There are waterfalls and rivers to swim in all over Costa Rica. It’s great here in Costa Rica because  the variety in the country is so accessible being that you are not that far way from the mountains or the beach wherever you go inside Costa Rica.  Both the beach and mountains are very different from each other.  It is incredibly fantastic!

Our attraction here besides our incredibly beautiful farm in the community in Biolley, is the international  park, the fresh water and air as well as the lower temperatures of between 75 and 85 during the day and 60 to 65 at night, on average throughout the year.  The views of both mountain ranges and the valley in front of us is second to none!

The river, Rio Platanillal heading down from the Talamanca mountains and La Amistad International Park,  runs through our farm and separates our farm with the owner across the way. The change of  seasons from wet or what they call the green season to the dry season happen quickly! Practically from one day to the next……. all of a sudden it’s dry season and the faucet is turned off.  On average,the dry season arrives in the middle of December.  When the rainy season begins again in May, it happens at a much slower pace.

To get down to the river on the finca,  you have to go to the backyard and cross the pasture…. First, a warning before taking the tour….Gotta wear your rubber boots and long pants down to the river because you have to cross over the land and down to the lower pasture under the canopy of trees to get to the river. Lots of SNAKES in the river area and some in the pastures. The most common snake in these parts is the “Tercio Pelo” or  known by many as the “Fer de Lance”.

There could be some trouble in paradise if you don’t use common sense. It is good to know though that there are hardly any victims that are actually bitten by these snakes, but it does happen so you need to be aware of where you are walking or hiking and don’t do it at night! Anyone who comes for a farm visit will get educated in snake attack prevention.  It’s mostly common sense. We have been down to the river (where the snakes hang out mostly) and have never seen one. We figure with boots and a machete we are good to go for defending ourselves.  We just need to watch where we walk.  If you are bit by one, then you have 4 hours to get to a clinic or hospital. Always be sure to plan your stay to be 4 hours  of access to the anti-serum (all the hospitals have it in Costa Rica)  and you should be alright. Be sure however, to get to a hospital as soon as possible after you are bitten.

Okay enough of the terrors of the Tercio Pelo………… got your boots on? Let’s head down from behind the duplex to the river! A few snakes around can’t deter me from this land stretchin’ out so far and wide! What incredible beauty there is around here! I mean really come on! Here’s a series of photos that lead you down to the river Rio Platanillal at the bottom half of our pasture on the farm.

Heading down to the river from right behind the duplex.

Heading further down the path to the river.

Down below is the river amongst the trees, this is on the way down to the lower pasture then to the river.

Heading on down the path to the river, Bruce and Lucky (dog) are down in the field off to the right.  Just look at that massive clump of trees.  Is that thicket of trees compact in a very profound way or what? Also very important on the property, you can see a separation of land down in the field by Bruce and Lucky. This is a year round spring running down to the river. We have another one on the left side of the farm as well.  Of course we have municipal water too.  The water comes straight off the mountain tops and to our farms through the municipal water system. There are no farms above us that receive that water coming off the mountains.  Coupled with the fresh air and the year round great climate, without needing air conditioning or heating, I’d say we a few of the real necessary basics out of the way for a healthier lifestyle.

Looking back up the pasture and to the hardwood trees shading the coffee plants and on our way down to the lower pasture.

There is my favorite tree! That green, cotton candy, with a bite taken out of it looking tree down there is my favorite tree. That is a mango tree.  That tree is incredible and it produces a lot of fruit!

Here is up inside the mango tree! This was last April ’09 when it was bearing fruit.

Lower pasture and near the river bank.

Our main pool is about 40 feet across. It is the one we show most of the time looking down at it. Here it is as a side view. This is when the river was high during the rainy season. The river flows significantly year round. It is a bit high here due to the season.  This is our Realtor who sold us the property. He went in for a dip after we did! When we got out of our swimming hole that was it, we told him while he was swimming and we were getting ready for the hike back up to the property  that he sold us. We wanted the property after the first tour of it!

A little clip with my flip video camera. Not that great…and that is soon to change. In February we will have much better HD video! This is a clip of the “Rio Plantanillal” during the dry season! The river does get to raging in the midst of the middle of the rainy season. Well that’s it, another tour of the farm but on the new blog site Biolley Buzz. Pura Vida to all my readers and to those who happen to stop by!

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