My most special friends and family,
The faces of my most precious Gobi and the Turk welcomed me with high volume kitty miaos as I disgorged the accumulated week's worth of laundry and Costa Rica treasures. Robert and I made our exceptionally early morning connections in San Jose with no problem, and we arrived in Seattle after uneventful flights, despite a small crisis at the airport in Denver when the airline mysteriously misplaced then found Robert's souvineer-stuffed luggage.
I'll treasure the days and adventures we had in Costa Rica -- the generous spirit of the hotel reception staffs, our philosophical taxi drivers, and the sound of the crashing waves and hooting monkeys. But best of all is arriving back home safe and sound, to my favorite pillow and the ordinary household chores that are now so preciously familiar. Thank you all for following our adventures and sharing the moments with us. Pura Vida!
I'll post pics when we get them downloaded :-)
Love T
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Our fondest adios!
Hola Everyone!
Today Robert and I rose early to say goodbye to La Fortuna and catch our transport back into San Jose. The bird that every morning pecked at our window (a misguided woodpecker, perhaps? We kinda wondered) pecked again to remind us to pack up all the assorted souvineers and touristy bits, along with the last little drips and drabs left of our sunscreen, toothpaste, and shampoo, plus worn out bikinis and flip flops. It's time to head home.
San Jose seemed chaotic and noisy compared to the racous calls of the toucan, the hooting monkeys, the roar of the ocean, and the buzzing of birds and insects flying about. But the Hotel Presidente has been treating us well, as there is an olympic sized bathtub tailor-made for us, ideally suited to remove the layers of dirt and sand accumulated by a week on the road.
Our flight departs at 6:30 am tomorrow, and I am already longing to return to this very special place. But I am so very excited to see familiar faces again, to kiss, kiss Gobi and the Turk, and to distribute the Costa Rican tourist goodies we have crammed into our suitcases.
Thank you, thank you to Nikole and to Murray for caring for my sweet, precious boys while their momma was away. It is a tremendous thing you do for me, and I truly appreciate it, more than I can say! I'll post when I'm home safe and sound (and when the boys let me on to the internet).
Love T
Today Robert and I rose early to say goodbye to La Fortuna and catch our transport back into San Jose. The bird that every morning pecked at our window (a misguided woodpecker, perhaps? We kinda wondered) pecked again to remind us to pack up all the assorted souvineers and touristy bits, along with the last little drips and drabs left of our sunscreen, toothpaste, and shampoo, plus worn out bikinis and flip flops. It's time to head home.
San Jose seemed chaotic and noisy compared to the racous calls of the toucan, the hooting monkeys, the roar of the ocean, and the buzzing of birds and insects flying about. But the Hotel Presidente has been treating us well, as there is an olympic sized bathtub tailor-made for us, ideally suited to remove the layers of dirt and sand accumulated by a week on the road.
Our flight departs at 6:30 am tomorrow, and I am already longing to return to this very special place. But I am so very excited to see familiar faces again, to kiss, kiss Gobi and the Turk, and to distribute the Costa Rican tourist goodies we have crammed into our suitcases.
Thank you, thank you to Nikole and to Murray for caring for my sweet, precious boys while their momma was away. It is a tremendous thing you do for me, and I truly appreciate it, more than I can say! I'll post when I'm home safe and sound (and when the boys let me on to the internet).
Love T
Friday, April 8, 2011
Plentitude!
Buenos Tardes, family and friends!
Breakfast this morning was interrupted by our driver (gotta love having a driver!) early arrival to take us to our ATVs for a tour of the Arenal waterfall. Bumpy roads, traffic (in the form of cars, SUVs, horses, cows, et al) is old hat for us, and we´re pros on the ATV. The jungle around the falls was green, green, and we saw our first toucans. And our guide took us to the Arenal river where he told us about the big volcano eruption in the late 60´s. We compared notes with the St Helens erruption in 1980, and had a really fun time.
