tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37554944227999150882024-02-07T04:51:08.645-08:00GuanacasteCostaRicaSights, events and photos of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Biological diversity and cultural events are cataloged and commented on. Reviews of hotels, restaurants, beaches, and tourist destinations for what is good and what to avoid.Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-85009925493773392012013-06-13T14:24:00.000-07:002013-06-13T14:24:42.009-07:00Lousy Internet Service - A Short Story About Cabletica and TigoI recently, over a period of a few months, came to the end of my rope with Cabletica Internet. I have had home Internet service with them for six years. On their advice in the past year, I have recently replaced two routers in an effort to help maintain a useable WiFi signal in my house. <br />
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As a part of this ongoing struggle, it was necessary to frequently reboot the Motorola SurfBoard modem by unplugging it regularly or using the reset button on the top.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfiVRvAhn0bPuBV3EAVzjCWycid9s45JJ9c88gbjM7_wyHEjFAQgGi_UZ4L8wErvrEMpUuMDwD7W7s9dG28jgTsLWQCXIV0fGwwMF_841D_vzUq3AfeKflfGJ_6a5QVIBsj-uq8fBV0c/s1600/image001.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfiVRvAhn0bPuBV3EAVzjCWycid9s45JJ9c88gbjM7_wyHEjFAQgGi_UZ4L8wErvrEMpUuMDwD7W7s9dG28jgTsLWQCXIV0fGwwMF_841D_vzUq3AfeKflfGJ_6a5QVIBsj-uq8fBV0c/s1600/image001.gif" /></a><br />
I had computer techs come over to check out my situation. One told me my old router was good. The other told me the same thing and said the modem from Cabletica was bad.<br />
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So, I took the modem to Cabletica for them to do a diagnosis. They gave it back to me. They obviously didn't know what to do with it. So, I asked them to come to my house to do a service call. On the appointed day, no one showed up. No one showed up the next day or the next. Okay....<br />
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So I cancelled the service.... <br />
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<b>The Tigo Option. </b>There are other options for home service, thankfully, so I looked at them. I have heard horror stories about Internet service on Amnet and its new incarnation as Tigo, but I signed up for their service. They didn't make on the appointed day, but they did have the courtesy to call and said their was a technical problem on their end and they rescheduled the appointment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH9qZjk3ynGTI8uuxfXf1xlOVtccE2Vz7QXk4LM9AsYYgt3sVdn3iYilfVsh8SyauoH5bx4BsT140JdkeRdXQQTIVp63I_m8PIfxDz6JHseSOdShewQI-pfsrNlOFCSd5b4cKRIHR1jU/s1600/2013-06-13+09.28.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH9qZjk3ynGTI8uuxfXf1xlOVtccE2Vz7QXk4LM9AsYYgt3sVdn3iYilfVsh8SyauoH5bx4BsT140JdkeRdXQQTIVp63I_m8PIfxDz6JHseSOdShewQI-pfsrNlOFCSd5b4cKRIHR1jU/s320/2013-06-13+09.28.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lights on my new modem working as expected.</td></tr>
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So they showed up the next day and installed a new cable AND a new Motorola SurfBoad modem. Now the Internet is more reliable. I subscribed to less bandwidth than at Cabletica to see how they would do. So far, I have few complaints - service does slow down occasionally but I chalk this up to the gradually improving infrastructure of Internet in Costa Rica.<br />
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<b>The Old Modem. </b> A Cabletica representative said that they wanted the old modem back. Okay, so we took it to them. But then they said it was mine. Okay, perhaps they know they have a problem with their old modems now. At least they have one less customer.<br />
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Anybody want a dysfunctional modem? <br />
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Oh, and Cabletica also called several times the next month and asked me why I had not paid the bill. Seems they have serious internal communication problems. <br />
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<br />Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-34880526867164217102013-03-26T12:58:00.001-07:002013-10-28T15:42:12.529-07:00Tai Chi Chuan Classes in Guanacaste<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlikPK8C00mMXtHsK1-emK1GmEnJyZ2mk3E1wuv5vnLTKcgtBGT1pydA03oPx7EBA4fPt6wDsELeC7rGg37L9kFxrHORQRIHQCmWpOqd4N47QYkhtBw2SrbQWtT720B2a5eBDXclpMvow/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-26+at+2.03.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlikPK8C00mMXtHsK1-emK1GmEnJyZ2mk3E1wuv5vnLTKcgtBGT1pydA03oPx7EBA4fPt6wDsELeC7rGg37L9kFxrHORQRIHQCmWpOqd4N47QYkhtBw2SrbQWtT720B2a5eBDXclpMvow/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-26+at+2.03.20+PM.png" /></a></div>
<b>(See 10/28/2013 update below)</b> It looks as if Guanacaste is going to have a golden opportunity for learning the age-old art of Tai Chi Chuan. An experienced teacher, Ligia Chavarria, is currently sending out feelers to find out if there are enough people in Liberia who are interested in starting classes. She has had a large class previously in Filadelfia and there are apparently offers for her to also start classes in Santa Cruz. For anyone who is interested, please contact her directly at 8372-6407. Her apparent interest is in teaching to all levels of skill and to help others learn the <a href="http://www.qigonghealingarts.org/qigong-exercises/tai-chi-chuan-classes-guanacaste-costa-rica/" target="_blank">healing effects</a> of this art form. <br />
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I highly recommend this class and I may be a student as well to increase my knowledge of Tai Chi Chuan. I already know quite a bit of qigong (chi kung), but I am interested in the long form, which she apparently teaches, in addition to Tai Chi Ruler and the sword form. If anyone is interested in taking qigong classes for health improvement, contact me at 8480-4960. You can see some evidence of my work experience with qigong on my Qigong Healing Arts website, to which the link above will lead you.<br />
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<b>UPDATE: The class was cancelled.</b><br />
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After being disappointed with the cancellation, on Sept. 2013, I found another way to learn Tai Chi Chuan here in Liberia. Via my acupuncturist, Cruz Chen, who lives in Liberia and runs the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/acupuncture7cruzchenliberiacostarica" target="_blank">Centro Medicina Alternativa</a>. He was doing some treatments on me for a very severe stiff neck, and offered to teach me. Over a two and a half month period, he taught me the 24-move Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. I now know the moves and am working on perfecting them. It will be a life-long project, but I can really notice the improvement on my health since I have learned the basics. Contact him if you wish to take classes!<br />
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To the left, he is shown doing the "Parting Wild Horses Mane" move. He allowed me to take a video of him to help as a teaching aid. I still refer to it frequently as I fine-tune and correct my form. It will be a life-long process and I am sure to reap the health benefits.Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-12482374395751818772013-03-12T09:04:00.003-07:002013-03-12T09:05:52.812-07:00Summertime in Liberia, an Insight Into Guanacaste Weather<b>March 12, 2013 </b>- My favorite times of the day in the flat central plains of Guancaste are early morning and late afternoon. Less sunlight and cooler temperatures make walks and other types of exercise more enjoyable. If I am on the nearby beaches, I really enjoy the evening walks along the shoreline.<br />
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During mid-day, the sun is fierce - although the temperatures don't usually get above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. To protect yourself, a wide-brimmed hat is advisable and a little sunscreen on the exposed parts of your flesh help protect you from the ultraviolet light that causes sunburn. Rural Guanacaste men, sabaneros (cowboys) that is, often sport a white or beige cloth wide-brimmed hat to help protect themselves from the rays. Straw hats are unusual, but you find them in plenitude when there are horse parades during fiestas, as shown below. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide brim hats and umbrellas help protect you from the sun, but many ignore this advice, as seen in the background. Photo taken during a horse parade during the Exposition Ganadero (Cattle show fiesta) in Liberia in July, 2008. I enjoy the contrast in this shot of the old cowboy and the young cowgirl.</td></tr>
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Sometimes when I have been on the beach, I have forgotten to apply sunscreen on some exposed parts, like my stomach or the top of my feet and end up with burns. The top of the feet is particularly difficult to protect if you are going in and out of the surf while walking along the beach. I severely burned the top of my foot one day when I was searching for treasures with my metal detector along the shoreline.<br />
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A sunscreen rated at SPF 15 or better works fine for me. I have looked at studies of ratings of sunscreen lotions, and the amount of incremental protection after an SPF of 15 is really very little, like less than 5 percentage points. I did a research article on Mahalo.com many moons ago that discussed the scientific aspects of SPF ratings. So, don't waste your money. If you can find an<br />
SPF 15 suncreen that is cheaper than one with a higher rating, buy it. It will work.<br />
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If you do ignore a spot and find out by empirical evidence the next day, rub any lotion into the sunburn spots generously a couple of times the next day and drink plenty of water. This helps speed the healing process.<br />
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Above all, enjoy the summertime. It is a great time to get out and do things in this region. During the rainy season, sometimes our outdoor activities are curtailed a bit, especially in September. For more detailed info on <a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/hub/Guanacaste-Costa-Rica-Weather" target="_blank">Guanacaste Weather</a>, check out the link for an article I wrote on HubPages that includes weather data.Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-7411447555852733722013-02-20T15:47:00.001-08:002013-02-20T17:03:46.637-08:00The 2013 Liberia Fiestas CivicasStay tuned....I will be posting some photos of this year's fiesta, which is in its beginnings as I write. There already has been one small parade and it is a couple more days before the bull riding and the big parade happens. The place is already filling with people. It should be fun!<br />
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This is a photo from last year's fiesta. Pili Rodriguez and companions on their marimba playing traditional songs from Guanacaste.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 3-person marimba and a gourd make some really nice music.</td></tr>
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Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-60228755664176356832013-01-25T13:05:00.001-08:002013-04-01T14:38:32.747-07:00Photo a Day Project 2013As of 24 January 2013, I am beginning a photo a day project to illustrate random aspects of where I live in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The subjects or themes of these daily photos follow that given by Chantelle in her strangely-named <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/january-2013-photo-a-day-lets-do-this-thing/" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim web site</a>. These themes are quite random, so expect variety in the photos shown here and an interesting cross-section of what you can discover in Guanacaste. There are a few photos outside of this province also.<br />
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I am providing the Spanish translation of the theme for each day. My Spanish isn't perfect because I am not a native speaker, so let me know if I have made any mistakes. <br />
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I will include several photos per day in some cases and some collages if the mood strikes me. In most photos, I am using my <a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/hub/Sony-A57-Camera-Review" target="_blank">Sony A57 DSLT</a>. And I am using various lenses, mostly the Minolta 28-135. Sometimes I will use my Sony Cybershot W100 and my cell phone cameras. Most of the originals shown here are high resolution images. So, here goes this ambitious project.<br />
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This project ends on March 31. <br />
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<b>24 January - Stripes (rayas)</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: A girl in a striped dress. Left: Architectural detail from a famous building in central Liberia that is in need of restoration, the Museo de Guanacaste. Right: A useless stripe down the middle on one of the main streets in Liberia, their time would be better spent repairing the streets.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b> </b><br />
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<b>25 January - Landscape (panorama)</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miravalles Volcano, photo taken from the western side near Bagaces. This volcano is near several geothermal sites used to generate electricity in Guanacaste. Photo taken with a Sigma wide-angle lens.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>26 January - Together(junto)</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two stone statues sitting together on the lawn at the Best Western Las Espuelas Hotel south of Liberia.</td></tr>
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<b>27 January - Sun (el sól)</b><br />
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This is easy. I like taking sunset photos. Guanacaste is a great location for these. During the seasons with clouds (excluding January and February), there are some really dramatic skies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0wnbT_aqKgNOihjS3k85KeAYa8WleIf2Nf86DGc3wadytBgGy1Xls7tMv2z9C02_yb0J7QkGwgQL7ctNCsW9LntxJYcjeAsU_oWqPsqYfWoDZ7-6VLLV66DhBQ1JbodzfUpeTDvv-qc/s1600/Sunlight+filtering+down+the+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0wnbT_aqKgNOihjS3k85KeAYa8WleIf2Nf86DGc3wadytBgGy1Xls7tMv2z9C02_yb0J7QkGwgQL7ctNCsW9LntxJYcjeAsU_oWqPsqYfWoDZ7-6VLLV66DhBQ1JbodzfUpeTDvv-qc/s640/Sunlight+filtering+down+the+road.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset light filtering down the road west of Cañas Dulce.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3we4K30s68bqLT4S2ZdTZv_6juVDrmNOcW2JKDvBBhuZMNb82OBWXSNZRt6TmcgRkd7ywqzLlMXppTr4izvW3tsAGdcxK_SGl3Cl2oTVQzPB2aUksk5BeV8on8hATgRwL3jEsF77xLE/s1600/Mirador+Canas+Dulce+Sunset+7-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3we4K30s68bqLT4S2ZdTZv_6juVDrmNOcW2JKDvBBhuZMNb82OBWXSNZRt6TmcgRkd7ywqzLlMXppTr4izvW3tsAGdcxK_SGl3Cl2oTVQzPB2aUksk5BeV8on8hATgRwL3jEsF77xLE/s640/Mirador+Canas+Dulce+Sunset+7-2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from the Buena Vista Mirador (Overlook) above Cañas Dulce. This is on the route to various resorts at the foot of Rincon de la Vieja volcano, like Borinquen, Buena Vista and Vandara. From this overlook, you can see the coastal hills that are along the coast. The sun is setting over the Papagayo Peninsula area.<br />
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<b>28 January - Through (através)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2pfp4pCufG_z_z1h_faJx0eTIumT3Jm2vcRNfxTXycyoJ0JY3jmVUsxlFw28LFDbmMZbgvSTYiO7Y-KeR0LXKGK8fS-O6G1sEBNxjypbdeEG95FQ3lcONvcbwsVgsV67hgVeyRriplg/s1600/20110811_5396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2pfp4pCufG_z_z1h_faJx0eTIumT3Jm2vcRNfxTXycyoJ0JY3jmVUsxlFw28LFDbmMZbgvSTYiO7Y-KeR0LXKGK8fS-O6G1sEBNxjypbdeEG95FQ3lcONvcbwsVgsV67hgVeyRriplg/s640/20110811_5396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfers coming back from Playa Negra through the access point near parking. </td></tr>
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<b>28 January - Grow (crecer)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmCwy32lMyyDwBZ1QFQZtyS8hWPK0_mpvI4RQpK3RpfQeT6nEJMgNLUYf66IxyfQNOP_cy1MyQ9sEolKxlz3WiNlgNdtSG4u3ZYAG7-4shIRxvL4gBhacGrIdgOB8sT7ioEUAV0vjmm8/s1600/pitaya+before+opening+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmCwy32lMyyDwBZ1QFQZtyS8hWPK0_mpvI4RQpK3RpfQeT6nEJMgNLUYf66IxyfQNOP_cy1MyQ9sEolKxlz3WiNlgNdtSG4u3ZYAG7-4shIRxvL4gBhacGrIdgOB8sT7ioEUAV0vjmm8/s640/pitaya+before+opening+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Known as the dragon fruit flower, or pitahaya locally, this plant's fruit make a refreshing purple drink high in antioxidants. It open up at night for pollination by moths and bats. I could have chosen from many different subjects for "grow," like rice or sugar cane or even children, but this is perhaps the most dramatic photo I have in this category.</td></tr>
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<b>29 January - Down (abajo)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS_rTqX7WtD1HkPSVo3GD7uPAEXSikV6ZAFM9HoE0WduroK2ebtPfdJGK8yyogd0kUD5mWUMHAg6VwDPePaeYJbvjmorwLtj9CHGQU2-GC6MaNHaf7XV666HxjvLNjo7U5ZK5Vv3FNVc/s1600/Rio+Colorado+Canon+de+la+Vieja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS_rTqX7WtD1HkPSVo3GD7uPAEXSikV6ZAFM9HoE0WduroK2ebtPfdJGK8yyogd0kUD5mWUMHAg6VwDPePaeYJbvjmorwLtj9CHGQU2-GC6MaNHaf7XV666HxjvLNjo7U5ZK5Vv3FNVc/s640/Rio+Colorado+Canon+de+la+Vieja.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down from a cliff at the Rio Colorado that runs along the road to Currubande, from the Cañon de la Vieja Resort trail that goes where they start the canopy or zip lining adventure. I frequent this trail during all seasons. This particular photo was taken during the rainy season. This is a good time to go river kayaking.</td></tr>
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<b>31 January - Myself (yo mismo)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_N-YTePrBWfFnRVjZgMoNPJTua5b48ytdQTMj-dZqFYnoq1z-XZ92XdxfDJ-v4WsMNWJOq791t_FGyAOiyfOrZVXIjbiNaCg-KgFYKPWmmKnSrnKd-8P6uZmSLjA8JTBdy7INq527XG4/s1600/rio+celester+randy+waterfalls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_N-YTePrBWfFnRVjZgMoNPJTua5b48ytdQTMj-dZqFYnoq1z-XZ92XdxfDJ-v4WsMNWJOq791t_FGyAOiyfOrZVXIjbiNaCg-KgFYKPWmmKnSrnKd-8P6uZmSLjA8JTBdy7INq527XG4/s640/rio+celester+randy+waterfalls.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at Rio Celeste Falls in the Tenorio Volcano National Park. The stairs up and down to the falls are too much for those with bad knees. The trail goes much further in to where there you can find hot springs to loll around in for a rest before you return. The falls water is cool, and blue for some mysterious chemical reason.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>1 February - My View (mi vista)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrMrjpKKMjRPWHs1zFvqgWsNL8gJ5p3VRLtoqgnX4_RAoiOasrY5WKvNkS9l44k_vE6RWTEVQiVRg8od5M69vN8gSUIZhG8O26CbX45Y55hrW19qDWq06z5yjXtfWEGE6y8g5EKl1xe0/s1600/Feb+2013+farmer%27s+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrMrjpKKMjRPWHs1zFvqgWsNL8gJ5p3VRLtoqgnX4_RAoiOasrY5WKvNkS9l44k_vE6RWTEVQiVRg8od5M69vN8gSUIZhG8O26CbX45Y55hrW19qDWq06z5yjXtfWEGE6y8g5EKl1xe0/s640/Feb+2013+farmer%27s+market.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Feria, or Farmer's Market in Liberia today. I go there almost every week to buy my potatoes, onions, limes, melons, cheese, etc. Today was a very windy day and there were a lot of people there. Ten thousand colones ($20) will buy a handcart full of fruits and vegetables. You can also buy fish there. I like to go there and discover new things each week.</td></tr>
