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!