Slow Rolling! ! Costa Rica, Graham Swindell

Aug already?

2011-08-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

June and July were full of raining making it feel like rainy season but ever since August rolled around the sun decided to show itself and the waves decided to bless us as well. Not sure my plans for the rainy season . I haven't been home in a long time and it would be nice to visit family.

Happy Birthday to Me

2011-05-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

It's been a while but I'm still kicking and bitching as usual. Nothing really that excitingly different here in Costa Rica other than the weather being weird as shit. Rainy season started stopped kinda started then offshores started blowing to set us back into total confusion. If the world's going to end in 2012 then we better get some things done!

Got married, love my wife, love my dog, love my life. Hate greedy gringos living in Costa Rica that invade a culture and try to turn it into what they think is a perfect society. ... For god's sake my thoughts on this matter will never change, so please stop trying.

I spend every day making videos and sometimes I get to do photography. Did I mention how much I love taking photos? I never thought I would find a job that I enjoy until now.

Give me my surfboard, camera, and computer and I will figure out how to make a living or at least die trying!!!!

Enjoy the night, it's my birthday !
~g

Mac Vs PC

2011-01-29T19:58:00.000-08:00

I have changed to Mac but I hold on to my Sony Viao Laptop out of habit. It was a well needed change for my photography as it seems to have simplified life a little. I'm always learning and growing in photography. I see so many different photographers with the most incredible styles and always wonder what exactly mine is. I have come to conclusion I just enjoy capturing any moment at any time whatever it be. Weddings, Houses, Surfing, Adventure I photograph it all and love every moment of it. Below is a new black and white process I have been practicing. Hopefully I continue to grow and maybe even make an honest living doing what I enjoy. ..

Nov Update late in Dec

2010-11-28T18:57:00.000-08:00

It came and went like a summer breeze. Special thanks to everyone who helped make it a very special day for my new wife and I. November isn't know for rain, but this year has been really wet and around 4pm everyday it seems to pour as if it were July. The day of the wedding the sky grew dark as it rained nearby but not a drop was had in Playa Garza.

Marriage is a new journey for me and I am happy to have found someone to share my life with. Francela brings happiness to everything she does. I truly hope we can defy all the odds when it comes to successful marriages that are filled with happiness. No doubt its a tough journey but with simplicity, communication, and real love I think its going to come easy.

Somewhere in Costa Rica

2010-11-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

October brings excitement to our world!

2010-10-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

So imagine you're horseback riding in the USA. It would consist of large groups and horses so old that if they even thought about a gallop, it would mean heart failure. The pure thought of something happening outside the "Bubble Norm" would result in lawsuits and business downfall.
Now I bring you to my world. A small ranch outside of Arenal and San Carlos, CR where my Fiance's sister has managed to yet again give us something memorable. We were given our horses and told to follow. Having not been on a horse in years I said what the hell. Twenty minutes later we were all in full gallops and racing through the valleys. Never ending views of mountains and stream in the horizon as we raced to an imaginary finish line. There were four of us and an instructor.
It was one of the most amazing days until reality settled in. As I passed my Fiance and her sister I was victorious in my own head. But wait, Francela's horse is fiercely approaching and takes the lead. A closer look reveals there is no longer Francela riding the horse as the saddle bounces sideways falling to the ground. As I look back I notice she has fallen and appears to be in a daze. As I approach her I notice she is covered in mud as the giant mud pit at the bottom of the valley seemed to have broken her fall. Trying not to cry she says she's alright but I know from the speeds we were traveling that there was no way in hell she didn't take a beating. A small kiss to tell her I am sorry, as I reached for my camera and captured these photos below. Moral to the story is don't run horses downhill, value life everyday, and if you break out a camera it makes everything better! Enjoy the day.

Two days later I took a ride in this thing to finish a video job . I have flown lots in my life. Small and large plans but never like this. Feet above the ocean at about 100mph racing through the waves is enough to give anyone a hard on. It was the smoothest flight of my life. The German pilot seemed to be able to fly in his sleep.

Dia en Familia

2010-09-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

Our Saturdays are not spent at the mall. They don't consist of traffic jams or imax theaters. This is a common weekend for us. Hell its also sometimes our daily routine mixed with a little bit of work. I really enjoy this quality of life thing.

2010-08-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

Two Leos dancing in the sunset. Francela (right) took it to the next level when she invited Gabby (left) to a dinner party with our DISCO BALL! Later they broke out the hulahoops which was followed by Salsa. I have to remind Francela that , though I am really dark, I am still a white boy with no rhythm . I never would have imagined a life full of dancing and laughing but hell life is full of surprises and now I can't imagine a life without it. I just need to learn how to move my hips :)

The great thing about her is she just does what she feels like and where ever she feels like doing it. It is always with %100 passion.

And for this I am greatful because I could be teamed up with some money hungry cunt who only wants material things....

bienvenidos a Nicaragua

2010-07-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

We packed our boards and headed for a 3 day venture into somewhat familiar territory.Three hours North of Nosara, Costa Rica is the border for Nicaragua. Slow rolling Costa Rica turns into Slower Rolling Nicaragua aka NICA. . Popoyo and Rancho Santana are not secrets in the surfing community, none-the-less we couldn't couldn't help but get excited seeing the chest to head high barrels breaking close to the beach.

A friendly hostel at 10$ a person was located directly in front of this break. Dinner rates were about 5-7$ a night. On the final night I splurged and bought lobster/steak for a pricey $10. Did we mention the food was incredible? Anyhow, while Nicaragua is no longer the road less traveled, it sure as hell made our Visa renewals a pleasant one.

Along for the ride was my good Costa Rican friend Alfredo who despite all the negativity with the two countries, decided to check it out. Life is full of surprises when you look outside of the box. I enjoy feeding off of other's energy

Paula and Fabi

2010-07-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

In Nov I will become Tio Graham to these two girls. They both are full of life and energy and carry the biggest smiles on a regular basis. I at one point was stuck in a car in Downtown San Carlos with the alarm going off with just the two of them in the back seat. Instead of them freaking out crying during all the siren noises they decided to sing along. While they sang I was shitting my pants not knowing how I would ever get the damn thing to go off. Either way fun stuff.

Link to wedding!

2010-07-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.momentville.com/FrancelaYGraham

here is a link for family trying to plan travels to our wedding..

Please pass this link to family in the UK as well.

Low Season = High Season in my eyes

2010-05-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

May came and brought the rain. Well needed rain at that. Things turn green almost over night and the place comes alive. The tourist seem to scatter back to the states to enjoy the summer months making this place heaven. I've never been one to want to be cluttered with anything other than a shit ton of photos and memories that I can tell stories about and take to my grave. Live your life simple but live you life well. It's not hard and not for everyone , but if you are one who desires change then change. The clock doesn't stop ticking for anyone anywhere.

attempt 2

2010-05-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

NosaraShack.com from projectgfs on Vimeo.

Attempt 1 gopro HD Nosara CR

2010-04-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

This is for my mother. Thanks for the toy. I'm still learning the best way to position it but good things to come. Love and miss you guys, Graham

2010-04-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

“If you want to be happy, be.”

2010-04-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Playa Pelada is still today one of my favorite places for many reasons. This just being one of them. Enjoy Easter See you guys soon!

Save Now

PHOTO WHORES GALORE!

2010-03-08T13:28:00.000-08:00

And everybody here is a cloud
and everybody here will evaporate

you came up from the ground
from a million little pieces

have you found where your place is?

I Do

2010-03-05T05:38:00.000-08:00

Sunset wedding North Pelada. Killing the time as I look forward to visiting the family in April then hopefully a couple of weeks in PAVONES in May...... May 6th is my birthday for any family member that has forgotten. I will be umm.. shit.. Old enough to have gray hairs but young enough to surf twice a day and run for miles :) ... Oh and I take paypal and credit cards if you are worried about getting my gift to me.. :) Visit nosarashack.com to see our daily surf photography. adios, g

zomg mi corazon tiene luz!!! nOOOO!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!

