Costa Rica Cover.jpg
 The sunrise as seen from La Iguana's yoga deck

The sunrise as seen from La Iguana's yoga deck

 one of many beautiful flowers around La Iguana

one of many beautiful flowers around La Iguana

 Dawn from the upper pasture

Dawn from the upper pasture

 A metal heart hangs in front of a cacao pod

A metal heart hangs in front of a cacao pod

 Laundry hanging out to dry in the morning sun

Laundry hanging out to dry in the morning sun

 Decorative fire grass

Decorative fire grass

 The spectrum of cacao colors is due to different types of cacao and varying fermentation durations

The spectrum of cacao colors is due to different types of cacao and varying fermentation durations

Cacao Pod and Beans
Cacao Pod and Beans

The cacao pod surrounded by toasted and shelled cacao beans

Jaboncillo
Jaboncillo

Jabón = Soap

Jaboncillo can be used to make natural soap.  After biting into one, I can confirm it tastes like soap.

 The night sky as seen looking towards the plant nursery from the yoga deck of La Iguana.

The night sky as seen looking towards the plant nursery from the yoga deck of La Iguana.

Night
Night

One of La Iguana's white horses grazes under a blanket of stars

 The view from the road leading to Mastatal, while walking from La Iguana, looking towards La Cangreja.  The barren section of La Cangreja  (visible in the upper left part of the raised hills) is an outlook that myself and 12 other people r

The view from the road leading to Mastatal, while walking from La Iguana, looking towards La Cangreja.  The barren section of La Cangreja  (visible in the upper left part of the raised hills) is an outlook that myself and 12 other people reached after a 4 hour hike.

 Isidro, a man who lives on a neighboring farm, herds his cows to a different pasture, on the road between La Iguana Chocolate and Mastatal

Isidro, a man who lives on a neighboring farm, herds his cows to a different pasture, on the road between La Iguana Chocolate and Mastatal

 The nursery is where seedlings are started before being transplanted to the larger garden.  It is a covered nursery which makes it great to dry clothes.

The nursery is where seedlings are started before being transplanted to the larger garden.  It is a covered nursery which makes it great to dry clothes.

 Wooden boxes hold starter seeds.

Wooden boxes hold starter seeds.

 Baby bok choi, four days after being planted.  A special mix of compost and worm poop "supercharges" the sprouting process.

Baby bok choi, four days after being planted.  A special mix of compost and worm poop "supercharges" the sprouting process.

 A seedling grows in the long and narrow planters made from bamboo

A seedling grows in the long and narrow planters made from bamboo

 Volunteers' boots arranged near the volunteers' dorm and the foosball table

Volunteers' boots arranged near the volunteers' dorm and the foosball table

 The view from relaxing in the hammock, where volunteers and family members relax after a morning's hard work

The view from relaxing in the hammock, where volunteers and family members relax after a morning's hard work

 The view from the shower opens to the valley, partly shrouded by a flowering plant.  There are no houses in sight in the valley, which makes this possible.

The view from the shower opens to the valley, partly shrouded by a flowering plant.  There are no houses in sight in the valley, which makes this possible.

 Mariana cooks rice pudding on the outdoor wood-powered stove.  Cooking it over the fire gives it a richer taste, as the smoke intertwines with the flavors of the pudding.

Mariana cooks rice pudding on the outdoor wood-powered stove.  Cooking it over the fire gives it a richer taste, as the smoke intertwines with the flavors of the pudding.

 A typical breakfast: fresh mixed fruit, scrambled eggs, gallo pinto (rice and red beans mixed together), and fried plantains.

A typical breakfast: fresh mixed fruit, scrambled eggs, gallo pinto (rice and red beans mixed together), and fried plantains.

 Manga tree: this tree on the neighboring farm's property produced huge female mangos (mangas) nearly the size of a football, so juicy and sweet to eat.

Manga tree: this tree on the neighboring farm's property produced huge female mangos (mangas) nearly the size of a football, so juicy and sweet to eat.

 Acidic lemons: even though they look like funky oranges this fruit is not sweet, and was squeezed into water and sugar to make juice

Acidic lemons: even though they look like funky oranges this fruit is not sweet, and was squeezed into water and sugar to make juice

 Coconuts from a neighbor

Coconuts from a neighbor

 Shredded the coconut meat with a hand grinder.  Shredded coconut was put into chocolate and baked goods.

Shredded the coconut meat with a hand grinder.  Shredded coconut was put into chocolate and baked goods.

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 A cashew fruit fell from an overhanging tree and, on its way down, was speared by this dangerous spiked plant.

A cashew fruit fell from an overhanging tree and, on its way down, was speared by this dangerous spiked plant.

Toasted Cashews
Toasted Cashews

The cashew seeds after being thoroughly roasted and before being shelled, to remove any dangerous oils.

Frijoles Rojos
Frijoles Rojos

Red beans from La Iguana's harvest.  The best beans I've ever tasted, just boiled and eaten with rice.

