On the way through Jaco, Max pulled off the main road onto a gravel road and said, "You have to see this place." We saw a sign for the restaurant.
We drove up some pretty steep slopes, all the way to the top of the mountain, which was accompanied by fog clouds all around. A simple, very rustic soda was at the top of the mountain called Rancho Shaddy. The sign reads "Welcome to the place where there's no world crisis." I couldn't have put it better. They had a new floor intalled since Max was there last. After speaking wih them, we learned that the government requierd them to install the floor for safety reasons. They perpared one of the best dishes of chicken and rice that I've had on this trip so far with the most basic of equipment. The view was really amazing from the top of this mountain and because it's at the very top, you can get pretty much a 360 view.
I also picked up a few bracelets and anklets for $1000C ($2USD) each. They were hand made and I really just wanted to support their business. They are really cute though. All made of seeds and string. Two of them I actually really like and plan to wear until they break.
On the way back down the mountain, Max's surfboard fell off the top of the truck. He didn't think to tighten it down on the front as much as he did the back. Oops!
I kept seeing these buildings that used to be homes but now are nothing more than walls. No windows. No roof. Some of them are simply falling apart but you can see they were probably pretty nice in their earlier days. I really am fascinated by these buildings and the thoughts that accompany my view of them of what they were before, who lived there, how they lived, who laughed between the walls, who cried under this roof and everything else. You can walk through the doorways and see very clearly what used to be a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen and so on.
Just the basic living that most of the people have here also interests me. In the United States, we don't realize how spoiled we are with everyday life. The people here really live off the land and live so simply. Many of the homes are basically glorified shacks with tin or palm tree leaf roofs.
The barns or other areas to contain animals are really the most basic necessary.
The fences are basically small trees that have been dug up and replanted in a straight line and then have wire of some sort tied between them. I think they're nicer this way because of the more natural feel.
The ride down to Paso Canoas was enjoyable with the view. Most of the way, we could get a clear view of the ocean.
There were lots of fincas (farms) along the way as well. Cows, palm trees, horses and goat farms are seen all along the way. There is a strip of the highway about 30KM long that is ONLY palm tree fincas. They harvest the palm oil and the kernal. The oil is edible and the kernal is used in foods and to make soap. This is a very profitable business but requires a lot of work.
As soon as Max saw this truck, he screamed at the top of his lungs, "DATSUNNNNNN" because that's what this truck makes him think when he sees it.
Pizza Hut in a trailer. We also saw a Burger King but I didn't get a good photo.
I have no clue what this animal was, so Max turned the truck around so I could get a good photo:
We got to Paso Canoas after a seven hour drive and found a hotel room at a very simple place and had dinner. For some reason, I felt like I was in the middle of Mexico. The room was basic, at best. Two beds, a fan and a private bathroom. The shower faucet is was caught my attention. Of course, hot water is not very common anywhere around here but this was the first time I had seen this as a shower faucet.
The next day, we went shopping. Max got some new tires for his truck and he stocked up on beer since it's so much more expensive back home.
We got some Mystery Meat Skewers from a street vendor, which were great!!
Then we were off to Playa Pavones. The new off-roading tires made the 30km stretch of very bumpy gravel roads just a little bit easier to endure. I felt like a little kid, seeing all sorts of new things and I kept asking Max to stop the truck so I could take photos and get a better look at some things.
Typical bus stop:
Horses are often used as a mode of transportation in this area. It is very remote. I saw these guys and wanted to take a photo of them so we offered them beers. They were very happy!
Playa Pavones is home to one the longest left breaks in the world. There are horses that run wild, beautiful flora and fauna, tons of beach front and not many tourists.
I found this great place that for just a second, I considered what it would be like to buy it and fix it up and live there...
An amazing little place called "Cabinas Gemelas" with cabinas for rent that is run by a family and little kids that love to sit in the hammocks and chat with you til midnight.
"Chinese Suckers" as they are called in Costa Rica. Mamon Chino is the official name. The inner white part is edible and quite tart:
We met up with Max's friend, Dave, from the US. He has a palm finca in Costa Rica and has turned it into a very profitable business since he bought it. Palm oil oil is used in soaps and many other products all over the world. He is a very sweet man, very laid back and loves to have a good conversation.
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