2010-02-21T16:40:00.000-08:00

For valentines day I dropped in on this lovely chick making her go over the falls. It's the only time I have ever seen her angry with me. The look on her face was priceless. Thing is she surfs as good as I do and when she did the Florida paddle around on a head high plus set, I decided to drop in anyways. While I was getting a great little tube, I could hear her getting worked going over the falls..... happy v-tines day my dear!!! I don't think I have said I am sorry so many times in my life.. Kudos to you my dear Francela! and for the photo above: We saw and photo and decided why not attempt to do our own version with a little twist.

Below photo for www.nosarashack.com.. the best freaking surf website in Nosara Costa Rica

Fui a Marbella con mis amigos hoy!

2010-02-08T11:29:00.000-08:00

Micheal on the left and Alfredo on the right are two funny ass Ticos when you get them together. Alfredo climbed a twenty foot tree and kicked out pipa (coconuts) for everyone to eat and drink. Agua de Pipa ,like everyone here knows, is a natural energy drink and the meat is almost like a meal itself. What better way to start the surf session. I actually ate way too much after this photo. Good thing I shot photos for the next hour...

Micheal is young yet explosive. He rides a somewhat decent board but it's still broken in half. Imagine how he would ride on good equipment.

Alfredo's in the same boat. His boards are old but his style is explosive. Big turns and lots of reverses...

We are currently working on a plan to try and get these guys some good gear.

2010-02-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

It's easy to spend your life in routine, but I am pretty sure life isn't routine. I heard a lady mention retired life here in Nosara, Costa Rica was not for her. She decided to move back to the US and start working again. It's a constant struggle for myself as well but working my ass off for nothing back home hardly seems like the solution for me. To each his own though. I am actually pretty convinced that, although my mother and father really seem to miss seeing me, they would be more upset to have me move back.

I surf. I have for many years. I am not the greatest but I know I am not the worst. Surfing has controlled every aspect of my life since I was very young. While I don't label myself as a surfer and my travel destinations are not always surf ones, I live for this shit. If I have a family it's important for them to be a part of it as well. It's a life full of health, nature, travel, people, motion, simplicity, and some of the most incredible sunrises and sunsets. A recipe for happiness in my eyes. I would love to have material things but I know myself. A week of having a brand new house I would get bored with it. I constantly crave new things and excitement verses consistency in this world.

Stay black yall!

2010-02-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

ZOMFG! like, my camera is 900 megapixels and I have a 700mm zoom lens at 1.0. It takes photos by itself and puts them online while I sleep.....

nope, and if I had a darkroom and my 35mm I would be doing that over digital mundo. So pardon my color calibration on my 200$ laptop while I continue freeze moments

in time.

So hot, So dry, So Flat, June rains sound good about now..

and this is the word of Graham

2010-01-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

Unlike the cold winter back home, there's no snow in the forecast here. Would be nice to see though. The sun is incredibly brutal this time of year during mid day. Sunblock sells for around $10 bucks a tube making it too rich for my blood. Needless to say, I am pretty damn tan at the moment. I always get kicks out of emails and conversations from people besides my family who actually read my blogs. If one doesn't understand my shit for a sense of humor,one obviously would not understand my run-on sentences and pointless ramblings. I live a good honest life and there are very few things I take serious. Our time here is very short. I come from a family of hippies, this is true. They taught me the real meaning of living. Giving, sharing, Loving (currently working on this one!) and how to live a full life. So pardon me if I step on any toes during my writing. It's truly unintentional and I am always open to listen but be warned I can also be very opinionated when it comes to certain things. I am proud to be Gringo because that is what I am but I am more proud to be an earthling. The people of any culture in the end know what's best for their culture not North Americans. If the "real" North Americans were still around they would probably back me on this one. Oh wait, we befriended then killed them. So in the end Costa Rica is a beautiful rich country with great places and humble people. God help the outer influences on them! While the American Project may have started out as a project of reforestation I can argue the fact that still is in the best interest.(I commend you guys who strive to keep it this way) ...

I would love to document where our trash really goes once it leaves here. How safe our water really is. Large development. How the gas station really opened up. What is run by drug money here and so on but I can't because I have started hanging out with the coolest chick ever and all I can do is fucking smile......

Either way have a great freaking day and don't take me serious because I sure as hell don't!~~!!@@#!#$

Bienviendos Nosara

2010-01-25T10:59:00.000-08:00

Things people don't tell you about Nosara. Well because I have been spending so much time in Playa Guiones I realized I have lost one of the many reason I ever moved to this country...

I moved here to absorb culture, experience life, surf less crowded spots, and hang out with spanish speaking beauties. In the beginning it all seemed so real but like anywhere any time when we get somewhat comfortable we have these tendencies to resort back to old habits and ways.

Today I realized that I am fully surrounded by North Americans. I mean living in South Florida was more culture than Playa Guiones.. If I had a dime for every Yoga girl and Surf Student here I would be able to fund the next 20 years of my travels. When Ticos spend 80% of their day speaking English you know something is screwed...

If you don't know anything about Nosara its pretty simple. Playa Guiones is in the American Project. Meaning some gringos bought up a shit load of land and sectioned it off and labeled it with the dumbest name I have ever heard. "Proyecto Americano" is simple. 20 Surf schools, giant north american yoga centers, expensive land, a few bars, old gringos with money trying to date young women because they have no chance back home, and a consistantly shitty wave that has no proper form....

This is "High Season" Playa Guiones, Costa Rica... Bienviendos Nosara!

I think it's time to travel and wait for High Season to end~

NIC

2010-01-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

For those who don't know the process for Gringos without residency it goes like this: every 90 days we have to do a visa run which is usually either a quick trip to the states or a 3 hr drive to Nicaragua. Panama this time of year is also a smart option because you're probably going to catch it good! We decide to drive to Nicaragua at a place called Rancho Santana (5hr total time from Nosara). The waves this time of year are a bit smaller and it's the off season. Needless to say we still had a great time, caught some waves, had some laughs, and ate some great food.

=P العربية

2009-12-13T17:04:00.000-08:00

While parents are freezing their ass off son plays on the left in Pelada. I asked them to join me for the holidays but they said I was the least favorite of their kids so they would have to see what the others plans were first. Happy holidays to everyone who reads this. I have plans to return to the States in April for my cousin's wedding. I will at that time officially have won the bet as being the last single person in the family.. FU@K ME!!! That's was a stupid bet.. Sounded better while drinking.....

Plato's Republic found in Nosara! WTF??

2009-12-06T04:35:00.000-08:00

My guess is that religion could be better explained via this picture at the top vs a church full of fake people. I snapped this shot last night. This guy is reading some kind of bible while his day comes to an end. While the speedos kind of took away from the original shot, I still wanted to capture the moment. I switched to a different angle and got what I was looking for. Simplicity, tranquility, accompanied by a beautiful sunset with crashing waves... Maybe I have found my utopia. If not for the long run, surely for a quick moment...

Tuanis!~!~@#

Gettn froggy!

2009-11-30T07:03:00.000-08:00

Little guy stopped by to say hello today. We had a staring contest... He won!

umm lemme check my pda!! yea i'm free that day

2009-11-25T08:26:00.000-08:00

Weddings, Fashion, Surf Photography, Property Photography,, busying doing it all.. Paradise slowly transitions into real life when you're checking you calendar to see what day is free. Considering I haven't really worked for the last year, I can hardly complain. I still surf daily and get to meet really cool people.

Tuanis,
g

High School 1959vs 2009

2009-11-18T16:52:00.000-08:00

Got this email from dad.. Really funny and so true

HIGH SCHOOL --1959 vs. 2009

Scenario 1:
Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.
1959 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack...
2009 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1959 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2009 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3:
Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.
1959 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2009 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD... The school gets extra money from the state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1959 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.
2009 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison.. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1959 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock..
2009 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations... His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6:
Pedro fails high school English.
1959 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2009 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist.. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher.. English is then banned from core curriculum.. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario 7:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.
1959 - Ants die.
2009 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism.. The FBI investigates his parents --and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1959 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2009 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

This should hit every email inbox to show how stupid we have become.....

work at home.wmv

2009-11-18T11:13:00.000-08:00

um thanks sis for digging this up. A few years back this was my life in South Florida doing contract Dept of Defense work.. Every day I was like "are you fucking serious"

Life is too short for shit like this.. Great pay, had lots of dough but no soul!!!