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<b>2 February - Words (palabras)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjingFo04O6_CEo_zLKQVOlAZhtAAol5MRblXgM1dImhjthnMmwtaIbi5vyeBLAZXkiRfGEIb0HzMZAV5FlL5Memq3m1rhtgPqwDf6D3hy6oQ6RwmBxle2YZ4EnVFVWO5jwcFwoc1zV57Y/s1600/IMAG0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjingFo04O6_CEo_zLKQVOlAZhtAAol5MRblXgM1dImhjthnMmwtaIbi5vyeBLAZXkiRfGEIb0HzMZAV5FlL5Memq3m1rhtgPqwDf6D3hy6oQ6RwmBxle2YZ4EnVFVWO5jwcFwoc1zV57Y/s640/IMAG0059.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The regional dialect in Guanacaste, which has spread to most populated areas of Costa Rica, can baffle someone who knows proper Spanish. These words are sprinkled in with proper Spanish in everyday conversations. There is even a book (about 100 pages) that lists and defines every word. This is a list that I was given when I first arrived in Liberia. Here are a few of the words defined:</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>Agarrado, codo </b>- to be cheap or tight with your money<br />
<b>Alborotado </b>- very much in love<br />
<b>Amarra perros</b> - someone who doesn't like to pay (common occurrence) <br />
<b>Botudo</b> - a rural person that wears rubber boots, also meaning a peasant<br />
<b>Desgraciado, mal parido</b> - ungrateful son of bitch<br />
<b>Está chiva</b> - he or she is angry <br />
<b>Es un pinta </b>- she is a trouble maker<br />
<b>Jueputa</b> - the f-word<br />
<b>Lerda </b>- very slow (normal Spanish word is <i>lento</i>)<br />
<b>Revueltijo</b> - mixture<br />
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<b>3 February - Hands (manos)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r6phIzU1rtWPsfMeuosaKLd2jgthb5MVb1bPYA6oivRufmYi_fRO0Uz1ZBgcuklLkXTMjICr1KluLjweKAM5DmZhZ6hZnF5Y0yegKTzwyQgYG3FkPJzrsG6nVNEqje5L3uiXPDHRmuI/s1600/Valentinas+hands+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r6phIzU1rtWPsfMeuosaKLd2jgthb5MVb1bPYA6oivRufmYi_fRO0Uz1ZBgcuklLkXTMjICr1KluLjweKAM5DmZhZ6hZnF5Y0yegKTzwyQgYG3FkPJzrsG6nVNEqje5L3uiXPDHRmuI/s640/Valentinas+hands+30%25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hands of constantly moving 1-year old Valentina and her mother, Melissa. A difficult shot, indeed.</td></tr>
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<b>4 February - A Stranger (una desconocida)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uagyhMazjyRHh4CeNbNd2PVKmUhVis7_zNYYfuvLeuAGAbPXB369u5JZE6mIXGXnLNgb0SrokCfZnWZ0_xEcQyHtv7p7lHQATRMvUOH6o_ruf0uUmQz-i92T7bx1bLuNbQwefTeqAy8/s1600/DSC09587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uagyhMazjyRHh4CeNbNd2PVKmUhVis7_zNYYfuvLeuAGAbPXB369u5JZE6mIXGXnLNgb0SrokCfZnWZ0_xEcQyHtv7p7lHQATRMvUOH6o_ruf0uUmQz-i92T7bx1bLuNbQwefTeqAy8/s640/DSC09587.JPG" width="586" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute stranger at a birthday party for the grandson. Stranger to me, that is. Shy as well.</td></tr>
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<b>5 February - 10 AM (a las diez)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCO3sekj9UUwnJPXfR2u-jkvUZxeXCbu5WGMbCTsH_NKIy_5kKM9w9hThAgVrrkYvjop4JnnXMg7hcF5agTGnMy0wO7_sYMzHa0suyaPR3ABE7agMxstHkb97OBbcXaP_VCXV7wG6qeo/s1600/corner+of+museo+de+guanacaste+60%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCO3sekj9UUwnJPXfR2u-jkvUZxeXCbu5WGMbCTsH_NKIy_5kKM9w9hThAgVrrkYvjop4JnnXMg7hcF5agTGnMy0wO7_sYMzHa0suyaPR3ABE7agMxstHkb97OBbcXaP_VCXV7wG6qeo/s640/corner+of+museo+de+guanacaste+60%25.jpg" width="592" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was running errands in the vicinity. (Museo Guanacaste torre) Guanacaste Museum Tower. One of four in the rectangular structure that used to house the regional police and served as a prison. Located in downtown Liberia.</td></tr>
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<b>6 February - Dinner (Cena)</b><br />
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How about Chicken Breasts in garlic-ayote (winter squash) sauce? This is accompanied with boiled potatoes and green beans - boiled in chicken broth, of course! I have published this as <a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/hub/Costa-Rican-Recipes-Ayote-Chicken" target="_blank">Ayote Chicken</a> if you are interested in doing this yourself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFEJmBZKKJHerBgGt_FWWo4glURu09-ENqBasZ5PlazCsjbuT_vdADDPnF_Zg-gZ8JRwZmnp9t2h8nWwFcX8Z_2mqMYsfjSwzVfA5MaycBFuwfs0fIetPvUqhtcXmhOCdncSHXL3UFB8/s1600/20120321_3661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFEJmBZKKJHerBgGt_FWWo4glURu09-ENqBasZ5PlazCsjbuT_vdADDPnF_Zg-gZ8JRwZmnp9t2h8nWwFcX8Z_2mqMYsfjSwzVfA5MaycBFuwfs0fIetPvUqhtcXmhOCdncSHXL3UFB8/s640/20120321_3661.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken in Garlic-Winter Squash Sauce.</td></tr>
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<b>February 7 - Button (buton)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CqCqSLrT4XnXAHCzfRYIci6qxZIChhXkOpmLDyNWb46Ru2hxdILjRo4mUrX6j_Ow0teW6LPNv4yh3yHr-9KP7riYriB-_UA0HhyGnvLrG7kO-Olwxp1RPyLNFsNATnICqqshUoKu1Fs/s1600/Crochet+button+cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CqCqSLrT4XnXAHCzfRYIci6qxZIChhXkOpmLDyNWb46Ru2hxdILjRo4mUrX6j_Ow0teW6LPNv4yh3yHr-9KP7riYriB-_UA0HhyGnvLrG7kO-Olwxp1RPyLNFsNATnICqqshUoKu1Fs/s640/Crochet+button+cap.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crocheted button on the cap of one of my friends. Not an inspiring topic to take photos for me.</td></tr>
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<b>February 8 - Sun (El sól)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U55e_SLgoLzH2fyPC_tTsUh9H0E69jd2Y4WQuy7eK3Riev4PRhVmklNvEYhVzFIl679x1fRd0aOipDOinP0RW1-Xdt_-Mc9Jor4UOVFTKCiy1lE37lImKpKrQQ1wfPcg3KYZIbiheSg/s1600/Sunset+near+cabuyal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U55e_SLgoLzH2fyPC_tTsUh9H0E69jd2Y4WQuy7eK3Riev4PRhVmklNvEYhVzFIl679x1fRd0aOipDOinP0RW1-Xdt_-Mc9Jor4UOVFTKCiy1lE37lImKpKrQQ1wfPcg3KYZIbiheSg/s640/Sunset+near+cabuyal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset taken from a resort on the road to Playa Cabuyal, north of Papagayo Peninsula.</td></tr>
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<b>February 9 - Front Door (Puerta principal)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42WeX9vGREmtwuUYW1b63GKDJjGc_tOIEUiVU3wiSn-FD5Ma6pyC2I5GgySB1bSy9Jbzoi6nj_rRzlAFVderHrjKpFQVpE291HWaPd6EJU_XPp40OzPt1aGPFYERehGkBBsV0FZ6Tcdw/s1600/la+hermita+outbuilding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42WeX9vGREmtwuUYW1b63GKDJjGc_tOIEUiVU3wiSn-FD5Ma6pyC2I5GgySB1bSy9Jbzoi6nj_rRzlAFVderHrjKpFQVpE291HWaPd6EJU_XPp40OzPt1aGPFYERehGkBBsV0FZ6Tcdw/s640/la+hermita+outbuilding.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old door on an old adobe building next to the mid nineteenth century church, La Ermita de Nuestro Señor de la Agonía in Liberia.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>February 10 - 3 o'clock (a las tres)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwXeiNjLh8xUphdf2t_YDisJhahjz3WqpMNlIIfUAllVR5zNiENNceOpEGbsQuYiYHT_oLstHQGqmDznSkNl8nszCQdS456IfUQ1RA-mpVfbeZup4MCU31pPcbiGkraogxtWhqZEx_gw/s1600/Shadow+in+the+Water+RandyM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwXeiNjLh8xUphdf2t_YDisJhahjz3WqpMNlIIfUAllVR5zNiENNceOpEGbsQuYiYHT_oLstHQGqmDznSkNl8nszCQdS456IfUQ1RA-mpVfbeZup4MCU31pPcbiGkraogxtWhqZEx_gw/s640/Shadow+in+the+Water+RandyM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My shadow cast on the calm waters of a local beach, Playa Nacoscolo.</td></tr>
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<b>February 11 - Entrance (Entrada)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3HrsjUHKbV969y62boiENsy7tOdj6i0r9S6tZX-G4CV8yb1VwkE-XcZYddRhYh34AHiICRmoVA_edODvQ9Ln8wFpCU6dEtgSdjOxwGMc7FFGDb1lWd96-fr2LgGlBxGvCDCHlHfIcHI/s1600/20120203_2399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3HrsjUHKbV969y62boiENsy7tOdj6i0r9S6tZX-G4CV8yb1VwkE-XcZYddRhYh34AHiICRmoVA_edODvQ9Ln8wFpCU6dEtgSdjOxwGMc7FFGDb1lWd96-fr2LgGlBxGvCDCHlHfIcHI/s640/20120203_2399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance and exit holes in a piece of driftwood found on Playa Nacoscolo.</td></tr>
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<b>February 12 - Where I ate lunch (Donde almuerzo)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLnKBC8bSrnUn6IjY4EkEWDzHji37VqXciEUXcjopZrALUnGPfTPCWWyKCnJErLUUHzyo0OT-gsL1fBn0SGh_VidUEA1rb8ppPQquAyftdMAZA8vfbJoKnSnajTQ7yvguTNMebdG4F_8/s1600/IMAG0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLnKBC8bSrnUn6IjY4EkEWDzHji37VqXciEUXcjopZrALUnGPfTPCWWyKCnJErLUUHzyo0OT-gsL1fBn0SGh_VidUEA1rb8ppPQquAyftdMAZA8vfbJoKnSnajTQ7yvguTNMebdG4F_8/s640/IMAG0026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Jardin de Eden pool and restaurant. This hotel is a nice place to take a swim in fresh water and have lunch. The rooms are $100 per night. You don't have to stay there to swim, just buy refreshments and do lunch. There is an entrance for pedestrians on the main street.</td></tr>
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<b>February 13 - Walking (Caminando)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAgQjekq06z1MdA9mxXCNmfAS2DvpHcdchT-7Q0YXKAoaHHGqQD5jOCE7k3d4i8zgMIFRk2kWEEie13VHMWNF2ws6BbIdSUTsLimN1SKVOIG5fQw31OhdLGdJtCFZiwi4fnJZxMvUzZE/s1600/Two+granizados+Playa+hermosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAgQjekq06z1MdA9mxXCNmfAS2DvpHcdchT-7Q0YXKAoaHHGqQD5jOCE7k3d4i8zgMIFRk2kWEEie13VHMWNF2ws6BbIdSUTsLimN1SKVOIG5fQw31OhdLGdJtCFZiwi4fnJZxMvUzZE/s640/Two+granizados+Playa+hermosa.jpg" width="506" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man walking on the beach with two granizados, which are a Costa Rican form of sno-cones, sweetened with whole milk powder and syrups of your choosing. On the popular beaches, like Playa Hermosa shown here, you will find granizado vendors and other people who are trying to sell trinkets and even ceviche.</td></tr>
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<b>February 14 - Love is...... (Amor es...)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYF89wWrS1E5tceU8AqoaDAo7clB0Djcwj-0qMHJTlYQzoW760voc4CAgnOlF_ESi-9mX6ziw4f3bbX90EoYF0j0nFM4eSi9QIuGyirFj6xxCL07heIMcYUGN7W6BupplKBvKQCB9OkU/s1600/Valentina+3+days+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYF89wWrS1E5tceU8AqoaDAo7clB0Djcwj-0qMHJTlYQzoW760voc4CAgnOlF_ESi-9mX6ziw4f3bbX90EoYF0j0nFM4eSi9QIuGyirFj6xxCL07heIMcYUGN7W6BupplKBvKQCB9OkU/s640/Valentina+3+days+old.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....a newborn baby. Valentina Fonseca Morales, 3 days old.</td></tr>
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<b>February 15 - Inside my refrigerator </b>(exciting, huh?)<b> (Adentro mi refrigerador (¿Emocionada, si?)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6_j5EFNxGLoipyQCM65j56IqdpQcr-7T3nL-mVg_wX9bfB0mpCbfWBXMbptPXSV705MmGj1p3jNr86LFWMjxpY2BU_ZbMVTlAlMrMBDBtw_xukV5z-tQNRzYBM4eCgnMKmpvJpAMelg/s1600/Inside+my+fridge+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6_j5EFNxGLoipyQCM65j56IqdpQcr-7T3nL-mVg_wX9bfB0mpCbfWBXMbptPXSV705MmGj1p3jNr86LFWMjxpY2BU_ZbMVTlAlMrMBDBtw_xukV5z-tQNRzYBM4eCgnMKmpvJpAMelg/s640/Inside+my+fridge+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big block of fresh cheese with some accompaniments, blackberry jam and light margarine spread. Someday I hope to make mozzarella from the fresh cheese, all it needs is to be bathed in hot water to make it the proper consistency. Ticos in Guanacaste like to eat the fresh cheese with gallo pinto for breakfast, or put inside a thick corn tortilla.</td></tr>
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<b>February 16 - Perfect (perfecto)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRT-ecXksr_FTeVefvXGwQYlAteGhPFmU75FEtNA1KZo7g_gIFTHv3AdbnqLq4gLCbjJZqsz333sbgbmho-7SSfKI0f0pUEFf4E9gLmruig3vhzSMDcFG7P_lmHhXcS3beHmVTg3Ez6Y/s1600/thumb_IMG_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRT-ecXksr_FTeVefvXGwQYlAteGhPFmU75FEtNA1KZo7g_gIFTHv3AdbnqLq4gLCbjJZqsz333sbgbmho-7SSfKI0f0pUEFf4E9gLmruig3vhzSMDcFG7P_lmHhXcS3beHmVTg3Ez6Y/s640/thumb_IMG_0051.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfect sunset looking from Condovac La Costa Resort one evening. This resort is located above Playa Hermosa, where there are lots of hotels and condos. I frequent this resort with friends.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>February 17 - In My Hand (En mi mano)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkd6ywhT0ETT6wtA9meq3ROCr5Hbvt8AJ9CWM6K29YGwPCY5UsiWxpPKrT0PXXXi1rMNyrsZ-ayG-sA54ZsU6RhYiTC9cTFNUYikfzkwVpPYFT5J4chyqWbJJU1YFjxqxxiKmyCvj2VY/s1600/DSC03917+-+2010-10-29+at+08-25-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkd6ywhT0ETT6wtA9meq3ROCr5Hbvt8AJ9CWM6K29YGwPCY5UsiWxpPKrT0PXXXi1rMNyrsZ-ayG-sA54ZsU6RhYiTC9cTFNUYikfzkwVpPYFT5J4chyqWbJJU1YFjxqxxiKmyCvj2VY/s640/DSC03917+-+2010-10-29+at+08-25-29.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps on my finger would be better. An interesting bug of some sort.</td></tr>
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<b>February 18 - Something I don't like (Algo no me gusta).</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2Ek3nZ3zWMKktpNlXP62exTSav1lHNxG5iIUbvX_QLsG-Opx2TMfz3HkFwaKr_4DzwssxhezMsQYXBwdpjzJF-Mnz6GS8BhDRe2pHzSzYAOruPousMYtDcKfV6kEN4xggvWT1I8s8s0/s1600/Coyol+wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2Ek3nZ3zWMKktpNlXP62exTSav1lHNxG5iIUbvX_QLsG-Opx2TMfz3HkFwaKr_4DzwssxhezMsQYXBwdpjzJF-Mnz6GS8BhDRe2pHzSzYAOruPousMYtDcKfV6kEN4xggvWT1I8s8s0/s640/Coyol+wine.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coyol wine.</td></tr>
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<b>February 19 - I am (Soy o Estoy)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThgcsM-1YRQy-VCXsv3izYjyHVcuU9YZxGESg9nmX0KnU68109uQe0W_uhdlC6fRdsPCAgZqPNsLRXwRSVvJHJboMrHP_wWEfDYy-nwOb6e7yglJqw8VPup1WpguYHMpFVsQOusxSfM0/s1600/randy+and+oxen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThgcsM-1YRQy-VCXsv3izYjyHVcuU9YZxGESg9nmX0KnU68109uQe0W_uhdlC6fRdsPCAgZqPNsLRXwRSVvJHJboMrHP_wWEfDYy-nwOb6e7yglJqw8VPup1WpguYHMpFVsQOusxSfM0/s640/randy+and+oxen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am standing next to two oxen who brought sand and gravel to our house for a couple of concrete projects. I am standing next to the tame ox, the other is a bit grumpy. People who drive oxen are called <i>boyeros</i>. <b><br /></b></td></tr>
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<b>February 20 - Where I stood (Donde estaba de pie)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMpJkf9IuIz27bY2U4qqisL5nPk3UnLnhF0JTz9lgNoRb5J_ikIF2YLw4as2eUOnM1T5ZFwnznZCPFVC_FP7C5h5OUTtpPJrxBGLF0hFTCHC1Guonat9TzNFxe0dfFzLMzaG5PPSvl_w/s1600/DSC04172+-+2011-03-20+at+15-13-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMpJkf9IuIz27bY2U4qqisL5nPk3UnLnhF0JTz9lgNoRb5J_ikIF2YLw4as2eUOnM1T5ZFwnznZCPFVC_FP7C5h5OUTtpPJrxBGLF0hFTCHC1Guonat9TzNFxe0dfFzLMzaG5PPSvl_w/s640/DSC04172+-+2011-03-20+at+15-13-008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice shadow of me on Playa Esmeralda late one afternoon. This beach is between Playa Hermosa and Playa Coco.</td></tr>
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<b> February 21 - Full (lleno)</b><br />
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It's not often that you see a malinche tree in a bloom as full as this. This was taken at Tamarindo.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbivRdnFY-ZM3un6BHLMgql6dhFqe13m7cEKzlNhipsQAErNJBJQvGyXS-lmkgTtbizxJtGBZJMrqKXzbDai5w_ulDJENaCPchG4cPMp4IshQ1Y8XDUlA-VJR3Owu8l7ZSrrqx232dUw/s1600/malinche+800+x+600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbivRdnFY-ZM3un6BHLMgql6dhFqe13m7cEKzlNhipsQAErNJBJQvGyXS-lmkgTtbizxJtGBZJMrqKXzbDai5w_ulDJENaCPchG4cPMp4IshQ1Y8XDUlA-VJR3Owu8l7ZSrrqx232dUw/s640/malinche+800+x+600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>February 22, Something That Makes Me Smile (Algo que me hizo sonreir)</b><br />
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This ginger flower (one of many types) is being visited by Melipona bees. It makes me smile to see these tiny little stingless bees at work. They are ubiquitous in the forests. I have written an article on these, which includes a video of them. Check out <a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/hub/Jicote-Bees-in-Costa-Rica-Video-Biology-Honey" target="_blank">Jicote Bees in Costa Rica</a>.<b> </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2aNdpq5hY80KIVQdlCH9Vlsw3nD15KKSSeLM1xCPtxu53XOJ-MjuJArKJjkOj4gtdx1wrOeHimB2t17VcaHi5fckoamv8J8vjJdI1IBt9KN9Vp9U7rUiMszi-3RGPt71F18p-ixjHC4/s1600/Ginger+plant+with+lots+of+tiny+bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2aNdpq5hY80KIVQdlCH9Vlsw3nD15KKSSeLM1xCPtxu53XOJ-MjuJArKJjkOj4gtdx1wrOeHimB2t17VcaHi5fckoamv8J8vjJdI1IBt9KN9Vp9U7rUiMszi-3RGPt71F18p-ixjHC4/s640/Ginger+plant+with+lots+of+tiny+bees.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Ginger flower with Melipona bees at work. </td></tr>
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<b>February 23 - A Word (Un palabra)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvexRTbv7O5ZkxCtd2DRK_ompH28nJiAJaWNXeuOsVbIMhC6_Sf4fNnV-PO4Jgg72hW3N-70zLOkZa8608sSfNC5NP60Ldh5OxcLgxEqMGrS6G-NSjw-OIwaD4ZPSxE5SbQhKLzO5YjA/s1600/DSC06254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvexRTbv7O5ZkxCtd2DRK_ompH28nJiAJaWNXeuOsVbIMhC6_Sf4fNnV-PO4Jgg72hW3N-70zLOkZa8608sSfNC5NP60Ldh5OxcLgxEqMGrS6G-NSjw-OIwaD4ZPSxE5SbQhKLzO5YjA/s640/DSC06254.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Borrachera</i>, or drunkeness - one of the objectives of having a horse parade during the Fiestas Civicas of Libera. A male rider with a beer or other alcoholic beverage is rare. And some fall off their horses onto the hard pavement. Coyol, cacique, tamborino or whatever may be put into a bull's horn dispenser or you can find cordura cooling saddle bags carrying beer. The horses make me sneeze.</td></tr>
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<b>February 24 - A Cloud (La nube)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVyzwWh6agpFrrd0B_XeY61ZupWjX1wAxSakU7otW3sws__CxHLLsndE8jbasjJ0OOvVIjvCZF8gYLYHisVsZ7ckf-YPueO5U-62ZrlQWoFzM1K-c-X-FTIJVDGzKnzVDmZ2RszmA2dg/s1600/Mirador+cloud+formation+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVyzwWh6agpFrrd0B_XeY61ZupWjX1wAxSakU7otW3sws__CxHLLsndE8jbasjJ0OOvVIjvCZF8gYLYHisVsZ7ckf-YPueO5U-62ZrlQWoFzM1K-c-X-FTIJVDGzKnzVDmZ2RszmA2dg/s640/Mirador+cloud+formation+sunset.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view one evening looking southwest from the lookout above Cañas Dulce, north of Liberia. Rain cloud in the background is highlighted wonderfully by the sunset lighting. Unusual cloud in the foreground.</td></tr>
