Life Update and New House Progress
We’ve made significant strides in our new room, and it’s about time the work wrapped up so we can fully enjoy the tranquility of the beach. The workers have been there non-stop since March, and even though we were away for over a month, returning to noise and dust has been quite tiresome.
But the effort has paid off! We pushed ourselves these past few weeks to get everything ready for our move since Airbnb guests had booked the entire house. We’re still deciding whether to stay in our old, larger room under the busy rooftop terrace or move to the smaller, quieter new room, giving us a personal lounge away from the crowd.
The new room, as seen from our current building, offers a sense of separation. It has a roof designed for a panoramic terrace like our other one. Two large, precarious trees used to overshadow the new room, but the workers impressively and safely removed them by cutting branch by branch, making the view clear and open.
Some notable features of the new room include red bricks with mosquito nets for ventilation above the bed, an AC unit for the hot months, and a small desk with an inspiring view. All the furniture is made of concrete to avoid attracting pests. The bathroom boasts a spacious layout with a large mirror, polished stone surfaces from the lake, and a big electric showerhead. The toilet is positioned next to a window with a view of the lake, and the ceiling has a unique texture from traditional mats used during construction.
From the bed, you see a tinted window equipped with a mosquito net. We’ve had some challenges, like the delayed and poorly executed installation of a door lock, which resulted in a bit of a hassle to sort out. Lesson learned: don’t pay until the job is fully done and tested.
Outside, we’re planning a patio space with a bench, table, flower bed, and power outlets for a coffee maker or an iPod dock. Though it sounds strict, with a few pillows, it should look quite cozy. We aim to keep it practical with a concrete floor that can be easily hosed down.
Here’s a view of the entire building from the beach. We’re planning to grow some flowers for added privacy, anticipating the lake’s rising levels during the rainy season. The deck is almost in the water already, and we may need to raise it next season to prevent damage.
The new room’s excavation has added earth to the beach, but the lake is slowly reclaiming it, necessitating a new retaining wall. This area will serve as a house for our hens and turkeys, who have been a bit too noisy for guests when housed in the guest house.
Our ducks have been multiplying rapidly, which has been great. Despite concerns about neighbors hunting them, they returned with numerous ducklings. We now have around 30 little ducks! We’ve found that sweet and sour duck from the big ones is a hit, so we’ll be culling the adult males, leaving one for breeding.
Napoleon, our Little Great Dane, enjoys chasing the ducks, which is amusing to watch. He has serious separation anxiety and attaches himself to me constantly, but he’s a sweet dog loved by guests. People are amazed by how he walks right beside me without a leash. He’s grown considerably, from fitting on my lap to nearly outgrowing the sofa.
In terms of land development, we’re keeping busy with cosmetic improvements like clearing weeds and roads and planning to dig a well next week. An entrance gate on the eastern side of the property is also in the works.
Stay tuned for more updates!