February, 1994 – Al Benner and three amigos visit Costa Rica for the first time.  The trip takes them to the Osa Peninsula to a biological outpost, then San Jose, the Arenal Volcano, as well as the Gulfito Sailfish Rancho where the boys catch and release 27 sailfish in four days.  Al was “hooked” on Costa Rica in more ways than one, and vowed to return. 

1993 – 2004   -  The realities of  life in the U.S. consume Al.  He starts and operates a handful of mail order/web businesses, takes on several real estate projects in the northeast, but continues to think about Costa Rica.  During 2004 a vision of a sustainable community that would be relatively self-sufficient, in harmony with nature, where like minded people could enjoy a beautiful natural environment while embracing the local culture and people begins to take shape.  The concept for Finca Las Brisas was born, and would continue to evolve in the coming months and years.

December, 2004 -  Al and his new bride, Deena travel to Costa Rica along with their good friends Keith Jeffrey and Matt Hough (a business partner of Al’s).  The trip takes them to the interior mountains of the country as well as the southern Pacific coast and eventually, Monteverde.  A handful of properties are visited, and the Dominical/Ojochal region on the South Pacific coast is targeted for a real estate acquisition.  Keith commits to Al to be part of the dream. 

January, 2005 – The following word document was attached in an e-mail to friends and acquaintances whom Al thought might share an interest in his vision. Click to download “Paradise Found” in pdf.

February, 2005 – Al and his father, Professor Dave Benner return to the Domincal area and intensify the search for a finca at higher elevations with ocean views and mountain breezes.  Several farms are thoroughly scouted, but each and every one has drawbacks that keep Al from moving forward.  Fond memories remain for father and son of catching waves together on boogey boards as the sun set over Playa Dominical.  

January, 2006 – Wayne McDonald, lifetime friend, joins Al on yet another Costa Rica adventure.  This time however it is decided that the journey will first start on the Nicoya Peninsula with a visit to Al’s friends Jay & Darby Dodge who own a house in Nosara.

When he first got off the plane in Liberia, Al realized he might have stumbled upon the ideal region for his project.  The humidity was all but non-existent and a comfortable breeze was blowing.  The two friends breezed through customs and were at the Hertz rental car location literally within ten minutes of landing (this continues to be the routine to this day with Ernesto – always there, always smiling).  The drive to Nosara was very scenic with a good paved road by Costa Rican standards.  Within 1.5 hours Wayne and Al would unknowingly pass by the “Macenco” turn off and the 150 acres that would soon become the focus of their energies for years to come. 

While in Nosara, Wayne and Al were impressed by the exceptional beaches, enjoyable restaurants, and non-commercialized aspect of the region.  Two days later found them in the mountains overlooking the beaches walking a property that began to speak to them like nothing else had or has since.  Soon thereafter Al was on the phone with American Airlines, re-booking his flight back from Liberia instead of San Jose, and the remainder of the trip to the southern part of the country was canceled. Many more properties were visited in the Samara/Nosara region during this trip, but the friends found themselves continually returning to the future site of the finca they would eventually acquire. An amazing half day fishing trip with plenty of fresh sushi to follow concluded what had been quite a trip.  Wayne excitedly phoned his wife, Victoria, and the McDonalds had reached the point of no return on becoming involved with the project. 

March, 2006 – Jay’s neighbor, Greg Smith, had generously extended the invitation to Al to stay at his guest villa to continue to look at properties, and Al takes him up on his offer, bringing one of Deena’s closest friend’s – Darlene Coker’s husband, Ray along to see the area.  Al and Ray agreed to meet at the Miami airport as Ray was connecting from Tampa and Al from Philadelphia.  When Al saw Ray in Miami he was told a story that although hard to believe, would later be repeated again and again in different ways as the project began to unfold, and continues to this day.  Ray explained how the car service that was supposed to pick him up never showed, and how Darlene then decided to take him to the airport directly.  What they encountered were highways that were for some reason completely closed.  A long, back way to the airport was used, but Ray got to the terminal check in just 20 minutes prior to his plane taking off. 

Given today’s lengthy security process, Ray assumed he would never make the flight, but on a whim decided to pull a $20 out of his pocket and began shouting that he had to get on a flight bound for Costa Rica and would anyone let him in line.  The lines parted and Ray went right to the front, only to encounter a skeptical agent who proceeded to inform him that the gate was about to close and there was really no way he could ever get through security in time to have any chance of making the flight.  Ray mentioned something to the agent about her believing in “karma” and the next thing you know he had a boarding pass and was running for the security line.  Problem:  the line was as long as they get – it wasn’t going to happen.  Ray again pulled out his $20 and began waiving it frantically and explaining his need to meet his friend for a trip to Costa Rica.  Incredibly the same thing happened again -  hundreds of people let Ray through, with some even yelling at others who were in his way or moving slowly through clearance.  Ray passed through the gauntlet and somehow sprinted to the gate as they were closing it…. 

