Above: View from one of the lookout points on the property where David works. Click on the pic and then click ‘All Sizes’ at the top of it to get a better view.
Friday 3/21/08 Mal Pais, Costa Rica
My sister’s husband, David, works in the land surveying and topography business. In Costa Rica, especially near sections of undeveloped beachfront, this is a good business to be in. David helps developers and other people map areas of wilderness slated for development. With his help, developers figure out where roads should go, find the flattest plots of land for development, and learn the exact contours of the land they have purchased.
David took us on a hike of the massive coastal property where he spends most of his time working. It’s right on the edge of Cabo Blanco National Park near Mal Pais and will eventually be home to around 30 houses, a small hotel, a restaurant, and a recreational area.
Above: Hiking through the property
Seeing such an amazing peace of pristine property was both awe-inspiring and saddening. Awe-inspiring because it has stunning ocean views, is covered in dense, green vegetation, and filled with the sounds of birds, animals, and the crashing waves. Saddening because it will soon be home to retaining walls, pavement, people, houses, electric golf carts, and other things that will change its current serenity and placidity.
Above: View from one of the proposed home lots
Thankfully, the developer is trying to honor the peacefulness of the place and is opting to use golf carts instead cars, solar power when possible instead of non-renewable energy, and has decided to leave a large section of the land in its natural state for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
But still, change is on the way.
Above: Me and the ocean
Posted in Bike trip: Costa Rica