UBER LEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO MORE!!!!!!!!!! 1337!!!!!

2009-11-14T18:11:00.000-08:00

Got waves, Got camera, Got new board, Got cuba libre, got pilsen 6.0, Got lower rent in my 1 bedroom dorm, got a bunch of kittens off the road that someone dumped (thanks Ryan for giving them a home) , got no cash, got soul, got family, got friends, got health, got no woman, got no problems, Got lots to learn, Got lots to live, Got lots to love!

Summer is here.

One of my favorite people here is a guy named Santos who collects cans. He always gives me a blessing if he sees me eating at Olgas and I try to give him rides. It's so easy to forget the real people of Nosara and Pelada when your busy living the dream...

Quality of life vs Drive and Dedication.. Catch 22 in my book.... Would love to find the happy medium.

Kudos to you Santos and may I bless your next meal!

Ready for Tyson!

2009-11-01T06:29:00.000-08:00

My new photgraphy office is located with a hair stylist who does some crazy cool shit. Yesterday she made up these local Ticas and took them to the boxing ring which is located in the middle of the jungle for their photo shoot. 20 min walk at 90 degrees is tough when your hair is all done up.. Prop to these chicks. With low lighting and no umbrellas here is the finished work... This was a really fun photoshoot for me as I have been mostly shooting surfing the past two months.. Nice to change it up every now and then..

~graham

Something smells fishy!

2009-10-29T23:04:00.000-07:00

NC Aquarium from projectgfs on Vimeo.

A brief trip back to NC led us to the NC Aquarium to kill some time. Filmed with my mino flip and with an audio track from an all too familiar band if you've watched sipping jetstreams (only song on my hardrive that wasnt metal).. We present another crappy home video de graham..

Enjoy

Clean water my ass!

2009-10-22T16:54:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting article about the safety of the drinking water here in Nosara and couldn't help but laugh my ass off. Don't believe everything people tell you. That should be rule number one in life. Have it tested yourself to determine if it's suitable for you and your family.(or even your dog for that matter) If you refer back to one of my old post. We had an environmental team test both well and drinking waters in one particular area.. It was actually a rather nice hotel. The bag on the left was the well tested . The one on the right was the city.. Needless to say they should have turned a yellow color but instead turned black. What does this mean.. Well simply put there are signs of shit in your water.. Pura Vida!!!

Prove me wrong~~~~ I'm waiting..

I will say that during rainy seasons the water is worst. Be sure to boil it for 10-20mins prior to drinking it and use the same water for the ice.

I learned this the hard way last week. Sad thing was I knew better!!!

And if the Police , Trafico, and government are corrupt why the hell wouldn't the water company be? I mean everything here does after all have a price.

Point being. If you plan on living here take a few more bucks and pay someone trustworthy to professionally test for the many different type of bacterial or minerals in your drinking water. Don't believe someone just because they said it. People here will sell you a log of turtle shit as a log cabin!!

here we go......

2009-10-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

I moved here to Nosara, Costa Rica over 1 and a half years ago. I pretty much did a 180 degree turn in my life and haven't looked back since. Adapting to the transition wasn't too much of a culture shock being raised in the country of North Carolina, but the hardest adjustment I have yet to overcome is the need of steady cash. I spent many years thinking working my ass off was the key to securing my future of travel and excitement only to learn time flies too damn fast .. I decided to just leave it all.t all. I left a car, super great paying job, friends, and family to become whatever it is I am today.

So what am I today? Well anyone who knows me loves and hates my camera. I would prefer walking around alone shooting photos rather than hanging out with a bunch of people talking in a loud bar. I live for that shit. I really do. Other than surfing it's the only thing that "completes me." The post processes have become therapeutic as well. I can watch the photos come alive in digital darkrooms for hours only to change them back to their original state. My days are spent surfing, photography, hammock & book, and sometimes a movie.

So what's my point? I have always stayed away from photography as a profession in fear that it would destroy my passion for the art, but I have always wondered if I actually could make a living out of it. The town is afterall in need of a photographer. The closest thing we have here, other than the tourist with their point and shoots, is a real estate company who tries to capitalize on everything from property management to baby's diapers while also offering every type of photography known to man. Sadly my buddy is the photographer.. (Sorry man! you'll understand my sarcasm one day).. So as of the last two months my sole income depends on photography which is scary as shit! I hope I can pay the bills.

Entonces......
So.. ... Wish me luck and keep me in mind if you need my services in Nosara, Costa Rica. I'm pretty booked with weddings this year amongst all the surf pix....

Ciao,
g

Rayando en la arena! ¨Scribble it in the sand¨

2009-10-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

It´s almost like a gift from a god. We are in the middle of our rainy season and the weather is amazingly beautiful. Cool breeze and surf sessions with only the locals out. I looked at the forecast and it´s showing scattered thunderstorms but nothing which would means rain for days. If you´re into surfing try to imagine it's head high and glassy , the weather is perfect, 80 degree water temp,beautiful sunsets, and not that many people around. This is October 2009 for Playa Pelada-Playa Guiones. Wish you were here!

GREYSON's Promoting his .coms

2009-09-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

Greysonlamp.com and GreysonSick.com advertisment from projectgfs on Vimeo.

back in NC to renew the passport. Too much funny crap comes from Greyson's mouth. We could probably make money off of what he says daily. Here he is randomly talking about .coms . Where he got this from I have no clue!!!

short vs long

2009-08-31T05:28:00.000-07:00

This was my first attempt at video and not surfing in the ocean. I will say that I have no clue how the pros do it. I mean 1hr of treading water was hard and then you have to worry about shooting a straight video. Props to people who do this professionally. I think next time I will float on a boogey board. Highlight of the video is this little Tico pup who just walks up in front of me and takes a load off. This was a smaller day in Ostional.

as the end nears!

2009-08-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Will shoot for plata!

RainySeasonMumbleJumbLe

2009-08-19T14:01:00.000-07:00

We were all wondering when it would start raining. Last few days it seems to be getting fired up. It has been an especially dry Aug but maybe that means the flood gates were stuck... who knows. this video is an example of the rain we will have in the next months consistently.

Monkey Business

2009-08-13T10:17:00.001-07:00

These sneaky bastards are always trying to jump onto the top balcony into the room. They are the hardest things to photograph. They are like ninjas, black as night. All together there were about 6-8 of them and one really really little guy who I couldn't really get a photo of. These are the Howler monkeys of Costa Rica. They sound like death.. You hear before you see them and if you're not familiar with the sound it scares the living shit out of you. Sounds like a giant bear is about to attack you. In reality they are about a foot or two tall.. big sounds small dudes..

No Tengo Plata!

2009-08-11T13:02:00.001-07:00

I take pride in photography but it's so tough to make a living these days because everyone has a digital camera. If you have an interest in Playa Guoines/Nosara Costa Rica and if you appreciate art/photography like I do, please visit my site www.projectgfs.com and consider buying a print. You will have it mailed to your house in days and I guarantee it will look good on your wall!

Peas Nickle!!

2009-08-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

Morning photo session for nosarashack.com surf report. Has become an everyday routine.

Nosara Shack

2009-08-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard trying to develop a website that promotes local surf talent in the area. I have put together the following site. www.nosarashack.com . If you are planning on visiting or if you're into surfing you should check it out. Even if you have no interest in the lifestyle it still might be worth checking out. Add it to your bookmarks and try to click the link once a day to help me out!! This site is designed in mind to help get these local guys some decent sponsors while also documenting surfing in the area as well as other parts of Costa Rica. Media and News are added daily with hopes that by November it will be fully active. I am also trying to find a local charity to support, so if you know of one please email me graham@projectgfs.com . I will remain in Costa Rica through another rainy season. (Sept/Oct) Wish me luck!! Pura Vida!

Doodle me dandy!