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<b>February 25 - On My Bedside Table (En mi mesa de la cama)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFAbW2i19VeuISGuQG_XjESrSSdwVrQrCcXAFAi_vrVMcNvfWz4Ore4UGoMD_53iQ8AOhZ5mmZJRybL6rOc-TqDJVwG24JkL_lx2LdyOJLJqkjWV9z4XZRKq_GkM0n0j1vaqSL30so-Y/s1600/The+Taoist+Body+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFAbW2i19VeuISGuQG_XjESrSSdwVrQrCcXAFAi_vrVMcNvfWz4Ore4UGoMD_53iQ8AOhZ5mmZJRybL6rOc-TqDJVwG24JkL_lx2LdyOJLJqkjWV9z4XZRKq_GkM0n0j1vaqSL30so-Y/s640/The+Taoist+Body+book.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the several books on my bedside table, some of which are in Spanish. Perhaps I am the only person with an interest in Taoism in Guanacaste province?<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>February 26 - Quiet (silencioso)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDqwQS4Wa5UjMPQzwirHKGKzB1s7KXVrJMPUh1V1VSLF9kXxDpkQ8tP_ot9Hx3DOMs_9QgPlExxbZ7l34gkZeuhkzXtbdNZubM-BHbBFu5Zs0WW3F6PvylVGJ9zZChyphenhyphenXoOT3j2BI3cGY/s1600/DSC01015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDqwQS4Wa5UjMPQzwirHKGKzB1s7KXVrJMPUh1V1VSLF9kXxDpkQ8tP_ot9Hx3DOMs_9QgPlExxbZ7l34gkZeuhkzXtbdNZubM-BHbBFu5Zs0WW3F6PvylVGJ9zZChyphenhyphenXoOT3j2BI3cGY/s640/DSC01015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quiet pastoral scene near Guayabo de Bagaces, at the foot of Volcano Miravalles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>February 27 - Playing (jugando)</b><br />
<br />
On HubPages, I have done a review of the photo capabilities of the new LG Nexus 4 offered by Google. Here are two of my photos using photo sphere and panorama mode:<b><br /></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHTNHQ7iAzGvJMUUPQqnkTqIKMIUrWLbH9NXqCKTSHrqtxb35SakV71nplyWRoPvBLgBMIf9SOkgT4nCAFWWIRBEWAONCxDL0HtpjucXE3IwvjDkstnXRz9owpFV2F8NmVBcJrXsaido/s1600/PANO_20130228_131602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHTNHQ7iAzGvJMUUPQqnkTqIKMIUrWLbH9NXqCKTSHrqtxb35SakV71nplyWRoPvBLgBMIf9SOkgT4nCAFWWIRBEWAONCxDL0HtpjucXE3IwvjDkstnXRz9owpFV2F8NmVBcJrXsaido/s640/PANO_20130228_131602.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with my Nexus 4 camera at the Central Catholic Church in Liberia - wonderful distortion! For a more traditional panorama for this camera, see below. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdy0BQF0agK4o2hGcsTqC1gKzIcG2UHRahaynks0N3QlHgo65CDwPHCtQpD2GMUELptefx7k_fHiAEbZP6esx5dw_BIizlnZC4_DKnNDTI9Fu14f2Bri6ysgHtlaiNSEVgle84HFTFvU/s1600/PANO_20130227_144848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdy0BQF0agK4o2hGcsTqC1gKzIcG2UHRahaynks0N3QlHgo65CDwPHCtQpD2GMUELptefx7k_fHiAEbZP6esx5dw_BIizlnZC4_DKnNDTI9Fu14f2Bri6ysgHtlaiNSEVgle84HFTFvU/s1600/PANO_20130227_144848.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 180-degree panorama from the back center of the church. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>February 28 - Upside down (dándalo vuelta)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcRmramsd5P3ICDAG41soXiE-U_SQ4wK8T827a2jg1ibXYpn-hGTs45kZJMGthmY8jvzNv9mj4-OBYMgV2IrKXcvYIRYVnxqJR6lDFMwi0YYKX6t1calNRMzn3GjpfaCFpAbzgeAvZJ0/s1600/brugmania+800+x+600+upside+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcRmramsd5P3ICDAG41soXiE-U_SQ4wK8T827a2jg1ibXYpn-hGTs45kZJMGthmY8jvzNv9mj4-OBYMgV2IrKXcvYIRYVnxqJR6lDFMwi0YYKX6t1calNRMzn3GjpfaCFpAbzgeAvZJ0/s640/brugmania+800+x+600+upside+down.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brugmania flowers up vs. normally down. The leaves have a psychotropic substance that is used by some on occasion to go on mental vacations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>March 1 - L is for (L (ellay) es para)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweQU0QHln6Robz-IQpc2WAqdt7CIrhlfBpC5hyfwp5lG41M3boUgz0xECYFrcsRPDbs0WygtqE7EAVEmUvib5CkfvKtfgKCkgltODeNXbatnenWjuNs5-3cSpsVpdcf4cbmA0gMsUbgI/s1600/Jicaro+flowers+with+long+stamens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweQU0QHln6Robz-IQpc2WAqdt7CIrhlfBpC5hyfwp5lG41M3boUgz0xECYFrcsRPDbs0WygtqE7EAVEmUvib5CkfvKtfgKCkgltODeNXbatnenWjuNs5-3cSpsVpdcf4cbmA0gMsUbgI/s640/Jicaro+flowers+with+long+stamens.jpg" width="528" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long stamens on the jicaro flower. Jicaro fruits are used to make maracas, ornaments, bowls, napkin holders, etc. The dried fruit can be carved into intricate shapes by local artisans.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<b>March 2 - I made this! (Lo hizo)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle2-Nb6wTfHTAN_3A06LZ2-owDV1c1mbPK04n7Mu1N2EJ3lpZj7jKaua5GXQab11yUQ-WsVo0XM3BVVds8YOmGp6AkL5HU77-vwxtkd6aEkb6uO5g04dMzokc4L3PiB-8UVd3chTnaX0/s1600/Palms+in+the+evening+canon+de+la+vieja+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle2-Nb6wTfHTAN_3A06LZ2-owDV1c1mbPK04n7Mu1N2EJ3lpZj7jKaua5GXQab11yUQ-WsVo0XM3BVVds8YOmGp6AkL5HU77-vwxtkd6aEkb6uO5g04dMzokc4L3PiB-8UVd3chTnaX0/s640/Palms+in+the+evening+canon+de+la+vieja+30%25.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palms at sunset. Taken with a flash and tweaked using options in Adobe Photoshop 4. Prints are available.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>March 3 - Key (llave)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvZ1Vt8z20pGoa6Hk0Xwb4sAiV5R7H1QB_CjBVOXNkwQ9azlHivU3ZpeyS_W47Ud5MxIw2IJbsFmQ9RPvQMW4E99Ym7AFJb75HC9t_EjkYFIQ1llG_cxGevFRPjtbrKb1CjkFExYwzsE/s1600/20111007_5202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvZ1Vt8z20pGoa6Hk0Xwb4sAiV5R7H1QB_CjBVOXNkwQ9azlHivU3ZpeyS_W47Ud5MxIw2IJbsFmQ9RPvQMW4E99Ym7AFJb75HC9t_EjkYFIQ1llG_cxGevFRPjtbrKb1CjkFExYwzsE/s640/20111007_5202.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing grandchildren boundlessly smile is a key to happiness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>March 4 - Lucky (suerte)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw3XfZYEdXuSGJ1rn8DHMnyvJIocoeN09EjZ-gCFow1mV1MZeJXegtN8CyqeVmeZdgrQ7gxkboyIy4Or_A54NMu7sZPHxz6k-wFgjz4Ge78hbFf4XFc6IqFhWAk4Qo7a_VOEOHxtzuYQ/s1600/pegasus+cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw3XfZYEdXuSGJ1rn8DHMnyvJIocoeN09EjZ-gCFow1mV1MZeJXegtN8CyqeVmeZdgrQ7gxkboyIy4Or_A54NMu7sZPHxz6k-wFgjz4Ge78hbFf4XFc6IqFhWAk4Qo7a_VOEOHxtzuYQ/s640/pegasus+cloud.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lucky shot one day - a Pegasus cloud!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March 5 - Under (abajo)</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMTV761ikuWfqBbmqa3mT1M8UQcYWzK7BUd-ewbhtRQQTp58HDDlmxIXEG4Fuxi6cHXFFym1EyXSyL8dy4FJ6HvufmwG5cdNsyMZ5CWkmwyZQkbzzkgQ8ZYz0odkloJMwh3yhuNJd3_4/s1600/La+Hermita+iglesia+cut-away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMTV761ikuWfqBbmqa3mT1M8UQcYWzK7BUd-ewbhtRQQTp58HDDlmxIXEG4Fuxi6cHXFFym1EyXSyL8dy4FJ6HvufmwG5cdNsyMZ5CWkmwyZQkbzzkgQ8ZYz0odkloJMwh3yhuNJd3_4/s640/La+Hermita+iglesia+cut-away.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The adobe and brick interior of the 1850-built church, La Hermita de la Agonia in Liberia. The church has since been remodeled, but there is still a window inside that shows the original adobe wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>March 6 - Chair (silla)</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAITXCU8U6REEJngWl3uyFPciWd6nzUI3mIPznvU1NV3Qc5gp_noqBals_7u6WI1QrvNmm6iP0r5pfKV9SzyBlfnZPm1rRNv6IN04J5-icjts_niHUCZQDNsTpmSbxCBOXtVvyvW18RQ/s1600/sculpted+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAITXCU8U6REEJngWl3uyFPciWd6nzUI3mIPznvU1NV3Qc5gp_noqBals_7u6WI1QrvNmm6iP0r5pfKV9SzyBlfnZPm1rRNv6IN04J5-icjts_niHUCZQDNsTpmSbxCBOXtVvyvW18RQ/s640/sculpted+chair.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculpted log-chair found in the Museo Guanacaste at an exposition in 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>March 7 - Fear (miedo)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbazlXfOXK04UEYrfLrFvzkHKCuMYWJpIxhduxRlybqo1C1DA4J1oWjgp5BgML8tJyiJnHEakFuj7ZDIPSKXSrUmvGFoq3e9yD-A_Nb09bGW3pQz_dEYMGcTLdIyklvkICmezNM_DllY/s1600/Vandara+Hot+Springs+hanging+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbazlXfOXK04UEYrfLrFvzkHKCuMYWJpIxhduxRlybqo1C1DA4J1oWjgp5BgML8tJyiJnHEakFuj7ZDIPSKXSrUmvGFoq3e9yD-A_Nb09bGW3pQz_dEYMGcTLdIyklvkICmezNM_DllY/s640/Vandara+Hot+Springs+hanging+bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For some, these suspended bridges are quite intimidating. This is one at Vandara Hot Springs Resort, near Cañas Dulce. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>March 8 - Favorite (favorita)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-ZaBpKNRn7_wbjIHev7cjpnpK6KAIu9414drNLkwKLg2Fhu0V7zX6mIgtzg1tVxpmbwEAiJUQFCMiC1aOpOUSjdIdBkJ5PV-k2jwKWGExGn2dc2WqzDT11xQgDNWLqp0c1y4RDohs0A/s1600/Dairy+cows+belen+costa+rica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-ZaBpKNRn7_wbjIHev7cjpnpK6KAIu9414drNLkwKLg2Fhu0V7zX6mIgtzg1tVxpmbwEAiJUQFCMiC1aOpOUSjdIdBkJ5PV-k2jwKWGExGn2dc2WqzDT11xQgDNWLqp0c1y4RDohs0A/s640/Dairy+cows+belen+costa+rica.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite dairy cow(s) photo. Taken near the small town of Belen, on the way to Playa Tamarindo. Farmers don't de-horn their cattle often. And they don't have lush pastures to feed on during the dry season. But the milk and cheese products are good, if not inspiring. I keep hoping for a real cheddar cheese to be produced in this country.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>March 9 - Faceless Self-Portrait (foto de mi mismo, sin cara)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBW3GPuFYxcx4bGMAS2Np56Nj1bknT2Bv1wxlZp4MlDduYoCyHFUviIrKaIZkI7i7fNndBUQABz8-F27P9Zyhx_PL4N9l8GMsatA9YA8PGh77w6d3Yzy9crP78nnoMx2qZTvBoJjdD4-Q/s1600/Playa+Conchal+sand+conchas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBW3GPuFYxcx4bGMAS2Np56Nj1bknT2Bv1wxlZp4MlDduYoCyHFUviIrKaIZkI7i7fNndBUQABz8-F27P9Zyhx_PL4N9l8GMsatA9YA8PGh77w6d3Yzy9crP78nnoMx2qZTvBoJjdD4-Q/s640/Playa+Conchal+sand+conchas.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My big toes and the "sand" at Playa Conchal. Little tiny shells stick to your feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>February 10 - i want..... (Tengo ganas, Yo quiero)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlm0jC11eB6G06t1jfLP469g0Jiu1FMNgycHRIv1RxjvDGZzUIaguGRXczX-YWn5gVuAIGTk4h49ve5ZRy-PTXBhBuy0JLk-oZ8mXR6S78dnKTeZscCJk1AQ9xG88q5t11pA5Tm6q9J9g/s1600/20111129_5029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlm0jC11eB6G06t1jfLP469g0Jiu1FMNgycHRIv1RxjvDGZzUIaguGRXczX-YWn5gVuAIGTk4h49ve5ZRy-PTXBhBuy0JLk-oZ8mXR6S78dnKTeZscCJk1AQ9xG88q5t11pA5Tm6q9J9g/s640/20111129_5029.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to be a child again, playing in the sand on the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>March 11 - Important! (importante)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBDpQ2JvYgy6y9VlMQh41kjNCundem26kH-tsFnk__10_jhLnCcYjP5h6XZNXc0wI61EFS_L_v3ZXP0TQsFd0re2QH4-cwvkuultFTzGjOqxJ5XlPtCuhIrL9kQa50jgHwzQxjlP9P4I/s1600/20110813_1257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBDpQ2JvYgy6y9VlMQh41kjNCundem26kH-tsFnk__10_jhLnCcYjP5h6XZNXc0wI61EFS_L_v3ZXP0TQsFd0re2QH4-cwvkuultFTzGjOqxJ5XlPtCuhIrL9kQa50jgHwzQxjlP9P4I/s640/20110813_1257.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional dance performed at Nacoscolo Resort, a place near Playa Coco.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March 12 - In the Distance (allá)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjvLzmI3l3K76GigRw4RzTGtyX5CCoPQvOQE43uQZGAtT263wHTLIMwAjJNEX0q4snR_qr_Vs6kn8x4CXneD_DAZBF-QAK7HezKHKWllJUKfjIE3pFZHiCA60lWJlR66MJdXyAQCUM08/s1600/Santa+Elena+Peninsula+from+mirador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjvLzmI3l3K76GigRw4RzTGtyX5CCoPQvOQE43uQZGAtT263wHTLIMwAjJNEX0q4snR_qr_Vs6kn8x4CXneD_DAZBF-QAK7HezKHKWllJUKfjIE3pFZHiCA60lWJlR66MJdXyAQCUM08/s640/Santa+Elena+Peninsula+from+mirador.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Elena Peninsula from the lookout (mirador) at La Cruz one cloudy day. To the right of the picture is Nicaragua. There are some nice beaches along the northern shore of this bay, Bahia Salinas. The island is the bay is Isla Bolaños.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>March 13 - Sound (sonido)</b><br />
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<b> </b>A photo is nice, but here is a <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/lhrduvpz3w46mmd/12%20El%20burro%20e%27chilo%20%28instrumental%29.mp3" target="_blank">link to a typical marimba song</a> in the Guanacaste fashion, download it free of charge, if you want to buy the CD, it costs $15 plus shipping<b>. </b>Let me know if you are interested.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rwevQxJc0KHWb3FpGxwH5U0CGZtg4TTjTwqwIap9F9GdLxfKGkgGUohZEN280nGnQ3tBge7C6TpuGjQ7v3F0HG4nAR5-yv7qVq1EhKV3hJoa6cBZYa9bw1vWKfAuK1dPVD8GIoXtqME/s1600/DSC01041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rwevQxJc0KHWb3FpGxwH5U0CGZtg4TTjTwqwIap9F9GdLxfKGkgGUohZEN280nGnQ3tBge7C6TpuGjQ7v3F0HG4nAR5-yv7qVq1EhKV3hJoa6cBZYa9bw1vWKfAuK1dPVD8GIoXtqME/s640/DSC01041.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marimba, the national instrument of Costa Rica, provides entertainment during the Fiestas Civicas in Liberia 2013.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March 14 - Tasty (saboroso)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqVWuYULIaeycEP8gdIOFx8cLvoEBWZde8B43IwLCXuRnbpuefVtvsZEB27zc4kZzYDrU102Z2AB2DvasRvy1Bktb8HHbHBwVqqGXTHmykJAmFkpopcRaYs2O2HUokEQIfqOtU9Aj93M/s1600/Carambola+refresco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqVWuYULIaeycEP8gdIOFx8cLvoEBWZde8B43IwLCXuRnbpuefVtvsZEB27zc4kZzYDrU102Z2AB2DvasRvy1Bktb8HHbHBwVqqGXTHmykJAmFkpopcRaYs2O2HUokEQIfqOtU9Aj93M/s400/Carambola+refresco.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refresco naturales - Natural fruit drinks, a common offering in the sodas, or restaurants, in Costa Rica. A more healthy alternative to carbonated, sugary drinks. This photo shows a drink made from starfruit (carambola). I have written a popular HubPages article on <a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/hub/Costa-Rican-Recipes-Using-Starfruit-aka-Carambola" target="_blank">creative ways to use starfruit in recipes</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>March 15 - Explore</b> <b>(explorar)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKVumRafveQFuF6GzwAAyRni1gnM9uOkgmmhhZzJeGllW-L_kLafGin1XXF7L40lazFYgnmGv8HurgxKEkF-08-G-lpRvSCld7Eaz7gUOlU62iuAfu9fuTfMo78p_7LL8UpVSRNgZyfA/s1600/National+Museum+Costa+Rica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKVumRafveQFuF6GzwAAyRni1gnM9uOkgmmhhZzJeGllW-L_kLafGin1XXF7L40lazFYgnmGv8HurgxKEkF-08-G-lpRvSCld7Eaz7gUOlU62iuAfu9fuTfMo78p_7LL8UpVSRNgZyfA/s640/National+Museum+Costa+Rica.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To explore the events that led up to what made up Guanacaste and its people, a trip to San José is needed to explore the museums that are there. This is the National Museum of Costa Rica, or the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica. It is located in Central San José. There is a museum in Liberia as well, the Museo Guanacaste, where temporary exhibits are shown on occasion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March 16 - 9 o'clock (a las nueve)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbUg89-dOIzZK-SXnVMciYDcCxLsIKFjXwK-K15DQy4FDj73SXA_poXwk32DIa5zY7wYZJSKiYzTuDfavVN58JUIxu9sTc6KlksED0whSCl7R6yBj1UkZS_qsylgXALliBApknuzEuwM/s1600/DSC00341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbUg89-dOIzZK-SXnVMciYDcCxLsIKFjXwK-K15DQy4FDj73SXA_poXwk32DIa5zY7wYZJSKiYzTuDfavVN58JUIxu9sTc6KlksED0whSCl7R6yBj1UkZS_qsylgXALliBApknuzEuwM/s640/DSC00341.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mysterious mushroom observed around 9 am one day at the Salitral hot springs resort. Probably not edible, although I have found oyster mushrooms nearby which definitely are edible. Mushroom hunting in Costa Rica can sometimes be rewarding, like the day when I found chanterelles in quantity. I have written an article on that on this blog. Unfortunately, Guanacaste is dry about half of the year, so the best hunting is near the mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>March 17 - Green (verde)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbvMBn0AMGIpCmXIvwYLOC7XNBrKjxHGwLsq0mO147FX2PkUmlMWsudf5DVyStm3Ie9EM81jckcNZzl9gW8jGkESV6ACocLhxGIfLd-e2C761qssdZVytoDjiOhVy7u7olKrHzfXQLkE/s1600/Hoja+Helga+Denoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbvMBn0AMGIpCmXIvwYLOC7XNBrKjxHGwLsq0mO147FX2PkUmlMWsudf5DVyStm3Ie9EM81jckcNZzl9gW8jGkESV6ACocLhxGIfLd-e2C761qssdZVytoDjiOhVy7u7olKrHzfXQLkE/s640/Hoja+Helga+Denoth.jpg" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf by Helga Denoth, painting shown in the Museo Guanacaste.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March 18 - Shoes (zapatos)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkjxMPnr240u3Zg5zStatHbuyISxNFH_rkinNO7dxqMNDPBPaDwJK4_sU1cvrBPbRzey3sTOyAIlnjt7uvCG-4oATMdGUFRtWDs_7WlgJAFrCsUgKnsHzSNRLe4zOV_8tZrlznrLAQxk/s1600/Fungi+shoes+2+months+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkjxMPnr240u3Zg5zStatHbuyISxNFH_rkinNO7dxqMNDPBPaDwJK4_sU1cvrBPbRzey3sTOyAIlnjt7uvCG-4oATMdGUFRtWDs_7WlgJAFrCsUgKnsHzSNRLe4zOV_8tZrlznrLAQxk/s400/Fungi+shoes+2+months+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What can happen to your shoes if you don't take care of them during the rainy season. Fungi love to eat the wax polish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>March 19 - A sign (un rotulo)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2GNXCl9l5fuQlrSYxzlql4ZisyT7maCkXvPOOvezzwz3Iz776yjspgtsrVHHawJdhe4Df7lTTFxnv-xQYitWSEFOHojJ85XiqCK_sDVmg8LXbZKlMr7MYP34Irr8cA60bxqScTe1J8Q/s1600/rio+perdido+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2GNXCl9l5fuQlrSYxzlql4ZisyT7maCkXvPOOvezzwz3Iz776yjspgtsrVHHawJdhe4Df7lTTFxnv-xQYitWSEFOHojJ85XiqCK_sDVmg8LXbZKlMr7MYP34Irr8cA60bxqScTe1J8Q/s640/rio+perdido+sign.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A relatively new spa near Miravalles Volcano that is next to the hot springs river, Rio Perdido (lost river). It is included in my review of <a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/hub/Costa-Rica-Hot-Springs-and-Resorts" target="_blank">Cost Rica Hot Springs and Resorts</a> on HubPages.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>March 20 - Clean (limpio)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6smaoE7aFQThlSonOBamlporXlhM21QVPtJeGpB5aU_Uj1cikpcLAVsSBexlnJk2qwHGZrryG7OLzpkMqkD6dkgtYs29mIK4oHATYkC3pqpMUHt75aSLeT8Gr6wLRdR70VFNC2zf3px0/s1600/DSC00721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6smaoE7aFQThlSonOBamlporXlhM21QVPtJeGpB5aU_Uj1cikpcLAVsSBexlnJk2qwHGZrryG7OLzpkMqkD6dkgtYs29mIK4oHATYkC3pqpMUHt75aSLeT8Gr6wLRdR70VFNC2zf3px0/s640/DSC00721.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean air, clean water - Bahia Culebra adjoining Papagayo Peninsula.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<b>March 21 - Working (trabajando)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvgRdl1HM8NERd1nYpCp2-3rkMqePIcv4VbZsbSSq9bCbkjcRBmZaudkUtncy5mfPRgbqzv_wiiVgKzKoBShNksH0O2QITwPqEEKxli7pjjdlAPX_sP0ydNakytdVL7e0zy5ccq9QrWk/s1600/IMG_20130323_095215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvgRdl1HM8NERd1nYpCp2-3rkMqePIcv4VbZsbSSq9bCbkjcRBmZaudkUtncy5mfPRgbqzv_wiiVgKzKoBShNksH0O2QITwPqEEKxli7pjjdlAPX_sP0ydNakytdVL7e0zy5ccq9QrWk/s640/IMG_20130323_095215.