Since my last post we have had the second set of parents visit, we found a strawberry and plum gold mine, the Royals got married and Osama was eliminated by US Navy Seals, but more on that other stuff later.
Dad and Helen arrived May 12 and left on the 17th. We headed to lunch at Casona de Laly a locals local food place if you will. The next morning I drove us to La Paz Waterfall Gardens up toward Poas Volcano.
We had a lot of fun exploring the area. We took a jungle hike and then took in the animal exhibits.
The weather is weird on the volcano. When we arrived it was sunny and hot, then it turned cloudy and cool, but turned warm again as we were heading out. Helen got some excellent shots of the male jaguar roaring. I found a super cat on the way out. I think the drive made Dad nervous with sharp blind turns, no guard rails, and edges that dropped off to nowhere not to mention the giant potholes in the road when there was a road, one lane bridges where you have to ceda el paso, oh, and other Costa Rican drivers, cows, horses in the road.
We saw a man with an oxcart and Helen and I ran over to get a picture. As she was taking the shot from across the roadway, he leaned into me and said, "two dollars" in perfect English.
Brian had to work most days but we were able to find fun things to do to pass the time without him along.
On Thursday the 14th, Dad, Helen and I headed to the beach. Our goal was to visit Playa Hermosa but of course we had to stop and look at the crocodiles! The water was low and we had a great view of the giant dinosaur lizards. We made good time and arrived at Hermosa Beach for a few hours of fun in the sun. The water was perfect and the beach all but deserted. We saw a squadron of 30 to 40 pelicans fly over us. There were so many I thought they were geese until they drew closer to us. I was glad we had umbrellas at that point, just in case!
We packed up and headed to Jaco for lunch. I had a shrimp taco and Dad and Helen had the whole fish with veggies. We got back on the road and headed home before traffic was due to hit San Jose.
We needed to decide if we were going to Tortegero or Arenal or somewhere else for the weekend. We decided on the Arenal area with its hot springs and various other activities. The weather was threatening to cover the volcano, but we were fortunate that clouds cleared off completely and stayed gone. The view of the cinder cone was unobstructed and loomed large out side our hotel windows.
We stayed at the Royal Corin overnight, and had dinner at Tabacon Hot Springs. I know, I love it there. The sky was mostly clear and the moon was full. It was a lovely evening. The volcano was sadly not erupting.
We all woke early to do the Hanging Bridges walk. I thought we would be the only ones there but unfortunately bus loads of loud chattering, whooping, and hollering tourists were there at the same time. We managed to get away from them for the most part. I think they scared all the life forms away. I know I wanted to run away deep into the forest until I couldn't hear them anymore. We did get to see a Motmot bird and another very tiny specimen of the green eyelash pit viper cutiest maximus. Both animals were near invisible even after they were pointed out.
After our hike we headed back to the hotel to enjoy their natural hot springs and cold pools. We were having a great time but a chatty Kathy found us and we couldn't shake her. We started the drive home but stopped at a roadside soda because we were all hungry.
Then it was back on the road and back to the house!
And the end of another whirlwind visit came too soon.
Dad and Helen arrived May 12 and left on the 17th. We headed to lunch at Casona de Laly a locals local food place if you will. The next morning I drove us to La Paz Waterfall Gardens up toward Poas Volcano.
We had a lot of fun exploring the area. We took a jungle hike and then took in the animal exhibits.
The weather is weird on the volcano. When we arrived it was sunny and hot, then it turned cloudy and cool, but turned warm again as we were heading out. Helen got some excellent shots of the male jaguar roaring. I found a super cat on the way out. I think the drive made Dad nervous with sharp blind turns, no guard rails, and edges that dropped off to nowhere not to mention the giant potholes in the road when there was a road, one lane bridges where you have to ceda el paso, oh, and other Costa Rican drivers, cows, horses in the road.
We saw a man with an oxcart and Helen and I ran over to get a picture. As she was taking the shot from across the roadway, he leaned into me and said, "two dollars" in perfect English.
Brian had to work most days but we were able to find fun things to do to pass the time without him along.
On Thursday the 14th, Dad, Helen and I headed to the beach. Our goal was to visit Playa Hermosa but of course we had to stop and look at the crocodiles! The water was low and we had a great view of the giant dinosaur lizards. We made good time and arrived at Hermosa Beach for a few hours of fun in the sun. The water was perfect and the beach all but deserted. We saw a squadron of 30 to 40 pelicans fly over us. There were so many I thought they were geese until they drew closer to us. I was glad we had umbrellas at that point, just in case!
We packed up and headed to Jaco for lunch. I had a shrimp taco and Dad and Helen had the whole fish with veggies. We got back on the road and headed home before traffic was due to hit San Jose.
We needed to decide if we were going to Tortegero or Arenal or somewhere else for the weekend. We decided on the Arenal area with its hot springs and various other activities. The weather was threatening to cover the volcano, but we were fortunate that clouds cleared off completely and stayed gone. The view of the cinder cone was unobstructed and loomed large out side our hotel windows.
We stayed at the Royal Corin overnight, and had dinner at Tabacon Hot Springs. I know, I love it there. The sky was mostly clear and the moon was full. It was a lovely evening. The volcano was sadly not erupting.
After our hike we headed back to the hotel to enjoy their natural hot springs and cold pools. We were having a great time but a chatty Kathy found us and we couldn't shake her. We started the drive home but stopped at a roadside soda because we were all hungry.
Then it was back on the road and back to the house!
And the end of another whirlwind visit came too soon.
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