2009-08-01T19:34:00.000-07:00

I'm a doodler just like my pops! I don't know the first thing about art but when I get bored to kill the time I draw strange things like this.... Do you remember the last time you could sit down and doodle? Pros and Cons of a simple life. Pura Vida!

QUE BONITA DIA

2009-07-31T07:14:00.000-07:00

After reading the "Tao of Pooh" one can't help but go outside and shoot pictures of flowers and birds. This of course, was before my morning cup of super strong cafe. When the coffee gets in my system it's all A.D.D. from there. No time to shoo pretty little flowers and Birdies. "Que Bonita Dia!" That is what I said to someone this morning.

What a beautiful day indeed. The humming birds were too fast from one angle to stop the wings so I shot from another. Only way to get it frozen was to shoot really high shutter which made the shot dark... DAMN YOU HUMMING BIRDS!! Always screwing my day up.. (coffee has since kicked in) To my family who reads my blog, To my friends who read my blog, To people I don't know who read my blog, and to the bill collector trying to figure out where I live reading my blog, HAVE A WONDER DAY!!!

Tica Mar !!!

2009-07-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

This is Tinis. She is %100 Tica even with the blue eyes and blonde hair. Born in San Jose and put in Playa Guiones to try and keep me straight. She has helped in so many ways I wouldn't even know where to start. In the future I will try not to piss her off so bad as she is also %100 Latina. Cool thing about her is the fact that she has no clue how beautiful she is. I had to beg her to sit for 10mins before she ran upstairs and raided my chocolates. Pura Vida Muchacha!

Aug is a great time for a visit!!!

2009-07-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Lazy day here. Trying to figure out the best way to get some supplies. If anyone is down for a quick trip I can offer a free place to stay for the week/weekend. I simply need you to bring a few things for me.

My car is in the shop til the weekend due to me riding the hell out of the clutch but I can get ya from Liberia/San Jose anytime after that..

Think about it mom/dad/sis/bro/friends .. Help a brother out!!!

PUNKRAWKISBACK

2009-07-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

A good deal of my life has been spent listening and playing music. While most people tend to cater towards one particular genre, I always tried to keep my mind open. It's safe to say I love all music but I have always had the best memories flashing back to Punk. Punk Rock was my teens and twenties. I played drums in a punk band for a couple of years. If i could have adapted to the life of late night in clubs and being drunk that would have been for me. Instead surfing, like always, won the contest.. Whatever,,, The reason I am saying this is because last night I sat down and had a glass of vino and youtubed a bunch of old punk bands I use to listen to. I stumbled upon these guys who are members of Lagwagon and MeFirstandtheGimmeGimmes. I was so sad to Learn the drummer took his life a couple of years back. He was one of my favorites.. Hats off to you guys!!! This is one of the songs that everyone listened to by nofx. BadAstronaut has redone it.

Surf is up !

2009-07-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

When Playa Guiones is double overhead plus like it was yesterday
Pelada fires!!!! After shooting 1 hr in knee deep water I gave my tripod a break and went surfing!!!!

Jungle Path from projectgfs on Vimeo.

Not another one!!! Geez do I have to watch it graham?...

2009-07-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

Typical day in Playa Guiones, Costa Rica from projectgfs on Vimeo.

Ok another really quick boring video to show what goes on daily here. Yesterday we had a cookout on the beach. Good surf and good food. The weather doesn't get any better nor do the sunsets. The parrot is from Coconut Harry's Surf shop. He is a mean little mofo..

meanwhile back in the States!

2009-07-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

I recently got the news that my little cousin Nathan was getting engaged. This took the family by surprise because deep down we all thought he was sporting the rainbow boxers. Well a big "THANKS ASSHOLE" to you Nathan. Now I am the last single person in the family. I hope she knows what she is getting into.

The below image portrays the true Nay Nay we all have grown to know.

and here's a shot of him with the lucky gal!

Que Rica!!!

My bad!@#$ that was another moment of debauchery he had. here is the lucky gal!

Nite shooting Tip

2009-07-08T17:45:00.000-07:00

I don't consider myself worthy of teaching photography but sometimes its' nice to help beginners out. I had problems learning how to shoot in the dark and after a few years of being drunk wondering around at night with my camera I feel as though I have somewhat progressed... (reading back on this sounds kinda creepy. I mean walking around drunk with a camera at night might not be advisable to some people)
Tuanis< style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Shot was taken with no light. 30 mins after the sun was completely down. In other words, it was dark as shit!!

It's easy here is how...

Tripod a must

Camera shutter 30seconds
Camera Aperture 3.5 or lowest
Camera ISO 400, higher is possible but you will get grain or forced to use noise reduction.

Timer used for final snap.

Post processing includes raised exposure, minor bakground dodging as well as normal unsharpmask sharpening. Pretty natural shot and due to the long shutter causes the silk effect of the water..

Hardest factor is using Manual Focus due to it being night. *Tip focus on distant house light and take it from there. It usually take 2 or 3 shots before getting what you are after.

July sunsets rule

2009-07-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

I don't photo sunsets that much because I am always shooting other stuff but tnite my buddy James wanted to go shoot a spot in Pelada so I quickly agreed. Sunsets get boring to lots of photographers but to me i simply love the colors and surprises the darker it gets. The below image is James trying to find the right angle..... Gotcha Dood!!! You turned into my subject without even knowing.

P.S. The surf has been huge in Guiones

Blow hole in Pelada. Inches away from being a great shot but I cut the top of the splash off!
A little over exposed but kinda cool none-the-less.

Corny Family video

2009-06-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

Graham finally comes home for a visit from projectgfs on Vimeo.

This was taken with that little flip mino hd I was holding the entire time I was home. I arrived in Orlando then rode with my cousin to asheville NC then to Winston Salem nc then to Greenville nc then to elizabeth city nc then to norfolk va where I flew back to Orlando with enough time to pick up a few supplies before I headed home to Costa Rica.. Was all the driving worth it? Hell yea! I love my family!!

june then july

2009-06-26T06:24:00.000-07:00

After a quick 10 day trip back home I am happy to say I have returned to my house in Playa Pelada and all is well. I am putting together a cool little family video I made of the trip in the next few days.... It's nice to be back in the water.

Playa Pelada 6-5-2009

2009-06-05T13:29:00.001-07:00

Surf was up at our beach today. 5 minutes away in Guiones it's double over head and closing out. This is when Pelada heats up. Above is a local Tico Shredder

We even allow Gringos at our beach. Here is Erik from Surfingnosara with a nice little one

Alfredo is probably the king of this peak.

Alfredo on another chest high gem.

Beddings and Wutterflys

2009-06-02T13:44:00.001-07:00

These crafts are made by the Nicas. I sent one to my brother with my cousin Nathan about a year ago and he has yet to give it to him. Well Clay this is what the pot looks like so enjoy the picture because evidently that is all you're getting!

Please stop with the gay sunset pictures Graham!!! NEVER!!! I will always be a sunset whore!!! Another shot of Pelada at sunset which hardly does the area justice.

We had another wedding yesterday at sunset which probably makes 4 in the last 30 days. So if you're thinking about marrying someone, book a trip to Nosara and take care of business.. If only it was that simple :) above is the happy couple from Orlando, Florida.

This ugly bastard was sitting on my hammock. Who the hell does he think he is? Stupid butterfly I got my eye on you!!!

Adios

2009-05-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

In June I will be traveling and also moving from this location. This has been a great house which entertained lots of friends and family of mine throughout this past year. Don't worry I'm not moving far as I intend to stay in Pelada. above shot is Tinis day dreaming on the front porch.

More rocks and dogs!

2009-05-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

All is well in Pelada. We have our evening showers and intense t-storms daily. I often tell stories that do not do the thunder justice in this area. You must experience it for yourself. It shakes the earth. The above shot was me testing whitebalance to bring out the sand. Well it appears it didnt work but the rest of the shot came out well so I decided to keep it. This is the same little island in North Pelada near my house.

This is the reef at South Pelada. You can only access it at low tide. To the left not pictured is a small cave and white rocks on a almost pink beach. It's no secret to locals. I often see them fishing off the top of the rock in the furthest distance. There is also a left wave that breaks on shallow reef. I want to find someone to snorkel it to see if we might be able to surf it because it breaks really slow.