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A saddle and tack shop owner in downtown Liberia working in his shop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>March 22 - About me (Sobre yo)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlcLqNajQzQdVeO5hkKqDq2bMcTX2rP313ty89W0_X1pYrkZgLG1Xl9_0bwczc1iAVkXZsw11zzoY5fFrMRBVcBODn_JHFNm5BLa28FEY0FEt25_DXeYoBZ1Jk7_579l8olSTtvimiLY/s1600/DSC00695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlcLqNajQzQdVeO5hkKqDq2bMcTX2rP313ty89W0_X1pYrkZgLG1Xl9_0bwczc1iAVkXZsw11zzoY5fFrMRBVcBODn_JHFNm5BLa28FEY0FEt25_DXeYoBZ1Jk7_579l8olSTtvimiLY/s640/DSC00695.JPG" width="556" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I share a lot of DNA with this guy, the Capuchin monkey. Seen on Papagayo Peninsula, and known as the mono Cara Blanca in Central America. He is eating a fallen mango and is walking on his back legs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March 23 - What I do for fun - (Lo que hizo para gozar)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLKvvkQz7TA7jzRd9vMtGhQPS0MapuXHqEMMKonoMzKE3xwC3y_Pd3_DyVz6BpQOtoctJJ7Qbq20KHlpWwpuhHr_Se6vuUK7vAyYZ7zaus1nCxjYklSf91SGqhO8miwyoOAzNW5U8o50/s1600/QiRelationships+chart+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLKvvkQz7TA7jzRd9vMtGhQPS0MapuXHqEMMKonoMzKE3xwC3y_Pd3_DyVz6BpQOtoctJJ7Qbq20KHlpWwpuhHr_Se6vuUK7vAyYZ7zaus1nCxjYklSf91SGqhO8miwyoOAzNW5U8o50/s640/QiRelationships+chart+2.jpg" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Besides taking photos, I study Taoist precepts of energy. Conserving and building ones energy is a way to understand one's internal self and have better health. I have a blog called <a href="http://www.qigonghealingarts.org/what-is-qigong/" target="_blank">qigonghealingarts</a>.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March 24 - Up (<i>arriba</i>)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACqo0q58mgfDT_Erh-KuDSJFsPwQMFIJZVV5nW6OvAy0AHQ33u5enJU_RDCDcTynlcbOiu2hHPLhr2tQfEc5dvXHmPlFQ5S26kqY-kWDd0lzMUPLScD4FrDKQNoL-A1YNzoUTUeRT7yc/s1600/DSC09986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACqo0q58mgfDT_Erh-KuDSJFsPwQMFIJZVV5nW6OvAy0AHQ33u5enJU_RDCDcTynlcbOiu2hHPLhr2tQfEc5dvXHmPlFQ5S26kqY-kWDd0lzMUPLScD4FrDKQNoL-A1YNzoUTUeRT7yc/s640/DSC09986.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes we are rewarded with a blessing when we look up. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March 25</b> - <b>Not</b> "in my drawer "- Subject changed to fly (mosca o volar))<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZazdaXooAeVX3CAMpBjpqjHuLK4jqr8fF1kSAcLWammMCWCPn8nEEVdr1Em-IXQg7CchWesugjWiHDIgm8cAv6PUGO9zgkMoNf08Oe8ZCNxt87-B5tqJ52CdF6yJiVH9Pbnyq_ofMOs/s1600/Golden+dragonfly1+wing+blur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZazdaXooAeVX3CAMpBjpqjHuLK4jqr8fF1kSAcLWammMCWCPn8nEEVdr1Em-IXQg7CchWesugjWiHDIgm8cAv6PUGO9zgkMoNf08Oe8ZCNxt87-B5tqJ52CdF6yJiVH9Pbnyq_ofMOs/s640/Golden+dragonfly1+wing+blur.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden dragonfly observed in a pond at Blue River Resort. Dragonflies are called <i>papilacha</i>s in Costa Rica, as well as <i>libelulas.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March 26 - Something I did (<i>Algo lo hizo</i>).</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7k4tDU2gCGnJSg3kjOkEaVd8d6vuTyM7QW8HEdBvb6D_gp3E6BipPwGjqhdceV7cRg1kqxrVbBeOZpXipiK6McledFqkuA_VHjiwmNXSXl08-KCFMBTMq835IPBNbdXCN4DhA0cCBns/s1600/Randy+bicolor-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7k4tDU2gCGnJSg3kjOkEaVd8d6vuTyM7QW8HEdBvb6D_gp3E6BipPwGjqhdceV7cRg1kqxrVbBeOZpXipiK6McledFqkuA_VHjiwmNXSXl08-KCFMBTMq835IPBNbdXCN4DhA0cCBns/s640/Randy+bicolor-001.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My profile picture on Facebook and HubPages. Thanks to Photoshop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>March 27 - Pair (pareja)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dg_6HS6sHBB_i6Hif-VtOFEfOOlYjjXgzRKeOFSMb09y0HS491AtFL4mUU8dGIKEhlUXFo0NBcZadwBder8ONNs3rB3GrZy2UcWdDzKWpDC6VaoFqkcdchw5hHq0NoXhIcaibWupK5g/s1600/hopeful+fishermen+playa+negra+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dg_6HS6sHBB_i6Hif-VtOFEfOOlYjjXgzRKeOFSMb09y0HS491AtFL4mUU8dGIKEhlUXFo0NBcZadwBder8ONNs3rB3GrZy2UcWdDzKWpDC6VaoFqkcdchw5hHq0NoXhIcaibWupK5g/s640/hopeful+fishermen+playa+negra+30%25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silhouettes of two young boys out for a fishing adventure on Playa Negra.</td></tr>
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<b>March 28 - Something relfected in a mirror (<i>Reflexión de algo de un espejo</i>)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOtj_cJZfQaEsMm62pArtqHxJt1ysFBAV-QsBJwLdlPZq7fiVsSZkFYJH4Ja2DIjriA1yOHTqLVfzIb2NPQZlrDmW7Cgi52aDO1UbfT48k8uOwgO4FqJ62nFWXRBVF8XpAECEKjccM4w/s1600/2013-02-28+11.43.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOtj_cJZfQaEsMm62pArtqHxJt1ysFBAV-QsBJwLdlPZq7fiVsSZkFYJH4Ja2DIjriA1yOHTqLVfzIb2NPQZlrDmW7Cgi52aDO1UbfT48k8uOwgO4FqJ62nFWXRBVF8XpAECEKjccM4w/s640/2013-02-28+11.43.33.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman riding a horse for the Fiestas Civicas, as reflected in my side view mirror. (Good thing it was clean.)</td></tr>
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<b>March 29 - Goodnight (<i>buenas noche</i>)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYr0D-K7vBRPefJEq-_kU-wNRzckq3qtM7A_T2vB9rKEL4cnwJAy4pLFVUSov7GJUtaUmXvUEiX5rb36Vf4fbS_rO9LCNOxmSwO8hbDFyP_yQ0NaZxS8HjcCmbkFYYf8BiZRa8BFAGpQ/s1600/Valentina+wide+angle+flash+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYr0D-K7vBRPefJEq-_kU-wNRzckq3qtM7A_T2vB9rKEL4cnwJAy4pLFVUSov7GJUtaUmXvUEiX5rb36Vf4fbS_rO9LCNOxmSwO8hbDFyP_yQ0NaZxS8HjcCmbkFYYf8BiZRa8BFAGpQ/s640/Valentina+wide+angle+flash+2.jpg" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodnight Valentina, it's your bedtime. Shot with a wide-angle lens.<br />
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<b>March 30 - Relax (<i>tranquilizar</i>)</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i0Dqs3aKe-lt3AkfgmipoPaWOMx0eLdf5DoFWxfcU7W8iatRGwpNS_bhHWIQIVoC7zllJt0ygXdyvt6h78A1oGsISq11imEvBqbVoRp957J65kMostUXmAUBaJCuETGXpnjQnxnN2WY/s1600/20120323_3810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i0Dqs3aKe-lt3AkfgmipoPaWOMx0eLdf5DoFWxfcU7W8iatRGwpNS_bhHWIQIVoC7zllJt0ygXdyvt6h78A1oGsISq11imEvBqbVoRp957J65kMostUXmAUBaJCuETGXpnjQnxnN2WY/s640/20120323_3810.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewing the sunset from above Playa Hermosa is both exciting and relaxing.</td></tr>
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<b>March 31 - Stuff (<i>cosas</i>)</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhtxiJrTTQS3gSvfUUYamaI3-LEv9FsD5283PT80HuhomzHE3ULm1D7FJTBmOHtEWB5iyha_Pm4vv3fo3H0BhZCGwhx5x5xjpfVdJOBPW4SjHLKdaMIsmGmk-lNhSEJuWLkSFBkCT3WI/s1600/20120401_3856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhtxiJrTTQS3gSvfUUYamaI3-LEv9FsD5283PT80HuhomzHE3ULm1D7FJTBmOHtEWB5iyha_Pm4vv3fo3H0BhZCGwhx5x5xjpfVdJOBPW4SjHLKdaMIsmGmk-lNhSEJuWLkSFBkCT3WI/s640/20120401_3856.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you need stuff to remind you of your trip to Costa Rica, there are plenty of places to find it. This particular place was at a shop where a professional carver does his work near Santa Cruz.</td></tr>
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<br />Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-81218756819570815862012-10-07T18:12:00.000-07:002012-10-07T18:12:08.710-07:00Trees and Shrubs of Guanacaste as Seen at Rio PerdidoOne of my interests is to learn more about the plants that inhabit the Guanacaste province. It helps to see signs in tourist places alongside the different types of trees, but I have found that in most cases, there are only a few trees here and there that are labeled. <br />
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On a recent trip to a new resort, Rio Perdido, I found something I hadn't expected - many trees and shrubs with labels. I am including the photos here for anyone else who is interested in learning more about the trees and shrubs of Guanacaste. <br />
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By the way, this resort is located near Fortuna (of Bagaces), alongside a river that is at the bottom of a steep canyon. I suppose somebody lost their directions to this place at one time, so the name, Rio Perdido.<br />
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The photos are listed in alphabetical order according to the Latin names. These are not all the trees that are marked, I will add more later. As I said, these is like going though a natural aboretum, there are so many different types of trees and shrubs. The valley area of the canyon on each side of the river is thick with vegetation and there are some large trees, as opposed to the surrounding area that suffers from the seasonal droughts and has more of a shrub habitat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh1SnD2RlYRGMxY3ijgV-exThyphenhyphenUsK07ne1OKGWQJ4jf0EAb81yEoBWhhHbm7Ebq1UhfULMisX8WQznFpMMC66d1lo56AcR04_i3st0z5CdDBXFj2O1jVuf41ns8V7ZieqkGkIKQUGXmw/s1600/Calliandra+bijuga+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh1SnD2RlYRGMxY3ijgV-exThyphenhyphenUsK07ne1OKGWQJ4jf0EAb81yEoBWhhHbm7Ebq1UhfULMisX8WQznFpMMC66d1lo56AcR04_i3st0z5CdDBXFj2O1jVuf41ns8V7ZieqkGkIKQUGXmw/s400/Calliandra+bijuga+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Calliandra bijuga</i>. Note the leaf type emerging from the trunk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtuEml4qOqN7fZMRjHHkm0FwYQ-bWemXmAkDvTUM1iRCRbtfU-IxQXFZPkBThxwiK7sJKQvhGqJbIE2Iq_Lg8fM5x2FmU5xk45PAYWi0bxVC9uvaj8elNag0emQg5fvFgpgPGySDvQOY/s1600/Calliandra+tergemina+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtuEml4qOqN7fZMRjHHkm0FwYQ-bWemXmAkDvTUM1iRCRbtfU-IxQXFZPkBThxwiK7sJKQvhGqJbIE2Iq_Lg8fM5x2FmU5xk45PAYWi0bxVC9uvaj8elNag0emQg5fvFgpgPGySDvQOY/s400/Calliandra+tergemina+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Calliandra tergemina.</i> A shrub with multiple shoots.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiFO79zo2N8QAMAcdvBqw_lIy5414QeXPrGL5xwaTcbVipKq-X7K1ig3vEyyDPNIlD5VBPSShyphenhyphenhkkkKIbNRX0RQ2P0xPdevHqyceH6tC67nhtjaBV01zvDMnEQudn9dYGgLc7wTCTris/s1600/Calliandra+terg+leaves+perdido+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiFO79zo2N8QAMAcdvBqw_lIy5414QeXPrGL5xwaTcbVipKq-X7K1ig3vEyyDPNIlD5VBPSShyphenhyphenhkkkKIbNRX0RQ2P0xPdevHqyceH6tC67nhtjaBV01zvDMnEQudn9dYGgLc7wTCTris/s400/Calliandra+terg+leaves+perdido+.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calliandra tergemina leaves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CiTZw3VkUGzIpIwaPXVi4kYioW6HLRFKXLN0kLCRAHRWG5yATILBlWEo6JZr0G6XRHoUnSH9m58XaxlnlMs0gw3MS34mNlJGWSx_Eztq5fy8CQAjANznIHAHXDLW7c9IatOf5MTR0fA/s1600/poro+poro+tree+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CiTZw3VkUGzIpIwaPXVi4kYioW6HLRFKXLN0kLCRAHRWG5yATILBlWEo6JZr0G6XRHoUnSH9m58XaxlnlMs0gw3MS34mNlJGWSx_Eztq5fy8CQAjANznIHAHXDLW7c9IatOf5MTR0fA/s400/poro+poro+tree+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cochlospermum vitifolium</i> (Poro Poro)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5YbrY3WVIFFrXRwAz_ykYi4t8X7FplCyI_WVuQWKxdoi94kWkqTJiGy0C-LD9X5EUORgTM4rjkkAeFYFp5HZRAYfA8edmBMOIxXgpSFMuhExwI07yJ991cGFVKGHUC6hgpeWlQd6U_w/s1600/Chapernillo+tree+leaf+Perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5YbrY3WVIFFrXRwAz_ykYi4t8X7FplCyI_WVuQWKxdoi94kWkqTJiGy0C-LD9X5EUORgTM4rjkkAeFYFp5HZRAYfA8edmBMOIxXgpSFMuhExwI07yJ991cGFVKGHUC6hgpeWlQd6U_w/s320/Chapernillo+tree+leaf+Perdido.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cochlospermum vitifolia</i> leaves.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6llgXsxGB7-1cj6u4r8wYTrQ8syFYFyib13SKyEeJ_k9FeEhK2gkMMNBSisemcmMospR2PGivdi_-QLaQnbSvMvMFqBWjxRAl3RtAn36D3d-Pw2JAhecUTcyBI91g1WkDM9qy4Oz_lc/s1600/Raspaguacal+tree+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6llgXsxGB7-1cj6u4r8wYTrQ8syFYFyib13SKyEeJ_k9FeEhK2gkMMNBSisemcmMospR2PGivdi_-QLaQnbSvMvMFqBWjxRAl3RtAn36D3d-Pw2JAhecUTcyBI91g1WkDM9qy4Oz_lc/s400/Raspaguacal+tree+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv4RgKCv34ptPbOk3zKkHxQ2UM7bTJmey1A63mtQQVfscY9WHPkuzUyU6rlJgCPVSJcm5duDKzEf1R48sfIn_0nzRnscnETArvw6s8kKuNyV-9tBwXHReS0dN8JspHLCW1Hu_Db5FStE/s1600/raspaguacal+leaves+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv4RgKCv34ptPbOk3zKkHxQ2UM7bTJmey1A63mtQQVfscY9WHPkuzUyU6rlJgCPVSJcm5duDKzEf1R48sfIn_0nzRnscnETArvw6s8kKuNyV-9tBwXHReS0dN8JspHLCW1Hu_Db5FStE/s400/raspaguacal+leaves+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Curatella americana</i> (Raspaguacal) leaves, which are about 6 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1_zpYFcSQ3HG5rU2zkVcMFa43HD1QNn4U2DVqeB0AZIZ0EpOg5uB0Os7pT13TytU25xUTwZKxTcrdAlXMRV9Two1zqnRVLY_yYfavC3NRkN2TkWnV_Cvwe2Z8mEPvykXZUUW4hmeSVs/s1600/Fruta+de+pava+tree+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1_zpYFcSQ3HG5rU2zkVcMFa43HD1QNn4U2DVqeB0AZIZ0EpOg5uB0Os7pT13TytU25xUTwZKxTcrdAlXMRV9Two1zqnRVLY_yYfavC3NRkN2TkWnV_Cvwe2Z8mEPvykXZUUW4hmeSVs/s400/Fruta+de+pava+tree+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Eugenia heraefolia</i> (Fruta de pava)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjivo-KFVV_y8f95gUZH7GPnly6YhlRqJo4m7LUdEer2j7omEhLChrIXVainc7Qe_bmMM-s05oPUXhfoetuMoavS7DRiPT9VWnv52Z8uQ8ADnOpxBcd9Gfl6PCByASerLMB4PI4XOGB0I/s1600/Fruta+de+pava+tree+leaves+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjivo-KFVV_y8f95gUZH7GPnly6YhlRqJo4m7LUdEer2j7omEhLChrIXVainc7Qe_bmMM-s05oPUXhfoetuMoavS7DRiPT9VWnv52Z8uQ8ADnOpxBcd9Gfl6PCByASerLMB4PI4XOGB0I/s320/Fruta+de+pava+tree+leaves+perdido.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves, <i>Eugenia heraefolia.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhSYTnkRV-6CtN5CchXdQxdEpJUMPItc_jWmAr6RjeL9AOu8uZ4wfnL2HzRjArIdhhyphenhyphengeR5a13yOLHQc4spXItOsi0Kqb-Tgd75lXLbjwUqymh9HS2HoHauqSytMjfRn9C4bflXm8YC8/s1600/guaitil+tapaculo+bark+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhSYTnkRV-6CtN5CchXdQxdEpJUMPItc_jWmAr6RjeL9AOu8uZ4wfnL2HzRjArIdhhyphenhyphengeR5a13yOLHQc4spXItOsi0Kqb-Tgd75lXLbjwUqymh9HS2HoHauqSytMjfRn9C4bflXm8YC8/s400/guaitil+tapaculo+bark+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Genipa americana</i> (Guaitil tapaculo). Several types of trees have this type of bark.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjkUNaQFmBBIqL3VNXd90B7IfhPqvknyN60hJdnBxMOWcBUZLheZsW6NAX2rAe9-jDvT6jevCVBgS6O84CqWNaTs7nZWKHLv2AqqKRvry16DFtlC9O9LAUmMbuZ8ilqkkgATemr20hq4/s1600/guapinol+trunk+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjkUNaQFmBBIqL3VNXd90B7IfhPqvknyN60hJdnBxMOWcBUZLheZsW6NAX2rAe9-jDvT6jevCVBgS6O84CqWNaTs7nZWKHLv2AqqKRvry16DFtlC9O9LAUmMbuZ8ilqkkgATemr20hq4/s400/guapinol+trunk+perdido.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hymenaea courbaril</i> (Guapinol)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi402qjnoBcPXutZrk7Ky9Vl6hv9z3t0ok0eMcKEAgid0DMugw2vSymxjJf14U4TxNC5UrCaezDgmV7qZq9P8qp4v9C3PbMLrnsJuF8tVvFobG_iw24UYSRL3BD04An0baKGavj6tWwpVY/s1600/guapinol+leaves+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi402qjnoBcPXutZrk7Ky9Vl6hv9z3t0ok0eMcKEAgid0DMugw2vSymxjJf14U4TxNC5UrCaezDgmV7qZq9P8qp4v9C3PbMLrnsJuF8tVvFobG_iw24UYSRL3BD04An0baKGavj6tWwpVY/s320/guapinol+leaves+perdido.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hymenaea courbaril</i> leaf type.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjRhenO8O604iuWOZNyooj6VlybgmIyDEr95tFOONgkwwQeZeu6-ZoFAx9agqWUwVSHk9xDkgADjAB5z6ql0Ytxjc9Oa9jMlot9DOrtmXMZyu980kNx7-8dZBSYjaJu5Dp-xB_RsnXjI/s1600/guayacan+carboncillo+bark+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjRhenO8O604iuWOZNyooj6VlybgmIyDEr95tFOONgkwwQeZeu6-ZoFAx9agqWUwVSHk9xDkgADjAB5z6ql0Ytxjc9Oa9jMlot9DOrtmXMZyu980kNx7-8dZBSYjaJu5Dp-xB_RsnXjI/s400/guayacan+carboncillo+bark+perdido.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Leptolobium panamense</i> (Guayacan carboncillo), when you rub your hands over this fine bark, it sheds easily.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGaFvQt2BacSHNRHXzv_GM64T-mHZ6nX6pKgMcmj8V9_xqPnsGBOfsnYrr1zbe_iH6bH9Exvf21xszd_FA5fYBUoOBP_eNUDQBtbP0Oy5HHVC0BFAiZ9Gb4i9JOEUTAoV1UNyIDfL7UE/s1600/Chapernillo+tree+trunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGaFvQt2BacSHNRHXzv_GM64T-mHZ6nX6pKgMcmj8V9_xqPnsGBOfsnYrr1zbe_iH6bH9Exvf21xszd_FA5fYBUoOBP_eNUDQBtbP0Oy5HHVC0BFAiZ9Gb4i9JOEUTAoV1UNyIDfL7UE/s400/Chapernillo+tree+trunk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lonchocarpus minimiflorus (Chapernillo)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYVrv3qQz35VRVXhuTwO8vp5QX9SIKEp6ba9eHMPxxuSd0hahDd7APFZB0He0RwVgEuhagSq2q9wZhJCjC3XtA6IEMKjaCSDwYjPGwzAvi2BMRzcMeX275Vat-QXqv4bCOwiTtisYdzI/s1600/Guacimo+macho+tree+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYVrv3qQz35VRVXhuTwO8vp5QX9SIKEp6ba9eHMPxxuSd0hahDd7APFZB0He0RwVgEuhagSq2q9wZhJCjC3XtA6IEMKjaCSDwYjPGwzAvi2BMRzcMeX275Vat-QXqv4bCOwiTtisYdzI/s400/Guacimo+macho+tree+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Luehea speciosa</i> (Guacimo Macho), also showing the leaf type to the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohBKKmXgRHlGzK_lDvu5zgx1JIBP4N-XyXh4m1vIiQsh4tmR7F4ejhO9GkPITW0zWbyh257X1ZGZ_pn0Q-v2328k8NjuJjXs7c_PMq0FlwbSAKb_3COwGOAfnCx_eD7AQI-yneVas-pY/s1600/mabea+tree+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohBKKmXgRHlGzK_lDvu5zgx1JIBP4N-XyXh4m1vIiQsh4tmR7F4ejhO9GkPITW0zWbyh257X1ZGZ_pn0Q-v2328k8NjuJjXs7c_PMq0FlwbSAKb_3COwGOAfnCx_eD7AQI-yneVas-pY/s400/mabea+tree+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mabae occidentalis</i> shrub.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX5alSP3xs9nMGjpcgPt2_R5z694AdEHGthyphenhyphen_bd9mBgK6vUilHIPq6esZZOF5Fi6MHKDB_Bwl9EoPIoso8MJmvUdcihuDc7mXphFJnMy_ku3lKVG24rfYX-Qz9aQ58EdvyonCC9wDZVQ/s1600/mabea+leaves+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX5alSP3xs9nMGjpcgPt2_R5z694AdEHGthyphenhyphen_bd9mBgK6vUilHIPq6esZZOF5Fi6MHKDB_Bwl9EoPIoso8MJmvUdcihuDc7mXphFJnMy_ku3lKVG24rfYX-Qz9aQ58EdvyonCC9wDZVQ/s400/mabea+leaves+perdido.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves of <i>Mabae occidentalis</i>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVRw82Mw7-Wl5_Vgg01-qBkA35VrQ0DDKA4KTPF3MDKL2CWOWJbwUfScYm4HvzR0JeKxHG8k_2ASTvWxYilFNTjh2djX-kGlGosBE_wejyNBiwdDaa8ZN3bW6zOd7MvCc_7B_x26D4yw/s1600/cacique+bark+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVRw82Mw7-Wl5_Vgg01-qBkA35VrQ0DDKA4KTPF3MDKL2CWOWJbwUfScYm4HvzR0JeKxHG8k_2ASTvWxYilFNTjh2djX-kGlGosBE_wejyNBiwdDaa8ZN3bW6zOd7MvCc_7B_x26D4yw/s400/cacique+bark+perdido.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of bark on the Cacique tree, <i>Psidium sartorianum</i>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWOookOcOBufthoSOjqoogEzzF1bnMAJ3jcemz_BdVGbvxpnRI7mcE3ZmQgKFG9bd_gEDAIPNXUCCCAPBRWoyzu4oHcUHLUzWUt4l3cjGfiRzcWuPiP_CP2pferuUOYBG8x7jWs8cdPQ/s1600/cacique+leaves+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWOookOcOBufthoSOjqoogEzzF1bnMAJ3jcemz_BdVGbvxpnRI7mcE3ZmQgKFG9bd_gEDAIPNXUCCCAPBRWoyzu4oHcUHLUzWUt4l3cjGfiRzcWuPiP_CP2pferuUOYBG8x7jWs8cdPQ/s320/cacique+leaves+perdido.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves of the Cacique tree.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AEkR6U4LoGceILCTtsQMhIJan3h2fUkyyA-t8EwtqFsVQ2BimK2ZP7LaGK6owTsmoaip1-DKq3rsPUHzS2ZEGZQIbropdm9-gyK_Wg0qfVizCItVxNgZhOTQ4iwb5SFxWd35C0hMG2o/s1600/mario+tree+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AEkR6U4LoGceILCTtsQMhIJan3h2fUkyyA-t8EwtqFsVQ2BimK2ZP7LaGK6owTsmoaip1-DKq3rsPUHzS2ZEGZQIbropdm9-gyK_Wg0qfVizCItVxNgZhOTQ4iwb5SFxWd35C0hMG2o/s400/mario+tree+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sTms3kG8zrZxmy4LNprCOgDrf6hhLZTAxHmWTaGwM8772y0pjLA9PY8E7uuxfC8fUzQSd5ONZ43DEyUiqzncf36QBBAYCS8Pj6QvwwsVJirdqWda9KFg5waKDcQBYdcfh6PKXdUSEGw/s1600/mario+leaves+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sTms3kG8zrZxmy4LNprCOgDrf6hhLZTAxHmWTaGwM8772y0pjLA9PY8E7uuxfC8fUzQSd5ONZ43DEyUiqzncf36QBBAYCS8Pj6QvwwsVJirdqWda9KFg5waKDcQBYdcfh6PKXdUSEGw/s400/mario+leaves+perdido.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves of <i>Sebastiana pavoniana </i>(Mario).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYOqh0gZc5hiEWdjjef0jVYVw0knlYWxF_PocELTG_VVQojf_NCYypW-rUbLdzB_huA4twZBHRyfH6y7NjHn32Cu3luBWx6iv56Hd5aKVF46kQZeUM_4EjXKwxEqmesbDiHzoEVAV_BE/s1600/matapulgas+tree+trunk+perdido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYOqh0gZc5hiEWdjjef0jVYVw0knlYWxF_PocELTG_VVQojf_NCYypW-rUbLdzB_huA4twZBHRyfH6y7NjHn32Cu3luBWx6iv56Hd5aKVF46kQZeUM_4EjXKwxEqmesbDiHzoEVAV_BE/s640/matapulgas+tree+trunk+perdido.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Thouinidium decandrum </i>(Matapulgas, Sardino). This tree was so tall, I could not get a good photo of the leaves. I really wonder if it has use for killing fleas, which is what matapulgas means.</td></tr>