But the big adventure of the day belonged to us as we tried the ziplines through the jungle canopy. Stapped in and safety lined, we zipped and zoomed from treetop to tree top between high platforms hundreds of feet off the ground. It simply moved too fast for us to be afraid of the heights or the speed-- but only just. A fun Flemish group, plus some Spaniards shared the experience with us. Halfway through the platforms, we paused for the optional Tarzan swing. All the women in the group raised their hands, among them, me!! Nearly all the guys volunteered to take pictures. I was fourth up. Strapped in, they opened the gate before me and I dropped a good 20 feet before I swung out wide and far, screaming bloody murder the whole entire way. Everyone was laughing at my screeching, including me, and the whole thing was caught on video. Priceless.
Our taxi driver to this evening´s internet cafe plus dinner (internet was down at the hotel, because internet goes down when it rains....) was a driver by trade but a philosopher at heart. He stopped the cab to give us advice-- don´t use bad words, be honest at all times, and seek out plentitude in all that you do. We thought it was a magnificent thought for our last night in Arenal :-)
Love T
Breakfast this morning was interrupted by our driver (gotta love having a driver!) early arrival to take us to our ATVs for a tour of the Arenal waterfall. Bumpy roads, traffic (in the form of cars, SUVs, horses, cows, et al) is old hat for us, and we´re pros on the ATV. The jungle around the falls was green, green, and we saw our first toucans. And our guide took us to the Arenal river where he told us about the big volcano eruption in the late 60´s. We compared notes with the St Helens erruption in 1980, and had a really fun time.
But the big adventure of the day belonged to us as we tried the ziplines through the jungle canopy. Stapped in and safety lined, we zipped and zoomed from treetop to tree top between high platforms hundreds of feet off the ground. It simply moved too fast for us to be afraid of the heights or the speed-- but only just. A fun Flemish group, plus some Spaniards shared the experience with us. Halfway through the platforms, we paused for the optional Tarzan swing. All the women in the group raised their hands, among them, me!! Nearly all the guys volunteered to take pictures. I was fourth up. Strapped in, they opened the gate before me and I dropped a good 20 feet before I swung out wide and far, screaming bloody murder the whole entire way. Everyone was laughing at my screeching, including me, and the whole thing was caught on video. Priceless.
Our taxi driver to this evening´s internet cafe plus dinner (internet was down at the hotel, because internet goes down when it rains....) was a driver by trade but a philosopher at heart. He stopped the cab to give us advice-- don´t use bad words, be honest at all times, and seek out plentitude in all that you do. We thought it was a magnificent thought for our last night in Arenal :-)
Love T
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The day in La Fortuna
Hola family and friends!
This morning, Robert and I awoke to a cacophony --the sound of chirping insects, calling birds, hooting monkeys, and a low rumble which grew louder and louder! Vaguely uneasy, I grew positively alarmed at the approaching roar, until Robert identified the sound as a huge rain squall, watering the verdant grounds of our humble resort and filling the air with the sounds of a jungle storm.
Energized by the Costa Rican coffee and a buffet breakfast, we worked off our pineapples and yogurt hiking the grounds, some 150 or so acres of green. At the edge of a ravine, I ventured too close, fell through the soft moss and scraped my leg on a tree root. Sigh. Fortunately, Robert had his medical kit and we got me patched up with antiseptic to spare.
This afternoon, we ventured into La Fortuna town for lunch at a local soda, which grew popular with the tourist crowd by the passing minute (we attributed it all to our presence), then I wandered off by myself to visit the local versions of grocery stores and Quicky-Mart (one of my favorite activities) to acquire local versions of cookies, chocolates, and -- best of all -- bottled salsa!
I foolishly hiked all the way back through town to the property of our hotel -- probably no further than 2 miles or so, but in the hot and humid, I was a wilted flower upon arrival, finding the relaxed and suntanned Robert snoozing by the pool. Some vacation, eh??
Tomorrow´s our adventure day: we´re booked at odark early for an ATV tour of the jungle and waterfall (includes lunch), followed by the long awaited ziplines.
We saw the monkeys!!
Love T
This morning, Robert and I awoke to a cacophony --the sound of chirping insects, calling birds, hooting monkeys, and a low rumble which grew louder and louder! Vaguely uneasy, I grew positively alarmed at the approaching roar, until Robert identified the sound as a huge rain squall, watering the verdant grounds of our humble resort and filling the air with the sounds of a jungle storm.