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Hibiscus Tincture
Hibiscus Tincture

Hecho de flor de Jamaica

Guanacaste Seeds
Guanacaste Seeds
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Toasted Cacao
Toasted Cacao

The fermented and dried cacao is toasted so that it is easier to peel.  

 Cacao seeds after the skin has been removed

Cacao seeds after the skin has been removed

 Jason works at hand grinding cacao while the family's cousins look on.  He didn't speak a word of Spanish (practically) and they didn't speak English, but they still got along.

Jason works at hand grinding cacao while the family's cousins look on.  He didn't speak a word of Spanish (practically) and they didn't speak English, but they still got along.

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 Amie puts toasted and peeled cacao beans into bags to sell

Amie puts toasted and peeled cacao beans into bags to sell

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Chocolates by Jamie Oliver Kemp
Chocolates by Jamie Oliver Kemp
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Chancho Gets A Shower
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Scarlet Macaws

While shooting some scenes of the cows in the upper pasture, Jorge and I came across a pair of Scarlet Macaws.  It is very common to see them fly in pairs.

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Gina
Gina
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Emma
Emma
Nikolai
Nikolai
Sandy and Gina
Sandy and Gina
Vickie
Vickie
Ileana
Ileana
Jamie
Jamie
Sandy
Sandy
Gina
Gina
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 Photo Credit: Jorge Salazar Garcia

Photo Credit: Jorge Salazar Garcia

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Gina
Gina
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Puriscal
Puriscal
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_DSC0499.jpg
_DSC0579.jpg
_DSC0583.jpg
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Costa Rica Cover.jpg
 The sunrise as seen from La Iguana's yoga deck
 one of many beautiful flowers around La Iguana
 Dawn from the upper pasture
 A metal heart hangs in front of a cacao pod
 Laundry hanging out to dry in the morning sun
 Decorative fire grass
 The spectrum of cacao colors is due to different types of cacao and varying fermentation durations
Cacao Pod and Beans
Jaboncillo
 The night sky as seen looking towards the plant nursery from the yoga deck of La Iguana.
Night
 The view from the road leading to Mastatal, while walking from La Iguana, looking towards La Cangreja.  The barren section of La Cangreja  (visible in the upper left part of the raised hills) is an outlook that myself and 12 other people r
 Isidro, a man who lives on a neighboring farm, herds his cows to a different pasture, on the road between La Iguana Chocolate and Mastatal
 The nursery is where seedlings are started before being transplanted to the larger garden.  It is a covered nursery which makes it great to dry clothes.
 Wooden boxes hold starter seeds.
 Baby bok choi, four days after being planted.  A special mix of compost and worm poop "supercharges" the sprouting process.
 A seedling grows in the long and narrow planters made from bamboo
 Volunteers' boots arranged near the volunteers' dorm and the foosball table
 The view from relaxing in the hammock, where volunteers and family members relax after a morning's hard work
 The view from the shower opens to the valley, partly shrouded by a flowering plant.  There are no houses in sight in the valley, which makes this possible.
 Mariana cooks rice pudding on the outdoor wood-powered stove.  Cooking it over the fire gives it a richer taste, as the smoke intertwines with the flavors of the pudding.
 A typical breakfast: fresh mixed fruit, scrambled eggs, gallo pinto (rice and red beans mixed together), and fried plantains.
 Manga tree: this tree on the neighboring farm's property produced huge female mangos (mangas) nearly the size of a football, so juicy and sweet to eat.
 Acidic lemons: even though they look like funky oranges this fruit is not sweet, and was squeezed into water and sugar to make juice
 Coconuts from a neighbor
 Shredded the coconut meat with a hand grinder.  Shredded coconut was put into chocolate and baked goods.
_DSC0362.jpg
_DSC0486.jpg
_DSC0150.jpg
_DSC0414.jpg
 A cashew fruit fell from an overhanging tree and, on its way down, was speared by this dangerous spiked plant.
Toasted Cashews
Frijoles Rojos
_DSC0556.jpg
_CSC0065.jpg
Hibiscus Tincture
Guanacaste Seeds
_DSC0552.jpg
_DSC0550.jpg
_DSC0528.jpg
_DSC0055.jpg
Toasted Cacao
 Cacao seeds after the skin has been removed
 Jason works at hand grinding cacao while the family's cousins look on.  He didn't speak a word of Spanish (practically) and they didn't speak English, but they still got along.
_DSC0218.jpg
 Amie puts toasted and peeled cacao beans into bags to sell
_DSC0681.jpg
_CSC0719.jpg
_DSC0693.jpg
_DSC0199.jpg
_DSC0597.jpg
_DSC0423.jpg
_DSC0077.jpg
_DSC0325.jpg
_DSC0342.jpg
Chocolates by Jamie Oliver Kemp
_DSC0006.jpg
_DSC0288.jpg
_DSC0275.jpg
_DSC0221.jpg
_DSC0287.jpg
_DSC0285.jpg
_DSC0059.jpg
_DSC0121.jpg
_DSC0329.jpg
IMG_9781.jpg
_DSC0751.jpg
_DSC0467.jpg
_DSC0464.jpg
_DSC0020.jpg
_DSC0108.jpg
Chancho Gets A Shower
_DSC0550-2.jpg
Scarlet Macaws
_DSC0115.jpg
_DSC0613.jpg
_DSC0124.jpg
_DSC0208.jpg
_DSC0192.jpg
_DSC0097.jpg
_DSC0182.jpg
_DSC0152.jpg
_DSC0155.jpg
_DSC0167.jpg
_DSC0297.jpg
Gina
_DSC0136.jpg
Emma
Nikolai
Sandy and Gina
Vickie
Ileana
Jamie
Sandy
Gina
_DSC0163.jpg
_DSC0131.jpg
 Photo Credit: Jorge Salazar Garcia
_DSC0110.jpg
_DSC0401.jpg
_DSC0519-Edit.jpg
_DSC0386.jpg
_DSC0037.jpg
13517431935_a8178bbccd_o.jpg
13517517195_a44e1d400d_o.jpg
Gina
_CSC0430.jpg
Puriscal
_DSC0458.jpg
_DSC0499.jpg
_DSC0579.jpg
_DSC0583.jpg
_DSC0082.jpg