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<br />Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-49056699629726759062012-08-11T15:55:00.000-07:002012-08-11T15:55:16.092-07:00Rain in Guanacaste<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TRcO1pQ2HdsSVO3IXJyTLaNIQQyxiGb27X5lA3nUkjFls_Zm00kSFSVTQ1w90QrBkyMFYq2CfjgdqjHtG8WI4yZ9L6JMs4Ao-UalqVFy5IK3wj0956AuqlwDiEy-yuzEgA4A0A3Z_dg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-11+at+4.52.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TRcO1pQ2HdsSVO3IXJyTLaNIQQyxiGb27X5lA3nUkjFls_Zm00kSFSVTQ1w90QrBkyMFYq2CfjgdqjHtG8WI4yZ9L6JMs4Ao-UalqVFy5IK3wj0956AuqlwDiEy-yuzEgA4A0A3Z_dg/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-11+at+4.52.21+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not often you need an umbrella in sunny Guanacaste.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It is gently raining outside now, I suppose that the second half of the rainy season has begun, but a hurricane just recently passed through the Yucatan Peninsula. When hurricanes are being made in the Caribbean, we often get some rain, but not as much as they experience in the Límon province in the eastern part of the country. A mountain range (Cordillera Guanacaste) along the eastern border of Guanacaste limits the ingress of rain clouds from the east. <br />
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The months where it rains the most intensive in the Guanacaste province are September and October. Late September thru October are usually very low seasons for tourist visits for the country for various reasons, but the rains do keep away a few. Most other times of the year, rains are not a significant consideration in my estimation. If you want to see data regarding how much it rains during the whole year, see graphs of historical averages reported in the article, "<a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/hub/Guanacaste-Costa-Rica-Weather" target="_blank">Weather in Guanacaste, Costa Rica</a>," which is published on HubPages. <br />
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I like to go the U.S. during these months, in part to avoid the rains and because I really like the weather during these months in Texas and most parts of the U.S. <br />
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However, if you want to come here and vacation in an all-inclusive resort like the Riu Guanacaste, where there are many events and activities to keep visitors happy, inebriated and with full stomachs, it shouldn't matter what time of the year you come.......Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-59044881296994574632012-06-27T19:14:00.002-07:002012-06-28T12:12:26.411-07:00Sunset Photos on Playa Tamarindo, June 2012Here are some photos I took yesterday evening on Playa Tamarindo. It was cloudy and it rained all around, but not on, the beach. The water was deliciously warm and the waves were minimal (poor surfers). I was parked in front of a bar on the northern end of the beach and enjoyed 2 for 1 cocktails (I only had two at 3,000 colones for both - Bloody Mary with lots of fru-fru decoration and one edible maraschino cherry, no olive). And there were some college students from the U.S. playing volleyball in front of the bar, with one end of the net meeting the rising tide.<br />
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Without further ado, here are the photos. You will also see a photo of a tree that was in flower. If you know what it is, please comment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eAW8l72yZRM20pXsNXVlzShldumTKzj7rGIOOjyjwWPQ44W9Po74ko4XVdOdAHu9a20aQQZMVAoDHikjYvVgor-8sDID7DxIfemDI6gG3L9-RiCZBgXDfRReIKXGCnmYwHojiCgk8Cs/s1600/20120626_4543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eAW8l72yZRM20pXsNXVlzShldumTKzj7rGIOOjyjwWPQ44W9Po74ko4XVdOdAHu9a20aQQZMVAoDHikjYvVgor-8sDID7DxIfemDI6gG3L9-RiCZBgXDfRReIKXGCnmYwHojiCgk8Cs/s320/20120626_4543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the ships that goes out on 5 hr evening cruises, ranging from $45 to $75.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_Fdb7kpcUKBGuHjpucmvPFjqO6OY0iwOMeDTjtw8ezLuhKDMbTb94z55qH1HbrrOA0NH2P8wck1n2B8f_1jDOFpzIMaIvw04_oNQ59QVON1QFgSOqXJWKp9OOqaARMnXKWdMUfMzC78/s1600/20120626_4554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_Fdb7kpcUKBGuHjpucmvPFjqO6OY0iwOMeDTjtw8ezLuhKDMbTb94z55qH1HbrrOA0NH2P8wck1n2B8f_1jDOFpzIMaIvw04_oNQ59QVON1QFgSOqXJWKp9OOqaARMnXKWdMUfMzC78/s320/20120626_4554.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, I can't blame this one on the cocktails, I'm being artistic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great turbulence above during this day with many clouds, but no rain. The wind was doing some painting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This small tree was full of these flowers and there were a few seed pods like that seen in the lower right corner.</td></tr>
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So, if anyone knows the identity of the tree flower, leave me a message. Pura vida! Until next time.Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-78468712180734781852012-06-21T17:34:00.000-07:002012-06-27T18:58:48.248-07:00Vandara Hot Springs Resort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H7YHMrg1Orkm8PvKq4lHA6bEnoLa5DXjGpHRCadyhPRVDlBuIwDflwAcCGJ9wDZr0CaAPEQP3XYZhZX3jI7xGE3cNwKR5DkiF_gxd19m1Dv_pO4EzLI-SYMZkFvALH399tXrbUYXvGM/s1600/vandara+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H7YHMrg1Orkm8PvKq4lHA6bEnoLa5DXjGpHRCadyhPRVDlBuIwDflwAcCGJ9wDZr0CaAPEQP3XYZhZX3jI7xGE3cNwKR5DkiF_gxd19m1Dv_pO4EzLI-SYMZkFvALH399tXrbUYXvGM/s320/vandara+sign.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
Vandara Hot Springs and Adventure is a very nice place to go for a day visit. There is a very good restaurant service organic food that is grown on the site, a swimming pool that is feed by hot springs of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano, and you can go on a horse ride and/or zip lining over the canopy. <br />
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This resort is located a few kilometers east of the town of Cañas Dulce, just northeast of Liberia. After passing through Cañas Dulce, you go up in elevation and then pass through the small community of Buena Vista and then a road veers off to the right to go to Vandara.<br />
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They have a finca, or farm, there which I saw a portion of during a horse ride. They have oranges, limes and plantains in the part that I saw. I went on a horse ride by myself, escorted by one of the employees to see some of the surrounding land. We passed by the start point for the canopy tour and watched people get their instruction on what to do. You have to ride horses up to that point. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-hDH23sUv_zTgjvm5JPL2wHbFas4DXwaxPOOjd_s88B2GGfBwXcpP5gZRSvRwaW_Ivc5-lUKKOIxBZtHTyDtMtYKAUxdvyiD2ikrGqOPBxT7Vw3Ay_W6iVxd1klYcyQbWulFYfBufFM/s1600/Blue-crownedMotmotMomotus_momota.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-hDH23sUv_zTgjvm5JPL2wHbFas4DXwaxPOOjd_s88B2GGfBwXcpP5gZRSvRwaW_Ivc5-lUKKOIxBZtHTyDtMtYKAUxdvyiD2ikrGqOPBxT7Vw3Ay_W6iVxd1klYcyQbWulFYfBufFM/s320/Blue-crownedMotmotMomotus_momota.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Blue-Crowned Motmot, Momotus momata, common in the Guanacaste Province. They make burrows in the site of hills, instead of nests in trees.</td></tr>
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During the horse ride, I saw motmots and various types of trees. It was not a spectacular ride for scenery, but it was nice to get back on top of a horse again. (I used to own horses in the states.) The ride lasted about 45 minutes. The horse behaved well and was responsive, not like some stable horses I have experienced before. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnESHomfygwXwVhQDwslG6waBq2So1Ooz_6itjWIsBMO3t0bKwsanSLboVE5KCSPt-r9oK0wGX7nIJXZo-V2p4SPfWbz4NwFIVVgdWFsdDrP_HeD0wddMGQ7qdbPk0pF_9eYieaEpfcwQ/s1600/horses+vandara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnESHomfygwXwVhQDwslG6waBq2So1Ooz_6itjWIsBMO3t0bKwsanSLboVE5KCSPt-r9oK0wGX7nIJXZo-V2p4SPfWbz4NwFIVVgdWFsdDrP_HeD0wddMGQ7qdbPk0pF_9eYieaEpfcwQ/s320/horses+vandara.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The horses and a rock cropping in the background. They make you wear the silly red helmets.</td></tr>
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Access to the swimming pool that has the hot springs water feed is very easy. You have to cross a hanging bridge that is about 40 feet over a small river. The bridge is anchored by two large trees on each side. It sways a little as you cross it, but crossing it was no problem for the retired teaches that I went with on this trip, some of which have limited mobility. I believe you could get a wheel chair from the parking lot to the pool area with ease. The pool area is about 75-100 yards from the parking lot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzy4t4_ws6nOR1ShNyZpJYdFT6b3cdMBnEpqwlKi0sN8-3uxeHPvSjVoE4gVccIACqsh9IVpEvBI6qcZZ34EFCIaSvt1Ho2BYvk-9gPeIcZn2Ul6pn31o7apR1mPq2f2vaBNEq35tpTbk/s1600/Vandara+Hot+Springs+hanging+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzy4t4_ws6nOR1ShNyZpJYdFT6b3cdMBnEpqwlKi0sN8-3uxeHPvSjVoE4gVccIACqsh9IVpEvBI6qcZZ34EFCIaSvt1Ho2BYvk-9gPeIcZn2Ul6pn31o7apR1mPq2f2vaBNEq35tpTbk/s320/Vandara+Hot+Springs+hanging+bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hanging bridge over the river. At the other end is the hot springs pool, a bar and the restaurant.</td></tr>
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I swam in the pool after the short horse ride. There is a jacuzzi situated in the center of the pool that you have climb up to. And if you are daring, you can jump down from in into the pool. I wouldn't advise diving, the pool is too shallow for that. On one end of the long pool is where the hot water enters. There are a lot of trees on one side of the pool that is situated over the river, so there were some leaves in the water. <br />
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A bar is located along the side, where you can order smoothies (batidos) made of fruits or alcoholic drinks. The bartender did a tricky walk from the bar counter to the jacuzzi to deliver a few beers.<br />
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There is a massage therapist on site, so if you need a massage I would advise contacting them ahead of time. There may be more than one if there are several clients booking. The massage tables are situated with a view over the river, a very nice, relaxing location<br />
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<h4>
The Restaurant</h4>
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The food was first class and gourmet in my estimation. It was served in several courses. I chose a pork steak that was grilled, and there was fish also available. The salads were very fresh. I am looking forward to going back and eating there again. In fact, I am going there again next week for the birthday of a friend. I will add some food photos when I complete that trip.<br />
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<h4>
The River</h4>
After eating, I went for a walk to the river. There are steps down to it on the entrance side. Along the river there are some benches in an area that they have used for volcanic mud baths. It doesn't seem to be in use at the moment, so you can sit on the benches and enjoy the sounds of the river. (Take some insect repellant.) I walked along the river and took some of the photos below. I noticed a plant that had beautiful white, star-shaped flowers, a dragonfly and a spider. The flower is shown below. <br />
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I also followed a trail above the river to one of the zip-line platforms, seeing a tree with spines I had not observed before. I also got a good photo of a <a href="http://upload.redgage.com/photos/RandyM/predator-fly-robber-fly.html" target="_blank">robber fly</a> and a bug. The interesting bug is shown below, to see the robber fly you will have to click the link. <br />
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I believe that the cost for the pool and the lunch is $30 per person and I paid $15 to ride the horse. Prices are reasonable, especially considering the quality of the lunch. I don't know if there are any discounts for large groups. While we were there, there was also a group of young people from the U.S.A., so there were a total of about 30 people during our day visit. <br />
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Contacting them is a bit of pain. I have called them twice, but their phone isn't working - (506) 4000-0660. There is a cell phone 8602-3043, Karla Ugarte Ibarra. They have a fax as well and a Facebook Page, and I did get a response. Their official web page is at this link - <a href="http://www.vandarahotsprings.com/" target="_blank">Vandara Hot Springs and Adventure</a>. Their email address is info@vandarahotsprings.com.<br />
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I recommend this place for a day visit. I will find out more later about whether they have accommodations for overnight stays during my next trip. Pura vida!<br />
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<br />Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-37597114936864508922012-06-10T00:41:00.003-07:002013-03-16T10:24:01.855-07:00Photos of Wild Mushrooms in Guanacaste<br />
One of my hobbies is to take pictures of mushrooms when I am out in the woods, since I am a mycologist by training. All of these pictures were taken in wooded areas of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, mostly in the dry tropical forest part. Mushrooms are more likely to be found in the province starting in May after the first rains that hail the end of the hot, dry summer. Then you can find them in relative abundance through December.<br />
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Of all of the fungus pictures below, there is one well known edible shown, the chanterelle. As you can see, these were fried up (with onions and garlic) and used as an accompaniment with various meals. The blue fungus is also edible according to records, however I am not game enough to try it out. I have discussed this mushroom on another blog entry (<a href="http://guanacastecostarica-mitierra.blogspot.com/2011/07/snake-paca-and-blue-fungi-on-rio.html" target="_blank">A Snake, A Paca, etc</a>). I have also seen on occasion the oyster mushroom, <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>, but not in large enough quantities to consider for foraging. For total novices at mushrooming, I wouldn't recommend foraging for edible mushrooms.<br />
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Another piece of advice, walk carefully if you are in the woods. There can be various creatures crawling about, like snakes. Take it slowly and see several feet out from where you are as you walk along. Most people don't walk off the trails because of the various types of snakes that are in the woods. So be careful! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A black shelf fungus common on small trees in the dry tropical forests.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z85obhYwblf7GUyyOiiBaP6rEYLkDpsYNzoZPZ_iieVwE-LOmxfcDitQiLKfzJKzRQRzFoIiYFevmJ_BinRtzSiR-FDaeJSLDcwozWeVYoWf3tH2k3tgNdBUNRimvPga1-yUC8w0X24/s1600/shelf+fungus+plus+little+fungi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z85obhYwblf7GUyyOiiBaP6rEYLkDpsYNzoZPZ_iieVwE-LOmxfcDitQiLKfzJKzRQRzFoIiYFevmJ_BinRtzSiR-FDaeJSLDcwozWeVYoWf3tH2k3tgNdBUNRimvPga1-yUC8w0X24/s320/shelf+fungus+plus+little+fungi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another type of common shelf fungus and some very tiny mushrooms as well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ztUlDAziAbu6mbMbb3d0Sg_vByYw3k3HKkoOQDBxk5tFs0_6QjcEm1dpm20TDZec-JFYqHNfcz9IqsfjFQAtccwwEYxCRbj_dtMTbP0JLFt_c_glnZKEyqpPoipcjTgqvUabopZ6fyA/s1600/wood+fungus+canon+de+la+vieja30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ztUlDAziAbu6mbMbb3d0Sg_vByYw3k3HKkoOQDBxk5tFs0_6QjcEm1dpm20TDZec-JFYqHNfcz9IqsfjFQAtccwwEYxCRbj_dtMTbP0JLFt_c_glnZKEyqpPoipcjTgqvUabopZ6fyA/s320/wood+fungus+canon+de+la+vieja30%25.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mushroom cap is interestingly spiked.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4T9GgxO8hHqRsJP1AXW-5vXxc57Bu2f-4HL1PBbL7t_TJjrbbK2lYk79jt0KfrlNcHd-8oMupWjRGbWblc7ldqWFEknDWIiV6lfJ-Gg6NUcRDElGbTHIuKt_O3-5Bzaab24yIZvWH9w/s1600/blue+fungus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4T9GgxO8hHqRsJP1AXW-5vXxc57Bu2f-4HL1PBbL7t_TJjrbbK2lYk79jt0KfrlNcHd-8oMupWjRGbWblc7ldqWFEknDWIiV6lfJ-Gg6NUcRDElGbTHIuKt_O3-5Bzaab24yIZvWH9w/s320/blue+fungus.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A blue fungus found in the fall. See my other blog entry on this.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8e82_kv6PpFXrMeDC9eZrFqjRHDQ2Lnd-UzEVunQi0wuDJ3qDM26U4GPBoJRd0BGupoHyJcLg26Fv_j3ZKkbLqo1oq7CeeL7rfVMOlzpuoZPLqgT-plvODJu9_zRUlitrcKSrC54da4/s1600/bolete+fungus+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8e82_kv6PpFXrMeDC9eZrFqjRHDQ2Lnd-UzEVunQi0wuDJ3qDM26U4GPBoJRd0BGupoHyJcLg26Fv_j3ZKkbLqo1oq7CeeL7rfVMOlzpuoZPLqgT-plvODJu9_zRUlitrcKSrC54da4/s320/bolete+fungus+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bolete with a hairy or floccose stipe (stem)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4gzcRQlQkQTyDz3-p6YRdtusvQBHRcyRi1QZMAMS0DH6tGkLocAfeYQAyptvTtmfYhE0GO0XAGragO6P8QgOkajfjNfK2oD2KNHgObxBerGRjMpoiXfRn0hCSUvIlBV-tp7jX_5R8kU/s1600/chanterell+fungus+cooking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4gzcRQlQkQTyDz3-p6YRdtusvQBHRcyRi1QZMAMS0DH6tGkLocAfeYQAyptvTtmfYhE0GO0XAGragO6P8QgOkajfjNfK2oD2KNHgObxBerGRjMpoiXfRn0hCSUvIlBV-tp7jX_5R8kU/s320/chanterell+fungus+cooking.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chanterelle mushrooms in the frying pan</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQJyB0JOKGa9MnuBfBhmlN59VeM8QnlhCjSrth8S7NbdeigBhHphyphenhyphendLLBMtYCu4DsGxMP8OZL4QdKrorxLCiENivCnzIZjuBCf2NT9lqlQt2iAq-JucNPGpPsfX1sDyJFrT9ptfwqE_g/s1600/chanterelle+fungus+gills.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQJyB0JOKGa9MnuBfBhmlN59VeM8QnlhCjSrth8S7NbdeigBhHphyphenhyphendLLBMtYCu4DsGxMP8OZL4QdKrorxLCiENivCnzIZjuBCf2NT9lqlQt2iAq-JucNPGpPsfX1sDyJFrT9ptfwqE_g/s320/chanterelle+fungus+gills.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chanterelle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS9PkQGzFW4zE2CywYqohVfWHHUV00_zFAljAxFRDxSbM0zn9WhtIIc1YzD2sTf_X08s95YoUtS-RTrZv5ZX7dw7Tjmp0Ft2XFT3obKWwXnfe6RTxFpTgJ_WJaBSszAe3UQHFGu0AoVE/s1600/fungus+iguanita.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS9PkQGzFW4zE2CywYqohVfWHHUV00_zFAljAxFRDxSbM0zn9WhtIIc1YzD2sTf_X08s95YoUtS-RTrZv5ZX7dw7Tjmp0Ft2XFT3obKWwXnfe6RTxFpTgJ_WJaBSszAe3UQHFGu0AoVE/s320/fungus+iguanita.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An aminita that should be avoided at all costs. Note the veil on the stem.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5YTauSC8C5lud_MrQTLB1Ik3uToAcU6U9LkZqwr2hUW6XezwXidXVGxs4JFeWtaqz82DHRvbD1qrKSPAvJ2OOWwfUf5tIj7heqLE2Fn5jZ3BInn5nyiIrNTv-g8L1DMjWlNlq_gm39Q/s1600/russula+fungus+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5YTauSC8C5lud_MrQTLB1Ik3uToAcU6U9LkZqwr2hUW6XezwXidXVGxs4JFeWtaqz82DHRvbD1qrKSPAvJ2OOWwfUf5tIj7heqLE2Fn5jZ3BInn5nyiIrNTv-g8L1DMjWlNlq_gm39Q/s320/russula+fungus+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Russula species that is poisonous.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOmVI_NTrVdz5pAlJ5SEw4bffoY0KP8AyPTagwKh8JLBzRDW3sgtYQzLWU3TpnXWvU8JVPhCAjAvM3hMqCM_bo22h0u6QZcY6FsJpXa89FTbfygXOHSzwB43QHo9otvFThyEfxBwivOc/s1600/thin+wood+pore+fungus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOmVI_NTrVdz5pAlJ5SEw4bffoY0KP8AyPTagwKh8JLBzRDW3sgtYQzLWU3TpnXWvU8JVPhCAjAvM3hMqCM_bo22h0u6QZcY6FsJpXa89FTbfygXOHSzwB43QHo9otvFThyEfxBwivOc/s320/thin+wood+pore+fungus.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This soft pore fungus was growing on wood and worms seem to like it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVn0zwN33h95smgCS8Ee01F1g2sTzYJHgOsE0HtW4oHa0EyoV5LLFydwb2UbfKtIBsTTs8_ed5FdngwAi0F3KRYYahBo7LlQMjeNmGBt2CZg8fjgMjaikJUbdOoaOElXIu0RaExYdwUv8/s1600/woody+fungus+nacoscolo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVn0zwN33h95smgCS8Ee01F1g2sTzYJHgOsE0HtW4oHa0EyoV5LLFydwb2UbfKtIBsTTs8_ed5FdngwAi0F3KRYYahBo7LlQMjeNmGBt2CZg8fjgMjaikJUbdOoaOElXIu0RaExYdwUv8/s320/woody+fungus+nacoscolo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A common woody mushroom that sports colored, annular rings.</td></tr>
