Vanilla Beans

When son Jonathan was here in Atenas about a year ago he took the time to hand pollenate our valilla orchid vines.  Last week I noticed a few of the beans, now over ten months old, had started to brown and split so I picked them and blanched them in boiling water for a minute.  Now after a week in the midday sun each day they are nice and mahogany brown.  The green ones on the left were just picked today.  They were so high up the vine that I had to have gardener Juan get them using a ladder.  They have just been blanched and are drying on a paper towel. The 100 colones coin is about the size of a quarter.

Well done Jon, thanks.  

Marley and Kat

 Grandaughter Marley and her Mom have been studying the martial arts for some time and from this recent photo they sure seem poised in their poses.  <

Feria =s Farmer's Market

Friday mornings in Atenas, Saturday in Palmares and one morning of the week in every Costa Rica town the farmers haul their produce to a centrally located Farmer's Market or Feria. Here one can get he freshest produce at the best prices and also photos that tell the Pura Vida tale.

Often in addition to produce there are flowers, and baked goods, and fish or poultry and in Atenas the local Animal Shelter offers new puppies and other animals to adopt. 

So, see your at the feria; and don't forget your camera!

.m.

Panama

December 20, 2011 Jean and I drove to Puerto Amuelles, Panama in order to get new tourist visas for Costa Rica upon returning. Hooked on Fishing, Aqua Adventures Lodge a little down the road from there has 11 fine little cabinas with a/c and sat TV and the above view of the sea.

Bing Sat View of Casi el Cielo

http://www.bing.com/maps/embed/?lvl=18&cp=9.993001055309136%7E-84.41587083041644&sty=h&draggable=true&v=2&dir=0&where1=Atenas%2C+Costa+Rica&form=LMLTEW&pp=9.983299970626831%7E-84.38330076634884&emid=26a16dd4-7efb-18b6-8658-b84da7b3a4e9&w=500&h=400

Check out my photos on TripAdvisor TripWow

Link: http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-033a-9158-57a7?em=1&st=59329454

any old hillside

After the first few rains a thousand shades of green return and clouds
outdo some of the tropical blue sky.

Just look around, any old hillside will do.

Pura Vida

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