Fast forward 24 hours:  Ray and Al are on the property, and this easy going man, deep thinker, and one of the funniest and sarcastic guys we know, who had recently turned 50 became a boy again before Al’s eyes…  “He just couldn’t seem to contain himself – the property excited him so much -  he began talking about all the future possibilities and how much his son, Ben would love the Finca”….The next day he phones Darlene, who later explains the conversation as one of the most surreal  she has ever experienced –  “Ray was talking as if we were already owners of the property and he just couldn’t seem to contain himself.” 

April - July, 2006 -  The sustained push.  At this juncture Al Benner’s vision had taken on a new dimension – three partners and a very large piece of property with endless possibilities.  But the dream was far from being realized.  Born to Al and Deena on April 25th were twin boys, Owen & Coleman. Added to this was the pending sale of Al’s largest business and the due diligence for the Costa Rica acquisition.  A stressful period to say the least.  “Due diligence” would be an understatement – the firm that the partners chose to put the deal together and do the proper investigations for land title, etc was Costa Rica Expertise, headed by Garland Baker, a 30 year veteran of  helping foreigners establish themselves in CR and a contributing writer on Real Estate issues for the online newspaper, A.M. Costa Rica. Highly recommended by Al’s friend Jay Dodge, Garland was incredibly thorough, double checking every possible scenario and record imaginable.  When he met the partners in June at the site he had a stack of papers for the pending acquisition that was over 6” thick.  Needless to say the partners have been very comfortable with the level of detail of his services and this provided the group with the confidence needed to move forward with a real estate transaction of this scope in a foreign land. 

June, 2006 - The deal almost doesn’t happen.  The partners travel to Costa Rica in anticipation of signing the documents that would give them clear title to the 150 acres of forest, pasture, and rivers that make up the finca.  Problem:  the additional section of land that had been added to the property to provide access to the nearby dirt road was much narrower than anticipated and did not get around a gulch that would have required a 100’ bridge to span it – something completely out of the question.  At this juncture, the acquisition was literally disintegrating before the partner’s eyes. 

It was at this point in time that Al Benner realized if he didn’t think quickly on his feet (literally everyone was standing a soggy cow pasture), that the deal wasn’t going to happen.  Speaking limited Spanish, Al was often relying on the one bi-lingual landowner to communicate with the other farmer, Rapha Morales…Al asked to find out if Rapha would allow access to go through his property on the other side.  This would involve turning a 1.4 kilometer cattle trail into a well constructed year round access road.

The group moved over to the old muddy trail and soon thereafter Rapha made the decision to allow access.  This gesture of goodwill on his part will forever be appreciated.

The acquisition was back on track, but far from completed. 

During this trip Ben was the first of our children to visit the finca. A typical kid who would rather play Xbox than eat and who has far too many toys in his closet. And even though he has traveled pretty extensively for a 7 year old, this was his first trip off the grid hiking into the finca everyday. Sometimes we miss the boat on what kids really enjoy when growing up as we raise them in the modern communities we live. One day on the trip he whispered to his father, "This machete was the best present I ever got!" He was also the first to mention bringing in the road on the other side of the hill through the woods. But hey, he was a kid, who was listening?

Also on this June trip to the property, the partners were joined by Al’s builder friend and co-member of the local Philadelphia Chapter of the “EO” (Entrepreneur’s Organization), Mark Janiczek.  Since that time Mark has become involved with the project, joining each weekly 3 hour conference call, and making multiple trips to the finca. Mark’s experience with high-end construction and renovation on the mainline area of Philadelphia combined with his enthusiasm, experience and passion for green build techniques and materials, make Mark a tremendous addition to the team. 

August, 2006   Final negotiations and due diligence are completed and a final offer and agreement of sale is presented on behalf of the partners by Garland, and accepted by the two Costa Rican farmers and one American who had ownership stakes in the adjacent properties that make up the finca.  The long 6 month process now behind them, the partners begin to turn their attention to activities related to the sustainable development of the property. 

September – December, 2006  - The partners travel to the site twice during this period and secure a contractor and plan for construction for their 1.2 kilometer access road that takes them past Rapha’s farmhouse, through a forested area and then back up to high ground and into the Finca.  The road is completed by early January and is hailed half jokingly by many locals as “the best road in Costa Rica”.  Many local residents come out to see the road, some by horseback and some on dirt bikes or in vehicles.   The road bed utilized extra large drain pipes and more “lastre” (local gravel) than normal and it was also compacted more than normal so that it would last as long as possible. 

January, 2007  -    A trip was coordinated that brought close to twenty people to the finca for a two day tour and fiesta fundraiser at the adjacent schoolhouse.  For more details and photos, click here.