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I will add more photos to this blog entry as time permits, as well as proper identification as I get the information. If anyone wants to help me with the fungal identification, I will welcome your assistance. I have a lack of books with me to help me in that regard.Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-69705043839620038872012-05-25T12:46:00.003-07:002013-03-16T10:21:32.745-07:00Costa Rican Forests: Pochote Tree<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCGTyHGs21XXwmrFiyndepBVU_YiVfSz_wGWB_P42D3aDr-aINuhMYTvlKpTLrMBru3rJSn-1exly6r_B6FXqp1RTa4Dmp2O3eoDbtTVmL2S2cQPaOwK1znQ9nCTCXSHbwYh6seUMcrU/s1600/Pichote+young+green+trunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCGTyHGs21XXwmrFiyndepBVU_YiVfSz_wGWB_P42D3aDr-aINuhMYTvlKpTLrMBru3rJSn-1exly6r_B6FXqp1RTa4Dmp2O3eoDbtTVmL2S2cQPaOwK1znQ9nCTCXSHbwYh6seUMcrU/s320/Pichote+young+green+trunk.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young pochote tree is well protected.</td></tr>
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Since I came to Costa Rica, I have been fascinated by the pochote tree (<i>Bombacopsis quinata), </i>with a trunk that is covered in sharp spines that can project from the by as much as an inch or more. This tree is common in the Guanacaste province and it can be found all along the Pacific side of the country, from the mountains to the beaches.<br />
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As with imported teak trees, this native tree is cultivated for use as lumber, since it grows straight and tall. The wood of pochote is white, as opposed to the dark grains of teak. It is used to make furniture, cabinets, window and door frames and for making veneer.<br />
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It also has the common name of "spiny cedar," but it is definitely a broad-leaf deciduous tree, which loses its leaves during the dry season. Perhaps the similarity to cedar is the straightness of the wood and its color. This tree is found from Honduras to Venezuela.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wWwnPv6HyuhNTS_UgUp9JX0trLux1vpmPK6EAGIz5hW_F1WDf1zTfphPIuDZvh9Tso9mvZFEOuUYAXPkgPA9kBViMYIKEGMWb5_aOmb9oDluHSN3_lNONgwjw2H_LGQSFqgpmcI-02Y/s1600/Pichote+spines+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wWwnPv6HyuhNTS_UgUp9JX0trLux1vpmPK6EAGIz5hW_F1WDf1zTfphPIuDZvh9Tso9mvZFEOuUYAXPkgPA9kBViMYIKEGMWb5_aOmb9oDluHSN3_lNONgwjw2H_LGQSFqgpmcI-02Y/s400/Pichote+spines+closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spines on a mature tree trunk.</td></tr>
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The pochote tree flowers during the end of the dry season, which is during the months of March and April. The flowers are white, but after they fall, they turn red. And example of the flower is shown below, as well as an older flower that turned red.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVOKbcZGi5NVVXlijZNLqbOBGh-JTDkved6Ok9Cr4hFhi4P_4qnIZApRxROXnFBY-FxDgdABt0Qlnycie1P3L2i6hHg2AWGSNkRIXOBHCt6_-vXkznlDO3Mfsq6gdEyTxsmwwaGcbZOw/s1600/Pochote+flower+red+50%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVOKbcZGi5NVVXlijZNLqbOBGh-JTDkved6Ok9Cr4hFhi4P_4qnIZApRxROXnFBY-FxDgdABt0Qlnycie1P3L2i6hHg2AWGSNkRIXOBHCt6_-vXkznlDO3Mfsq6gdEyTxsmwwaGcbZOw/s400/Pochote+flower+red+50%25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old fallen pochote flowers turn red.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhy6Qp7d0Oj0_4kAcez2p-qCTENbq6hE_KhS1eqUetOk1U0iFh8SWChVsKabrUb5cyGHe8IlcFGB6RyhlAc1gh70SwK56MsHTEFFaJJF_0TvsUvvptRKACmk19c0UDC2TfdIAhIYeceBk/s1600/pochote+flower+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhy6Qp7d0Oj0_4kAcez2p-qCTENbq6hE_KhS1eqUetOk1U0iFh8SWChVsKabrUb5cyGHe8IlcFGB6RyhlAc1gh70SwK56MsHTEFFaJJF_0TvsUvvptRKACmk19c0UDC2TfdIAhIYeceBk/s400/pochote+flower+30%25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A freshly fallen pochote flower.</td></tr>
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The seed pod produced by the flower is brown and the seeds contained within are associated with cottony-like filaments for dispersal. The seed pods normally open up wide as seen in the first picture below, but sometimes they drop without opening all the way as seen in the next picture.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUZL5K-WRmpsMpRvHy4MWfjqR36KPgK3T-Xt5oR1mjZN2XFam7xYHZF3WokSV3zX6Mho7KRhOrT9DEi4s_lO8DPV_P2pnJIFyFX1KS6D-RPf_4rEz_Muryoc3e3NSHqfDj9r0WxwAjhk/s1600/Pochote+seed+pod+opened.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUZL5K-WRmpsMpRvHy4MWfjqR36KPgK3T-Xt5oR1mjZN2XFam7xYHZF3WokSV3zX6Mho7KRhOrT9DEi4s_lO8DPV_P2pnJIFyFX1KS6D-RPf_4rEz_Muryoc3e3NSHqfDj9r0WxwAjhk/s400/Pochote+seed+pod+opened.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An opened and an unopened seed pod in a pochote tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBh158J_kUfOfmptZTV7L8KaMcK5xjlA7rTB8X9hVdxSphFFa-kSRZcZxL3WBxM6rEs6ghitvl7E9gHUhKaxO-4pq_v0dz_DbwfVW1RFlMC0cfINsqZwx7D1dQ5YEnlZ3it9prNKes9Hw/s1600/pochote+seed+pod+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBh158J_kUfOfmptZTV7L8KaMcK5xjlA7rTB8X9hVdxSphFFa-kSRZcZxL3WBxM6rEs6ghitvl7E9gHUhKaxO-4pq_v0dz_DbwfVW1RFlMC0cfINsqZwx7D1dQ5YEnlZ3it9prNKes9Hw/s400/pochote+seed+pod+30%25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A partially opened seed pod showing the seeds and cotton-like filaments that aid in seed dispersal.</td></tr>
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By the way, most of these photos were taken near or on Peninsula Papagayo, where there is a abundance of these mature trees. This peninsula has a huge golf course and resort, but around the edges, it is a mostly untouched, natural Costa Rican forest. There is a boardwalk on the north end of the peninsula (to Playa Virador and another beach) where you can observe trees and monkeys (<a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/video/Mantled-Howler-Monkeys-in-Costa-Rica" target="_blank">Mantled Howlers</a>, or congos as they are known locally, and white-face Capuchins), as well as other wildlife like deer and squirrels. I believe that the monkeys would avoid this type of tree naturally.<br />
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I am also studying other types of trees and will do blog entries on those as soon as I get enough information. This is one of my hobbies, as you might have guessed. <br />
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There are other types of spiny trees in Costa Rica, and I have pictures of two of them, but I am still determining more about their biology and want to get more pictures before I present them to you. Hasta luego!<br />
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Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-30636469618362288162012-05-16T16:22:00.000-07:002012-05-16T16:22:10.774-07:00Restaurante Claudio y Gloria on Coco Beach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIKUBGa1aia7HqgOp6lQGw2jcEg-yLFs7jI9RkM26eZVVCGQmFUT_262lYKsX6NXN6gn974K6PPslzLG_8P5cH1CVBF8-j6fQ9jGTC-v362zMU6GsgDgi2w5IuCotOBMMh2ofn-1wjlo/s1600/Restaurante+Claudio+y+Gloria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIKUBGa1aia7HqgOp6lQGw2jcEg-yLFs7jI9RkM26eZVVCGQmFUT_262lYKsX6NXN6gn974K6PPslzLG_8P5cH1CVBF8-j6fQ9jGTC-v362zMU6GsgDgi2w5IuCotOBMMh2ofn-1wjlo/s320/Restaurante+Claudio+y+Gloria.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I and my two companions trekked over to the community of Coco Beach last weekend to dine and buy some hard-to-find items at the Auto Mercado grocery store there. We had a delicious meal at Restaurante Claudio y Gloria. This restaurant is along the beach on the new beach front walkway, about 50 meters north of the police station. <br />
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This is an open-aired restaurant, as many of the restaurants are in this town, but this one has a view of the walkway and the bay area. There is a bar as part of the restaurant which is called Tortuga Bar. It is pictured to the back and left of the next photo. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMchjiGX_WU5A2DQ89nDLLvIC_4VOiJY8r54VMbMuu2_j9SN5GYdWmTtatmvU5JvbB10F5A2XdlJ_RCGmOVSZWzBDC1HXUpWAYd-hPP5tPmefmblOGm7pBmGTqJzoO99ozoR_XhJIktN4/s1600/Claudio+y+Gloria.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMchjiGX_WU5A2DQ89nDLLvIC_4VOiJY8r54VMbMuu2_j9SN5GYdWmTtatmvU5JvbB10F5A2XdlJ_RCGmOVSZWzBDC1HXUpWAYd-hPP5tPmefmblOGm7pBmGTqJzoO99ozoR_XhJIktN4/s320/Claudio+y+Gloria.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The prices for the entrees in this restaurant are moderate, and because of temporary promotion by Credomatic, they are even more reasonable with a 50% discount. But you have to have this type of credit or debit card. I ordered shrimp-stuffed chicken with asparagus sauce and my companions ordered a fish and shrimp combination with a red sauce. These were priced at about $10 per dish. If you wish, you can certainly order more expensive dishes like lobster. There are many different types of dishes to choose from, some which I may try on my next visit and I will update the blog when I do.<br />
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The wait staff was very attentive and we didn't have to wait long for the meal to be served. We enjoyed very cold beers while we were waiting. <br />
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Both of the plates came with vegetables cooked with butter and buttery mashed potatoes. The chicken breast was stuffed with small shrimp and the asparagus sauce helped bring the whole dish together. The fish filets were served with garlic tomato sauce with large shrimp arranged on top. Everyone was delighted with the food and it didn't last long on our plates.<br />
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As we were eating, we noted an iguana walking by and a yellow and black bird hanging out near the trellis. It looked like a member of the oriole family. I took a picture, but it was not in good focus, so I won't post it here. I did see a couple sitting on a matapalo tree trunk which I will share with you though. A photo of my dish is also posted below. I enjoyed my visit to Restuarante Claudio y Gloria and I think you would too. Give it a try!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8D_UH6w_5S75N1YwLjow_DQf4GBixchODybaASKQ13eOnDB1JmGNHmAgxLZ7oMa8bM0x-ODhV4MGluZIPtYE4NbZrXolL2EMw8H8xkjhBWXyQoNgVq4WjiFlcPCznX2i-JwIJKXkvd9g/s1600/couple+matapalo+coco+beach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8D_UH6w_5S75N1YwLjow_DQf4GBixchODybaASKQ13eOnDB1JmGNHmAgxLZ7oMa8bM0x-ODhV4MGluZIPtYE4NbZrXolL2EMw8H8xkjhBWXyQoNgVq4WjiFlcPCznX2i-JwIJKXkvd9g/s400/couple+matapalo+coco+beach1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couple on a strangler fig tree trunk along the beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27yoicmUSL55ocdN3KmddS-vUMtKGj3s28K-vxrBHEC6pc369HhKTX_bAPG58Q__OgBWRm48Tsajfib4PX_kQ4znjq0z-Fj_s_EFIZ7cBV4TfKh1fRaQhB7y4zz_t7qaD85Y7UZMLet0/s1600/shrimp+stuffed+chicken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27yoicmUSL55ocdN3KmddS-vUMtKGj3s28K-vxrBHEC6pc369HhKTX_bAPG58Q__OgBWRm48Tsajfib4PX_kQ4znjq0z-Fj_s_EFIZ7cBV4TfKh1fRaQhB7y4zz_t7qaD85Y7UZMLet0/s320/shrimp+stuffed+chicken.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrimp-stuffed chicken. The portions were generous.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-89832570995119467662012-05-09T13:49:00.000-07:002012-06-03T08:27:24.678-07:00Homebrewing in Costa Rica<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This article on homebrewing in Costa Rica is not a review of common things that come from the
monopoly distillery of the country or the mega-breweries, it is rather a treatise on traditional drinks made by rural people of the country. There are different regions in the country that make their
own signature brews, and the province of Guanacaste has two well-known
homebrew products, coyol wine from the coyol palm and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chicheme</i>” made from purple corn (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maíz pujagua</i>). These drinks can also be enjoyed in other
countries of Central America, such as bordering Nicaragua and Honduras. Below I also include some recipes from the Limón province for good measure.</div>
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Coyol Wine</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spiny trunk of a coyol palm.</td></tr>
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The coyol palm (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Acrocomia
aculeata</i>) is harvested during the summer months in Guanacaste province,
when it is hot and very dry, because the sap production is the highest during
this season. The tree is cut down and it
is handled carefully because (1) it has spines all along the trunk and (2) tree
trunks that are less abused produce more sap.
The 2-3” long spines can cause painful puncture wounds and can elicit a
fever.</div>
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The sap is collected day to day in a canal that is made
about 50 cm from the shoot-end of the trunk that may be up to 15 meters
long. This canal is made about 2-3 days
after the trunk has been felled. The
length of the collection channel increases each day that the sap is leeched and
it may gradually reach 2 meters in length.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguG7WeXdCyBUNUlZP42V-yEpIvvtgQ6c0If_EGkORL26F1gzwYXtMLpUSAVhFc5PwsRe3MRjFzae9c65weowu9f9nZaDoBeH2Hoy6exPAvPjhLPdtJmpWZP8mxhfTWp833DE94JlgRhmw/s1600/coyol+tree+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguG7WeXdCyBUNUlZP42V-yEpIvvtgQ6c0If_EGkORL26F1gzwYXtMLpUSAVhFc5PwsRe3MRjFzae9c65weowu9f9nZaDoBeH2Hoy6exPAvPjhLPdtJmpWZP8mxhfTWp833DE94JlgRhmw/s320/coyol+tree+30%25.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another photo of a coyol, showing a fruit cluster.</td></tr>
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To protect the sap in the canal from ants and flies during the extraction period, the trunk is covered with the bark of a tree known as <i>burío</i> (<a href="http://www.redgage.com/friend/manager#rf:/photos/RandyM/monkeys-comb-peine-de-mico-seed-pod-and-flower.html" target="_blank"><i>peine de mico</i></a>) or the leaves of <i>anono</i> (<i>Annona cherimolia</i>). </div>
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The collection process may last as long as 2 months,
yielding about one hundred 20–ounce bottles of wine per month. In fiestas, like the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fiestas Civicas de Liberia</i>, you will see booths selling the wine
packaged in bottles used for drinking water or soft drinks. A booth that sells this wine is labeled
“Coyolero.” Vendors are also
occasionally see on the sides of the main roads in Guanacaste.</div>
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The collected sap is naturally fermented outdoors in the
sun. It has a creamy white appearance
and a mild sweet odor. It takes 3-4 days
to get what is called sweet wine.
Sweet-strong wine is ready in 4-8 days and in up to 22 days of
fermentation results in strong wine which can then turn into vinegar. The vinegar is sometimes used to make a
pepper sauce (<a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/hub/Costa-Rican-Recipes-Using-Starfruit-aka-Carambola" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chilero</i></a>). </div>
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The wine is believed to cause
drunkenness as a result of enzymes that are activated after imbibing. Sun exposure is believed to be a catalyst is
the process of inebriation.. Some claim
that you can feel the effects the next day after sun exposure, without any
additional consumption.</div>
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<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Chicha de Piñuela</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljrBVLOIs3Qk6Koal-DWNATtU_2gaKMeyVcctjaDFerRulnN2cbpzozE72eHK5H6hL0MDnk7cZ0ht8y1vNv_Rp_YzEsHYL6H4H8pUYcYbeWnHr0-2p7JtXsSFs0YXTM_pTi_6t5Gohi4/s1600/Bromelia+pinguin+playa+nacoscolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljrBVLOIs3Qk6Koal-DWNATtU_2gaKMeyVcctjaDFerRulnN2cbpzozE72eHK5H6hL0MDnk7cZ0ht8y1vNv_Rp_YzEsHYL6H4H8pUYcYbeWnHr0-2p7JtXsSFs0YXTM_pTi_6t5Gohi4/s200/Bromelia+pinguin+playa+nacoscolo.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penca plants.</td></tr>
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Chicha is a general term used for a special drink. It can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Chicha made from Piñuela, or penca (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bromelia penguin</i> L.) as they say in
Guanacaste is made from the fruits of the plant. The fruits are crushed and placed into a pot
where they are boiled together with the crushed shells. Then the shells and fruit pulp are strained
out. Water and sugar cane syrup are
added, then it is allowed to sit and ferment for a few days. </div>
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To make the non-alcoholic drink, mix water and the crushed
fruit and strain. Add table sugar and
ice and it is ready.</div>
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<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Chicheme</h3>
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This drink uses purple corn that is re-hydrated and then
ground to a fine texture. From this
comes a substance that is like a thick pudding.
This is put in an earthenware pot and then cooked in an open outdoor
oven. After it is cooked and cooled,
water is added and the mixture is poured in a narrow-necked pot called a
nimbuera grande. This pot is pre-cured
in some way for the fermentation beforehand.
