The Rainforest Rag Newsletter

“Last Season Highlights and Plans for the Next One”

Index

	La Tierra (The Land)
	El Mar (The Sea)
	Paraíso para Siempre (Sustainability)
	What's Ahead for 2007
	Eat or Be Eaten (Tropical Recipes)

La Tierra (The Land)

Everyone enjoyed the hiking on our 165 acre preserve and learning about the beauty and power of the magical rainforest from our guides Carlos, Steve and Tomas. Trips to the hidden swimming holes and waterfalls for a cool dunk in crystal clean waters, complete with rainforest view were especially fun. Among the wildlife spotted at the lodge:

	Tropical wildlife such as all 4 kinds of monkeys found in Costa Rica (the smallest of the monkeys- the Titi or Squirrel monkey - made a rare appearance at Nicuesa in September after a 2 year absence), two toed sloth, anteaters, peccaries, armadillos, porcupines, coatis, kinkajous, agoutis, tyras, otters, and even an ocelot.
	Reptiles and Amphibians included both fresh and saltwater turtles, a variety of lizards, snakes, frogs, toads and “Coquito” the resident crocodile.
	Birds - The numerous exotic birds spotted are too many to name as there are approximately 300 different types of birds in the area. Top spots included toucans, macaws, hawks, falcons, parrots, parakeets, Bell Birds, trogons, tanagers, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, cuckoos, doves, and puff birds - as well as water birds such as pelicans, frigate birds, herons, roseate spoonbills and kingfishers. BIRDER OF THE YEAR award goes to 11 year old Sully Gibson of Illinois who spotted 70 different birds.
	Insects - Well, we won’t go into too much detail about the 35,000 species of insects in Costa Rica but we will say that the Blue Morpho Butterfly- one of the most dramatic and beautiful butterflies in the world is a constant companion at Nicuesa Lodge!!! Also that the lighted click beetle was glowing in May and we were lucky to have a bug expert and enthusiast from the New Orleans to tell us all about this and many other bugs. We welcome all those who love bugs and those who can live without them!!!

Δ   

El Mar (The Sea)

The sea had a lot to offer this year from whale spotting, to kayaking with dolphins or along the mangroves of the Esquinas River to fishing adventures.

	Humpback Whales were spotted in the Gulfo Dulce in August and September and several lucky guests that stayed with us at that time were able to spot them up close and personal on the boat as they crossed over the Golfo Dulce to Puerto Jimenez. Please see more photos taken by guests Jim Reinicker and Amanda Peterson on our Flickr account.
	Kayaking the open and 80 degree waters of the Golfo Dulce as dolphins passed close by the kayaks of several guest is always a highlight. Carlos spotted 10 Boa Constrictors and 2 crocs on one Esquinas River Tour. Seeing Coquito’s red eyes in the lagoon or floating alongside the dock at night, just sitting by the edge of the dock watching the sunset (or misty rainforest rains) sweep over the Golfo Dulce everyday were some of the highlights.
	Fishing - Our guests caught a variety of fish in the gulf including red snapper, pacific mackerel, bonito, barracuda, needle fish and a variety of Jack and tunas. The five Baron boys returning for their third year and going out with Mike for a male bonding boat ride (“Mike, stop cursing. Eli is only 5!”) And pulling…. in some great Bonito and skip jack tuna. Mark Trimble and Jeff Blackwell went from rookies to pros with several large Jacks and Snappers. Ken and Sandy Ables pulled out some fancy lures and a bunch of great Hural (Jack Fish) and Ken is planning to study with the “master” fisherman, Tomas, who again led the fishing parade with a pair of a dog tooth snapper each weighing over 50 lbs. Doing it the native way, he pulled them in on a hand line from a kayak!! Several of our guests also went out to do some big game sport fishing in the Pacific Ocean with some of the area’s best captains landing multiple Sailfish, Yellow Fin Tuna and delicious Dorado (Mahi-Mahis)

Δ   

Paraíso Para Siempre (Sustainability)

New for 2007 is our Sustainable Development Tour and Osa Peninsula Region Conservation Initiative. Led by our visiting Conservation Intern, Barbi from Australia, this new tour educates our guests about the behind the scenes operation of our ecolodge including: recycling, alternative energy systems, sustainable construction, and overall information about our rainforest conservation initiatives, as well as others conservation projects in the area.

