Hello fellow Quepolandia readers! This is Karma Casey, the Kids Saving the Rainforest spokes kid. If you’re not familiar with KSTR, it’s a nonprofit rescue, rehabilitation, and release program for all of the majestic wildlife of the Costa Rican jungle in the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area. They also plant trees, put up life saving wildlife bridges, and have a wildlife sanctuary that offers educational tours.
Have you ever wished you could do your part to help save the rainforest? Well, today I’m going to tell you about lots of ways that you can join Kids Saving Rainforest in their important work. Whether you’re a local, in town for a visit, or reading from far away, everyone can help make a difference!
Want to know the simple secret to true health, to a life of fulfillment and joy?
Respect and care for the vehicle through which you experience it.
Taking care of yourself goes far beyond just counting calories and working out in the gym every day. We so often judge health by looks, when in reality someone can look fit on the outside and still be unhealthy on a cellular level.
It doesn’t matter what fitness level you are at right now, it only matters how much you are willing to put into transforming your beliefs and mindset.
True health is the result of consistent physical AND mental habits that create happy cells. It’s a mindset that allows you to open your eyes in the morning with passion, purpose and excitement. You are one decision away from making major changes in your life, your mindset, and how you show up for yourself every day.
Most people have no idea how GOOD their body is designed to feel or the things it’s capable of.
Instead of trying to improve how you feel by only working towards external goals, shift your focus to internal goals. True health starts with YOU. The way you talk to yourself. The way you care for yourself. The way you are choosing to fuel your body. The boundaries you set.
YOU are in control of your own life. Start taking responsibility for your decisions and your behaviors, and decide today to start showing up for yourself.
“Light is the first element of design; without it there is no color, form, or texture.” Thomas E. Farin—educator, lighting consultant, entrepreneur
Bathroom Lighting
When it comes to lighting, an often ignored area of our homes is the bathroom. We’ll choose great tiles and faucets, but lighting usually plays a supporting role. Whether we opt for that minimalist Spa look, luxurious opulence, or just a serene place of refuge, lighting can make or break the effect.
Let’s face it, the strip light above the mirror is the cheap and easy fix. A well thought-out lighting plan takes time and money, but makes the world of difference in any room. Basically you should have the three main types of lighting present—Task Lighting, Ambient Lighting, and Accent Lighting.
August is a very special time here in at Marina Pez Vela and in Costa Rica as it is the month of MOTHERS DAY! While most of our monthly schedules revolve around fishing tournaments, massive events, movies under the stars, etc. in August we have a month dedicated to allowing our local community to enjoy the space of Marina Pez Vela, focus on families and the last days before the more intense seasonal rains tend to visit in September and October. Marina Pez Vela has and will continue to dedicate a great deal of our time, energy and resources in to creating a year round tourism destination with dynamic activities for those who are visiting us regionally and internationally but we also have a very firm commitment to our local community and creating time and space for locals and expats alike to enjoy this marvelous public space. August is one of those months and we will highlight some of the events taking place, special dates and activities to enjoy.
MOTHERS DAY
As mentioned above, August is about celebrating the amazing women who give us life, sustain us all guide us with their love, wisdom and unwaivering support. Mothers Day in Costa Rica, August 15, is actually a NATIONAL HOLIDAY in Costa Rica with everything and everyone in the nation stopping to pay tribute. This year, Mothers Day falls on a Friday so you can bet that many will be taking a long weekend and treating Moms all over the country to some love and attention,. While there is no planned event at the marina, due to the inability to count on a starry evening for Mothers Day, all of our restaurants and shops will have specials running well before the big day so you can plan a special dinner, sweet dessert, family tour or pick up something at one of our boutiques to show your appreciation. Start your planning now and make reservations at Z Gastro, Gabriellas, Runaway Grill, Mercato del Porto, Sunrice or Double Hook for the best seating and specials.
Time is a great truth teller. The months turn into years and slowly veritable truths are revealed. How I wish that everyone grasped on to a dream and fought to achieve it, no matter how senseless it may seem. As I go through my day to day life I find it crucial to set weekly, monthly, and yearly goals…often prompted by nothing more than my heart and soul. To this day I still write my ambitions down in my journal, I reread them often and sometimes adjust them appropriately. When I find myself being unproductive and stagnant I also feel my negative habits escalate. Things that I know I should not do, that don’t help me further myself, take priority. This is always a clear signal that I may be on the wrong path. Goals vary for me as I have always broken them down into three categories: physical, financial (career), and emotional (spiritual). Once I have a clear definition of what I am shooting for the small steps turn into big strides and in most cases have materialized. Not so oddly some of my failures are my biggest lessons turned into strengths. Much of my angst and fears arise when I am not being honest with myself, when I choose to blur the truth instead of keeping with discipline and direction.
Bienvenidos…Welcome to our piece of paradise. We are sure you are going to have a great time here. There are so many wonderful things Costa Rica has to offer and we have them right here for you to enjoy and explore. Amazing beaches to surf, stroll, or just tranquilo.
