This week I posted more pictures from the last months work on the website board however that is quite a time consuming process to upload all the information to the site hence why I don't get around to it that often.

With that in mind I find it much more efficient just to do a direct newsletter to each of you when I have pictures and updates ready faster for me and probably for you rather than having to go to the web site you just need to read the e-mail or ignore such if you choose the option is yours.  The site is shut down for the Easter vacation here from today until Monday when we are back in full swing the following pictures I took this morning when the site was vacant. A big change this week in the look of the building with 2/3 of the roofing now in place.

Now that there is protection of the walls from direct sun they will apply the fine stucco coat such as is done on the one end wall here you see.

Back stairs now poured.

We are working on the back balcony with dual bamboo supports now in place to hold the roof structure.  We just got the bamboo 10 days ago and it turning a nice golden color as it dries we will later once it cures apply the same natural oil system we use on the other wood.

View up from the living room up to one valley where they finished off yesterday as you cannot leave the insulation without covering holding it down.

View out over the back half of the roof that is half complete.  This product comes from Columbia and is called panelite.  The idea is to give a look of clay tile but not have the leaking problems. Later on we will come back and lay Nicaraguan clay tiles along each of the ridges to give the right look.  This was an idea of the engineer and architect replicating how Los Suenos does their roofs however as I have found out just because Los Suenos does something it hardly means that anyone should blindly follow and this is the second thing we have found to be less than brilliantly done in their system from both standpoints of effectiveness and value.  This is really a pointless system as we see it now when we are using the reflective insulation it provides the leak barrier necessary and a much cooler roof.  All other roofs will be a 100% tile coverage system.So the good news is we are using our own building as the experiment and proving grounds on many things and will adjust for better results on the owners units.

This has and will continue to be a valuable experience as we prove products, methods, professionals and contractors.  Most others put up a sales office to put the show on then do all else in one process after however this does not give you a thorough proving ground at all to work from plus we were able to do this while waiting out the full permit process.  The issue for us is to be the best we know how in our building practices and to never follow anyone blindly without asking lots of questions and challenging any professional to prove their opinions, designs and methods.  In this respect some have not done so well as I see it when I pay a professional money for their advice I had best not outsmart them too many times or I begin to ask why do I have you?? Issues like this is what separates the men from the boys as it were.


Looking out bedroom window.

So how is your spanish? Well believe it or not this Spanish label is on our Canadian made roof insulation from Toronto.  Verrrrry few hear understand the  concept of insulation and the role it plays in making a more comfortable and cheaper to operate home.  In fact I have seen none of this used here in Jaco which is totally goofy as  you sit under a noon day sun pushing 32'- 35'C or 90"-95"F into your face.  We did the entire building for $460 that gives the roof an over R40 insulation factor. This particular product that has a great guarantee I discovered at the construction exposition here last month.  I have attended this for quite a few years but this year was highly productive as we move into full swing.  As a result of this lengthy excursion  we also bought  our jacuzzi tubs, porcelain floor tile, toilets, electrical supplies, and the laminated beams we are going to use in all of the rest of the buildings.


This is the view out towards the ocean and sun set from the balcony.  NOte we also insulated this so you don't have the heat radiating onto you as you sit on the balcony to enjoy the late afternoon and glorious evenings that many of you have experienced here in Jaco.

Interior stairs going up to second floor now complete which makes it much easier for Michael and his bum heel to inspect progress.


Here you see the stacks of what some people call bamboo but is known here as Cana Brava which is a cousin to bamboo.  This is drying out to be ready to finish the interior ceilings with.  This we got ten days ago from Limon province the same time as the bamboo both which grow like crazy over there.
 
This is of course intended to give the rooms a tropical feel rather than gyproc or the wood ceiling alternatives.  Many of you may have seen this on other ceiling here as it is quite common especially those that have stayed at Tangeri may have noted this on their balcony ceilings.  In fact it was Alfonso from Tangeri that put me in contact with the lady of Bamboo for Costa Rica that has made a life out of working with these amazing plants.

Alfonso has been a huge help in finding special people this is also how we found our engineer extraordinare Frank Czul that designed and will install the A/C system.

This is an interesting tile we are considering for the areas around  the jacuzzi tubs.  Any opinions on this with what you can see in picture????

This is the low profile toilet that I believe we are going to use that I found at the exposition.

Again any opinions on the syle of this Michael and I think it shows very well???? It is from Brazil.  Any feedback is appreciated.
 
This is what the entrance to our street used to look like.

This is what it looks like today.

On one final a very sad note there was a horrible occurrence on our street last Friday.  I was on my way in the morning to go over to see Antonio our mortgage broker and when I got near Pacific Plaza I found this tree lying in the middle of the street.  If you want to
know why then you can go on to read my latest article of development here gone mad. This article is going to the Tico Times for printing.  Now many have concerns over the time it has taken for us to get our permits even with that said I do not condone what others have done and have no intention of ever following in their footsteps just for the sake of expediency.  The process needs to apply to all for very good reasons and all the reasons for not doing so are so contradictory to what our project stands for in the first place and the type of people that want to own here and stay here will in the long run both be most appreciative of those efforts that we make each and every day to make this dream come about.

Have yourself a great easter.

Trevor