaser!

Dinner out at Boca Coronada the other night - rainy evening by the river - Lisle got bitten - good food (ceviche mixto and pescado boca coronado - fish in seafood sauce).

Friday was strange weather - socked in - clouds everywhere - rain and wind - chilly!! Temperature mid-day dropped to 23C - - cleared later and  beautiful and sunny today!  32C right now - nice breeze - - PERFECT!!

What a Difference a Day Makes

Saturday could not have been more different than Friday - overcast from the start, but the rain started about 2pm and was good tropical rain - - constant - heavy at times - above all it was loud - so loud you could bearly hear the sound from the TV/Stereo.  TIP:  we were told that noise cancelling headphones are a necessity for the rainy season!  Guess that is coming in the luggage next trip.

Sunday was better - some sun in the morning - but the rain set in around dinner - - really neat watchign the valley disappear in the clouds before the rain begins.

Keith and Karen's daughter and her partner arrived from Toronto with the new baby (7 weeks old) for a quick visit (9 days) - such a sweetie - Liz walked over to see us (about 30 minutes up and down the hills) with baby Mila in the snugglie - - hiking at 7 weeks - - quite the adventurer and world traveler!

Cooking experiment - showed you the giant pepper bush before - just plucked 2 pounds of hot red peppers from it - - needed to do that before they just rotted - -  trying our hand at hot pepper sauce.  blend the peppers with a head of garlic and a bit of water, some salt and brown sugar - let sit 5 days - add vinegar and cook - strain and bottle.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

Breakfast is underway - fruit salad - papaya and banana - yum

OOOPPSS!  Bananas are too ripe - guess it it a banana, mango, pineapple smoothie with banana muffins - yum yum!  papaya for a salsa with the chicken for dinner!

A Blank Slate

So, out with 2013 and in with 2014.

Last night was a dark starry sky filled with fireworks from the village and music, food, drink and chatter at the neighbourhood party.

A gathering of the usual suspects at Casa Faust - Dean and Michelle, Keith and Karen, Bruce and Barb, Dwight and Wendy, Doug and Samira, and Lisle and I - brought a grand pot luck feast - dips and nachos, ceasar salad, green bean salad, pulled pork, meatballs, breaded chicken, BBQ sausage, cheesy mashed potatoes, lemon cheesecake - - - along with way too much wine.

Add the requisite Roy Orbison and the evening was complete.

As enjoyable as it was, even with an afternoon nap, staying up until 1 am here is almost impossible!!!

2014 dawned at 5 am with the howlers - very close but still hidden - calling until almost 5:30, when the birds started - screeching and chattering - - waking the jungle - - then at 7 - silence!  another hour of sleep.

So I read yesterday that 2013 NYE was an especially momentous evening because it coincided with the new moon - something that happens about once every 20 years - - entering the new year with a blank slate all around.

While his last day in the office was December 13, retirement begins officially for Lisle in late January - a big change for us both - the start of a more permanent shift to Costa Rica - - this year will bring the sale of our home (hopefully soon and easily!) and the sorting of family responsibilities (Lisle's 94 year old father still needs support) - - I like the idea of a blank slate - - time to write the next chapter!!

Happy New Year to all!

Christmas Once Again - 2013

Christmas morning - bright and sunny - no patter of little feet running to the tree to see what Santa left behind - in fact, no tree - just some pleasant seasonal decorations.  The sound of Christmas music wafting on the air (do GLEE versions count?)

Of course Santa had found us in the jungle - I am sure the reindeer appreciate the warm night weather.

Immediately Mrs. Claus jumped into action making coffee and baking (banana bread - YUM!)

Caffeinated and sustained, we readied for the busy day ahead

At the Beach -everyone is always ready to party - 11am until dark - the umbrellas up, the beer in the cooler and the BBQ started.

A really hot day with a nice breeze - barely a cloud in the sky - home by 2

A dip in the pool and "Nap Time"

Off to dinner at Bruce and Barbs - Les and Jane, Steve and Lynn, Lisle and I and the hosts - a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings - pumpkin pie and homemade candy cane chocolate chip ice cream - champagne, wine and good cheer - - a fabulous evening.

