Phew, it’s been quite a while since our last update! We’ve been very busy and lots has changed on the property. I wanted to do a quick post to show you some pics of the awesome Cabana that the guys built on lot 14.

This one is really the next level in what you can do with the local materials and labor.

Rear View

It has concrete floors, and walls. It is screened in all the way around, which makes for a nice breeze. The redish section of those outer walls fold out while you’re home, revealing the screens behind.

The roofing system was also a neat new feature. Rather than relying solely on palm thatch for the roof, they decided to build a traditional roof from plywood, then roll a layer of felt over the plywood to keep water out.

Plywood Under Roof

Roofing System

Then on top of the felt is a wood strapping system that allows the palm thatch to be nailed in, without creating any holes in the felt.

So the end result is a very rustic and natural looking roof, while still having the comfort of a traditional plywood-felt system.

Next they will be finishing the inside, building a large deck across the front, and starting the decorative stone work on the shower. Then the landscaping, which is really fun in Burica.

Great job guys!

p.s. There aren’t many lots left! Better check out Lot 28. Oceanfront 1/2 acre for only $10k down and $484/month!

Well, we’ve nearly completed the road inside Playa Burica. It’s a simple road that will give access to each of the oceanfront lots from the public road that borders the property.

We also decided to put in some drainage ditches so that the water can escape quickly when rainy season comes.

As of today, there are only 4 oceanfront lots available. Check out the Master Plan Page to see which ones.

Here’s a quick photo that we took the other day of the town taking a look at the new road that has finally made it to Bella Vista.

They are understandably elated at having a road to their town for the first time in its history. The 200 or so residents previously had to travel several miles down the beach at low tide to access the rest of the world.

This place is amazing. I can’t believe that I’m standing here on my own piece of tropical beach.

We were having lunch on Friday at that little restaurant downstairs and Randy asked, “So what’s everyone doing this weekend?” You should’ve seen the looks on their faces when I said, “Oh, I’m heading out to Panama for the weekend.”

That’s the best part of this. Suzie and I were thinking of buying some land by the lake and building a summer cottage. It would’ve been twice the price of this place just for real estate, and then I’d have to invest in building. The contractor I spoke to said I was looking at spending an easy $200,000 for just a small two-bedroom cottage.

Here I’ve got the surf, the palm trees, the warm air and sun, and it’s a fraction of the price. I can fly down for a weekend or even a few weeks anytime I want. Amazing.

The place is wild, too. It’s like a jungle. Hey – it is a jungle. There are toucans in the trees, and one of them landed right by the breakfast table this morning. Suzie took some pictures.

There are howler monkeys too. I never thought I’d wake up to the sound of monkeys instead of that damned alarm clock. The experience is crazy good. I get a kick out of watching them play – they’re all jumping about and swinging from the branches.

Randy was saying I’ll be like the Indiana Jones of the corporate world. The joke stuck and Friday after lunch, the guys left one of the Indie hats on my desk. I brought it along to wear, and it’s actually perfect for the sun.

The cabana’s great. It’s rustic and makes me feel like this place is some tropical jungle adventure. Ah, but with the little luxuries of easy living – Suzie made some of that great coffee with the French press this morning. I’m going to buy one of those for the apartment when we get back.

We sat together with our coffee and watched the sun rise over the ocean this morning. It was nice. The waves were swishing up on the beach and we could hear the crash of bigger ones on the reefs nearby.

The surf here is amazing, too. I’m going to head out later and catch some waves. First, time for a nap.

Construction is progressing nicely on the road. The next leg of the road scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2009.