More strange fruits…

This one is the Rambutan, probably native to southeast Asia but known in Costa Rica and other Central American countries as the Mamon Chino. We had seen people selling these at roadside stands on our various visits to Costa Rica but never knew what it was or what to do with it. The spiny exterior is easily broken open with ones thumb. Underneath that spiny husk the fruit is the consistency of a canned peach. Beneath this layer is a seed or nut. In researching what the mamon chino was and what to do with it I found that this center is also edible. The overall sensation of eating a mamon chino is sweet, slimy and crunchy all at the same time!!!

Animals – friends and foes

Costa Rica is noted for its abundance of wildlife. We have seen monkeys, sloths, toucans and more all from the comfort of our window. We have also seen – in the house -- close up and personal – three huge scorpions each at least 3” long…that would surely put the Tonto Basin scorpions to shame (the one shown in the Tupperware was from our laundry basket). There have been centipeds including the one walking across my bare toe as I surfed the web yesterday – sorry no picture of this one! And of course there are the bats that fly through one window and out the other each evening. These have become so commonplace we actually don’t always notice them. On the lighter side there are also lightning bugs and toads and of course the more domesticated animals like dogs and chickens. The puppies shown here are actually a neighbors but they spend most days and nights at our house sometimes bringing additional siblings.

House Updates

The first picture shows our house in its “original condition.” We have made several “updates” since moving in a month ago. The 6-foot plus flowering hedge that you can see in the front-right part of the first photo now extends across the front of the property giving us lots of privacy and a nice grassy area in front. The driveway has now been moved to the side (see where car is parked). Gordie is in the process of building an entry gate for the driveway with a traditional “porton” on top (a covered top to the gate). A neighbor has been re-painting the entire exterior – the cement planter at the front of the house is now blue (see second photo) and the exterior green is brighter with yellow trim for contrast.

What is there to eat?

I have eaten and enjoyed cashew nuts my entire life but always thought they grew in cellophane bags with salt already added. Not so. These three photos show a fruit from the cashew tree (we have one in our yard). The strange looking cashew-shaped “thing” at the bottom of the large red fruit is where you find the actual nut. The fruit itself can also be eaten and has a sweet -- although a bit unusual -- taste. The juice from the fruit – mixed with a little sugar and water it makes a very refreshing drink – see liquid in glass. The nut itself is well protected and difficult to remove from its protective “husk.” Wikipedia describes it best: “…The seed is surrounded by a double shell containing a dermatogenic phenolic resin, urushiol, a potent skin irritant toxin also found in the related poison ivy.” Every day we are trying new, different, strange, things that grow on trees...watch the blog for further culinary adventures.

Waking up to Howler Monkeys

No need for an alarm clock in the jungle...the howler monkeys begin their daily "singing" about 5 AM every morning. There are 5 or so that hang out in the tree across from our house. Hard to photograph, great to watch and listen to.

Another day in Paradise

Now that we have a car we can easily take off and spend the day at any beach of our choosing. Today it was one just south of Punta Uva. Intensely blue water, white sand, tropical shade and no people…what more can you ask for.

Wheels in the Jungle

Although Costa Rica is renowned for its public transportation, we live about 2 miles from the closest bus stop so deciding to buy a car was easy. Since our road and many of those we travel on are not paved, a used 4x4 was the most practical vehicle to get. Finding one at the right price was a bit more difficult…they are surprisingly expensive here! Thanks to “craigslist” we were able to find a 1987, “small” 7-passenger, good mileage car in San Ramon for a reasonable amount. So far it’s great!!!