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Puente Rio La Paz March 20, 2012, 2012

The Costa Rica highway department is building this new bridge that crosses the river on the way to Quinta Mamá. Only about 60 people live on the other side of the river and it is a 'dead end'road - so this is a pretty big local improvment project ...

Mar 20, 2012

Photos: 18

Sunrise - Winter Solstice 2011 - Quinta Mamá

My attempt at hand held time sequence photography. I began shooting at 4:50 a.m. This was an especially nice sunset because it was the end of a long and unusual rainy spell.

Dec 21, 2011

Photos: 29

Café Quinta Mamá

Dec 19, 2011

Photos: 31

Flowers of Quinta Mamá

The amazing abundance of flowers at Quinta Mamá

Dec 8, 2011

Photos: 188

Aerial Quinta Mamá

Various Satellite Photos of Bajo La Paz area and Quinta Mamá. This is a unique valley; geographically, environmentally and historically. Literally, it is one of those special places on the planet that one needs to visit to appreciate fully! Pura Vida

Dec 8, 2011

Photos: 10

A Day in La Paz

My good friend Oscar and I spent a day exploring La Paz de San Ramón, Costa Rica. Although it is a short 25 minutes / 12.5 mile drive 'up the hill' with fantastic panoramas of the surrounding mountains and valleys; it is like traveling back 40-50 years and arriving in a simpler, slower lifestyle.Located at almost 4,000 feet and 10 degrees North latitude, you have arrived at one of the most diverse ecosystems on the world. Exotic tropical plants grow wild next to pine trees. First growth cloud forest borders beautiful rolling hills and pastures. A few dirt roads twist and wind through it all following the La Paz River from its source. Tucans and Quetzals can been seen feasting from the abundant fruits. If you ever have the opportunity to turn off the beaten tourist trail, this is a must see drive to explore. Population of the valley is approx. 1,600 smiling ticos. Pura Vida!

Sep 27, 2010

Photos: 107

Costa Rica - 2009 - 10 Days with Jorge y Rojo

At the end of my 2 month stay in Costa Rica, my friend from St. Augustine , Florida flew down fo his 1st visit there. These photos were taken during our 10 day tour of Alajuela and Guanacaste Provinces: San Ramón, Atenas, Sarchí, Jaco, Arenal, Tilarán, Liberia, Sámara-Carrillo, Tambor, Playa Carmen - Sta Teresa, Paquera, Puntarenas -- October 2009

Nov 10, 2009

Photos: 357

Los Alpes - Bureal, Piedades Sur, San Ramón, Alajuela - Costa Rica

At 1,300+ mts west of San Ramón (1,049 mts), Los Alpes is approaching the summit of the mountains from where you can see the Pacific Ocean. It is, literally, 'in the clouds, and is part of the cloudy rain forest separating the Central Valley from the Central Coastal Pacific regions. Fresh water fishing, restaurant, cabins and horseback riding are a few of the activities offered. It is about a 35 minute drive with the last 10 kms being on a secondary gravel road. A very cool place. Gracias a Oscar A. y Mariles A.

Sep 27, 2009

Photos: 41

COSTA RICA - East Of Esparza - Gulf of Nicoya Beaches

This is an interesting 40+ acre property half way between San Ramón and Puntarenas. It is below 800 mts. altitude and gets into a hotter and more humid climate than I want to live in... however, it does have spectacular views of the Gulf of Nicoya and Puntarenas. It is on a secondary gravel road less than 1 mile off the Pan American Highway and all the utilities are located at the property line. Contact me if you might be interested in this property.

Sep 18, 2009

Photos: 29

COSTA RICA : La Paz - Trapiche - Rest. Carruchas Truchas

An excellent 1/2 day trip into the hills above and W of San Ramon up to 4,400'. Very curvy, but well maintained, roads thru small pueblecitos where houses line the road and sugar cane, coffee and small farms stretch as far as you can see - many, many miles. A Trapiche is where they process the cane into cakes used for sweet drinks and pasteries (maybe a little 'guaro' on the side). Carruchas Truchas is where you actually catch a fresh water fish of same name and they cook if "frito" style and serve with side dishes as a great meal. A 30 kilometro trip that "travels" much longet! Hosted by Ronnie and Alexandra Araya F.

Sep 12, 2009

Photos: 27

Alexandra Adventure 'Charts'

Google Earth Satellite Photos of proposed destinations and layovers - this is a cruise (NOT delivery) so ALEX will be gunkholing along ... (making a series of short pleasure trips by boat, as from island to island)

Dec 14, 2008

Photos: 17

ALEXANDRA - The Florida Adventure

Photos of Peter Morse's 35'89 Duffy Flybridge Cruiser 'Alexandra' cruising from Tarpon Springs, Florida to Wrightsville Beach-Hampstead, North Carolina -- Winter 2008-2009

Dec 13, 2008

Photos: 263

San Blas, Mexico

My family first visited this small fishing village on the Pacific coast of Central Mexico in 1962 when I was 16. It still retains it's charm despite the 45 years that have passed. Photos by B. Swartwout, C. Swartwout, G. Swartwout and Google Earth