Travel day to San Jose

Today we travelled from Cabuya to Pucarus and caught the ferry to Punterainas.  This part of our trip was fairly uneventful.  The road was paved most of the way and it was much more enjoyable with Bill driving as apposed to the taxi driver from hell.  Noa had told us that when we arrived at the ferry we would be given a vehicle card which we then had to take to the ticket office to get a ticket for the car and driver and three separate passenger tickets for the girls and I.  This went very smoothly and we loaded onto the ferry.  The ocean as calm today and we had a very enjoyable ride across.  Then the challenge began.  We were not sure how to get to the highway to we headed out on a main street.  We were stopped by a street person selling directions.  He told us the toll road was a much better highway and gave us some directions, however when we pulled away he kept the only excuse for a map we had.  Therefore we were driving with no map, no GPS and only sketchy directions reading Spanish signs!

We decided just to follow the signs into San Jose, I knew this wasn't quite right as we had to be in Alajuela      where the airport was located.   Well we made it into San Jose but did not see one sign for the airport.  Just as Bill switched lanes Serena and I noticed a turn off for Alajuela.  So we eventually turned around paid for two extra tolls (good thing they were only about $1) and eventually found the airport.  We attempted to find the Hostel but ended up going around in circles as there are no street signs in Alajuela so even it you had a map it wouldn't help too much.  Alex spotted the Walmart which we had passed on the way in and we soon found the Hampton Inn which was are only land mark for the Budget rental place.  Ya we found it, but then we had to go fill the gas tank up.  Luckily it was just down the road.  After all of this Budget gave us a free shuttle to the Hostel.  Even the budget driver had to call a friend for directions so I didn't feel so bad.  Next time we decided to drive we need a map!

We got checked in and had drinks on the 4th floor bar overlooking the city.  Not bad for a hostel.  We were all starving so I asked the front desk for directions to a good restaurant.  San Jose is an interesting city.  Narrow streets and all the houses/store fronts have bars on the front.  We found our restaurant and had a fairly decent meal.  Costa Rica is definitely not known for its cuisine.  All they eat is rice and beans and they do not use any spices.  I think we are all ready for a good steak when we get home.

I think the girls have had there eyes opened a little and will appreciate where they live and all Canada has to offer just a little bit more now that they have seen how some of the other people live in the world.  Canada really is the best place to live and the Okanagan Valley is paradise on earth.

We are off to bed early tonight has we have to get up at 4:45 to catch our flight tomorrow.  I guess we will have to nap in Phoenix on our 5 hour lay over.

See you on the flip side as another great adventure comes to an end.

Our trip home went smoothly and we made it across the mountain passes on clear wet roads.  The Red Lion Hotel in Seattle is a great place to stay if you have a lay over.  They shuttle you back and forth to the airport and the rooms are nice, clean and quiet.  It is right off the I5 about 5 minutes from Seatac.  

Our tentative plans for our next adventure are to South America to see Chile, Argentina and Brazil.  I'm thinking Spanish lessons would come in handy as Serena will not be with us to help out.

It's been a great trip, sharing experiences with Serena and Alex.  Staying in Hostels was fun and we would definitely consider them again.  Costa Rica was a very diverse and interesting country and I will definitely surf again one day.

Cheers until next time

Chapter Three - Costa Rica

Well our original plan was to go on a trip every two years, so much for the plan.  We have decided to take Serena and Alex and discouver Central America.  Costa Rica was an obvious choice.  It is a short flight compared to South East Asia as we can only go for two weeks this time.  So we are off December 23rd.  Travelling at Christmas could prove to be interesting but that was the only time the girls had time off together.

We researched, planned and booked everything including the flights this time using the Internet.  It is a wonderful tool.  Because there are four of us this time I decided to try Hosteling for one of the two weeks.  However I do have my standards so we have private rooms with our own bathroom in both of the hostels I found.  According to my research this a quite a popular form of accommodation for budget trevelers in Costa Rica.  Trip Advisor rates one as a 5 star hostel!!!  Can't wait to see what that means.  Stay tuned for the itinerary!

