"It's really happening!

It's pretty amazing to watch your dreams come to fruition...now that Matt and I are on site full time at the finca, we are watching a new world unfold before us!

Though we are in the midst of a hectic construction zone at the base area, we have been getting out to enjoy the scenery, friendly people, and activities of the Osa region. Even though the day-to-day logistics of the project can include stuck delivery trucks or a long wait in a bank line, such annoyances seem trivial once we’re wrapped up in the unique experiences awaiting us at the finca. Every day this unique speck on the globe shows its true colors to us. Countless birds, butterflies, frogs and lizards visit, even though construction on several base area structures is in full force. The birds particularly like a tree next to our house/office, and practically line up to eat the orange-colored berries. (It’s the small things in life that count, isn’t it?) As I typed this, a beautiful black, white and yellow hummingbird that I’ve never seen before buzzed me. Yesterday, three toucans visited for the entire day, hopping from tree to tree at the base area. On the growing list of things to learn, aside from fluent Spanish and local flora of course, are the names of some of these critters flying around here every day! It would probably take a lifetime to learn them all. Last night we watched a beautiful full moon rise up over the mountains, lighting up the fog nestled in the valleys.

Now that we are on site, we get to experience all the quirks of Costa Rica living. Yes, “Tico Time” is a real thing…business and pleasure move at a much mellower pace here. It’s a challenge for us hard-wired Americans to ratchet down our frantic lives while still getting everything done that needs to be done in a day. Though it’s been a frustrating lesson for us to learn, things are moving forward (though it usually takes a couple days longer than we originally anticipated.) Luckily, we also have a hard-working crew of guys that are making things happen on the ground here. The community’s trail network is well underway, with stairs and safer access to some spectacular swimming holes already in place. Owen and Marcial are hard at work on the Sky Trail network of zip lines and platforms. Plans for the base area are taking shape as well. Just this week, gravel trucks finished improvements on the base area parking lot and leveling out the driveway. Two cabinas are underway along with several elevated camping platforms. The community’s satellite was installed in early January 2008, making high-speed Internet and WIFI available at the base area! This is turning into a great spot to stay for owners interested in having a comfortable place to stay while brainstorming ideas for their own tree houses or building them.

Being here the last few weeks has also reminded us that Finca Bellavista, as a community, will have multiple opportunities to make positive impacts in the Osa region. While driving home from Rio Claro the other day, we were lucky enough to spot three rarely seen squirrel monkeys. Unfortunately, one was hit by a car on the InterAmerican Highway, and died. In more developed areas further north in Costa Rica, there are migration ropes that assist animals in safely crossing highways…but the idea hasn’t quite made it down to the Southern Zone. Luckily, we have contacts in the country’s conservation realm that can help us get a system on the ground in the future. Also, recycling opportunities are scarce at best in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica. In rural areas, municipal trash service is lacking, so most people bury their trash in their yards. We are working to create some kind of system for residents of Finca Bellavista to recycle, then hopefully spread the opportunity to others in the region and get a solid program going. We have met most of our neighbors in the area, and the spirit of compromise on things like conservation efforts, recycling, and road maintenance has been strong so far.

Dry season is upon us in the rainforest! I’ve got to say it is very pleasant, and I can notice the slight differences in the tree foliage, flowers and ground cover. One of our employees went snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Rio Bellavista the other day, and saw several freshwater critters that thrive in the lower water levels that dry season brings. Crabs, shrimp, tadpoles and gobies were just a few of them, and we’ll try to get some photos of them in the next couple of weeks…

Roderick Romero and the Treehouse Workshop boys will be here in the middle of February to start work on the first true tree house at Finca Bellavista. Nestled at the base of a 40-foot waterfall, this should be one spectacular sight to behold. Roderick designed the “Waterfall Tree House” as two separate structures, one level floating over the top of the other, which tie into an equilateral triangle of trees.

Expect to hear about more improvements and see new pictures on the website in the coming weeks. See our new photo gallery under the January 2008 heading for recent photos from the past month or so. The finca is starting to be a pretty happening, comfortable place to visit. We hope to see lots of new and familiar faces here soon!"