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Vilcabamba Glimpse #16
The Gardens at Joe's
It's been too long since my last Vilcabamba Glimpse. That's not because there's nothing to write about. Quite the contrary. We have been so busy with non-stop construction in all areas at Hacienda San Joaquin. Visitors are astonished at the progress we have made and continue to make.
The attached photos, taken Saturday, December 23, are views of some of the organic fruit trees, vegetable gardens and talapia ponds on my own home site. We are already eating delicious organic vegetables from these gardens. The new fruit trees (in addition to the ones that were already here) are coming up so fast. We will be eating papaya in about two months from trees we planted about six months ago. Hard to believe. The banana and avocado trees are growing rapidly as well.
Before we cleared this garden area, like all other areas we cleared, you could not walk through what is now a beautiful and bountiful garden without a machete. Hard to imagine. Any property owner can have ponds, gardens and fruit trees like these. All properties, of course, are already cleared so the hard work is done. J
Beyond the garden area in the photos is my new volleyball stadium (more on that later), horse corral (fence cosntruction just began), and Vilcabamba River. Part of the Andes Mountains form the backdrop.
I will be sending you photo updates on other ongoing projects:
- The Equestrian and Hiking Center (and Organic Ranch Store and Cafe) is well along.
- The front entrance is under construction and should be completed in about a month.
- The new roads are nearly done.
- Electric and internet systems are done. Water systems are nearly done.
- Our Reception Center and Offices are complete.
- We are clearing hiking and horseback riding trails in the hacienda's mountains.
Two of our property owners (both from the U.S.) have begun construction. One of them who has spent a lot of time in Hawaii remarked how similar this area is at this very green time of the year to inland Hawaii. Everything gets very green here with the seasonal rains (mostly at night) that begin in October and end in May. It's very green for about seven months and somewhat green at other times. The spring-like temperatures are consistent year around. Shirt sleeves during the day; a blanket at night for sleeping. No airconditioning! Pretty amazing.
Our web site, www.HaciendaSanJoaquin.com, with the exception of the home-page photo and the photo slide show (which we are working on now), has been updated. All former "Vilcabamba Glimpses" are on the site. Have a look at the new colorful "Site Plan" that shows all 56 ranch properties and more at Hacienda San Joaquin. At "Properties and Prices" click on a property to see size, price and a view from that property. Additional views of or from any property are available (just ask...me).
We have completed our agreement with International Living. They will present Hacienda San Joaquin internationally beginning in January 2007 we expect. Lee Harrison, writer for International Living, who has covered projects extensively in Central and South America, describes Hacíenda San Joaquín as “the best-run” project he has seen, "well-planned, well-executed, well-managed, imaginative and well-backed"
If you have any questions, drop me a note.
Stay well.
The photos:
Best, Joe
Joe Simonetta
Owner/Architect
Hacienda San Joaquin
Vilcabamba, Ecuador
P.S. International Living named Ecuador "The Best Place in the World to Retire" http://www.haciendasanjoaquin.com/best_in_the_world.html