Cabuya Day 6 - Snorkeling at Isla Tortuga

Today we drove back into Montezuma and loaded into a boat to go snorkeling on Isla Tortuga.  We travelled up the coast almost to Paquera where the ferry landed.  Along the way we saw a waterfall and some beautiful properties perched on the cliffs as well as in Playa Tambor.  I think most of them were private properties but at least one of them was a hotel.  It looked very secluded and quiet.  We were not lucky enough to spot any marine wildlife.  We stopped at rainbow island and dropped off the people that were going diving and then continued to Tortuga.  It was about 40 min by boat.  We snorkeled just off the island around two smaller rocks formations.  No coral here but we did see some pretty cool fish.  The water was a little cloudy, but it was low tide so we were only in about 10-15 ft. of water.  Our guide drove down and brought up a puffer fish for us to see.  It was very cool.  The water wasn't overly warm so Serena and I didn't last too long even with our rash guards on.  She was freezing and shivering after about 45 min.  So we jumped back on the boat to warm up.  Once every one was on board he moved the boat over the other area and Bill and I went back in.  Again the water was cloudy so it made it hard to see and take pictures.  Once back in the boat we saw flying fish all around the boat.

When everyone was finished we were taken back to the island and fed a very delicious meal of marlin, potatoes, bread with pineapple and watermelon.  We had the rest of the afternoon to spend on the beach relaxing.  The heat was getting to Alex so she found a nice shady spot on the beach to read and the rest of us went exploring.  The beach was not very big, but the water and sand were very nice.  We watched a couple of games of beach volleyball and Alex drooled over one of our boat boys.  He was very nice to look at.


 At about 3pm we jumped back on the boat and headed back to Montezuma.  We met people from New York, Baltimore and Victoria.  I have to say this is not the best place to snorkel, I think surfing is their claim to fame.

This was our last day in Cabuya we have to make our way to San Jose tomorrow.  We went for dinner at Jenny's and then came home to pack.  We are ready to leave Cabuya and the girls are ready to come home, but too bad we didn't have a few more days to see the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.  Oh well next time.  We are now going to study some maps to make sure our trip to San Jose goes smoothly tomorrow.

Cabuya Day 5 - rest day

Whew, I needed a break today.  As we sat on the deck having coffee this morning the trees in the neighbours yard started to rustle.  We looked up and the howler monkeys were on the move.  I hadn't heard them for a couple of days and wondered where they gone.  Well they were back.  In single file about 25 monkeys of all ages moved from one tree to another.  The babies were on the backs of their mothers and they all followed the same line through the tree.  Bill was able to get some video of them so I will post it to facebook. 

This morning we went into Montezuma to do a bit more shopping and to see if we could find the famous waterfall.  Well what we thought was the waterfall turned out to be not the one we were looking for.  Oh well, we have seen a few so decided to head back to the house.  We stopped at Nena's famous jam shop, which was her house.  You walked into the kitchen at the back and she had her jam in her fridge.  Thankfully someone else was there that could speak both English and Spanish so we managed to purchase 3 different types, blackberry, pineapple/mango and pineapple/coconut.  They are suppose to be very good.  Hopefully we can get them home without breaking them in our backpacks. 

We then went to our favourite bakery and had our last iced mocha coffees and purchased cake for desert.  As we sat and enjoyed our coffee we spotted a toucan in the tree, first one we have seen so far.  The only thing we haven't seen is a sloth and apparently they are on the Caribbean side so I guess we are out of luck. 


This afternoon at low tide we drove to the beach and walked across to cemetery island.  When it is low tide there is a natural bridge that allows you to cross from the mainland to the island.  It is the location of the Cabuya cemetery.  We spent some time walking amongst the grave sites and then explored the beach. 




When we came back there were three little boys shaking a big tree with large sticks knocking down small seed pods.  I went over and asked what they were and one of them told me it was Tamarind.  They were collecting them and putting them in their pockets.  When we got home I googled Tamarind to see what it was.  It is used for sweetening deserts, drinks and sauces. 


Tomorrow we are off on a snorkel trip for the day.

Cabuya Day 4 - Surfing

 Surfing is amazing.  We left early so that we could travel our wonderful dirt goat trail over to Sante Teresa and find our surf shop Adrenalina.  Directions were a little sketchy but we eventually found it.  There has been no rain here for about 3 weeks so the roads are extremely dusty, narrow and very busy.  Santa Teresa has 29 different surf shops and 90 restaurants.  Definitely a surfers paradise.  We were a bit early so after we checked in we grabbed some water and headed down to the beach.  There were many surfers and we were a bit worried about crashing into people.  When we went back to Lolo's he informed us that we would be going to a different beach about 5 min down the road.  We loaded up the boards and headed out.

The beach we went to was incredible.  The tide was going out and the sand was amazing and there were not too many people there.  Lolo hired a local to watch our vehicle and our belongings and he told us just to leave the car open. 