The sunrise as seen from La Iguana's yoga deck

one of many beautiful flowers around La Iguana

Dawn from the upper pasture

A metal heart hangs in front of a cacao pod

Laundry hanging out to dry in the morning sun

Decorative fire grass

The spectrum of cacao colors is due to different types of cacao and varying fermentation durations

Cacao Pod and Beans

The cacao pod surrounded by toasted and shelled cacao beans

Jaboncillo

Jabón = Soap

Jaboncillo can be used to make natural soap.  After biting into one, I can confirm it tastes like soap.

The night sky as seen looking towards the plant nursery from the yoga deck of La Iguana.

Night

One of La Iguana's white horses grazes under a blanket of stars

The view from the road leading to Mastatal, while walking from La Iguana, looking towards La Cangreja.  The barren section of La Cangreja  (visible in the upper left part of the raised hills) is an outlook that myself and 12 other people reached after a 4 hour hike.

Isidro, a man who lives on a neighboring farm, herds his cows to a different pasture, on the road between La Iguana Chocolate and Mastatal

The nursery is where seedlings are started before being transplanted to the larger garden.  It is a covered nursery which makes it great to dry clothes.

Wooden boxes hold starter seeds.

Baby bok choi, four days after being planted.  A special mix of compost and worm poop "supercharges" the sprouting process.

A seedling grows in the long and narrow planters made from bamboo

Volunteers' boots arranged near the volunteers' dorm and the foosball table

The view from relaxing in the hammock, where volunteers and family members relax after a morning's hard work

The view from the shower opens to the valley, partly shrouded by a flowering plant.  There are no houses in sight in the valley, which makes this possible.

Mariana cooks rice pudding on the outdoor wood-powered stove.  Cooking it over the fire gives it a richer taste, as the smoke intertwines with the flavors of the pudding.

A typical breakfast: fresh mixed fruit, scrambled eggs, gallo pinto (rice and red beans mixed together), and fried plantains.

Manga tree: this tree on the neighboring farm's property produced huge female mangos (mangas) nearly the size of a football, so juicy and sweet to eat.

Acidic lemons: even though they look like funky oranges this fruit is not sweet, and was squeezed into water and sugar to make juice

Coconuts from a neighbor

Shredded the coconut meat with a hand grinder.  Shredded coconut was put into chocolate and baked goods.

A cashew fruit fell from an overhanging tree and, on its way down, was speared by this dangerous spiked plant.

Toasted Cashews

The cashew seeds after being thoroughly roasted and before being shelled, to remove any dangerous oils.

Frijoles Rojos

Red beans from La Iguana's harvest.  The best beans I've ever tasted, just boiled and eaten with rice.

Hibiscus Tincture

Hecho de flor de Jamaica

Guanacaste Seeds
Toasted Cacao

The fermented and dried cacao is toasted so that it is easier to peel.  

Cacao seeds after the skin has been removed

Jason works at hand grinding cacao while the family's cousins look on.  He didn't speak a word of Spanish (practically) and they didn't speak English, but they still got along.

Amie puts toasted and peeled cacao beans into bags to sell

Chocolates by Jamie Oliver Kemp
Chancho Gets A Shower
Scarlet Macaws

While shooting some scenes of the cows in the upper pasture, Jorge and I came across a pair of Scarlet Macaws.  It is very common to see them fly in pairs.

Gina
Emma
Nikolai
Sandy and Gina
Vickie
Ileana
Jamie
Sandy
Gina

Photo Credit: Jorge Salazar Garcia

Gina
Puriscal
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