Home at last - a nightcap?  No - Lisle is already headed up to bed - he is diving at 7 am!!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our fabulous Christmas
Merry Christmas to all - hope your holiday was as great as ours

What a Spectacular Day

The sun is bright and hot (34C by the outdoor thermometer).  While there are some clouds over the mountain top, they are mostly bright, and the rest of the sky is blue streaked with white wisps.  The ocean is glistening in the sunlight and is still.  There is a breeze from the ocean that cools the intensity of the sun.  I have retreated from the patio sofa as the late afternoon sun has reached it and both the heat and the brightness make a continuation of my reading impossible.  A complete change from the mist, clouds and torrential rains for the past 3 days - a day that - except for the mountain clouds - is more like February than August.  The only such day since our arrival 5 weeks ago.

We are dog-sitting for David and Helene, and Deezle has found a cool, shady, breezy place on the patio tiles to sleep.

 This morning we visited our friend Judy.  She has lived here almost 12 years, having bought property across the valley with her partner (now back in the states due to illness).  She has a wonderful if modest house (much more like a Tico home than ours) on 6 acres of hillside with a stunning view of the ocean and the entire village of Ojochal.  She knows how to live with the locals and get things done - a treat to visit with.  We sipped ice tea and gossiped.

Great view of our house from her front patio!

Reading the new J.K. Rowling's mystery - interesting

An hour in the pool chatting as the sun loses its intensity readying to set.

A cocktail listening to the howlers in the distance

Sunset!!

 

Dinner of chicken breast and potatoes with a good glass of wine.

TV, wine, the sound of the frogs and crickets

A great day.

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.

A Tasty Place

Certainly Ojochal is remote - especially in a Canadian context - but I like to think that it is the perfect mix of cosmopolitan living off the beaten track.

A good example - A Taste of Ojochal!!

9 Chefs and an 8 course meal - believe me this will be a spectacular evening as we have eaten at almost all of the participating restaurants - too bad we will miss out!

A great example of how much this little village in the middle of nowhere has to offer.

I Love the Night Life

So this past week has been a buzz of activity.

We joined Dwight and Wendy for dinner at Citrus on Wednesday.  They were having a special 'Thai Street Food' night.  Not sure if the menu was street food, but it certainly was Thai, and it was great.  Spring Rolls, Cucumber Salad or Thai Soup for starters - Pad Thai, Fried Rice, Green Curry Chicken or Yellow Curry Seafood for entree.  Two thumbs up all around  the place was packed and they were turning away anyone without a reservation.  Actually the best meal I have eaten there - we had given up hope, so maybe another chance is in the cards!

Thursday Dwight and Wendy came to our home for dinner - preceded by a 'let's try to fix the computers session' which unfortunately met with little success. Dinner was casual and the conversation continued well into the night.

Friday afternoon, the 2 Jim's invited us for cocktails at El Castillo.  This is a villa built on top of the cliff overlooking the ocean.  It has been rented out as a single space until recently when it was opened as a boutique hotel - 5 rooms - stunning view - great pool - fabulous house.  In opening the hotel, they also opened a bar and restaurant - AZUL.

Scott and Russell (from the US - Oklahoma/Texas) ran Azul at another hotel near Dominical and relocated here when they had the chance to open the hotel. Scott's brother, John and his partner, Hunter were visiting - 8 of us drinking wine and vodka soda while the rain poured down outside - I commented that this was the largest number of gay men in one place at one time we had encountered in Ojochal - the response from Russell 'there are more gay men here than were at OSA PRIDE last week!".  Needless to say we had a fabulous time renewing old friendships and starting new ones.

Never slowed, the 2 Jim's followed us to Nanny's where we joined Jan and Sonya, Dwight and Wendy and many others for cerveza - can't miss the Friday Night beer session!!

Sunday Lisle and I hit the beach - Lisle had yet to make it there as the weather has been very seasonal - afternoon rain is certain.  The two of us sat on Tortuga, sipping beer and eating nuts, chatting, watching the birds and the crabs - a dip in the ocean and then home before the rain.  

Lisle decided he didn't want to cook, so we headed to AZUL for dinner - a quick call and dinner for 2 at 6:30 was set.  Well the party was in full swing when we arrived - John and Hunter were there, with John's daughter Taylor and her friend Estrella - Lucy's son and friends were on the patio, and other guest were seated about the lobby/living room - hugs and kisses from all, and martinis arrived - followed by a second.  John and Hunter asked us to join them at their table, so there were 7 of us (the 7th was Mary a never married late 50's woman from Ireland, who now lives in the Georgian Republic - like in used to be Russia - and owns a piece of land in Hatillo - while she was not a party-er, she was interesting and fit right it).  

