ON THE ROAD – Costa Rica Part One
2/4/22
Drove to Tucson airport, less than an hour from home, boarded our flight on time, had business class seats up front and upon landing in Chicago discovered our flight to San Jose was going to be delayed by two hours. Instead of leaving at 5:15, it would be 7:25 and then…..it was canceled. Off to the Admiral’s Club for a drink and to get re-booked. Here’s where it gets interesting. With over 3800 flights canceled in the U.S. ours was merely one among many. AA does not fly to San Jose, Costa Rica on Saturdays, so they booked us on United and and gave us an overnight room at the Hilton near the airport. Our flight the next day left at 2 PM with an arrival estimated at 7:15. Other cancellations at a hotel at SJO and a car rental also had to be re-booked.
When you have an attitude of gratitude, it’s easier to go with the flow even when the flow slows to a snail’s pace or, like a river, you navigate some rapids and a curve. If you don’t like the river image, use a bumpy, mountainous road. The point is that we keep going and we don’t give up. Perseverance pays off, eventually.
2/6/22
Arrived on time last night at SJO, breezed thru Customs, got a shuttle right outside to Hampton Inn. We had a bite of supper, a good night’s rest, a great breakfast and walked across the street to pick up our luxury SUV which turned out to be a Mitsubishi Montero Sport 4WD. A bit expensive but a good ride to almost anywhere.
Followed WAYZ out to Rt. 1 north and about 161 miles and 4.5 hours later, arrived Tamarindo, bustling, tourist laden beach town, very crowded. Average speed here even on main roads not much more than 35 mph. Our AirBnb is about 10 minutes south of the main beach, very quiet and not crowded. Picked up some groceries for our stay, breakfast and lunch stuff, snacks, coffee, etc. some fruit, juices plus vino & cerveza. Will figure out the rest of our itinerary soon.
We’re on a 2nd floor apartment, great view of the ocean, wide sandy beach, gentle waves. Tide comes in quite a distance and we hear the surf, about 60 yards away. Sounds, smells, tastes, views, a feast for the senses.
2/9/22
Monday was a beach day, walking, wading into the gentle surf, facing west watching the sun rise from behind us lighting the waves as they break and then setting southwest over the Pacific. The wide, sandy beach, calm ocean, gentle surf make for a most relaxing environment. Tamarindo itself is too commercial and developed for our taste but each to her own. We prefer a more quiet environment, somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle that appeals to others.
Yesterday, a road trip to Nosara on the Nicoya peninsula, a more laid back surfer and yoga environment. To get there we had to navigate some very rough roads, tremendous pot holes, narrow bridges, some traffic and yet, the scenery was varied and interesting. Rolling hills, some mountains, small villages, open fields, rivers, forests, farms, ranches and local folks carving out a living one way or another.
Today, planning for the rest of our time, probably in two more very different places. Love being here with the howler monkeys, the green parrots, the iguanas, the lush, tropical vegetation, the canopy of trees. It is easy to be immersed in Nature here and there are tremendous varieties of species of both fauna and flora. It’s a glimpse into what more of the world could be if we protected and preserved the places we live, work and play.
Richness in diversity, respect for the natural eco-systems, living in harmony, building sustainable and renewable environments, keeping people and the planet healthy and thriving.
https://www.visitcostarica.com/en