Flat reef makes for a creative shot.

This is not a great shot but I kinda wanted to give those of you who have visited an idea of where I was shooting from.

This damn dog doesn't listen for shit. Sativ taking a nap on the forbidden sofa. We lost her for a few days only to find her on the beach living like a champ with another local family. I can't say I blame her for the extended vacation, she was being fed chicken, chasing birds on the beach, and hanging out with the children. The family thought she was abandoned because we take her collar off due to skin problems. Either way our Hijo De Puta award goes to her this week.

Clay Swindell

2009-05-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

This is my older and much dumber brother Clay on Time Team America here

Too bad I can't view it in Costa Rice but I am sure it turned out good.

Below is a flashback photo from when we were kids. I felt the need for captions due to the expressions presented.

Stupid pelada rocks.

2009-05-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

Let’s face it sometimes life just doesn’t go the way you expect it to. The shit hits the fan and things get frustrating. Yesterday I had one of those days although it wasn't anything worth mentioning.The older you get the more you learn how and what to do to control yourself. For me it’s as simple as finding a spot watching the sun set with my trusty camera. This moment is often accompanied by a delicious beverage to cut the edge.This was my spot in Pelada near dark with an open shutter and drink of anis imperial. This is also the "secret left" in pelada during high tide.

Come on May flowers!

2009-04-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

Wedding at Estrella De Mar above photo by Rees

The season is over and the crowds are dropping in size. We had our first quick shower the other day while I was photographing a hotel. It was nice to see everyone stop what they were doing and walk outside to look at the rain.

Surf in December

We just had a huge south swell that kept the surf a solid 8 feet at Guiones. (shot above was not the swell) We took the opportunity to search the surrounding areas for a less crowded break. After breaking two leashes I was finally glad to see this particular swell go. Look like we have another one lined up for the beginning of Mayo already.

Below shots are from a wedding my friend James and I photographed in the Mountains of Guiones. Beautiful sunset with a beautiful view of Guiones and surrounding beaches.

My advise was "don't do it" but he didn't listen

one of the rooms

Father and son on wedding day

need Rain!

2009-03-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Living in a house in Playa Pelada
without bars is not a very smart thing
unless you have one of these.
Sativ is our guard dog. If you break
into our house she will lick you to death.

I will take you all the way to San Juanillo and teach you how to snorkel. Only problem is I will lead you to the wrong snorkeling beach. I have since learned from my mistakes. :) THis is the fishing b each in SJ the snorkeling one is north and supposely one of the most beautiful spots in CR to do i
t at.

My father tried all week to catch a fish
untill he learned it's all about timing.
When the fish feed they feed in schools and will bite anything you throw at them. These are the locals during a mid day fish feeding. They all are using handlines because if you ask them rod and reels are made for boats. I saw a Tico with a 40lb rooster fish the other day he had caught on his hand line. I can't imagine what it took to get that joker in.

I had to put this picture in here because how often do you get to see ur parents chilling on a scooter. Miss you guys come back and visit soon.

View of the boca/nosara beach from Lagarita Lodge. Want to surf here. Just wait for hard offshore winds and low tide ri

sing. Can be very very fun without any people.

Villa Del Sol. Leave it to man to destroy beauty with concrete condos. This is located behind the "Squatters" House in Pelada.

Boca Nosara, Paddle this to surf the beach.

South Guiones Guanacaste Tree.

Old photo but I just want people to know Pelada gets good sometimes. It also gets about 5 times this size. The right hander in front of Olgas.

The irony of leaving a country of mass consumers only to come to Costa Rica to open a store selling bikinis cannot be explained. Simply put we do what we do to survive. Here is a photo shoot of some of our Latina style bikins. This paticular photo is of a mother and daughter who spent a few weeks surfign the area. The mother is one of Burton's first snowboard riders... Cool family. Thanks for letting us photograph you.

Ride a bike to Ostional when it's not Dry season. You will not be dissapointed.

Another shot on route to Ostional.

Del Mar Academy. Where the gringos send their kids to school. It's a love hate thing. :)

Swiney and Mother Mary come to Costa Rica

2009-03-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad are here visiting me . Here is a highlight to keep the family up to date.

Preflight Swiney scared shitless!! Thanks to all who talked dad into flying again after about 40 years.

When they finally got to the beach Sheri couldn't keep her hands off of the old man.. Get a room guys!!!

I stepped in between the two to cool them down... Playa Guiones.

When people ask me why I stay? I say this is why...

Our bikini shop in Guiones serves as a bi functional facility. During off hours it become a surf shack.

Playa Pelada high tide

Another shot of pelada at high tide.

Swiney found a new fishing hole. I hear the next day he actually fell into a hole in the reef.

I purchased a range rover. 74 and in mint condition. Now we "aint" got to ride the bikes everywhere. Ask swiney how it feels to ride bicycles for miles everyday.. Well he did it and surprised everyone.

I enjoy taking shots of Tini's rear. It makes her so angry. The price you pay when you sell bikinis.

San Juanillo, Costa Rica

Mom begged me to take glamour shots so I finally gave in."Psych!!"

Sea turtles everywhere this week. No surfing the 8 foot wave.

Hola!

2009-02-13T09:32:00.001-08:00

All is well here after a few days of 50mph winds. Surf is back and so is the hot sun. My parents are coming in a few weeks so I hope to have some fun photos for the family/friends to see. Adios,G

If you're in Guiones stop by our Bikini shop. We have Clothing from all over central america as well as sweet ass bikinis, bike rentals , surfboards etc....

For those who dont understand the name Tica Mar.

Tica is a Costa Rican girl (Tinis in this case)
Mar is Ocean in Spanish

James let me borrow his new quad this day. First wave and first hit. Good board!! Thanks for the shot James (www.surfingnosara.com)

2009-01-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

We chartered a boat for fishing while Nathan and Brian were in town. The boat left from Garza and we fished a few of the reefs. The fish were not really digging it but we managed to catch a few bonito , jacks, and a tuna. Fred caught the tuna.

Two days ago I went fishing with Fred and my friend Jordan. Fred caught a pretty good sized durado that day, while I caught none. That day the captain took us 20 miles off the coast. Twas a long day.

Summertime and the living is not as easy with all these damn people in the line up.

2008-11-14T09:52:00.000-08:00

Summer is finally here! The water no longer has as many trees floating in it and you can actually see your shorts when surfing. We had a nice little head high plus swell the past which pretty much wore everyone I know out. I actually had to take a day off because I have surfed 2xs 7 days straight and the paddle out sometimes is a bitch. The following pictures were shot by the owner of “Almost Paradise”. They are an Israeli family that sells some of the best falafel I have ever eaten. The restaurant is located in the hills of Pelada. Stop by for a bite to eat. They are really good people and really good friends. My good friend James has moved here and is my new roomate. He is also one of the new photographers for Surfing Nosara.

"Bar" catches a good size right

Myself on a little right. The morning was much bigger .

In December we are opening a store in the rear of Kaya Sol so stay posted for details.. (I can also be found bartending in KayaSol these days)

2008-10-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

Ok so I should not have jinxed us. Yesterday was fine and asoleado even though the power went out, but come night it started raining raining and raining. Today Saul didn't show up for work which means the Rio probably flooded his house. I took a friend to work on my moto which is a job in itself. I have to wear board shorts because the water is waist deep in some places. All the roads are flooded and the bridges aren't passible. I got word today that the gas stations (hand pump ones) are also closing. All in one day this shit happened. On a brighter note power came back on this morning and I also have internet. Got food and movies to last this thru too.

have a great day!