Energized by the Costa Rican coffee and a buffet breakfast, we worked off our pineapples and yogurt hiking the grounds, some 150 or so acres of green. At the edge of a ravine, I ventured too close, fell through the soft moss and scraped my leg on a tree root. Sigh. Fortunately, Robert had his medical kit and we got me patched up with antiseptic to spare.
This afternoon, we ventured into La Fortuna town for lunch at a local soda, which grew popular with the tourist crowd by the passing minute (we attributed it all to our presence), then I wandered off by myself to visit the local versions of grocery stores and Quicky-Mart (one of my favorite activities) to acquire local versions of cookies, chocolates, and -- best of all -- bottled salsa!
I foolishly hiked all the way back through town to the property of our hotel -- probably no further than 2 miles or so, but in the hot and humid, I was a wilted flower upon arrival, finding the relaxed and suntanned Robert snoozing by the pool. Some vacation, eh??
Tomorrow´s our adventure day: we´re booked at odark early for an ATV tour of the jungle and waterfall (includes lunch), followed by the long awaited ziplines.
We saw the monkeys!!
Love T
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Does it really take 4 mini-vans to get to Arenal?
Hola Family and Friends!!
I´m at an internet cafe immediately across the main road in La Fortuna from a wonderful laundramat, which is right now tumbling our pitifully dirty tees and shorts a wonderful clean. This morning, Robert and I were up with the sun, discovering an exceptionally large insect the shape of a leaf closely guarding our front door, and keeping the lizards at bay. Skirting the bug (Robert, with much more dignity than I), we hauled our luggage out for our 6:30 departure to the Arenal Volcano.
Our taxi took us down the steep dusty road to the waiting mini-van, which took us over potholes and dirt roads to the next waiting mini-van, more rough roads and dust, then to the Puntarenas ferry. After the hour and a half ferry crossing we picked up our third mini-van, but then changed just half an hour later to the final van which took us the last 3 hours stretch into the mountains. Our driver entertained himself on this final stretch, maintaining a constant soliloquy of loud, fluent Spanish. Not sure who was listening, but we sure were greatful when he stopped the van at an unnammed soda (cafe) along the way and let us out to use the bathroom and grab something to eat.
Finally, finally, by 2pm we were greatfully checked into a charming hotel Robert found online, with individual cabins and a spectacular view of the volcano. It looms over the town of La Fortuna and promises adventures for the days to come! But most importantly, next time I post, I´ll be wearing clean clothes :-)
I am thinking of you and sending you all my love!
Love T
PS I miss the ocean terribly!
PPS We will try to find a place to burn photos and post. The only two places we´ve found so far, their equipment was not working :-(
I´m at an internet cafe immediately across the main road in La Fortuna from a wonderful laundramat, which is right now tumbling our pitifully dirty tees and shorts a wonderful clean. This morning, Robert and I were up with the sun, discovering an exceptionally large insect the shape of a leaf closely guarding our front door, and keeping the lizards at bay. Skirting the bug (Robert, with much more dignity than I), we hauled our luggage out for our 6:30 departure to the Arenal Volcano.
Our taxi took us down the steep dusty road to the waiting mini-van, which took us over potholes and dirt roads to the next waiting mini-van, more rough roads and dust, then to the Puntarenas ferry. After the hour and a half ferry crossing we picked up our third mini-van, but then changed just half an hour later to the final van which took us the last 3 hours stretch into the mountains. Our driver entertained himself on this final stretch, maintaining a constant soliloquy of loud, fluent Spanish. Not sure who was listening, but we sure were greatful when he stopped the van at an unnammed soda (cafe) along the way and let us out to use the bathroom and grab something to eat.
Finally, finally, by 2pm we were greatfully checked into a charming hotel Robert found online, with individual cabins and a spectacular view of the volcano. It looms over the town of La Fortuna and promises adventures for the days to come! But most importantly, next time I post, I´ll be wearing clean clothes :-)
I am thinking of you and sending you all my love!
