We have finally picked the time we will be back down in Rincon/Puerto Rico: mid January 2012. We have quite a bit we would like to get done while we are there. We have been going back and forth on what to do with the current wood house that is there now. We vacillate between fixing it up and tearing it down to build something new. As of now, I think we are again leaning toward taking it down and rebuilding with the wood some sort of “tree house” or jungle structures in the area down below. We probably won’t get started on that with this trip, but we do have quite a few “to-dos” once we arrive. Here is our list so far (and who wanted it on the list):
Bananas in Puerto Rico (or are they plantains?)
* Plant banana trees (BK)
* Visit with ARC ENG -the architecture/engineering business in Rincon (CK)
* Visit the Rincon Treehouse place to talk about specifics (BK)
* Visit Mangosteen person in Mayaguez if we have enough time (CK)
* CRIM? We haven’t done this yet and probably should (neither really want to)
* Fix up kitchenette to have running water (BK)
* Get estimate for cost of our property ideas by local contractor
* Get hot running water rigged if possible (CK)
* Buy a heavy duty weed-wacker at Home Depot, as the property is probably very overgrown by now (BK)
*Take a surf lesson – if we have time (CK)
* Have a small little fire at night on the property (BK)
*Walk to the beach from property (CK)
* Get rest of bees removed from walls if possible (BK)
* Find closest hospital (just in case-ha) -CK
*Find thrift or 2nd hand stores in the area (CK)
OK – swipe banana starts from the roadside or from friends (we like manzanas, ninas and Monte Cristos best), let me know when you visit the treehouse guy and mangosteen guy (I’d like to come), count on a half day at CRIM (go late in the afternoon), get instant on for a couple hundred bucks for gas (you could even just use a little BBQ tank and swap it back in forth since you aren’t here much, get a heavy-duty trimmer from Puerto Rico Wire if you are serious, surfing will kill you (but it’s fun) Bella Vista is the hospital and their doctor’s offices are in Mayaguez across from the mall and Mayaguez has a Salvation Army. Oh- Mangosteens take 15 years before you get fruit. I haven’t heard of anyone having grafted (injerto) trees. You can test drive a good trimmer at our house – it made all the difference for Jeff. See ya soon!
I think you should start a Katrina’s list for Puerto Rico, or maybe a KK knowledge mural!
hahaha.. surfing won’t kill you, just cut you up on the reefs. There is a great nursery in Cabo Rojo (check ca2pr blog) that sells grafted trees for $8.00 each. You get fruit within the first 2 years, but I’ve never seen Mangosteens there (Katrina is right). Home Depot cracks me up with all the families buying new weed wackers. Never just the husband buying it, it’s the WHOLE FAMILY including the grandmother. OH and if you need a name of a contractor (gringo), let me know. We’re there 1.7.12 till 1.15.12 and then in mid feb, I have a house full of surfers to teach you.