Oct 14th

2008-10-14T09:36:00.001-07:00

Well it's already half way through October and we have yet to see the rains in full force. It has been raining mostly at night stopping early morning with blue skys and sunshine. Not many people around.. It's sooo nice like this.

hormigas

2008-10-11T07:00:00.001-07:00

Hormigas or Ants are problems from everyone. Yesterday I went into my bathroom to see it covered with thousands of Red Ants. Immediately wanting to kill them all I decided to ask Saul why they were all in that one area. He pointed out the trail of Black Ants who march in a uniformed line to their destination. He explained that the red ones were hiding with their babies from the black ones because the blacks would kill them.He went on to tell that the black ones had come from the mountain probably because of rain in search of food. The black ones come by the thousands and if you think you are going to stop them you are kidding yourself. Ask anyone here. What to do? Let them run their course and they will be gone in no time. Besides they kill the unwanted insects along their path. So in a way the black ones are good,unless they sting you, and the red ones are the ones you don't want. Because the shower was filled with the red ones holding their babies Saul sprayed and killed them all. A sad but needed genocide for the Hormiga Rojo. Point to this blog is the fact that sometimes taking time out to understand even the littlest of creatures can be entertaining.

Yup still here

2008-09-29T06:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend I rented a car and went to Playa Avenellas and Playa Grande. The surf wasn't that great but the scenery was as always worth the trip. Black and White images are from the little rock in Playa Grande. I was accompanied by my Tica friend who decided it would be fun to climb to the top of it. I was fine but if you refer to the blog about insects that live inside of plants here, she was attacked by the ant condos and now has pocodots all over. The color images are before Tamarindo where the road turns back to gravel. There has been little rain in the last week which is nice because, not only is it beautiful outside, there are not that many people around.

The images above are a little foggy due to the fact that I left my camera under the AC in the hotel and it dripped water in it. My $1000 lens was foggier than a pink floyd concert and my camera suffered too. Nothing a little sun couldn't fix though. I would take it to the camera repair shop but then I remembered there isn't one. In other words tough shit! Pura Vida!

Quick trip to the gulf.

2008-09-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

I lived in South Florida for a few years and one of my goals was to catch the Gulf when it was good. That never happened while living there but it did happen while I was visiting my cousin in Orlando.

I got a call from a good friend Micky Hooks that it was going to be good and he drove up to Venice beach with a board for me to ride. The above image is what we saw. While I was very over gunned on a six six, I still enjoyed the hell out of it. Needless to say we spent the night in Sarasota (sleeping in the car,and on the sidewalk) to get up early and surf holmes beach.

Thanks Micky for the great time, and somewhat fuzzy evening. I expect to return the favor soon.

Saturday I will be back in Nosara with supplies to get me through the rainy month.

Adios,
G

RIP Evan Tanner

2008-09-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

above image is some dog in South Florida that I wanted to punt kick but he ended up mellowing out and being kind of cute:

My friend had a problem with her passport so I ended up flying to Miami for a week or so. Sadly I am still here. Nothing against the States but it's just not for me right now. As soon as I stepped of the plane I was bombarded with fast cars, cell phones and billboards. It's amazing how easily people get sucked into this shit. If I had a dime for every BMW I saw in in S Florida I would be typing this blog from Maldives while drinking a shandy. Needless to say I am with family in Orlando now which I do enjoy so I'll be making the most of my short time here. I miss my scooter, good waves, and crazy cat.

My cousin, who fights MMA showed me the headline about a fighter who died in the CA desert.

Read on Yahoo news:
Here

His name was Evan Tanner. What caught my attention was not the fact that he died or was a champion MMA fighter it was his writings. If you get a chance to read them they are pretty good. Especially if you're in search for that sense of virtue that exist deep within inside . Near the end of his life he was surfing and exploring. He started his career from watching video tapes from Gracie fighters. Near the end he was writing about the true meaning of living.

"It is a shame that in this society we've been taught to judge a man's worth by what he owns instead of who he is. Everything is surface, and so few look beyond it. A man will sell his soul, he will lie, cheat and steal, for money. If he has it, he can buy respect. Wear the right clothes, drive the right car, have the right friends, that's all that matters. Our lives are consumed in a selfish, self absorbed quest for possessions, the latest and the best in a never-ending cycle until the day we die. We forget what it means to be truly human. We forget the things that really matter. We lose the magic of what life should be.

I won't live by rules that make no sense to me.

- Evan Tanner"

Blog can be found:
Here

2008-09-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

Saul's house floods above the door in October every year. He has to send his wife and kids away for a month or so while he tuffs it out. The furniture is stacked towards the ceiling. He remains here even with the flooding.

This is the real Nosara which is outside of the American Project.

This is the town of Nosara. It is a few miles from the coast. 7 km or something like that. I took this shot from Terry's car while she was in the post office. The building on the left is the hospital , to the right are various bars and restaurants and a fruit/veggie stand. My father wanted actual pictures of the town so here ya go. I will snap some more another time.

Rain Rain go away

2008-08-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

It's not even Oct and it has been raining like crazy. Here is a shot of the bridge by the gas station headed to the Nosara/Ostional intersection.(The gas station that doesn't sell gas and never will) It was taken two days ago . We have had non stop rain up to today . We have had a nice little 2 hr sunshine break. Looks like more rain on the way though.

Note to Swindells

2008-08-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

above: Most Gringos have dogs to watch their crap. I have "LOCA." She is part flying squirrel and part monkey trapped in a cat's body. Her favorite moves are "Death from Above"where she falls out of the sky onto you somehow and the "Silent rear attack" SRA is also combined at times with a rapid bite to the butt.

Every day she is covered in blood from something. I don't ask questions though. I am trying to find the word for COSTA RICAN BAD ASS! Cause that's what she is...

okies,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I was informed that on certain occasions Swindell family members stop by to read what kind of crap I am getting into. Thanks for reading these pointless blogs. I guess in the future I will try to make them more exciting. I was under the impression that my mother was the only one who ever read them and that was out of obligation…

So with that said, LARRY SWINDELL send me some pictures of my grandfather if you have any. Swiney only has 1 in the house.

And to the emails I get from people coming to the area. I have all the time in the world to answer area questions. It rains a lot now and in October it will not stop, so I am trapped in this house because my little scooter gets hard to drive in it.

PACIFIC STORMS

~ Thunder= TRUENO

in Costa Rica sounds like artillery rounds. It is louder than you can imagine shakes the earth when it rumbles. I try to explain this to my friends before they come but the look on their face is usually priceless after they hear it for the first time. They usually look around like an earth quake is going on. We have those too J

~Rain = LLUVIA “ Rains hard, Very hard, and when you think it couldn’t possibly rain any harder. It rains harder!!!!

I have found god many times at night during storms here! HAR HAR!

Also, The noises you hear at night are GEIKOS not birds and boy are they annoying.

ADIOS SWINDELLS and MIS AMIGOS,

Damn those yellow belly sea snakes

2008-08-25T07:36:00.001-07:00

It's bad enough having to worry about Sharks and dodging Gringos in the water but lately I have had my eyes open for something I never would have thought in a million years I would be surfing with, a yellow belly sea snake. My friend yelled at me the other day that there was one in the water and i kinda laughed. Then I got home and asked my friend and she did some research and found that yes indeed we have yellow bellly buddies surfing with us. Even better these snakes are part of the Cobra family and considered to be 10xs more venomous than any land snake. A full dose of venom will be fatal but on a brighter note they rarely strike unless it's defense and even so then they do not usually release venom. They have a paddle for a tail used for swimming and spend the majority of their life in the ocean. If you see one beached it is probably close to death.

Last night after a chest high glassy session I was walking back and what did i see? A yellow belly sea snake laying on the beach. He was still alive. I showed an old lady and she grabbed her husband who had been surfing and he picked the damn thing up and threw him back in the water. Wonder what would have happened it would have bit him?

Does Pelada ever get swell?

2008-08-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Playa Pelada gets swell yes it does. It has a fun little right and if you search you can also find the left. Here are a few pics from the last little south swell we had here a couple of weeks ago. If Playa Pelada is this big can you imagine how big Guiones is? Well this day Guiones was double the size but closing out so Pelada had a good little crowd.

Trip to Mal Pais

2008-08-11T05:54:00.000-07:00

Two friends took me to a quick weekend trip to Mal Pais. Although Mal Pais is very beautiful, the journey was far more rewarding than the destination. Most images below were a no no shot from car images.You never know what you're going to run into when flying around curves. This just happened to be a herd of cattle we approached at 60kph.