Ground nutmeg is added for taste as well. The vessel is allowed to ferment
for a few days. This drink is used in prayer services for those members of the community who have passed away and sometimes at celebrations of baptisms.</div>
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<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Agua de Sapo </h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d19ufxIvetjr675Tyae2SUUX3FIUW_M6xEnKShz-2LqkydNwfx4KbPrFHR3Dw_bZqU56g__9Q9DF2Wzsw7MrdIYJMKZYXDY15KtvM92gK9OtgrRHoqxvpk8B3a14qpoE-B2IFLZkaao/s1600/tapa+de+dulce+40%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d19ufxIvetjr675Tyae2SUUX3FIUW_M6xEnKShz-2LqkydNwfx4KbPrFHR3Dw_bZqU56g__9Q9DF2Wzsw7MrdIYJMKZYXDY15KtvM92gK9OtgrRHoqxvpk8B3a14qpoE-B2IFLZkaao/s320/tapa+de+dulce+40%25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Agua de Sapo, or Frog Water, is made with tapa de dulce (conical, solid crude sugar
bricks as shown on the left), ground fresh ginger, limes and water.
Specifically, there is 1 block of crude sugar, 2 ounces of ginger, 1
gallon of water and the juice of 5 limes.
The crude sugar is cooked with the ginger and the lime juice is
added. This mixture is covered and set aside
for a week before serving. It should be served iced or very cold.
This recipe is from the province of Limón, on the Caribbean side of the
country.</div>
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<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Fermentation Basics</h3>
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<b>Some basic advice about fermentation. </b>All four of the processes mentioned above use naturally
present microorganisms to produce the alcohol from sugars that are present in
the liquids. As most people know from
experience, fermentations can frequently go wrong when one doesn’t use
commercial yeasts as an additive.
Additionally, sanitation is important.
Some home brewers in Costa Rica use baker’s yeast to help out with
starting the fermentation, as in the recipe below. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The use of Campden tablets is also recommended during
bottling to help prevent post-bottling oxidation. </div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Rice Wine</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is another recipe from the Limón province. Instead of relying on whims and potential problems of natural
fermentation, baker’s yeast is used.
Here are the ingredients: 2 cups
of white rice, 4 lbs of sugar, 1 orange, 1 lime, ¼ ounce of yeast, 1 gallon of
water, 1 lb of dried fruit and six cinnamon sticks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rice is washed and then dried. Then it is put in a glass jar with the water
and the dried fruit and cinnamon. The
yeast is then added on top. The orange
and lime are peeled and cut in half, and then added to the glass jar. Remove the lime after one week and the orange
after two weeks of fermentation. After
three weeks, strain out the rice and bottle the wine. If you have Campden tablets, use them. You now have cheap un-distilled saki with the citrus and
cinnamon flavors!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>References</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.elmundoforestal.com/album/index1.html">http://www.elmundoforestal.com/album/index1.html</a></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-16350348837656789672012-04-11T21:44:00.000-07:002012-04-11T21:44:59.791-07:00Costa Rica Art: A Santa Cruz Wood Carver<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9vtSATdrRl3Z87nLJV0sxqaFt2UxBSFYCGsuMUQX4BdIjmoC7p5-MWOsDkgr_hJ20CfHSIteCr6E-Uj6YMqW-L0W4POOBvFW-TVrsu-Wy2d1w_3la4sgKXPgHT8gC-wKw7yLHKeCp6U/s1600/synthetic+marble+carvings+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9vtSATdrRl3Z87nLJV0sxqaFt2UxBSFYCGsuMUQX4BdIjmoC7p5-MWOsDkgr_hJ20CfHSIteCr6E-Uj6YMqW-L0W4POOBvFW-TVrsu-Wy2d1w_3la4sgKXPgHT8gC-wKw7yLHKeCp6U/s320/synthetic+marble+carvings+30%25.jpg" width="320" /></a>Costa Rica Art is varied, to say the least. For instance there is <a href="http://guanacastecostarica-mitierra.blogspot.com/2011/09/chorotega-pottery-from-guanacaste-costa.html" target="_blank">Chorotega Pottery</a> and I have posted pictures of some shell art. One of the forms I like best are pieces carved from wood. So, on my way to the beach recently, we stopped alongside the road near Santa Cruz and visited a workshop that shows off the art that you see below. The artist does large wooden carvings of women, busts, masks, bowls and several small objects. He also works with synthetic marble as you can see to the left doing masks, iguanas, turtles and mortars with pestles. Small creatures are also carved in wood and there was even a toucan in the shop.<br />
<br />
<br />
The quoted price on the woman holding the ball (fifth photo down) was over $2,000, so I don't think it is a place to look for a bargain, but I would try it if I were interested in a particular piece. That may be a special price for tourists, however. There are various price levels depending on the gullibility of the buyer and the seller's perceived money gains based on the language you speak and the color of your skin. There is a saying in Costa Rica related to extracting all the money out of someone - "Sacar el jugo," or to "extract all of the juice." <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCwMxi_-Y5uPGvQV5IPjAWWeMJZv5MPzjVxthKLuBBXpX0vWbrCZ_9RcTm7O6RBHKFyBTeLXorq6NJty8AzFxrYaHpGYPw1D3UceduSq0_ie6Z5A3V0hoEbDWatnPzIRhtQ91xrfDefc/s1600/Nude+carving+near+matapalo+tree+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCwMxi_-Y5uPGvQV5IPjAWWeMJZv5MPzjVxthKLuBBXpX0vWbrCZ_9RcTm7O6RBHKFyBTeLXorq6NJty8AzFxrYaHpGYPw1D3UceduSq0_ie6Z5A3V0hoEbDWatnPzIRhtQ91xrfDefc/s320/Nude+carving+near+matapalo+tree+30%25.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nude near matapalo tree (strangler fig)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The workshop had all of its tools outside, chickens wandering around and an outdoor kitchen shed. I have included the photo of the rooster below because he was a good-looking specimen. The photo of the <a href="http://www.redgage.com/photos/RandyM/outdoor-kitchen-shed-santa-cruz-costa-rica.html" target="_blank">outdoor kitchen</a> shed is posted on RedGage. <br />
<br />
The artist does very good work and the finish on the carved pieces is professionally done. The wood grain on some works is stunning and the artist works well with the grain patterns. I may stop by there again someday for a present for someone special. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwG3y6n68u6bBbrNPhl6GXASFLtbY20OV6nVE4EvUX6zGaAX59VByImMCv4xT75ccUqC_twyE1LsZWvzbEqZ0A1_q9uFrM0hak9A48C2wjEfb2jzOsjikz999-fY8Bf2ONDn2PiGRpbQ/s1600/Statue+Lovers+kissing+cleaned.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwG3y6n68u6bBbrNPhl6GXASFLtbY20OV6nVE4EvUX6zGaAX59VByImMCv4xT75ccUqC_twyE1LsZWvzbEqZ0A1_q9uFrM0hak9A48C2wjEfb2jzOsjikz999-fY8Bf2ONDn2PiGRpbQ/s320/Statue+Lovers+kissing+cleaned.png" width="248" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOvuc30e5YA_k6Rq4GApDCRdTEuO4_0raK-G65pDWnR2L8e64RPa0MgqkFgNzJDMMEh4bWAN2iZ4iSIr5j-IC6L_qldYFAReMRvQ-F8D-FNFxcvgFgyn8lWQXpz_I7ZqVSMtsFqSpTJ8/s1600/Rooster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjzUcE-6ORpn4CDDl4n5mgFSPSrGCksrYDbL4sORK_6zM3Ax9tz9Nr171v2xSPFw5TiZAEijFq8xBKi7l_G_I3uuV8ScjHOmYY-2X3wNmj4nLsHst5t66mwrQjqsYafhyphenhyphenWtqDfqhW7pU/s1600/Wooden+masks+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjzUcE-6ORpn4CDDl4n5mgFSPSrGCksrYDbL4sORK_6zM3Ax9tz9Nr171v2xSPFw5TiZAEijFq8xBKi7l_G_I3uuV8ScjHOmYY-2X3wNmj4nLsHst5t66mwrQjqsYafhyphenhyphenWtqDfqhW7pU/s320/Wooden+masks+30%25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The masks are very creative.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiTF-V8-9l_H7ZpV39yH3bFq0gMsZJVAf6g173RhXFz6u794Pp6U9iGWca35ePA-kos9J9aqwfSM8-D3nPXPbZ0Z4ypwtJKzZDcpZlozJ8TxPe0BAFxEBqPi5cYCwx8wsTrq-mxNtSPo/s1600/Wooden+woman+holding+ball+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiTF-V8-9l_H7ZpV39yH3bFq0gMsZJVAf6g173RhXFz6u794Pp6U9iGWca35ePA-kos9J9aqwfSM8-D3nPXPbZ0Z4ypwtJKzZDcpZlozJ8TxPe0BAFxEBqPi5cYCwx8wsTrq-mxNtSPo/s320/Wooden+woman+holding+ball+30%25.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The $2,400 woman holding the ball and the workshop in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOvuc30e5YA_k6Rq4GApDCRdTEuO4_0raK-G65pDWnR2L8e64RPa0MgqkFgNzJDMMEh4bWAN2iZ4iSIr5j-IC6L_qldYFAReMRvQ-F8D-FNFxcvgFgyn8lWQXpz_I7ZqVSMtsFqSpTJ8/s1600/Rooster.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOvuc30e5YA_k6Rq4GApDCRdTEuO4_0raK-G65pDWnR2L8e64RPa0MgqkFgNzJDMMEh4bWAN2iZ4iSIr5j-IC6L_qldYFAReMRvQ-F8D-FNFxcvgFgyn8lWQXpz_I7ZqVSMtsFqSpTJ8/s320/Rooster.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The proud rooster of the workshop area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-11084624655575840122012-04-06T09:32:00.000-07:002012-04-06T09:32:48.766-07:00Playa Virador and Nacascolo, Papagayo Peninsula<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpB4zrLu1VSO1pRucpZNPXWVyUwBZyxeaJPwRNQUFpPpy0xOn0A8TNZduUJ2zluI7zSOFYA6sYAl4RwDd2JSnLeoDvV4hyN9pv16n4B_pTnNwTegXxelQyUTu-j0JhqgBxVmM8CnNhhM/s1600/Playa+Virador+east+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpB4zrLu1VSO1pRucpZNPXWVyUwBZyxeaJPwRNQUFpPpy0xOn0A8TNZduUJ2zluI7zSOFYA6sYAl4RwDd2JSnLeoDvV4hyN9pv16n4B_pTnNwTegXxelQyUTu-j0JhqgBxVmM8CnNhhM/s320/Playa+Virador+east+30%25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach has basaltic cliffs on each end.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There are four beaches on Papagayo Peninsula, Virador, Prieta, Nacoscolo and Blanca. Playa Virador is the beach that adjoins the hotel on Papagayo Peninsula. It faces northwest and is more windy than the beaches on the southwest sides of the peninsula, so there are more waves. There are virtually no waves on Playa Nacoscolo. <br />
<br />
<b>Virador Beach.</b> If you are not a tourist who is staying at the hotel, you have to walk up and down and up and down again to get to Virador beach. It is about a 15-20 minute walk of about 1,000 stairs. If you aren't in good shape, don't make this trip, but there are benches to sit on along the way to catch your breath. The next photo below shows the stairs you have to climb - they are very steep. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkBvhmpc9xVz8bSuCWzPayKANkd_r_atPDrfZhby1JfM60OMCKKLnPwFNEzbTbI2rws0c7s8z8rsDua5QRHcyiHLt4DzxfEV87ehj2ir_TQUw9tz_hVlflclEiQPgFASqtoG8xtqkPCU/s1600/Stairs+Virador+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkBvhmpc9xVz8bSuCWzPayKANkd_r_atPDrfZhby1JfM60OMCKKLnPwFNEzbTbI2rws0c7s8z8rsDua5QRHcyiHLt4DzxfEV87ehj2ir_TQUw9tz_hVlflclEiQPgFASqtoG8xtqkPCU/s400/Stairs+Virador+30%25.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small section of the stairs to the beach.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The view of the beach from the stairs as you approach the beach is good, but it is a little obstructed by the tree canopy along the hillside. You can see the roofs of the hotel and residences there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AUeoR5hoCbuGGWkpUJnN5NTU-VzWDn3z3WZ59fy39q1ERjE1CaGwMpREUaKhK9DxfBh2rIotMWABKQAShST6hHiRyQxMZs80zJK2AGTjjEKQUjA5PuCKYmDe5COTUuXywtuy9xZrbuk/s1600/Papagayo+playa+virador+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AUeoR5hoCbuGGWkpUJnN5NTU-VzWDn3z3WZ59fy39q1ERjE1CaGwMpREUaKhK9DxfBh2rIotMWABKQAShST6hHiRyQxMZs80zJK2AGTjjEKQUjA5PuCKYmDe5COTUuXywtuy9xZrbuk/s400/Papagayo+playa+virador+30%25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tip of Papagayo Peninsula and Playa Virador to the left, hidden by the tree canopy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU8km1rRnhwD_5DxdySU-KigkHNSVJlbfidkYP9OiaEo1i7sMT3eEnzR8FsrDqOXLvSLfJZXvQE5VReXcrptQUbjZSwklV55BhNXB-8U9JXluOCFQaZnVMhC9yn9stwKJ-vcnqsrHCmg/s1600/Boat,+storm,+playa+nacoscolo+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU8km1rRnhwD_5DxdySU-KigkHNSVJlbfidkYP9OiaEo1i7sMT3eEnzR8FsrDqOXLvSLfJZXvQE5VReXcrptQUbjZSwklV55BhNXB-8U9JXluOCFQaZnVMhC9yn9stwKJ-vcnqsrHCmg/s320/Boat,+storm,+playa+nacoscolo+30%25.jpg" width="248" /></a>The water is very clear and there were waves of about a foot or two breaking on the beach. In front of the hotel there are many lounge chairs if you need to rest, and there are some in the shade. There weren't many people on the beach while I was there - a couple fishing, a girl sunbathing, a group of kids flying kites and a couple resting in the shade under a tree with their two little dogs. This couple had walked to the playa as well, as I saw them later board the bus with us back to the parking lot.<br />
<br />
<b>Nacoscolo Beach. </b>This is the time of the year where the seasons are changing and we are starting to see an occasional thunderstorm. It rained across the bay (Bahia Culebra, or Snake Bay) and to the east while we were there. The photo below is taken from Playa Nacoscolo during the thunderstorm that occurred that day. It stayed dry on the peninsula. If you want to know more about <a href="http://randy-m.hubpages.com/hub/Guanacaste-Costa-Rica-Weather" target="_blank">Guanacaste weather</a>, click the link for a page I prepared on that topic. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4p5OsKDeysu9MPZ8fyEK6AyYnNIZ2gYxBcACS49tEI_kZ5qz-TvjkgY7c8v-nGNG5gnEm4ZMmlwsVhGkyAPXHbG7kTdhFjcFO6VJ6W8BMLuYaH0vDwGYAXC8DxsI2K5JX006_ekADuc/s1600/Waves+playa+nacoscolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4p5OsKDeysu9MPZ8fyEK6AyYnNIZ2gYxBcACS49tEI_kZ5qz-TvjkgY7c8v-nGNG5gnEm4ZMmlwsVhGkyAPXHbG7kTdhFjcFO6VJ6W8BMLuYaH0vDwGYAXC8DxsI2K5JX006_ekADuc/s200/Waves+playa+nacoscolo.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tranquil Playa Nacoscolo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nacascolo beach is a great place to take a swim. The water is calm and it is a long beach like Virador. The access to this beach is suitable for those with handicaps and wheelchairs can be easily maneuvered along the 100-yard long boardwalk. There are only two stair steps at the beach to deal with. People arrive in this beach in numbers, but it is long enough to accommodate quite a few and there are shade trees along the way to set up a hammock or rest from the sun. <br />
<br />
From Nacoscolo, you can see Playa Panama to the right on the other side of the bay and there is the new Papagayo Marina to the left, which is big enough to service large yachts. There were two big ones there during this particular trip. <br />
<br />
Lastly, here are some photos of some of a seedpod and two flowers I viewed that day on Papagayo Peninsula. The Plumeria I saw along the arduous journey to Playa Virador.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb237dzrXLBJRZv9JdtmWhrQNxdOKhNbgymG0ngj6TjUazcKykKnZKGDXmmKKbvXiTXzyCNKskA2vl0rK0dvF5X-7TVCMOOsWz6gK_p9h3idf0_NcpMNcAchiListjmMeKn2jfQ1oxpUI/s1600/Plumeria+flower+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb237dzrXLBJRZv9JdtmWhrQNxdOKhNbgymG0ngj6TjUazcKykKnZKGDXmmKKbvXiTXzyCNKskA2vl0rK0dvF5X-7TVCMOOsWz6gK_p9h3idf0_NcpMNcAchiListjmMeKn2jfQ1oxpUI/s400/Plumeria+flower+30%25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plumeria flower. The stairs gave me a bird's eye view that made this photo possible.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPK2lZZAXc80hIv1xM8vMgryhPXwXd20hyphenhyphenmhnfYAEZG0pac8qI2r9OruYe-L6NuE_ISpWq000BCF6mIbs_5SjRufTD5PZqO_ELd-eZ2xPfQKOE0ckCtLzPu1fcXRPDe_yyIabpvCD9OWY/s1600/pochote+seed+pod+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPK2lZZAXc80hIv1xM8vMgryhPXwXd20hyphenhyphenmhnfYAEZG0pac8qI2r9OruYe-L6NuE_ISpWq000BCF6mIbs_5SjRufTD5PZqO_ELd-eZ2xPfQKOE0ckCtLzPu1fcXRPDe_yyIabpvCD9OWY/s400/pochote+seed+pod+30%25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pochote tree seed pod. A very spiny tree that is used for lumber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQq0Xfju__KVAtQuDeTbcr5f8ovqvnAMuuX7L526fjjsRy4EIfhV4HxTcmTSx2Y7js8P4CjBM3cJbEFHXX7-nXj_RImMT8LKh-h2eTryoWOQBtkkMU-SbP05xmy-nKC3EF6S_EO2uos8/s1600/Papagayo+flower+small+tree+pkg+lot+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQq0Xfju__KVAtQuDeTbcr5f8ovqvnAMuuX7L526fjjsRy4EIfhV4HxTcmTSx2Y7js8P4CjBM3cJbEFHXX7-nXj_RImMT8LKh-h2eTryoWOQBtkkMU-SbP05xmy-nKC3EF6S_EO2uos8/s400/Papagayo+flower+small+tree+pkg+lot+30%25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is from a small tree near the parking lot where you take the bus to the beaches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-3211843167559995182012-03-09T14:03:00.001-08:002012-03-09T14:03:39.848-08:00Curubande Moon<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURo8a0MdnqlMwlDz2sF67cimwBFKUt0fSNFc4o2fzNddXGszLKUf0gqI0_F-ElJUG2-LUdFMTTDIhXW0i6QrNay5ixVdVmJfw4C1ILaoi0_oQV_GG5ULw_TkavfUxO7psW36hfpGsLKU/s1600/Curubande+Moon1+2012.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURo8a0MdnqlMwlDz2sF67cimwBFKUt0fSNFc4o2fzNddXGszLKUf0gqI0_F-ElJUG2-LUdFMTTDIhXW0i6QrNay5ixVdVmJfw4C1ILaoi0_oQV_GG5ULw_TkavfUxO7psW36hfpGsLKU/s320/Curubande+Moon1+2012.jpg" /></a><br />
Full moon rising between Rincon de La Vieja and Miravalles Volcanoes, March 7, 2012</div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-9877215706792648802012-02-29T12:07:00.000-08:002012-02-29T12:07:35.514-08:00Tope 28 Feb of the Liberia Fiestas Civicas, 2012<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Rf00pGISzEnIe99qyLSePEVfH6P40D3pauhar5YPJhcvJdZIPeS31alLOKKB7USvH-d5hbkZ9JUM_laou-GbnoDgJ7jaDzVJE7g3TXtL9ikjFMBqBxUMsUffMNjdNrzsq-UDCAbWa9Q/s1600/Hats+of+the+fiestas+2012-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Rf00pGISzEnIe99qyLSePEVfH6P40D3pauhar5YPJhcvJdZIPeS31alLOKKB7USvH-d5hbkZ9JUM_laou-GbnoDgJ7jaDzVJE7g3TXtL9ikjFMBqBxUMsUffMNjdNrzsq-UDCAbWa9Q/s200/Hats+of+the+fiestas+2012-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am fascinated by the variety of hats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was a windy day and the sidewalks were crowded, but I found a shady spot to hang out and a chair to stand on to get good video footage of this short parade, or tope, of the Liberia Fiestas Civicas. To the right of my spot was a marimba with three people and one percussionist strumming a gourd. The marimba is the national instrument of Costa Rica. During the fiestas, as many as three or four marimbas are posted about the parade route.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/d8fI3ubXHig?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
The video shows two cimarronas, or brass bands, that traveled by in the backs of pickups and then a dozen or so mascaradas. This was followed by horses and then about a dozen docile oxen that were herded through the procession. <br />
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The marimba was well-played by the three girls and was inspiring the crowd to dance. I did a subdued cumbia with Lucia and there was a lady who got in the groove as well, as you can see in the video. Then, a horseman got off his horse and danced with her to finish off a song. That was gallant!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiLNBwHuWXwliunB2PONQyB97AUJ_vMuToUvdLv_EK-TRGotUer55Zt0dgzDezKdxUp3mEroZ8JwxM7IKQCAmp4bDDPRUMl_BNCIqDnmXOUGdTUZZoWu3gPocEugw1u17eN3TL8IT47w/s1600/Cacique+hat+and+traditional+saddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiLNBwHuWXwliunB2PONQyB97AUJ_vMuToUvdLv_EK-TRGotUer55Zt0dgzDezKdxUp3mEroZ8JwxM7IKQCAmp4bDDPRUMl_BNCIqDnmXOUGdTUZZoWu3gPocEugw1u17eN3TL8IT47w/s320/Cacique+hat+and+traditional+saddle.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cacique hat, traditional saddle and leather ornamentation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The event is a family affair, with many small kids on horses with or without their parents. There is alos a separate tope for small kids. However, many of the men in the parade would not be complete without their Imperial beer can in hand. At the end of the video, one man is taking a swig of Cacique* or coyol (homemade palm wine) from a bull horn vessel. Cacique is the most well-known and drunk hard liquor in Costa Rica. You can drink it like tequila with lime and salt, but it is more or less just tastes like 35% ethyl alcohol without the tequila flavor. It is made from sugar cane. <br />
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The parade lasted for about an hour. It is an informal affair and horsemen stop and start all the way through, talking with each other or with bystanders along the way. Afterwards, many of the horses are parked outside taverns on certain paved side streets on the way to the rondel (rodeo stadium) and carnival grounds. <br />
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*Cacique is an indigenous term meaning "chief."Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-66724126274976607662012-02-28T10:39:00.003-08:002012-02-29T22:07:53.088-08:00Playa Nacoscolo - Papagayo Peninsula<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrGZfgpMe3hUEXwoD28WmaklZ47LIcT8Xdlijyp7xvH_JFDbzB5-_sgu0kFiQrX_U_1m_lQseHgZNGiZ9FubJ3F682tPBC6d4pMlPqJBg03ukuytSn3hqFn-UFfwUadI8Oc4kBVIkdtE/s1600/In+the+Water+In+the+Chair+Playa+Nacoscolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrGZfgpMe3hUEXwoD28WmaklZ47LIcT8Xdlijyp7xvH_JFDbzB5-_sgu0kFiQrX_U_1m_lQseHgZNGiZ9FubJ3F682tPBC6d4pMlPqJBg03ukuytSn3hqFn-UFfwUadI8Oc4kBVIkdtE/s200/In+the+Water+In+the+Chair+Playa+Nacoscolo.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>A week before, we went to visit Nacoscolo beach on the southeast side of Papagayo Peninsula. This beach fronts Bahia Culebra (Snake Bay) and Playa Panama is on the other side a little southwest. A very long snake was crossing the road as we were approaching the parking lot, so perhaps the area has the appropriate name, but this is the first time I have seen one in at least 6 trips to this beach.<br />