For an over the top view of Manuel Antonio National Park try parasailing with Aquas Azules. There is world class sport fishing and a fleet of boats waiting for you at Marina Pez Vela. We have tours from skydiving (Skydive Costa Rica) to snorkeling (Sunset Sails) and everything in between. Whether you want to relax and enjoy our nature in the mangroves or for a little more adrenaline try white water rafting with Tucanes Tours. Our mangroves and rivers are as magical as our coastline. To experience our jungle canopy there is nothing like zip lining (Titi Canopy Tours). Or check out the first of its kind Eco Tram at Hacienda Barú, tell Jack we sent you. August is also whale season so while you are enjoying a cocktail at our many fine restaurants with a view pay attention to the coastline. You never know when a pod of whales will go swimming past.
We want to thank Caesar J. Garcia for the mommy sloth cover. We would like to wish all you ladies a very Happy Mother’s Day (August 15th). We would not be here if not for you. So don’t make mom cook. Take advantage of our incredible selection of of fine restaurants Arbol, Mira Olas at the Best Western, Sunrice, or Victoria’s just to mention a few. She probably would not mind a massage either.
Need more reason to celebrate? August 3rd is International Beer Day check out Fuego in Dominical and their microbrewery. August 16th is International Rum Day…Cheers, Salud. August 24th is National Parks Day so don’t forget all the Parks Costa Rica has to enjoy.
We would also like to welcome our new advertisers this month, Alta Vista Vacation Rentals, Grafix del Mar, Marina Pez Vela Whale Watching, Ocean’s 5, and Tulemar Bungalow.
We hope you enjoy our magazine and it helps guide you through this enchanting paradise we call home. You can always follow and share us at Facebook/Quepolandia. We appreciate and welcome your comments.
Greetings Quepolandia readers! This is Karma Casey. I’m the spokeskid for Kids Saving the Rainforest. If you’ve never heard of us, KSTR is a wildlife rescue, veterinary clinic, rehabilitation and sanctuary in Quepos, Costa Rica. We work hard saving animals, planting trees, and educating the public.
This month, I’m going to tell you about the rescue of a very special animal you may have never heard of. A Jaguarundi! Although quite common, these elusive animals like to stay hidden in their rainforest homes, and you may have never caught a glimpse of one.
The Jaguarundi is a wild cat about twice the size of a house cat. They come in two colors, either a blackish brown, or a reddish yellow. I think they look like small cougars. It’s not usual that we get in wild cats at Kids Saving the Rainforest, but this was an emergency and we are always there to help!
Jennifer Rice, the president of KSTR (Kids Saving the Rainforest) was driving down the highway when she saw something in the middle of the road. She stopped traffic, getting out of her car to see what the animal was. It was a Jaguarundi!
The Jaguarundi was in bad shape and needed help. As fate would have it, a vet named Diego Zuniga who helps KSTR also just happened to be driving by! Diego got out and examined the animal. It was still alive, only unconscious! Unable to find a box they put him on a large flat piece of cardboard as a stretcher. Diego sat in the back with him while they drove him to the nearest vet.
Colour preferences vary as much as personalities, some folks are loving the bright and the bold, while others feel most secure surrounded by neutrals. The good news is that when it comes to colour, there really is no “correct” palette.
by Shelagh Duncan
That being said, we’ve all been inside homes where an explosion of colour created a chopped-up feel between rooms so you don’t know where to look first. Living in the tropics and seeing all the bright and beautiful colours around us can make us feel we need to bring it all indoors. However our indoor living spaces generally need a calmer feel—too much disjointed colour can create a restless atmosphere.
Here are some well chosen tips to help keep that Calm, but enjoy the Colour! So choose the ones that work best for you.
The Golden-Hooded tanager has a very wide range of distribution. It can be found as far north as southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and down through Colombia.
They are distinguished by their golden hoods and beautiful blue and black feathers.
Golden-Hooded tanagers like to eat fruit and insects and are often found in pairs. The males and females are very similar in appearance.
They are plentiful and are considered to be in the category of “least concern” by conservationists.
The Golden-Hooded tanagers are just another of the beautiful bird species found in our area.
Just another one of the colorful and amazing birds that can be found throughout Quepolandia. See more bird photos HERE
Depression, feeling alone, constant fatigue, poor sleep, and heaviness within our heart and soul are human states that everyone goes through. The best counter to this type of malaise is pulling yourself up by the shoestrings and to get moving. Drinking alcohol and poor diet selections only further the descent into a black hole. Beyond the physical change the best remedy can be socializing. Although we are far removed from primates (or are we?) an alone primate is a sick or troubled one. Humans need to be among others, we have forever been tribal animals that flourish when we feel important and are part of a whole. In my younger years it never occurred to me that this aspect of day to day life was so important. Granted, I rarely lived in one location for more than a year or two, but only until I moved to Manuel Antonio was I able to feel the love of so many. Even before social media (which is a false family) the pure act of running into people in Quepos, at the gym, or on the beach was usually delightful. Holing up in an apartment or home benefits nobody. As we lose ourselves to Netflix, the comfort of over-eating, and then despair, it is important to remember help is always available. The simple act of calling a friend can heal. We must remind ourselves that when we are at our lowest, we must reach out and get involved with others to increase our energy.