He started us off with some basic safety instruction on on the water, as in where the rocks were and how the current worked.  We had to pick a land mark on the beach other than a tree (because they all looked the same) so we chose a t-pee which had been made out of driftwood as our landmark.  He then showed us how to go from lying on your surf board to standing.  Once we had done this a couple of times he checked our direction on the board by given us a push to see which foot we stepped with.  We were all in the correct position.  Except I was opposite to the way that I wake surf which I found odd but he assured me I was the right way.  We picked up our boards and headed down to the beach.  We strapped our leash on and he checked it to make sure it was tight enough.  He then showed us how to carry our boards into the water and through the surf.


Away we went.  Thank God we had rash guards, not only did they keep the sand from rubbing from the board, they also kept your bathing suit top on.  Surfing is alot of fun, but also alot of work.  We started out with baby waves.  Just enough white water to get you going.  Lolo held he board as you got on and then timed the wave, told you when to paddle and gave you a shove to get you going.  Serena was able to get up on her board without too many problems and ride the surf.  It took Alex and I a few tries but we both managed to make it up a few times and ride the waves.  Bill is a sinker, and struggled to get his board to float him on the small waves.  By the end of the two hours Serena was doing very well and the rest of us were exhausted. 

We took Lolo back to his office and dropped off two boards and picked up two boogy boards instead.  Lolo had recommended a place to have lunch, which we found and had wonderful fish tacos and majitoes.  We then headed back to the beach to try it on our own and watch the sunset.  Alex was content to read on the beach, Serena went for a few more rides and Bill took the boogy board out to the big waves to see what they were like.  However he went by himself (breaking rule #1) and didn't tell us that was what he was doing.  He is not a strong swimmer so when I saw he was past the surf break and not coming back I got a little nervous to say the least.  There were more surfers by this time so one of them went to check on him for me.  As it turned out he was fine and made it back safely.  I told him it was a good thing his life insurance was paid up.  They all thought it was funny, however I failed to see the humour in it.



The sunset was as spectacular as they had told us it would be.  We sat and enjoyed the beach until the sun went down and then packed up and took the boards back.  By the time we were leaving the surf shop it was pitch black and the traffic of cars, people, bicycles, dogs and delivery trucks was crazy.  We managed to manuver around all of this and make it to our turn off to Cabuya.  Travelling our famous dirt road in the dark was and adventure in itself.  However there were other vehicles on the road so we were not alone.  25 minutes later we were back and the house safe and sound.

Cabuya Day 3 - Horseback Riding

 

Ok, my butt is seriously sore tonight.  We finally found our horseback riding place after a few missed turns this morning.  When we stopped for directions we were lucky enough to see some more howler monkeys.  I cannot believe that such a small animal can make such a large primal sound.

 

 

 The ranch that we went from is also a hospital for injured animals.  Mostly dogs that have been hit by vehicles.  There were many dogs recovering or just living here.  Deanna has a big heart. This guy had the most interesting blue eyes we have ever seen. 

We mounted our horses with out too much difficulty and followed a trail through the mountain side to a beautiful peaceful waterfall with great swimming holes.  Our guide Jenny was from Kitamat B.C. of all places.  Her family had moved to Costa Rica about 1 year ago and she was staying with them working because she couldn’t find work in Canada after her University graduation.  However I think she liked spending her winter in Costa Rica rent free as appose to living in Canada.  The horses were very well trained and knew their place in the line up.  Alex’s horse Rio was always out front and Serena’s horse Gallina was always in the back.  No matter what you tried the line up never changed.  Jesse equated it to a kindergarten line up and the 5 years olds trying to switch up the queue. We all managed to stay on our horses, go for a trot or two and walk to the car afterwards. During the 4 hour ride Jesse told us stories of living in Costa Rica.  She had recently fumigated her family’s 3 month old home for termite infestation and fought off monkeys that had invaded her kitchen.  They were throwing knives and stealing food.  She normally has two big dogs but her friends had taken them to the beach and left the window open.  So she awoke to chaos in the kitchen.  The monkeys are very brazen, they steal the dogs food dish and haul it up the tree and eat the food right in front of the dogs and then throw down the empty dish when they are done.  If the dogs try and torment them they throw their poop at them.  Her husky came home green one day as he had treed some monkeys and they were not happy. 

We rested at the waterfall and had some water and a yummy pineapple.  We saved the peel and fed it to the horses as a treat before we left.  By the time we made it back to the ranch my ass was screaming and every time I sit down I am reminded of two very sore sit bones.  The scenery was very beautiful and all you could hear was sounds from the horses and the wildlife.  