Love T
PS I miss the ocean terribly!
PPS We will try to find a place to burn photos and post. The only two places we´ve found so far, their equipment was not working :-(
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The matchess Mal Pais
Good afternoon everyone!
This morning Robert and I admired the iguanas in the trees off our deck as they leaped from limb to limb catching whatever bugs they could for breakfast. We were meanwhile enjoying our own repast -- Costa Rican coffee (absolutely delicious), toast and fruit. Thus fortified, we were off like a herd of turtles (everyone moves a little slowly here) aboard our ATV to visit the matchess town of Mal Pais.
This is one of the most famous surf areas in Costa Rica, and Robert and I were instantly charmed. The downtown area of town (as it were) consisted of a few huts where fishermen were bringing in their local catch. They piled the guts and other undesirable bits into large buckets they poured onto the rocks for the wheeling birds of exotic lineage and enormous wingspan. The surf itself was breathtaking, though the surfers were few -- mostly just some kids playing around on boogie boards -- so we wandered the beach by ourselves, and snapped cheezy pics. We dipped our toes in the tidepools, and admired the wildlife around us.
We lunched at a local soda (cafe) and spent siesta time snoozing in the wonderful heat and refreshing ocean breezes. I explored a bit more on the ATV this afternoon, going north along the coast until the dusty dirt road finally gave out and there was nothing left but ocean expanse in front of me. A moment to always remember :-)
Tomorrow we are off at an unreasonably early hour for our transport (van-ferry-van) to the Arenal Volcano area. We are really excited to see the monkeys!
Love T
This morning Robert and I admired the iguanas in the trees off our deck as they leaped from limb to limb catching whatever bugs they could for breakfast. We were meanwhile enjoying our own repast -- Costa Rican coffee (absolutely delicious), toast and fruit. Thus fortified, we were off like a herd of turtles (everyone moves a little slowly here) aboard our ATV to visit the matchess town of Mal Pais.
This is one of the most famous surf areas in Costa Rica, and Robert and I were instantly charmed. The downtown area of town (as it were) consisted of a few huts where fishermen were bringing in their local catch. They piled the guts and other undesirable bits into large buckets they poured onto the rocks for the wheeling birds of exotic lineage and enormous wingspan. The surf itself was breathtaking, though the surfers were few -- mostly just some kids playing around on boogie boards -- so we wandered the beach by ourselves, and snapped cheezy pics. We dipped our toes in the tidepools, and admired the wildlife around us.
We lunched at a local soda (cafe) and spent siesta time snoozing in the wonderful heat and refreshing ocean breezes. I explored a bit more on the ATV this afternoon, going north along the coast until the dusty dirt road finally gave out and there was nothing left but ocean expanse in front of me. A moment to always remember :-)
Tomorrow we are off at an unreasonably early hour for our transport (van-ferry-van) to the Arenal Volcano area. We are really excited to see the monkeys!
Love T
Monday, April 4, 2011
Hot, hot,hot!
Good evening family!
This morning, at the resort tent, Robert and I were accompanied by the world's most charming restaurant cat. Probably just 12 months old or so, this kitty Marty stole the hearts of all the Ylang Ylang guests, including Robert's and mine. We also befriended a pair of small green lizards we named Walter and Mondale. Then this morning Marty ate Mondale (or one of his cousins). It happens :-)
Now Robert and I call the Chill House our home. The air is filled with the sound of cicadas and exotic bird calls we can't identify. We rented a four wheeler ATV for the next few days. It is so much fun to navigate these dusty roads aboard!
Love T
This morning, at the resort tent, Robert and I were accompanied by the world's most charming restaurant cat. Probably just 12 months old or so, this kitty Marty stole the hearts of all the Ylang Ylang guests, including Robert's and mine. We also befriended a pair of small green lizards we named Walter and Mondale. Then this morning Marty ate Mondale (or one of his cousins). It happens :-)
Now Robert and I call the Chill House our home. The air is filled with the sound of cicadas and exotic bird calls we can't identify. We rented a four wheeler ATV for the next few days. It is so much fun to navigate these dusty roads aboard!
Love T
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)