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Community friends traveled to the finca for the
better part of January a couple of years ago and experienced along with their guests and visitors,
many exciting events. The big news was that the solar panels were wired to
the submersible pump and 30 seconds after flipping the switch, the 150 foot
deep well began pumping crystal clear mountain water. The truly exhilarating
part was that all the power was generated by the sun, and to everyone’s
delight the pumping even continued when clouds covered the sky (even without
the backup batteries being hooked up).
 A
few days later, we were able to
get the water pumping all the way up to the highest point on the finca, and
into the 1,800 gallon water tank. This is great news, as it will enable the
workers to begin watering all recently planted fruit trees and coffee bushes
during the dry season.
Other milestones included the final four corner surveying for all lots, the
beginning of the fence installation on the east side of the property, and
the start of the stone walls on either side of the entry gate. Plans for the
remainder of January and February include: A natural stone wall well cover
and winch for the pump, an overhang extension for the workshop area that
will enable work to be done in the shade, a shed to cover/shade the
partially buried water tank, and additional water lines to be installed
throughout the finca to the various lot locations. The creation of an
additional parking area below the ridge lots and the leveling of the ground
surrounding the workshop area are also planned, as is staging of the excess
soil to later form retaining walls for a drainage area that will provide for
cascading ponds for freshwater shrimp and bass.
The finca was bursting with color and the skies and ocean were the deepest
blue for most of the trip, and several forays were made with different
groups to tour the various falls and swim holes. Some cattle escaped from a
neighbor’s fence and made their way onto our finca and a round up of sorts
ensued with the help of Emelie, Ann, and Mark who were touring the property
that day. Finca friend, Brad Baxter from Michigan stopped by for a few days
with his daughter Katie, and ended up staying just up the street from the
Benner’s rental house, and just a short walk up from Playa Carrillo
(outstanding boogy boarding by the way)
Sunset picnic at the rancho
Sunset picnic at the rancho
 A
picnic was held at the rancho one evening with twenty five gringos and ticos
enjoying themselves with good food and music. The group included our friend
and school teacher neighbor, Alberto and his daughter, as well Rudolfo and Antonio and their families. Ticos strummed on a guitar
and several of our neighbors sang original songs well after the sun set. La Roca restaurant provided
their famous arroz y camorones, as well as some Imperial, and Darlene Coker
did her usual awesome job of coordinating and hosting the event.
Another highlight was some fantastic fishing that that some of had with pending
finca land owner, Scott Hartley and his friend Steve got into just a couple
miles offshore of nearby Playa Garza… In a single day the boat landed twelve
8-10 lb. yellowfin tuna, a 40 lb amberjack, a 7 lb rock snapper, a 200 pound
black marlin, a 300 lb. blue marlin, and two large sailfish – a “grand slam”
and then some. The only blemish on the day occurred when Al was spotted
eating a banana midway through the trip… The mate, Bill exclaimed “that’s a
plantain, right?”.... then the boat broke into howls and laughter – Al was
even told to “purge himself” !! (apparently, unknown to Al, bananas are
thought to be very bad luck on fishing boats)… Al refused to believe this
until minutes later he unexplainably lost two very large fish right at the
boat….he has since vowed to never bring bananas on a boat again...
 Deena Benner thoroughly enjoyed herself on the beach with her twin 21 month
old boys (“soccer” with the ticos and splashing in the surf were a big hit)
Emma and Hillary who came along to help out with the boys fell in love with
Costa Rica, and “Tavo” the caretaker of the rental house was a big hit with
the boys, as were the caged parrots (not) that imitated the local cat
population beginning at 6 am.
Al and Kevin paid a visit to friend Howie Kramer at his mountain house that
overlooks the finca from the mountaintop village of Zaragoza. Howie was
treated to seared tuna for lunch for his 61st birthday, and Kevin stopped by
a neighbor’s house to pick up a bag of freshly roasted, locally grown (in
the backyard) coffee. Later that afternoon they also stopped up for a visit
in Naranjal at the house of Rodolfo. Rodolfo and his dad, Vidal showed Kevin and Al all their fruit and
nut trees, coffee and banana groves, and the friends left with hands full of
fruit (tuna was later given to the family in return for their generosity, as
they had also brought a bag of oranges to the fiesta and some homemade corn
drink that unfortunately looked and tasted like pepto bismol). Rodolfo walks
two hours down the mountain to work and two hours back up again each
day…needless to say he and his dad are in excellent shape.
Rodolfo was a soccer star at his hometown until a knee injury cut his career
short.
 A
very busy trip concluded on Sunday the 20th with us enjoying a relaxing and exhilarating experience – the zipline. Manu and John
at Wingnuts in Samara do a great job, and the view of the area beaches from
the tree tops and the surrounding wildlife are a “can’t miss” experience.
Finally, even with the lots now finally due to come out of the subdivision
process in February, nine of the twenty four available have already been
spoken for, with several more visitors due to tour the finca during February
and March.
All in all a very exciting time to be a part of a very special project.
The finca is a great place to be when you are nine Katie Baxter at upper falls Ben Coker with a gourd he takes home each trip
Bruce from Solar Costa Rica (far left) connects power to well pump Nispero posts ready for eastside of the finca. In the rainy season we will plant the living fence. Pump panel and circuit breaker We are paying Maquenco municipality to place the sign - this rainy season we will plant around the area.
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One of many yellow tuna |
Scott with 200lb Black Marlin prior to release |
Scott with large Amberjack |
Steve and a football |
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Nice Pacific Sailfish |
Blue Marlin |
Owen and his Tico soccer buddy |
Owen and Uncle Kevin |
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Owen and Tica friends |
Owen and his German soccer buddy |
Loading up at Hertz |
Our favorite watering hole and food - La Roca |
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Kevin relaxing |
Deena and Coleman return from beach |
Playa Carrillo |
Deena boogy boarding at Playa Carrillo |
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Playa Samara at sunrise |
Lodge at Arenal |
Wind farm above Lago Arenal |
Playa Samara at sunrise |
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Playa Samara at sunrise |
Playa Samara |
Playa San Juanilla |
Coconut and coffee |
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Village of Naranjal above the finca |
Kevin and nice Rock Snapper |
Playa Carrillo |
Deena & Coleman |
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Copyright 2006-2011 Arjuna
Limitada
LLC. All rights
reserved. Finca
Las Brisas (FLB) d/b/a Arjuna Limitada LLC.a Costa Rica corporation.
