Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
That is such a cool, Zen-like approach to life, and it comes to us in the form of an English children’s nursery rhyme. The song is actually a round—a musical composition in which 2 or more voices sing exactly the same melody, each voice beginning at a different time. The different parts of the melody coincide and fit harmoniously together. It is one of the easiest forms of ‘part’ singing, as only one line of melody must be learned by all the singers, and it can be repeated over and over. This simple ditty has quite a history—little kids sing it, Star Trek Five had Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy singing it, another episode had a bunch of weird space kids singing it. It’s featured in the films Dante’s Peak, the Red Danube and even Hackers. Maybe it’s a metaphor for our passage here on earth—we propel ourselves with humor and joy in natural waters which bring us to the simple comfort of the abstract world. But the key word here is dreams.
Back in October we wrote about the great Costa Rican conservation project known as the Blue Flag program. This highly successful program is jointly run by the Costa Rica Water Institute and the Costa Rica Tourist Institute (ICT). Every year dozens of local citizen committees (110 in 2015 to be exact) are formed and members agree to adopt a local beach to care for during the year. The participating beach is inspected 3 times during the year and is rated on progress towards improvement in several different aspects: a) Ocean and potable water quality b) Waste collection and treatment c) Environmental education d) Security and signage. If the beach qualifies then Blue Flags are given at different levels from1 star to a maximum 5 stars.
Recently the committee responsible for Manuel Antonio’s first beach (Playa primera), also known as Espadilla Norte, received the wonderful news that it had received the Blue Flag once again for its efforts during 2016. We sincerely thank all the committee members, for their hard work organizing activities last year. The new flag is already on display at the roundabout of Manuel Antonio.
This year the committee is already moving forward on its work plan, starting off with a campaign to keep our beach beautiful during Semana Santa (Holy Week), when our beaches are visited by thousands of local and foreign tourists. Local volunteers including Scouts, will be walking the beach to collect trash, supported by donations from area businesses which will provide snacks and supplies. A special recognition to our Municipality, especially Sr. Warren Umana for providing additional trash barrels and trucks to handle the trash during the Easter holiday.
Recently, I had a dream where everything I had ever done in front of a mirror was broadcast for the world to see. In my dream, I was not embarrassed—I was actually promoting the broadcast to friends, saying things like, “Yes I really was flexible enough to do that to myself at one time in my life” and, “I really do use a Gillette razor to cut my nose hairs.”
Carpenters, builders and sawmill operators love it; chicken and pig farmers hate it; and environmentalists have mixed feelings about it. I have heard people say that the gmelina tree (Gmelina arborea) is a plague that should be eradicated from the face of the earth, yet others believe that it is a miracle tree with great potential for the recuperation of ecosystems and the environment. Regardless of what you believe about the gmelina tree – native to southeast Asia – the story of how it got to the Americas and how Costa Rica came to plant 25,000 hectares (61,775 acres) of it, is a fascinating tale.
Manuel Antonio is not for everyone. It is a beach town that caters to the parts of us that are lazy and aloof. I see families, lovers, and friends arrive here salivating for change. We live with an alternative lifestyle to not enough hours in a day, the “realities” of life elsewhere seem so distant. I’ve heard from many that the over stimulation of nature….both jungle and ocean… make them feel so… free. It roots itself into the psyche because it is all around us, sleeping to jungle sounds make city dwellers feel like they are camping! In my 17 years here I have come to believe that Manuel Antonio operates on its own unique level. It is a place that can bewitch the most stringent, it can surprise the most mundane.
After we thank our Jamaican friends for Bob Marley, we should also thank them for this Jerk seasoning recipe which is the absolute king of marinades.
Directions
Fuego Brew Co is a hidden jewel ready to be discovered by beer loving travelers and local Ticos alike. A craft brewery located on the southern pacific coast of Costa Rica in the tiny bohemian beach town of Dominical, just a quick 30 minute drive south of Quepos. Built using beautiful local and sustainable materials, Fuego is a sight to behold. A giant bamboo ramp leads up through the jungle to the second floor where beautiful breezes and views of the river, ocean and jungle await. A glass bottom floor looks down upon the brew house, where top-notch brewing equipment ensures the beer is always fresh and delicious. Toucans, Scarlett Macaws and a huge variety of other jungle creatures call the land surrounding Fuego home and are frequent visitors.
Fuego’s resident brew master, Alan Struck, honed his brewing skills at San Francisco’s Anchor Steam Brewery and Maui Brew Co before bringing his knowledge and passion about craft beer to Costa Rica. The result? Fuego makes the best craft beer in Costa Rica, hands down. An ever-evolving menu chock full of organic vegetables, local chicken, house- made sauces and sustainably sourced seafood matches well with the 6 different varieties of house-made brews. Fuego’s most popular brew is the Guanbana Hefeweizen and should not be missed. Especially when paired with some home-made beer battered onion rings and seared tuna.
So take the adventure and experience Dominical and Fuego Brew Co for yourself. Look for it on the banks of the Barú River, a stone’s throw away from playa Dominical’s powerful waves. Across from the schoolhouse there’s a big wooden gate and believe us when we say once you’ve been to Fuego, you’ll never forget it.
¡Happy New 70 Verbs!
Bienvenidos…Welcome and thank you coming. The southern Pacific has so much to offer we are sure you will not be disappointed. Whether you are exploring our many National parks, fishing for a record marlin, enjoying our spectacular beaches, or one of the many tours. This is the place to DO IT. After a day of adventure don’t forget to pamper yourself. Book a massage or Reiki. Get a mani/pedi and a facial. How about a private chef preparing your meals. Remember it is your vacation….Enjoy it
The Lapas and Titis have much in common and thus make a truly interesting Alliance! They inhabit and utilize similar trees found in the rain forest, such as the Gallinazo, the Espavel, and Mango trees. Both species are highly sociable and therefore are favorites with tourists who visit the area. Sadly both species have suffered greatly from habitat loss and illegal poaching, which we are trying to reverse through education programs and habitat reforestation.
Join us in saluting the outstanding efforts of Gaia Hotel and Resort and the other member businesses of the Titi Conservation Alliance and the Ara Macao Association (ASOMACAO), who are working hard to protect the incredible biodiversity around us. For more info about these wonderful efforts, visit 
I often serve this soup at the beginning of a dinner showcasing latín flavors, or in a big bowl and as a meal on its own. It can be vegan by omitting the chicken stock and meat. Other variations are beans and cheese; seafood lovers can replace the chicken with shrimp. For 6 to 8 servings.
Cover all of these ingredients in a stock pot with 1 liter (about 1 and a half quarts) of water.
1 liter of tomato puree (passata)
Cut the tortillas into thin ribbons and fry in oil until golden and crispy. 
Many years ago on a Saturday afternoon, having gone to the police station in Matapalo for something or other, I found a hand cuffed, bare footed, blood covered man with a deep cut starting on his right shoulder and extending across his chest. There was blood on the floor, the chair he was sitting in, and even on the wall. Don Marcos, the policeman, was sitting at his desk writing up a report. “Machete fight,” he said in reply to my inquisitive look. “The other one’s on his way to the hospital. This one started it,” nodding toward the bloody prisoner.