 

 When we got home Bill and Serena went to Jenny’s place to shop from the local produce truck that had just arrived.  They came home with fresh papayas, pineapples, tomatoes, watermelon and Plantains.  The produce is sooo good you just can’t get enough.  We just finished the most amazing guacamole that Serena whipped up with nachos

 

We opted to spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool and staying out of the sun.   Bill set up the hammock and had his afternoon siesta in the shade. Tomorrow we are off to learn to surf.  Apparently I had my days mixed up and we surf first and then snorkel.  Not sure my body is going to be able to take another beating tomorrow but I guess we will see.  We have a two hour lesson from the local surfer dude, dreads and all.  His name is Lolo and he is a very friendly guy according to Jenny!  Hopefully he has a lot of patience or surfing is easier than it looks.  I may have to go back to Thailand for a massage!  

 We found the most incredible bakery in the entire world right here in Cabuya.  We have now had 3 different kinds of cake from this place and they are all to die for.  Alex and Bill have now made plans to visit again before we leave.  Serena is going to try and see if they will give her some recipes. 

Happy New Year from Costa Rica!

CABUYA - DAY 1 and 2

Well we have been exploring the area for the last two days.  When we arrived we decided to have lunch at the little bakery along the road.  It was recommended by Noa (our hostess) and when we arrived the menu was entirely in Spanish so thank god Serena was able to read enough to get us by.  They had wonderful sandwiches and I had the Casado which is the traditional Costa Rican dish.  It consists of rice, black beans, salad, fried Plantains and your choice of chicken, pork, or fish.  We also had the best iced coffee I have had so far.  The portions were huge so we didn't have to eat dinner that night.  We stopped by the local grocery store and stocked up on supplies, snacks, beer and wine.  It was a very long day so I think we were all in bed by 9:00pm.

Yesterday we decided to walk 7km from Cabuya to Montezuma.  We walked along the ocean for most of the way as it was low tide.  We came across a couple of rivers entering the ocean that had good swimming holes so we stopped and swam at least 4 times during our trek. The locals are very friendly. They call themselves ticos, and they initiated conversations while standing in the water.  When they heard us speaking English, they asked where we were from and their English is fluent enough to carry on a conversation.  Both groups were on vacations with their families for New Years and were camping in the area.   7km in Costa Rica turned out to be rather long due to the heat and rough terrain.





 However we did see an iguana on the side of the road. 





By the time we arrived in Montezuma we had decided to rent a vehicle to get around from place to place so that we could experience everything in the six days we are here.  We were in luck they had a vehicle for us, even a 4x4 small SUV.   We can use this vehicle to get back to San Jose instead of taking a shuttle.  They tell us it very easy and we don't need to speak Spanish to do it.  Wish us luck.  Maybe I should let Serena read the map and navigate and I will sit in the back seat.  How hard can it be!  The ride back to the house was wonderful and only took 15 minutes instead of 2 hours. 






We had been in the sun all afternoon and were quite baked.  As it turned out the New Years Eve celebrations were in Montezuma and none of us felt like going back so we had a fresh red snapper dinner which we purchased right from the fisherman at the end of the road beside the ocean.  Fed 4 of us for $6.  Good thing my husband knows how to prepare fresh fish, because it came complete with the head and scales.   We went to check out the local bar about 10pm but it was completely empty so we came home, had a drink and went to bed.  No party animals here, just the monkeys. 

News Years morning we were up bright and early.  The fruit is amazing here so we made fresh papaya and pineapple smoothies with pancakes.  Alex decided to relax by the pool  and Bill, Serena and I went to check out Jenny the local travel guide.  She lived up to all the comments I had read in the house comment book.  We arranged to go horseback riding in the mountains to a waterfall, then off to Tortugaro Island to do some snorkeling and then over to Mal Pais to learn how to surf.  Serena and Alex ventured out today to the beach to do some sea shell collecting and found some really interesting pieces to bring home.

We had a few hours to spare this afternoon so we took the rental SUV across the peninsula to Mal Pais to check out the beach and the surf.  As we entered the road the sign said in English "Very Bad Road"  Go figure.  It made our logging roads seem like major highways.  It was a one lane cut line through the jungle over rocks, streams and roots.

On our way we saw howler monkeys climbing the power lines.
 

The tide was out when we arrived and the beach was huge.  The waves were crashing in and the surfers were interesting to watch.  I'm glad our surf day is our last as I'm not sure I will be able to walk let a lone anything else afterwards.  However I haven't been on a horse in a very long time to walking afterwards could be a challenge.  The ride back was much better as we were prepared and new the road a bit better.  On Thursday we will be doing it the dark as we are staying in Sante Teresa for the sun set which is suppose to be spectacular.

 
Jenny was not only able to provide with tourist information she was also able to purchase prawns from a local tico and I put my fresh fruit and vegetable order in for tomorrow.  So Bill is busy preparing a prawn feast for tonight.  I think we have 2 kg which should do us for a few meals.

We wish you all a very Happy New Year!