Rainy season down here in the southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica is usually full of beautiful mornings, birds singing, spectacular plants blooming, clear streams babbling away, and unless it’s been relentlessly raining for weeks, it is a very pleasant time to be here. If you do find it a bit overwhelming this time of year, then find some goofy old movies or cartoons with a musical sound track and watch them on your TV or computer! Before talkies, the movie studios flagrantly stole from great classical and symphonic works for the sound tracks to their animated films. Wily E. Coyote freefalling off a cliff to the strains of Beethoven. Baby chimps settling down to bed in their jungle cradles, to the sound of a Brahms lullaby. The characters didn’t find their voices for a while, so the early cartoons were all about interpreting the music. The artists would painstakingly draw frame after frame to fit the musical selections as much as the story line. I remember seeing an ancient cartoon that had a bunch of barnyard animals playing Dixieland music, and many of us were permanently disturbed by Disney’s scary interpretation of Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky, in his epic animated film Fantasia. Disney could be very funny—he could also be dark and frightening and his characters raw evil.
At the same time that movie soundtracks were getting popular, music theatre was evolving from burlesque, and attempting to kind of upgrade the slapstick style that they had been using. Much of it is kind of silly and certainly unrealistic—navy guys dancing and singing on the deck of their ship, pool-playing shysters leading a parade, aristocrats singing in the kitchen with the help. Often the lyrics to a song wouldn’t have anything to do with the story line, but would merely be clever or humorous rhymes.
What a total blast we all had during the May 25-26th PELAGIC ‘PURA VIDA’ INSHORE CLASSIC FISHING TOURNAMENT here at the Marina Pez Vela. Guys, Girls and even a special tournament on the Sunday morning just for kids—what a fun packed weekend it was for everyone & memories for a lifetime created for the kids, most of them fishing their first ever fishing tournament!
The tournament weekend was put together by the guys from leading global fishing apparel brand PELAGIC who have proudly made Quepos their Central American outpost and have a SUPER COOL clothing store right here in the Marina Pez Vela, be sure to check it out! The Fishing fun got underway on the Saturday with the Adults ‘PURA VIDA CLASSIC’ Inshore tournament. This was an 8 hour shoot-out where teams battled it out in two main divisions, the ROOSTERFISH division where points were accumulated for the most Roosterfish releases & the ‘GRAND SLAM’ division awarded for the heaviest 3 fish combo. Team Z GASTRO BAR fishing aboard GOOD DAY were the winners of the Roosterfish division releasing 3 nice sized Roosterfish in the 36’-48’ category which earned them 900 points. Jeff Dechesneau fishing aboard the smallest boat in the fleet, the 19’ Boston Whaler Montauk, caught the longest Roosterfish of the day, a stunning fish of 55 inches in length which helped his team to 2nd place. All Roosterfish caught were quickly measured and released, a tournament format designed to promote conservation of such an important fish species. A shout out to Reymond Rodrigues who fished the tournament aboard an awesome Seadoo Fishing Jetski, certainly a first for a Quepos tournament but also one serious piece of kit! Huge congratulations to team DREAMS II for winning the Grand Slam division. The guys had a blast catching a ton of different species including a 26lb Cubera Snapper Roosterfish, Mullet Snappers, Jacks, Wahoo, Rainbow Runners and many other species. They comfortably took home the honours for the heaviest 3 fish combo, great stuff guys & well deserved!
A morning bliss practice or ritual will help you start your day from a place of inner peace and power.
Morning rituals are used by some of the most successful people in the world to create an inner environment of strength and stamina, and studies have shown that certain morning routines and habits can set you up for a successful, productive day.
Think of your routine as your sacred, personal time. it’s a powerful way to prime your mind, body and soul so you can master your day.
Remember these three “M’s” when designing your morning bliss. Read More…
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This epic Malaysian curried noodle soup will sweep you far, far away…to the balmy streets of Singapore. The flavorful soup base can be made with chicken, seafood, or vegetarian. This one is made with seafood, my favorite.
Serves 6-8
For the fish cakes
½ kg white fish filet (snapper, mahi, sea bass)
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
1 egg
2 teaspoons of Nam Pla or fish sauce (you can use soy sauce too)
2 teaspoons of Thai red curry paste
1 scallion, thinly sliced
Oil for frying
Directions
Place fish pieces in food processor and pulse with the next 4 ingredients until smooth.
Add the sliced scallions and mix well. White strings can be removed.
Form into small flat patties and fry until golden, like in the photo.
For the stock
1 fish carcass and/or 1 chicken carcass
The shells from 1 kg of large shrimp, save the peeled shrimp for the laksa
8 garlic cloves
1 stalk of lemongrass, white part only
3 cm knobs of galangal and/or ginger
10 kaffir lime leaves (optional or can be substituted with 2 bay leaves)
By Karma Imagine Casey
This epic Malaysian curried noodle soup will sweep you far, far away…to the balmy streets of Singapore. The flavorful soup base can be made with chicken, seafood, or vegetarian. This one is made with seafood, my favorite.