Through this new program we are hoping to raise awareness and funds from guests to help support the Osa Peninsula Region Conservation Initiatives. Nicuesa priorities include conserving properties in and around Piedras Blancas National Park under the threat of development, sponsoring more park guards to protect the area from illegal hunters/poachers and the completion of wildlife corridors between Piedras Blancas National Park and Corcovado National Park. We are also looking into marine conservation initiatives including helping fight a proposed tuna farm in the Golfo Dulce.

If you are interested in making any donations to conservation initiatives or have questions, please contact Donna directly by email: donna@nicuesalodge.com. Nicuesa is committed to matching all donations, up to $1000. You can make a tax deductible donation to the Osa Campaign in the following manner. (click for more information), please remember to specify osa campaign and let us know so that we can match it.

Δ   

What's Ahead For 2007

	Yoga Program. We are putting a special emphasis on Yoga and other wellness activities for the 2007 year. We have a rotating group of yoga and wellness specialists at the lodge. They offer individual and group yoga, massage, nutrition and wellness/spiritual activities. Each month a new expert will join us. We also have a variety of physical fitness, nutrition and spiritual activities. See our updated yoga & massage schedule. Also, several yoga teachers are coming down with their students to rent the whole lodge for their own workshops. Please tell YOUR yoga instructor about the great atmosphere Nicuesa offers for this activity!
	Massage Therapy. We have both resident and visiting massage therapists to give our guests massages with rainforest aromatherapy products. Lili and Jutta are scheduled to return and offer magical massages during season the as well as several new experts to ensure that massages are available throughout the year.
	Guiding Staff. Carlos our bilingual nature guide returns for his third year at Nicuesa. A Costa Rican native and life long resident of the Puerto Jimenez area, he brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm and is always eager to help you understand and learn about the unique rainforest environment found at Nicuesa. Additionally, for those of you from the first year, Henry visited us for a working holiday in December. He and Robyn are doing well and living in the central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and will hopefully visit again.
	Surfing Lessons. We now offer services to Matapalo for great surfing. Lessons / board rental are available. The trip to Matapalo is approximately 1 hour to 1.5 hour trip.

Δ   

Eat or Be Eaten

Federico, our Head Chef for most of last 3 years, returned to prepare Costa Rican favorites mixed with special dishes from his native Colombia. The Campesino Coconut Fish Stew, Three bean salad and Colombian Empanadas were guest favorites.

We are always ready to take your fresh catch and make some sashimi or ceviche (marinated and “cooked” with freshly picked lemons or limes) as the evening boca (appetizer) for all the guests to enjoy at the bar. We also prepare your catch the local way, “a la plancha” – grilled with garlic and olive oil. Don’t forget the mango salsa on the side!

The variety of fruits on our property including papayas, bananas, pineapples, grapefruits, oranges, star fruit, coconut, guava, and many others only found in the tropics make sure that you get your vitamin C in the a.m. And, with a little help from our neighbors in Nicaragua that provide fine rum, Carlos made some truly LOCO cocktails including the Blue Morpho and the Nicuesa Knockout, and his margaritas made from special mandarin lemons. Don’t forget about saving room for Federico’s irresistible fresh coconut/pineapple pie, the Costa Rican traditional sweet Tres Leches cake (three milks), or a bit of coconut flan.

All of these flavors of Nicuesa and more new ones will be included in our upcoming Recipe Book. As a preview, we’d like to share with you a taste of the epicurean discovery with these freshly delightful appetizer recipe:
Ceviche & Patacones:

Ceviche Serving size: 4 Ingredients:   5 or six fresh fish filets (sea bass, needlefish or other soft, white fish filet) 10 Lemons 1 Onion 1 Red pepper 1 bunch Cilantro 1/2 cup orange juice 6 oz club soda Salt Pepper Procedure: 1. Cut the fish in 1-inch squares and put them in a bowl. Add the juice of 10 lemons. Let stand for two hours. 2. Add a glass of soda or mineral water. Let stand for half an hour. 3. Cut the onion, pepper and cilantro. Mix and add orange juice, salt and pepper 4. Let cool in the fridge for one hour.

Patacones Serving size: 4 Ingredients:   2 green plantain Olive Oil Salt Procedure: 1. Slice each plátano (green plantain) in 6 round disks 2. Fry in olive oil for around 10 minutes. . 3. Take them out and smash them flat using a dish. 4. Fry again for around 5 minutes. 5. Take them out and add some salt. 6. Serve and enjoy with your ceviche, salsa, or guacamole.

Δ