Clearing the jungle (my backyard)

[Bullfrog]

Well, we are still alive. I don't know if you remember what our back yard looked like when we got here, but here it was..

Too many coconut trees means too much shade. When you are butted up against the jungle, this means mosquitoes, a lot of them.

The view from the upper deck...

While the jungle was being pushed back 3 meters, we were leaving our mark...

Then we salvaged 2 Agave's from a trash pile..

Scrounged nice driftwood from the beach..

Of course we took time out to get matching tattoos..

To be continued.

 

[sissy]

a lot of work /

 

[addy1]

lots of work and the jungle will return!

 

[j.w]

You are doing good there Bullfrog and keep on pushing through to the other side................the work is never done. Did you just like the look of the new tatoo's or is there a meaning behind the choice?

 

[Bullfrog]

You are doing good there Bullfrog and keep on pushing through to the other side................the work is never done. Did you just like the look of the new tatoo's or is there a meaning behind the choice?

We wanted a tattoo as a symbol of our commitment together. Bette always said she never had "the full circle" until we met. Love, trust, honesty and communication. We also wanted a cross as we are both Christians, so the Celtic cross worked out. Back to the yard..

Actually, everyone here covers their yard with gravel. This kills the weeds and bakes them. New seeds eventually get a purchase but you just stay on top of it so the jungle won’t reclaim your yard. These people work very hard and simply don’t throw things away. If a hoe breaks, they cut a new handle and fix it…

If they don’t have a hacksaw, they make one out of rebar..

Back to the yard. Oswaldo moved an entire dump truck load one wheel barrow at a time and scattered it. The yard is looking better already..

 

[j.w]

You and Bette make a nice team together and you both seem very happy. It must be tons of fun living there and I bet every day is an adventure.
Your yard looks very nice and the people there are so hard working. Say hello to Oswaldo from me. We should be more like them here in our country. We are a throw away society here. I like your pathway you made. It turned out nice. What are those things laying on the table?
Is that little monkey still hanging around?

 

[Bullfrog]

What are those things laying on the table?
Is that little monkey still hanging around?

Those are solar lights waiting to be put up once the gravel is cleared. The monkey is here, but he sure doesn't hang around our palapa any more since I went off on him.

 

[j.w]

Oh Bullfrog it's just a poor little monkey :cheerful:
Now what could a little thing like that do to drive you to chase him away.........................I can imagine it would be pretty much like in your book :claphands:

 

[Bullfrog]

Well it's done, now we can start landscaping..

Spider Lillies grow wild here...

The flowers produce large seeds that grow really well here..

Actually the beach is very close, but Yan Ten is private and nice, the golf cart ride through the jungle is fun...

 

[j.w]

You're have too much fun there Bullfrog! Nice ride through the jungle. Do you all maintain the roads there yourselves? Do you ever see any snakes or jaguars? So to get there most people prolly fly in I'm assuming. I see a lot of people living there and did they all have to drive like you did to get all their stuff there? How far can you travel and still be safe around there? I know I have so many questions :biggrinangelA:

 

[ididntdoit99]

I dont want to hijack your thread, but I just saw your tattoo's and was like "hey, I bet the guys on the pond forum would like my newest tattoo"

I had my kids names on my leg already and he drew this koi to go right in between them tying it all together.

 

[Bullfrog]

Nice tat.

You do have to drive to bring your things, electronics such as computers and cameras are very expensive here, everything else is cheap. That "road" has no maintenance, it runs along the coast through the jungle. We have seen two crocodiles, coati mundis cross the road in entire groups of 20 or more, including very small young ones and we have 39 species of lizards here. My favorite gets about a foot long, has a crest on it's head and runs on it's back legs real fast.

 

[j.w]

I just remember what you wrote about your drive there and wondered if any other people had problems doing so. Would be neat seeing all the different animals. Love lizards!

 

[Big Lou]

You are a better jungle man than I Bullfrog. Having been on extended stays (military & oil related) in the Mojave, middle east and Costa Rica). I experienced the good and bad of each. I am so happy for you two.

 

[Big Lou]

j.w.
Regarding creosote buildup in your chimney. Don't know if you can use these in your fireplace yet we use an Imperial Creosote Sweeping Log every year to remove any creosote buildup. Here is a link to the product. http://www.lowes.com/pd_280314-85334-BR0399_0__