Time for a new life and house update!
The work on the new room is almost complete, and we can’t wait for the workers to leave so we can finally enjoy the peace and quiet of the beach. They’ve been working tirelessly since March, and even though we were away for over a month during that time, coming back to the noise, dust, and constant interruptions has been exhausting.
But the results are totally worth it! Over the past couple of weeks, we put in extra effort because Airbnb guests rented the whole house, and we needed the new room to be ready. We’re still deciding whether to keep our old, bigger room, which is under the roof terrace where everyone gathers, or move to the smaller, newer room and have our own private lounge.
Here’s a look at the new room from our current building; it feels really secluded. It has a roof where we could potentially set up a panoramic terrace. There were two large trees dangerously leaning over the new room, so the guys had to climb up and cut them down branch by branch. It was quite impressive to watch, especially since they did it barefoot and without any protection. In just a couple of hours, we had a clear view again!
Some features of the new room include: red bricks with holes covered by mosquito nets to let air pass through, even above the bed. There’s an AC unit, though the room isn’t fully sealed for AC, which we’ll likely only need for about a month each year. On the right as you enter, there’s a little desk with a nice view, perfect for inspiring any blogger. The furniture is all concrete to avoid having to clean underneath and to prevent pests from nesting.
The bathroom is spacious with a large walk-in closet and a big mirror. The countertop is made of polished stones from the lake, and the shower features a large electric shower head like in our other bathroom. The bathroom floor is polished stones as well, and the toilet is next to the closet with a window overlooking the lake. The ceiling is cement, poured over traditional mats that we removed later, giving it a unique texture.
From the bed, you can see a tinted window with a mosquito net. I won’t go into the hassle we had with the guy who installed it a week late and did a poor job, then demanded payment. Ultimately, he used a door lock with weird keys that no local store could duplicate, and we had to trace back to his supplier in the States. It’s a pain, and if we lose those keys, we’ll have to replace the lock entirely.
Outside, we’ll have a little patio space with a bench, table, flower bed, and power outlets for a coffee maker or iPod dock. It may seem strict, but with some pillows, it should look nice and practical, especially with a concrete floor that can be easily hosed down.
Here’s the new building from the beach. To maintain privacy from swimmers, we plan to grow some flowers around it. We built it high since the lake is still rising, and it’s just the start of the rainy season. The deck is almost in the water, so next season, we may need to raise it a couple of meters to avoid losing the wood. The beach is slowly eroding due to the rising lake, which means we’ll need to build a new retaining wall too.
We also plan to make a hen and turkey house, as the rooster is too loud for the guests. Our ducks have been breeding rapidly, and now we have about 30 ducklings, which is fantastic. We recently tried a recipe inspired by Chinese restaurants’ sweet and sour duck, and it was a hit. So, we’ll be eating the adult males and keeping one along with all the females.
Napoleon, our little Great Dane, loves to chase the ducks into the water, which is amusing to watch. He has some separation anxiety and depends on me a lot, but he’s a sweet dog that our guests adore. When we go for walks, people are amazed he stays by my side without a leash. It’s funny to compare pictures of him; he used to fit on my lap, but now he’s enormous and takes up the whole sofa.
In terms of land development, we’re focusing on cosmetic work at the moment. Four guys with machetes are clearing out weeds and tidying up the roads. Next week, we plan to dig a well and build an entrance gate on the eastern part of the land.
Stay tuned for the next update!