May 2011 - Ceilings complete
The latest batch of photos from Bernie. Not too many changes, but the ceilings are all in, and some recessed lighting as well. These photos also show all the pretty closet doors in the bedroom and hall utility area. Looking forward to appliances, countertops, and the rest of the lighting/fans!
I haven't mentioned it before, but Bernie appears to have a very wide-angle lens on his camera, which is great for taking photos of home interiors, but does have the effect of making our condo look much bigger than it actually is. It's a perfect size for the two of us, but smaller than the photos depict.
I haven't mentioned it before, but Bernie appears to have a very wide-angle lens on his camera, which is great for taking photos of home interiors, but does have the effect of making our condo look much bigger than it actually is. It's a perfect size for the two of us, but smaller than the photos depict.
   |
  Utility/laundry closet on left, bathroom on right, bedroom at end of hall  Master bedroom |
April 2011 - Cabinets are in!
Bernie sent us another batch of photos on my birthday -- what a nice gift! There are some great exterior shots as well as the latest interior shots showing that the cabinets have been installed in the kitchen and bathroom, along with interior doors. The bathroom tiling and glass block work has also been completed, though the ceiling is still open in places, with exposed beams and HVAC runs. Still, it's great to see the progress!
We have also been working on the furniture/household goods package with Lorena at Grand Caribe. Once the last few items are ironed out, we should be able to place the order for our furniture and accessories. Very exciting!
We have also been working on the furniture/household goods package with Lorena at Grand Caribe. Once the last few items are ironed out, we should be able to place the order for our furniture and accessories. Very exciting!
 Chico Caribe from the beach  Chico Caribe - our unit is on the bottom right  Kitchen cabinets!  Bathroom with glass block double shower |
 Chico Caribe with one of the Grand Caribe buildings next door.  Looks like ours is the last one to be primed around the sliders.  Closer view of kitchen showing island and cabinets  Back view of building |
The pool!
Chico Caribe latest photos - Feb. 27, 2011
We just received these photos from Bernie today, and all I can say is wow! Our condo is really taking shape now, and now that they have moved onto the finish construction, things are moving much more quickly. I feel so incredibly fortunate that it is soon to be ours. Pinch me, because I can barely believe it!
 Living area looking out to veranda and Caribbean Sea beyond  From veranda - nice strong sliders in case of storms. Note reflection of sea behind!  View from hall into living/dining/kitchen area |
 View from just inside living area  View from sliding doors back into unit. Walls/ceiling are primed, not yet painted.  Bathroom with glass block window and tiling underway! |
Lots of work done on the pool too!
Earlier in February...
The work on Chico Caribe continues. Since our trip in August, a lot of progress has been made. The interior of the condo is still not finished, but they've made huge progress on the overall building. All four floors are completely built, the roof is on, the elevator shaft is complete, the garages have been built (although we're not getting one), and the exterior has been stuccoed. Windows are in (except the glass block in the bathrooms), and the balconies have railings. What's more, the pool has been dug and concrete laid down. Woo-hoo!
In our unit, the recent work has been the ducting, which is extensive and requires dropping the ceiling since all the walls are concrete, the wiring, and the rough plumbing. We can definitely see the progress and are getting more excited every day, especially since we have been suffering through the winter snows, ice, and cold.
In our unit, the recent work has been the ducting, which is extensive and requires dropping the ceiling since all the walls are concrete, the wiring, and the rough plumbing. We can definitely see the progress and are getting more excited every day, especially since we have been suffering through the winter snows, ice, and cold.
February 2011
 Great room showing extensive ductwork  Our bedroom with coffered ceiling |
 Our bathroom w/dual shower heads  View from veranda into our unit |
The pool...ah, yes
 Let the digging commence! |
|
We have concrete! And a gorgeous day...how I wish we were there.
December 2010
 Our verandas now have railings, and there are steps from our unit right out to the beach!  Back of building showing staircase with elevator shaft.
Our unit is the first floor left in this photo.  Back corner is the kitchen area in our unit - window covered with a board outside. The view will be nicer later!  |
  Windows have just started going in in our unit.  View of our veranda. The center wall between the two 1BR units is also new.  |
November 2010
 |
 And the roof tiles go on! |
Chico Caribe August 2010.
We took these photos of Chico Caribe on our August trip. We are thrilled with the layout of our unit and the amazing views from each window and the veranda. The building will be four stories high, with the 2nd-4th floors consisting of one 3BR condo each, and two 1BR, 1BA units on the first floor. Our unit is on the right side of the first floor. During our time here, we were able to meet with the builder, Rupert, twice, and he was great to work with and understood the changes we wanted to make. We still can't believe our incredible luck and timing in stumbling onto this place!
 Chico Caribe - kayak view!  Chico Caribe side view  Our unit on right Rear view.
Although Chico will have an elevator, being on the first floor, we won't need to use it (and prefer stairs anyway). There will also be a small pool behind the building, not yet installed.
Note the small tree trunks used as temporary supports for the upper floors during the building process. This is building in a third-world country!  Building the old fashioned way - each block hoisted with rope & pulley. |
 Incredible views.
Views from our veranda and future living room. (Fence is only temporary during construction process.)
  View from our great room & veranda  View from 4th floor.
Bernie and Doris will be living in the penthouse. Definitely a million dollar view from up here! You can see where we can ride bikes along the beach path for miles.
 Chico as seen from Grand Caribe pier |