Fences are made from live trees here. Why? because if the tree is alive the fence won't rot. The fence will grow into the tree. Post are expensive if treated for weather and will eventually rot so this is far more effective. The only problem is, if you dont cut the top of the tree the fence grows up. Good thing is the top of the tree/fence can be replanted as another tree/fence.
I got this shot by sticking my camera out the window and snapping three photos. It is a fish farm near the Nicoya Penisula.
The animals give the stink to gringos also.

Stayed at Playa Naranja because our 5 hr trip had turned into 7 due to a large river in Playa Bongo that we couldnt cross. Had to back track for a long while.

Mal Pais. Surf was head high and kinda fun. Area is super built up yet still beautiful.

Tree line snapped from the moving car while dodging pot holes.

Life is tough!

2008-08-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

This is no secret to locals in the area but it's usually empty. This place is only accessible at low tide and is on the back of a little island which looks directly at the setting sun and ocean. It's not hard to find but I ain't telling :) Thanks for the shot Annya.

Sunday there was a wedding!

2008-07-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

Villa Las Tecas had a wedding on Sunday for Saul "Sa uel" and Precious Here is a quick gallery of the wedding and a bunch of kids.
Esteve es suave tigre

If you get them a ride they will come. Look at the truck that transported about 10 head to the wedding.

Left to right. Terry(Gringa mayor of Nosara and owner of Villas Las Tecas), Saul, and Sandy

This shot came out kinda neat with a little DOF added

above:By far my favorite shot in quite some time.

Casa de Columbia es muy loca

2008-07-07T06:39:00.000-07:00

Well not really but I have moved to a temporary location with a Columbian/1 American family. They are not part of the FARC-EP mom!It's a great little setup with lots of colors. It also has a family of geese that go nuts anytime I come close to their eggs. Problem is the eggs are at the gate of my front door. Ever been attacked by a goose? I have !

Aqua Pura

2008-07-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

We had a team come in and sample the water in this area. I already had my doubts about what they call drinking water in Guiones and Pelada. The above image is how the current water tested. The water on the left is from a backup well that is used when power goes out. The one on the right is the city water line that comes to the homes in Playa Pelada. Normal water will test a lighter yellow color. This water tested black with high traces of things we will not mention. But thanks to a crew from Kentucky, Terry now has a backyard purifying system that puts outs the cleanest water in the area.

The Pumphouse roof had to be lifted so Saul took to the saw bench. He will only use this machete to cut things. I tried to hand him a saw and he looked at me like I was the devil.

New drain systems were dug to keep the drainage away from the purifying system.

Here is a view of what the pump house looked like before.

Here are the tanks inplace that will filter the water coming to the house. The team set them up to filter both the city water and the well.

A Costa Rican modification done to the roof and a low maintaince water purifying system in place. I have to take a few more shots to show the outcome so stay posted!..
Adios
~G

2008-07-01T20:45:00.001-07:00

Ok since I was cut short on the call I will finish telling you the story. I was out in the water surfing and I noticed about 200 people walking on the beach towards the cemetery. I figured it was a funeral and turns out I was right. They carried in the casket and everyone gathered to lay this lady to rest. After the funeral the strangest thing happened. The clouds got really grey/brown but only near that area and a few minutes later a huge rainbow pops from the water over the back of the cemetery. Just though it was cool and so did everyone else in the water. We get rainbows all the time and you can actually see the end of them. I have yet to find the pot of gold though. Or have I and I just don't know it ? DER!!@#$@$ :)

Adios
G

Damn those evil clones!

2008-06-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

It gets hard not seeing your family when you are so far away. I miss the kids. We have a great big family with lots of cool kids. I have come to the conclusion that no matter where you travel to you can find someone who is a splitting image of someone else. Greyson, the kid in the bottom right, meet your latino version Esteve!

Every morning I wake up I hear Saul trying to keep Esteve from getting into trouble. He seems to love the Wheel Barrel and is always running off somewhere with it. I have since learned the word "Caratayo" That's not the correct spelling but I know the sound because in the mornings all i hear is "ESTEVE Caratayo aqui" , "No ESTEVE No"!...

Do you know the way to Guiones? I Do!

2008-06-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

Every morning I wake up I start off with a couple cups of local Costa Rican coffee(Verde Cafe Rey) It's about 1000 colonies which is around 2 bucks a bag. It's a little cheaper than my Starbucks/Port City Java brew back home which usually runs about 8 bucks. Oh did I mention it taste better too? I am staying in Villa Las Tecas which I really enjoy. Here is a view from my balcony in the mornings. To the right in the wooded area you can often see Howler monkeys. The first time you hear one you will think a 10 foot ape is about to jump out but no it's these little monkeys with big attitudes.

Here is a view from inside the studio in Las Tecas. The owner Terisita keeps a really nice place. She has a great crew of employees that I probably manage to annoy on a daily basis with my spanish lessons.

Here are the grounds and pool area. Very tropical around these parts. I am also told the pool is Pee free most of the time.

I haven't used this yet but it is infront of my unit. One day when it's raining I plan on relaxing here.
On my bike I hang a left then a right then a left to roads like this.
After a few roads I come up to a great overlooking view of Playa Pelada. As mentioned before Playa Pelada is more of a local beach for ticos and ticas. Ask anyone who lives here and they will agree it's much prettier and has far better sunsets than Guiones. The surf is flaky and it breaks on crazy rocky reef.
After the Playa Pelada view Near the crazy hotel on top of the mountain you come to a small path that runs through the middle of the woods here. This is super fun to ride a bike down because it's all down hill but it gets hard with a surfboard in your hands. I am simply waiting for the day I bust my ass.
Where does that path end? Well here is a view of the end . A view with a natural frame at that. Welcome to the north end of Guiones. At high tide you're gonna have to walk through this water no getting around it but when it's low there is no water here.
Ok past the foliage view here is a better shot of Guiones. I am heading to the Palm trees to get back on my bike path.
Ok we are almost there. This is about midway. There are breaks all down Guiones but the majority of people seem to surf in one central location which is a little more south.
We were suppose to have 6-7 foot swell on this day but the tide is high right now and it's not looking to hot. Back home there would be 1000 people in the water. The sets are always easily head high here.

These are some of the locals. The majority of dark skinned people can surf their ass off here.(excluding me)

Another local ripper
Plenty of Americans found here.

And that's the end of this journey. I do this everyday when there is surf. Sometimes twice a day. It only takes about 15 mins.
ADIOS
~G

30 seconds wasted off your life by reading this

2008-06-26T13:03:00.001-07:00

This is for the people who forget what my ugly mug looks like. I will take this moment to be the vain person I am. Annya is always giving me shit about my hair in the mornings via webcam and I would like to set the record straight. It's not just the morning it kinda stays this way and worse. The saltwater and humidity work together to create madness. I look like a dark skinned Carrot Top (the comedian) or a Mexican Bozo the clown. Good thing my hygiene is just as bad. I shower off in the yard after a surf and that's about it. On a brighter note I got head high surf today did you? HAR HaR har!

Captain Tico and the Journey to Witches Rock!

2008-06-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

On the 20^th we had a chance to book a boat trip from Playa de Coco to Witches Rock and Ollie’s Point. Both of these world famous breaks were in Endless Summer II. The trip cost about 300 USD but we split it between the 4 of us. I can’t remember the boat driver or his son’s name but the trip there took about 2 hrs. In these two hours we held on tight while he throttled balls to the wall. The way back was a different story.

I will never forget pulling up to Ollie’s point seeing 6 boats parked waiting for their passengers to finish the surf session. 6x4 roughly means about 24 people on one peak. From a distance it appeared crowded as hell and only waist high. We debated going straight to Witches rock but the captain of our vessel suggested staying for a couple of hours because the tide was not correct. So we toughed it up and paddled into the lineup at Ollie’s point.

My first wave came in about stomach high and lined up forever. I did about 5 off the lips before I got tired and kicked out. Holly crap what a fun little wave. James, Ante and Scoot began catching theirs too. The sets would come in almost head high and peel forever. After about 2hrs it started to get really annoying dodging all the longboard obstacles in the water so we decided to leave and get to witches rock a bit early. This was a good call.