March, 2007 -  A pivotal juncture for the project was reached and a big step forward was taken.  Mark Janiczek, the partner’s green builder friend and initial lot investor accompanies Al to the site and the trip sees many milestones reached.  Most importantly, a San Jose engineering firm, Deppat  www.Deppat.com  is retained by the partners to conduct all site plans, surveying, lot divisions, and engineering studies.  Al and Mark meet at length with the General Manager for the firm, Eugenio Bermudez and were very impressed with his knowledge, attention to detail, and personable nature.  After in person, on site meetings with several firms, the partners feel highly confident in their  selection of Deppat to be handling all their site planning and engineering work.   

Other milestones included the successful testing of a block press from which to make compressed earthen blocks (10% cement and 20% sand, 70% clay based soil found on the finca).  Steve Gallant, a Canadian citizen now living in Costa Rica built the press and delivered it to the site.  Several blocks were produced, and the proper ratios of ingredients and moisture content were zeroed in on, with several blocks of high strength being produced.  The partners are now most optimistic about their ability to utilize on-site soil to construct earthen building blocks. 

The “Living Fence” to keep cattle off the access road was finished and as Mark and Al departed for the airport, the final India des nuda branches were being planted along the fence line.  This renewable resource was cut from existing trees on the finca during the new moon in March (peak moisture content) and now await May rains to begin taking root in the fertile volcanic soil.  Within a year or two a permanent “living fence" whose posts will last indefinitely will take shape.  It should also be noted that the wooden posts used to initially support the wire fence were taken from a fallen rot-resistant Nispero tree located on the finca. 

Close to 50 bananas and plantains of various species were also planted on the property and will begin rapid growth during the coming rainy season. 

A decision was also made to begin construction of a 14’ x 16’ rancho to be constructed of teak and oil palm leaves growing on the neighbor, Rapha Moreales’ land.  This structure will be positioned adjacent to the future site of the community area overlooking the ocean and entire property, and is anticipated to be completed prior to the upcoming trip scheduled for late May. 

The well drilling date was finalized for April 9th.  Topo maps of the site were first “dowsed” by world renowned water dowser, Leroy Bull, and expectations are high that water will be found at 50 meters at a centrally located spot adjacent to an internal driveway within the farm.  On April 20th we struck  water at 40 meters with a confirmed flow rate of more than 1 gallon per second!! Click to read about this interesting story.

Other plans taking shape include a work/storage structure to be delivered that will consist of a retired 20’ sea transport container that would otherwise have just rusted away over time.  This unit will be covered by a roof at a 22 degree angle toward the south that will in turn be covered with amorphous “peel and stick” solar panels.  These will be used for powering the pump that will move water from the well to a large storage tank at the high point of the finca.  The water will then be dispersed throughout the community by gravity.

Plans are also underway for the installation of a wind monitoring device that will record wind speeds and directions for several months in order to evaluate the viability and location for a wind turbine.  Of critical importance is to locate any mills in an area that will have little to no visual impact upon the community.    

Finally, a “charette” (a project brainstorming session) was held on site, and included several guests, including Andrew Zwick and his fiancé Andrea.  Andrew is heading up the design and implementation for all systems for the project, including power, water, and waste management.  Swiss environmental scientist, Christoph Hubmann also joined the meeting.  Christoph brings much experience regarding dry forest re-generation and re-forestation know-how, of which many techniques he will be implementing and overseeing in the coming years.  Rounding out the group of experts were Eugenio Bermudez from Depatt, and Jackie O’Neil, the first owner of a LEED certified green build home in Pennsylvania.   Also present were John & Winnifred Mcleod from California who were visiting the finca and ended up staying for three days to further tour the property. This enthusiastic couple even hiked down 700 feet unaccompanied to visit the river corridor and falls. 

Al kicked off the meeting with an overview of his vision for the community and Mark Janiczek followed by leading a discussion that focused on sustainable construction practices.  Using on-site and nearby resources as well as renewable energy systems were a prime area of discussion.  The meeting was a big success with many great ideas and visions being shared.  A big thanks to Andrea for taking notes during the meeting.

Rainy Season 2007 - The summer has been busy working on the road, putting in our living fences and planting over 500 fruit trees and 250 coffee bushes. We have had a crew on-site everyday building trails, working on the water system and improving area of the finca impacted during the rainy season so that we can be prepared to make progress during the dry season.

Other notes of interest: 

On a tour of the opposite side of the river with the previous owner of the finca, Don Modesto, it was learned that pottery shards and stones used for grinding foods have been found in the river bed and in a few other locations on the property.

It appears that a high speed internet connection is now available to tap into.  An aspiring American entrepreneur in the nearby beach community of Garza has informed Ray Coker that he believes his microwave network will reach the FLB community, which will mean high speed internet access. 

A local supplier in nearby “Filadelfia” was visited and re-claimed roofing tiles and other materials were observed and priced. 

The potholes on the road from Nicoya to Samara have all been fixed.  This made for a much more enjoyable and less stressful drive. 

As always, the beaches were spectacular…body surfacing at Playa Carillo was particularly enjoyable….