Dinner was yummy!  Deep-fried Calamari, seafood soup and Chicken Parmesan on fettuccine.  And the best part - 1 course $15, 2 courses $20, 3 courses $25!!  A definite addition to the favourites list!!!!

As dinner finished we moved to the living room and Scott and Russell joined the conversation - apparently we were the only ones left.  The conversation and laughter continued as we finished our wine and then said good-night (hugs and kisses of course).  2 martinis, 3 large glasses of red wine, and it was midnight!  Quite the evening.

Needless to say, Monday was a quiet day!

EXOTICA!

OMG!!


I almost forgot - we went to Exotica for dinner on Wednesday.

I don't know how Lucy does it, but 10+ years in there is always a warm and friendly welcome and never a bad meal.


Fish Carpaccio, Ceviche, Cesar Salad, Steak, Duck, Fish, and the Famous Chicken Exotica!


Saved room for the Devils Fork for dessert (moist dense chocolate cake with just a hint of hot chile!!  YUM!!

Highly rated in Frommers, Fodor and Trip Advisor


Can't wait to go again!!!!!!!!

Tony and Tina`s Wedding

So we will go with those names to avoid incriminating anyone!


A Gringo and a Tica, well known in the community tied the knot yesterday.  


The wedding was at 10 am in the lawyer`s office in Cortes (this is the actual wedding - they are going to get `married`in Santorini in October). A small event - her family, a couple of friends, and the witnesses (specifically selected for the fact they were fluent in Spanish).


The reception followed at Nanny`s - the local watering hole at the entrance to the village.  For the occasion Nanny slaughtered and roasted a pig.  Every romantic song from my high school days (read 1978) flowed from the speakers - once the mushy dancing was done, Elvis and Chubby Checker filled the air and the dance floor was full - that is until they took to `twisting`on the tables - needless to say many cervezas were consumed! (sorry - no photos - have been well paid for my visual silence!!!)


Congrats to the happy couple!!

Adios Amigos

Steve and Claudio headed home last night.  The driver picked them up in the parking lot opposite the Ojochal Police Station at 12:45 am - I know that sounds odd, but with a 7 am flight it is either an overnight transfer, or a daytime transfer and a hotel room that you need to leave at 4 am to go to the airport.


The second half of their stay was as much a blur and the first.


Sunday was quiet - too overcast for the beach - Monday was busy with Condo stuff, so Lisle and Steve and Claudio went shopping.


Tuesday we drove south to see the Boruca Indigenous Reserve in the mountains - guess they are happy being left alone, cuz we never found it.  Instead we showed off our local municipalities of Palmar Norte, Palmar Sur and Sierpe.  In Sierpe we actually found some great Boruca masks, so the expedition wasn`t a loss!

Wednesday we drove north to Dominical - checked out the beach, the surfers, the handicrafts.  Lunch at Tortilla Flats - OMG they expanded!!  Stopped at the beach at La Leona on the way back - a whole Tico family was set up in the trees at the beach - chairs, hammocks, bbq - that`s how you do a day at the beach.  Lisle and Claudio went for a swim - we picked up a couple coconuts to plant at the house.  Ran into Karen on the way home, so beer and gossip were required!

Thursday we spent the afternoon with Dwight and Wendy - a lazy afternoon with beer, guacamole and conversation.


Friday was readying for departure, but couldn`t possibly leave without another party!  This time a wedding reception we had been invited to.


As they head back to Toronto, they must think all we do is eat, drink, party and socialize - not a bad impression to leave them with!!!

Please Don't Feed the Animals

For those of you who may not know, Lisle does ALL the cooking - yes ALL of it.  I am seldom allowed in the kitchen, except when making my way to the backyard.

So, the question has been how I can possibly survive a week here without him feeding me.

So far, Keith and Karen fed me last night and Dwight and Wendy have invited me for Tuesday.  One meal every 3 days should work!  I might even be able to fit into my Speedo!!

In case anyone was in doubt, I actually can cook.  Today - breakfast was a smoked porkchop, scrambled eggs and tortillas.  And I just finished a delicious dinner - bbq chicken breast marinated in garlic, chiles and olive oil, and a vegetable salad of black beans, chick peas, corn, tomato, onion and basil.

Bon Appetite!!

A post script - breakfast!!