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At the parking lot, you have to take a bus to access the beaches. We have always gone to Nacoscolo, as the other beaches require you to descend and climb quite a lot. These beaches include Prieta, Virador and Blanca. Playa Nacoscolo has a wooden boardwalk that allows easy access to the beach. It is about a 2-3 minute walk through the trees.<br />
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It was a windy day, as you can see in the video, but it wasn't stirring up enough wave action to disturb the fellow who plunked down his chair in the water in the photo above. I saw a few things that might interest others, so I am sharing the following video. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hfcIpmJz7KY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
The beach at the end of the day. We made it out on the last bus back to the parking lot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF05pYzIY5t2Rsc9EMiwlNfJ2qJRsWtH1bQbIcePsA633p2gmMWi7kp-CJNjPVDZt4WTKso_OqFRS5I0OD7LACwf8L8JyWYmTXEGiPoWNfjcY7V3l6ogbNGi-p_Jfjrfg_L_QD4CY4-yo/s1600/Playa+Nacoscola+at+the+end+of+the+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF05pYzIY5t2Rsc9EMiwlNfJ2qJRsWtH1bQbIcePsA633p2gmMWi7kp-CJNjPVDZt4WTKso_OqFRS5I0OD7LACwf8L8JyWYmTXEGiPoWNfjcY7V3l6ogbNGi-p_Jfjrfg_L_QD4CY4-yo/s400/Playa+Nacoscola+at+the+end+of+the+day.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-57736302830631472242012-02-14T06:49:00.000-08:002012-05-05T09:33:08.310-07:00Cepillo - An Unusual Vine that is Common in Guanacaste<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3W3bjydZFWgFUtVBRV7i0t46ljsNfKfYiOnlUmVmQ8DhIclvcZL6kQ4Jqunuf-QtIjgrvuLmNnIZnGzNXyhyRu6iNsPePqo9xGzIiNiBdkANP5PSpLO86prkCIFPywuRIYwXXtB9POR4/s1600/20120212_2429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3W3bjydZFWgFUtVBRV7i0t46ljsNfKfYiOnlUmVmQ8DhIclvcZL6kQ4Jqunuf-QtIjgrvuLmNnIZnGzNXyhyRu6iNsPePqo9xGzIiNiBdkANP5PSpLO86prkCIFPywuRIYwXXtB9POR4/s400/20120212_2429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This flower is known by some in Guanacaste as <i>cepillo</i>, or brush. I have seen many of these blooms alongside the road during mid-February, when almost all of the trees are flowering as well. It is the flower of a vine, and when it climbs up a tree, seeing all of the blooms at once is striking and beautiful. <br />
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This particular flower was on Playa Flamingo. The scientific name of the vine is <i>Combretum farinosum</i> and it can be found from southern Mexico to Costa Rica. The flower provides nectar for hummingbirds when it is green. This particular bloom is transitioning almost all the way to maturity, with a little green remaining toward the stem end. <br />
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<b>Reference</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.tropicos.org/name/08200243?projectid=3" target="_blank">Flora Mesoamerica</a><br />
<br /></div>Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0180, Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica10.436156755181035 -85.78588485717773410.420540755181035 -85.805625857177731 10.451772755181034 -85.766143857177738tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-58022625930594497672012-02-07T16:25:00.000-08:002012-02-08T12:25:27.163-08:00Photos from a Day Trip to Hacienda Guachipelin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4I3L_QsIPqsEsDqzRiuLwgYL5a3hSEqIChNDBMiASfaZehgVKRVy-emNYspSmPBdbsiieCNay_zfOJoul-j9NXOtlMWu-D9NSAlowLR4XQ3s-u97-Rao_lXVj2LgV_RzrzbCHvputBb8/s1600/wild+boar+guachepelin+resort+25%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4I3L_QsIPqsEsDqzRiuLwgYL5a3hSEqIChNDBMiASfaZehgVKRVy-emNYspSmPBdbsiieCNay_zfOJoul-j9NXOtlMWu-D9NSAlowLR4XQ3s-u97-Rao_lXVj2LgV_RzrzbCHvputBb8/s320/wild+boar+guachepelin+resort+25%25.jpg" width="268" /></a>On the left, you can see a photo of a white-collared peccary I encountered I came to the conclusion that it was a semi-domesticated moocher near the kitchen of the restaurant at Hacienda Guachipelin. He came up to greet me as I was leaving the reptile house and walking over a small wooden bridge. Peccaries are potentially aggressive, but this one seemed to be on its best behavior. But the overhanging tusks looked threatening, so I didn't become too friendly with him.<br />
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I was at the <a href="http://www.guachipelin.com/">Haciena Guachipelin</a>, which is located at the foot of Rincon de la Vieja Park, on a day trip with several other people. It is about a 35-minute ride northeast of Liberia via the road through Cañas Dulce. The day trip included a trip to the hot springs baths, a tour of the reptile house and a tasty typical lunch at the restaurant. Since I live in Liberia, I didn't have a need to spend the night. <br />
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Here are also one photo that I took at the reptile house. I don't know the species of the snake, but it is apparently a pit viper.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KylpFAT8Q2g/TzG04C981RI/AAAAAAAAAR0/QgF4baRaV4Q/s576/Large+tree+with+buttress+roots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6Tdo4JVhLk/TzGnzQrcaWI/AAAAAAAAARM/maW1NAqPfRg/s576/Viper+Guachipelin+25%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6Tdo4JVhLk/TzGnzQrcaWI/AAAAAAAAARM/maW1NAqPfRg/s400/Viper+Guachipelin+25%25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The 15-minute trip to the hot springs is on the back of a trailer-carriage that is pulled by a 4-wheel drive tractor (called a chapulin in Costa Rica). The road into the valley where the pools are located is up and down and bumpy. Some people elect to go there on horseback.<br />
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The pools are shaded from direct sun by the forest canopy and are surrounded by wood decking. A very nice place to hang out for a couple of hours. And, if you wish, you can slather volcanic mud on your body if you wish. <br />
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There is a trail that goes out into the forest where I saw an impressive tree with buttress roots fanning out several meters from the trunk. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KylpFAT8Q2g/TzG04C981RI/AAAAAAAAAR0/QgF4baRaV4Q/s576/Large+tree+with+buttress+roots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KylpFAT8Q2g/TzG04C981RI/AAAAAAAAAR0/QgF4baRaV4Q/s320/Large+tree+with+buttress+roots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And, I also found some curious-looking tree fruits and a colorful shelf fungus along the trail. All-in-all, it was a very pleasant trip which I might do again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcO50PZHqQg/TzG5XtiDU2I/AAAAAAAAASY/SaiKgl2WHhI/s576/Shelf+fungus+guachipelin+20%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcO50PZHqQg/TzG5XtiDU2I/AAAAAAAAASY/SaiKgl2WHhI/s320/Shelf+fungus+guachipelin+20%25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-49266933776428726912012-02-03T04:34:00.000-08:002013-01-09T09:14:12.791-08:00The Solution for My Internet Speed Problems<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mrg.bz/Ng57JI" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://mrg.bz/Ng57JI" width="320" /></a></div>
I have found <b>a couple of solutions</b> to my <a href="http://guanacastecostarica-mitierra.blogspot.com/2012/01/making-complaints-about-internet.html">download speed problem with CableTica</a>. With help of a member of my family, I found out that CableTica has Internet service through a provider other than RACSA (Radiografica....). It was possible to maintain the same contract rate that I was having for 1.5 Mbps and upgrade to 2 Mbps using their other provider.<br />
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On testmy.net, the provider is listed as Cable Tica instead of Radiografica. All is good now, I have much better consistency of download speeds and I am glad that they had this solution available for my problem. On the other hand, I don't know why they don't abandon RACSA as a provider if they can't do their job. I have noted that in 2012, there was a push by ICE, the state-run owner of RACSA to sell more connections to homes. I wouldn't recommend that.<br />
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<b>Another solution</b>, which seems to come in handy at times, is to use a cell phone as WiFi hotspot. I still use ICE as a provider for the cell phone service, and I have an Android phone which can be easily converted to work as a hotspot. Still, there are times when the service slows down to next to nothing. So, the cell phone hotspot solution is a nice way to bridge over the valleys. But, still there are even gaps in the cell phone data service by ICE. So it won't work all the time. Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-46816085798871159842012-02-02T20:20:00.000-08:002012-02-04T07:28:52.476-08:00Preparing for the Fiestas Civicas in Liberia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WlCj5RmkfRGv681jTuyg4GSp8xYE9G-SCspGZ8AhYuTADXC7BgG5YHiC_gfOq_BpyggCMXzI4ntRDfybue-t_ZUgwz8wnzwnFxqf8NEuhCUoqM2p10xyCdWK2Yyz5skPvhVoCEVx8qc/s1600/Tope+2010+-a+horses+30%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WlCj5RmkfRGv681jTuyg4GSp8xYE9G-SCspGZ8AhYuTADXC7BgG5YHiC_gfOq_BpyggCMXzI4ntRDfybue-t_ZUgwz8wnzwnFxqf8NEuhCUoqM2p10xyCdWK2Yyz5skPvhVoCEVx8qc/s320/Tope+2010+-a+horses+30%25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tope 2010.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The 2012 Fiestas Civicas will be coming to Liberia soon - the end of the month. They have already elected the queen and her princesses and there are people at work rebuilding the <i>rondel</i> (rodeo arena) for the toros. The stand for vending <i>coyol</i> is partly erected downtown. It is called a <i>coyolera</i>.<br />
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I am stopping buy the arena and am taking a series of photos on how they build it. So, when it is done, I can share that.<br />
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The bleachers are put together, pole-by-pole and plank-by-plank with nails. When the Fiestas is over it is all taken down and put away in storage. There is no permanent arena, as you can find in other places like Bagaces. The poles, or cut trees, hold up the stands and they are sunk into the ground, one-by-one. <br />
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At this stage, 3 weeks before the fiestas, they have completed one of the about 8 stand sections, as well as most of the cattle loading chute. They have a lot of work to do yet. So until later, when I can post the photo series.....Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-38152008446797023042012-01-27T17:47:00.000-08:002012-01-27T17:47:19.266-08:00Making Complaints About Internet Service Speed in Costa Rica<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS4vVxiD1YmVX3O15LCMk40wjTCRluW3C9QHcqjmGOT-zhk-AOvqGL-gjIkEPIavG7fDODA1QgLVCiRZ7wMMLGssaNp7b67ldzAQSU3LbgRC1rg4pczk6eH7rO-Y41wJS15DEsbSHMRk/s1600/Internet+Download+Speed+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS4vVxiD1YmVX3O15LCMk40wjTCRluW3C9QHcqjmGOT-zhk-AOvqGL-gjIkEPIavG7fDODA1QgLVCiRZ7wMMLGssaNp7b67ldzAQSU3LbgRC1rg4pczk6eH7rO-Y41wJS15DEsbSHMRk/s320/Internet+Download+Speed+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scatter plot of my download speeds versus time of day (military time) for January 18-27, 2012. Test results from data accumulated from testmy.net. The average download speed was 0.743, one-half of the 1.5 Mbps that I am paying for.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Many Internet users in Costa Rica need to make complaints about their Internet service speed. The download and upload speeds average well below what we are paying for. Consistent bandwidth availability does not exist all across the country. Frequently there is none, or the download speeds are as much as 70-80% lower than one's subscription. The problem is not limited to the provider, as I am aware of both AMNET and CableTica users who are very unsatisfied with their service. (1,2)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtwtQjZ-YyAxpefJNFmoxbBU1cxH6MecKTOVMaUNtBTVlglHlWSn1aM8P5jlJNSdADl9aSNw6DOe_JjUY-xn3KOKhOpqaHnwHaeOHQweMv9ZtLYTfkUiWpKdd6iOXoHiUl4gL1GjTP2k/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-27+at+10.57.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtwtQjZ-YyAxpefJNFmoxbBU1cxH6MecKTOVMaUNtBTVlglHlWSn1aM8P5jlJNSdADl9aSNw6DOe_JjUY-xn3KOKhOpqaHnwHaeOHQweMv9ZtLYTfkUiWpKdd6iOXoHiUl4gL1GjTP2k/s320/Screen+shot+2012-01-27+at+10.57.31+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inconsistency of download speeds over the period shown. At the dips, forget about waiting for a YouTube video to download. At the dips, also forget about using Skype for phone calls.</td></tr>
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On their web site, CableTica has the following answer to a question on their FAQ page (zoom in to see it):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrOk9XLiizC21D-wR77aQ_-00F7s5Ydp__OHD742JNbbfPjg9fYxYts0hWRrRhBBO5QT3eDHVf0djgK-vXMubplDcWYvOCSP2vWAuPSdljN5-27pPhFCPaq3EHjMZGF1o2f3QzouJf0Y/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-27+at+6.15.24+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrOk9XLiizC21D-wR77aQ_-00F7s5Ydp__OHD742JNbbfPjg9fYxYts0hWRrRhBBO5QT3eDHVf0djgK-vXMubplDcWYvOCSP2vWAuPSdljN5-27pPhFCPaq3EHjMZGF1o2f3QzouJf0Y/s400/Screen+shot+2012-01-27+at+6.15.24+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A screen capture from the CableTica web site on January 27, 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Translated in English, the question is: "Are you guaranteeing the velocity as stated in the contract?" The answer is: "<span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps">While</span> <span class="hps">there is no</span> <span class="hps">formal</span> <span class="hps">commitment</span> <span class="hps">to guarantee the</span> <span class="hps">contracted speed</span>, <span class="hps">the Engineering Department</span> <span class="hps">strives to maintain</span> <span class="hps">the highest levels</span> <span class="hps">of stability</span> <span class="hps">and connectivity for</span> <span class="hps">our customers." </span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps">Basically, they are saying "we will take your money and not guarantee you anything." </span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps">This statement and its implied pissy attitude towards customers is in direct conflict with consumer protection laws set forth by ARESEP, the regulating agency in Costa Rica. </span></span><b>These regulations require Internet service providers to provide 80% of the promised speed to homes and 85% to small businesses</b>, which make up most of the customers in this country. This means, if you are paying for 1 Mbps download speed, you should be getting, on average, 800 Kbps to your home and 850 Kbps to small businesses. The specific law (Article 98) with these stipulations is available on the <a href="http://sutel.go.cr/Ver/Contenido/reglamentos/66">SUTEL</a> (a department of ARESEP regulating telephony and Internet) page, "Regulation of delivery and quality of service" ("Reglamento de prestación y calidad de servicio"). You can download the pdf document by clicking the SUTEL link.<br />
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I believe that the public is not really complaining enough (or effectively) to their service providers. I say this because, according to s SUTEL report for 2011, a little more than 340 complaints reached SUTEL. Only 24 of the complaints were for cable and Internet companies. AMNET received the most complaints.<br />
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<b>Making a formal complaint. </b> The formal complaint process requires customers to file their beef with the service provider. The service provider is supposed to respond within 10 days. If they don't respond or if their response is not satisfactory, then the complaint can proceed to SUTEL. I recommend that each person complain in person, taking a copy of the complaint letter and having a signed/stamped/dated receipt to make their complaints official. <br />
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<b>Recording your Internet Download Speed. </b>According to the regulations, you don't have to prove your situation, it is up to the provider. But I think it important to provide supporting documentation in case of an appeal to SUTEL. As you can see in the first graph above, I use testmy.net for testing and creating a log of the data. This service is free and it is a reliable test method, better than the flash method of testing download speed. You can do screen shots of the data or you can download the data in a csv file to import into Excel. Then you can make a graphs like the ones above. Testmy.net also makes a graph of your data and calculates average download and upload rates. <br />
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<b>References:</b><br />
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1. Inside Costa Rica.com. 2012. <a href="http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2012/january/23/costarica12012302.htm">Amnet Tops List Of Customer Complaints Against Cable and Internet Providers.</a><br />
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2. El Finaciero. 2012. <a href="http://www.elfinancierocr.com/ef_archivo/2011/agosto/21/tecnologia2879646.html">La nueva red de Internet 4G Japi llega a Costa Rica</a> (Comments at the end of the article.<br />
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3. CableTica. 2010. <a href="http://www.cabletica.com/principal/residencial_faq-cableticatv.php">FAQ: Servicio de Internet</a>.Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-7567696942713216642012-01-23T18:08:00.000-08:002013-01-28T14:11:05.588-08:00Come on In Thieves, But Be NiceI thought that you might find this an interesting sign, which was posted outside a home. It basically says to thieves "we don't have much but you are welcome to come in and take what we have - but please be nice." This is not the original, which was in Spanish.<br />
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The original was a photo that I discovered on Facebook - under the profile of "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=310393995664519&set=a.275731972464055.62223.199635993406987&type=1&theater">Solo en Costa Rica</a>," or "Only in Costa Rica." On this site you can find various amusing photos of strange, but true sights from various locations around the country. I recommend the site for some amusement or if you are having a slow day. So, here it is what the sign said, translated into English:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn3tTPoLd1AkwdsyQWfR5g9Qk2UmB0V2cntBjcKHvSCYQ4d6_EKv11gXreQEQ0UkJu9MicuHxoKZkdqtsN4ZxbI2pkcMeUGg7y51Bxv551gSSUPaPAktsJETQ-Gti-K9uvHu8NYldlVc/s1600/Notice+to+thieves+CAPS.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn3tTPoLd1AkwdsyQWfR5g9Qk2UmB0V2cntBjcKHvSCYQ4d6_EKv11gXreQEQ0UkJu9MicuHxoKZkdqtsN4ZxbI2pkcMeUGg7y51Bxv551gSSUPaPAktsJETQ-Gti-K9uvHu8NYldlVc/s400/Notice+to+thieves+CAPS.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I did add the flowers, I thought it more in keeping with the tone of the sign. Peace and Love!Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755494422799915088.post-38251209356107156732012-01-11T12:36:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:36:29.035-08:00Brown Pelican Photo Collage<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVH7AncJdgZcbkwchqJSDTUcHMX2_vwPzfknxexcR5Ho60f2T5rX7y7mr8Wvqe-4c3VExmo9MX45Hvow4tOujuTxbO1aQ53JGNTXvVJvHY1g-eOPmkkpqUlSc8UT1eS-gETzUftblls4/s1600/Pelican+photos.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVH7AncJdgZcbkwchqJSDTUcHMX2_vwPzfknxexcR5Ho60f2T5rX7y7mr8Wvqe-4c3VExmo9MX45Hvow4tOujuTxbO1aQ53JGNTXvVJvHY1g-eOPmkkpqUlSc8UT1eS-gETzUftblls4/s400/Pelican+photos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pelican family (left center) and a pelican who was fishing on the southwest end of Playa Hermosa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><br />
I went to the southwest end of Hermosa Beach yesterday and took these photos and others. The people were mostly on the northeast end, so they were looking for a peaceful place to search for food. I sat down once I saw the one bird. A little later, a family with a young pelican (the brown one in the middle of the photo) showed up. My patience paid off when the lone bird did some aerial acrobatics (looking for fish perhaps) and landed down back at the same place to catch a fish. He did that twice. It was a sunny day with lots of cirrus clouds and towards the end, the waves reached 2 meters in height.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0oMGY8vzLEX-iU-5mI89MJp9S5HpQ0nBQzUxkCqGBqd_KLMxHfhy7dJM0u2rsvS8iw4etNvdxv8qRqvjAX1GHgadlYlUOIBfS5n2_-_XAnB_hN4UhU1qBZq4qArBo5VgmBhCn2nxFps/s1600/Two+fisherman+hermosa+25%2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0oMGY8vzLEX-iU-5mI89MJp9S5HpQ0nBQzUxkCqGBqd_KLMxHfhy7dJM0u2rsvS8iw4etNvdxv8qRqvjAX1GHgadlYlUOIBfS5n2_-_XAnB_hN4UhU1qBZq4qArBo5VgmBhCn2nxFps/s320/Two+fisherman+hermosa+25%2525.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two fishermen who were nearby. Costa Ricans rarely use fishing poles. They seemed to be having less luck than then pelican.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Randy M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810155228868140636noreply@blogger.com0