We were the second boat to arrive at Witches rock. The only other boat had 1 passenger who was out surfing far down the beach. Our captain suggested waiting for the tide an hour or so. We all starred at the huge out of place rock like kids in a candy store. To see it in person is breathtaking. The rock is a gigantic bolder in the middle of the ocean and it shimmers with gold. At the top it’s occupied by a crap load of birds. The picture will hardly do this justice. If given the chance you should see it for yourself.

While we wanted to take the captain’s advice we notices good size swell coming at the boat which obviously meant the conditions were somewhat ride able. Sorry captain we’re ready to rock and roll. We jumped out the boat one at a time while James took the world’s smallest pictures of us and a massive landmark. (Inside joke). After about a 5 min paddle we were in the lineup with only 1 other around. The swell came in head high but it wasn’t consistent. It got really good then really bad then ok to really good then to complete shit. By the time we were ready to leave the wind had begun to do what it does best here in Costa Rica- blow like hell after noon time. We decided we were gassed out so it would be smart to head back.

The trip back will linger in my memory for some time to come. Captain Tico decided to run it full throttle in hard onshore conditions which means the boats turns into a jackhammer. Just when we thought our asses couldn’t take any more the gigantic anchor pops off the bow and hits the water taking 30 feet of rope with it. The rope was ripping down my side not to mention tangled between Ante’s feet. Long story short if the captain didn’t decide to kill the engine I would be headless and Ante would have been drug out to sea for a while. He finally stops the boat and looks at his son and laughs for 5 mins or so. The son laughed so hard he was crying. We laughed on the outside but deep down we were like WTF just happened. The boat finally made it back to the beach and we spent the rest of the evening trying to find a working ATM to pay them. Was it worth all the hassle? Hell yes and I would do it over again if given the chance.

As it slows down

2008-06-22T09:09:00.001-07:00

There are many people who get tired of hearing me bitch about living in the US. Whether it be the price of gas, mass consumers, greedy corporations or crooked politicians I had plenty of annoyances to keep me frustrated with life there. I often hear the comment “love it or leave it”. On June 14^th I decided to “leave it”. I had booked a trip with a friend to Costa Rica, a country which I have visited a couple of times before. What better way to ween me off of typical American norms. I decided not to return.

While Nosara, Costa Rica isn’t exactly the same as living in Morocco, there are plenty of things that are no where near as Americanized as you would think. Going from life in NC/FL to Nosara is like down grading your sports car for a moped. But you must note that it’s one freaking sweet ass moped. Everything in my life has since slowed down. It’s the kind of slow down that one desires to get away from what drives people mad. I went from 200 choices of toothpaste to about 2. I have 2 hand fill gas stations if someone needs to fill up their car. Instead of poodles and bull dogs we have mutts and monkeys. Instead of a public beach with pay parking I now have a public beach with solitude. Instead of checking a report praying for surf I now pray for a day off of surfing. Everything about life has slowed down and is changing for the better.

It’s great to see a community of people who seem to appreciate life. Not that in the States people don’t but you can’t argue that lots of people get worked up over the dumbest shit. The other night after a head high evening session, as I was walking to my friend’s rental car to strap my board on, I noticed all the families on the beach watching the sun set. The American kids were building bon fires with the Tico kids and everyone was smiling. A Pacific coast sunset in itself is incredible but add happy babies and fire, Can you imagine? I can understand the love/hate the locals have towards us but am I wrong for wanting to be a part of their great little society? I don’t think so. In my 1 week here I have met some incredible people. I look forward to calling the place home for a while.

The pictures posted below are to give you a visual of my experience:

After a quick 2hr flight from the busy city of Miami my friend James and I ended up in San Jose, Costa Rica. A five hour drive up to Guanacaste brought us to the beaches of Guiones. This picture is a tree located near the South beach. Playa Guiones is a 6 mile beach located west of the small city of Nosara. A very small town vibe with consistent head high surf.

Motorbikes, ATV, Scooters and 4x4s with the right away. Pedestrians watch out! Notice the small infant giving me the stink eye on the back of this bike :)

The beaches of Playa Pelada. This is a five minute walk from my place in Las Tecas. To the south of this you can find Playa Guiones. Playa Guiones has more quality surf but it also has huge crowds of Americans crowding it. I saw two people fishing this particular day on Playa Pelada. The locals can be found shredding in between the rocks during certain tides.

Tico rips it at mid tide
Playa Pelada breaks on rocky reef. It seems it's mainly Ticos that surf this area. I have made it a goal to learn this little inside wave when I want a change from the grande ones at Guiones.

Rocky Reef at Playa Pelada
Here is a better picture of the reef at a lower tide. This is what you are surfing on top of.

This little island is a gem. Its right before the Nosara rio. I am sure i am butchering the termanology but needless to say this is what the Sunset at North Playa Pelada looks like.

A day in the life of Lestat Vieages

2008-06-09T07:35:00.001-07:00

I was informed that Lestat has been a part of my cousin Nathan's family for quite some time. 1996 was around the time he got him. That makes him about 84 years old. He was born in Eastern North Carolina but relocated to Orlando about 5 years ago. When asked how he dealt with the culture shock he did not reply. Maybe it's because he's a cat and doesn't talk or maybe knowledge speaks and wisdom listens. Either way next time I am kicking him across Nathan's living room because he insist on making biscuits in my belly I will think about his life and accomplishments as a country cat adjusting to city life at an old age. How many cats can you honestly say look this damn good at this 84?

Parting North Carolina

2008-05-27T08:09:00.001-07:00

ADIOS NC

On June 7th I will be leaving North Carolina to return to Florida for a week before I head off to Costa Rica. While I enjoy traveling and experiencing new things I try not to forget my roots. My roots being born and raised in the heart of NC. You don't always have to look and act like a redneck to appreciate being born in the south.

Over the last 8 months back I managed to capture the below images.

North Carolina has as much beauty as any other place in the world. From the mountains of Boone to the beaches of Ocracoke you get the same warm smiles and spectacular views. If you're like me you look forward to every season. Winters are fairly mild , Springs are filled with showers & flowers, Summers are tolerable, and Falls are filled with colors.

Inland NC

Like anywhere else in the world if you seek you shall find. One of the many views you can find in the most random places. This is a field of Saliva (sage) off of Hwy 64 near Columbia, NC. I estimate a couple of hundred acres filled with purple and white flowers. I am told they are farmed for perfumes but don't hold me to that.

Old Farm house adds character to the vivid crops of sage surrounding it. Where I am from the majority of crops are tobacco or soybean. The crops get rotated every year or so. Every once and a while you stumble across farmers who take risk. Maybe we should label this guy as an "Xtreme farmer"

Fall 2006 in Raleigh NC

COASTAL NC

South Facing beaches such as Frisco get incredible east coast sunsets. This shot was taken in Friso Woods while camping during Memorial Day 2008. A handful of spectators assembled together enjoying the end of another spectacular day.

Our view from the tent at Frisco woods

Ocracoke Sunset

View from the sound side near Jolly Roger pub in Ocracoke. Fall 2007
Look closely and to the left of the moon you can see the working lighthouse.

Near the Airport access on the south end of the Island. It is no wonder this place ranks among the world's finest beaches.

Wrightstville Beach
winter swell
photo taken by jessica debeasso (sister)

We had a few really good swells this past winter. The always changing sandbars were in the South End's favor this winter. I haven't seen this kind of form to the waves here in quite some time. This was one of those days where the wind went offshore 2 hrs before sunset.

Another early winter swell on the south end. While you hear horror stories of how crowded C-Street was the lineups never got heavy here. I am guessing summer will be a different story though :)

We had many clear full moon nights trying to capture Crystal Pier. I took this shot of sis while she was going for the gold.

I forget this groms name it's either Noah or his twin brother. I'm sure they will be on teh ASP soon.

above right Corolla Lighthouse

right Ocracoke Lighthouse

I was fortunate enough to shoot and attend this beautiful family's wedding this past October. Mr and Mrs Filler united in the Northern Outer Banks.