This is how we do it - Day 2 - Relocation Costa Rica

It's day 2 and Ashlea, Tommy and Wanda head out for a full day of exploring.

They start the day with a meal of fresh fruit which they purchased from one of the local carts - the fresh fruit is wonderful. It can be cut for you and you are welcome to taste test fruits you might be unfamiliar with.  They buy Rambutan, Star Fruit, mini bananas and some sort of green orange. You can actually buy quite A LOT of fruit for $10!

Next they head off to rent bikes from one of the many bike shops. Bikes are a normal mode of transportation for tourists and locals alike. They rental rate is $7/ea for 24 hrs. They then head south  to explore the area south of Puerto Viejo. 

It's a scenic ride and they past by the Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel where we are going to stay and Ashlea remarks that "it looks awesome" (whew!). On the way they stop in Cocles at La Isla Inn located across from the ocean and booked their next two nights. The inn is owned by a very nice German lady. There are many different cultures in this part of Costa Rica. Ashlea is in love with melting pot of people who live in the area.  

As they continued their journey there were boutiques, restaurants, quaint hotels and grocery stores which dotted the entire ride. Ashlea and I had been a bit worried that there would be no cool clothing places but to our surprise there were many! She will send us some pics which I will include in a later post.

"Aqua de pipa" as it is called in Costa Rica is not to be confused with coconut milk. Drinking young coconut water provides a quick and easy source of nutrition without taxing the enzyme systems of the body. It improves the absorption of minerals, B vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins, as well as some amino acids.
Costs about $2.00 and can be found just about everywhere!

Along the ride they came upon a man on a bike...yelling "pahhhhty patty patty" so they decided to stop him and ask what he was selling. Homemade empanadas from a recipe originating in Jamaica...and fresh juice. He also instructed them that is they continued on their path, once they reached the town of Punta Uva (where a lot of the expats live), cross bridge and turn left they would find beach. After following the long road through the jungle and they arrived at a truly breathtaking beach. They swam...lounged about and then headed home.

Total miles on the bike....18
Now THAT is some riding!

Stay tuned for day 3 and it's all about the dogs!

The delicious taste of Watermelon, with or without the booze! - Relocation Costa Rica

I was walking through our local Whole Foods market the other day and I began to wonder about all the different kinds of fruit available in Costa Rica.  I knew there would be many new ones to try but I wondered about the availability of my favorites,  the watermelon. 
It's my go to fruit during the hot summer season. 

The Spanish word for watermelon is Sandia and the Spanish word Melon is a cantaloupe.

Costa Rican watermelons, cultivated primarily on the Central Pacific and in Guanacaste have been selling well in European and North American markets,

There is nothing more refreshing than an ice cold cocktail and this Costa Rican Watermelon Mojito will fill the bill in popsicle form. Quick to make and definitely fun to eat.

Recipe Read more

According to a recent report, the countries of Holland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Poland and the United States are some of the nations that import Costa Rican watermelons.

Even though Tico watermelons only make up 2.1 percent of the total U.S. watermelon market, that portion still accounts for 10.3 million kilos worth approximately $2.7 million, the ministerio said.

Holland has become the fruit's primary destination. Costa Rica shipped more than 14.2 million kilos there.

ingredients:

3/4 cup frozen coconut meat, slightly thawed

1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk

1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

1 1/2 cups frozen watermelon chunks

1/4 cup coconut water

2 tablespoons honey

salty lime sugar

1 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon flaked sea salt

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the zest of one lime

In total, Costa Rica has exported more than 37,756 tons of watermelon worth $7,417,051 in the months between January and May of this year, the ministerio said. That's a 22 percent increase from last year.

Eat it, or drink it, either way it's very refreshing fruit and good for you as well.

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like watermelon decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, overall lower weight.