My trip to Costa Rica was forced by my friend Jana telling me I was going, in an ordering fashion, like that of a friend who knows what is best for you. I said, “What the hell. Why not.” So Jana, from Sweden, has been my travel buddy, really a blessing. You should all be so fortunate as to travel with Jana.
I arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica after a diversion to Liberia…
The city in Costa Rica not the country in West Africa.
The diversion was due to fog which cleared. The incredibly friendly face of Adolfo from the Kabata Hostel was there to great me.
A shameless plug for Kabata Hostel: The Kabata Hostel has an incredibly luxurious feature. A very friendly host family that aims to please in every way. As a starting point, I really recommend it. There is all sorts of information available on Costa Rican possibilities, free internet, rich Costa Rican coffee, and a playful dog and cat. Mauricio, our host, was just that, a host, but a like a trusted friend known for years is a host. He is quite happy to help with plans and arrangements. He is the best. It was a very pleasant way to start and end the vacation. http://www.kabatahostel.com/
The second day, Sunday, Jana and I traveled up to Playa de Coco and found the worst hostel in the world, complete with pink ruffles. We moved across the street to find the perfect $7 a night spot, clean, but for the sand we keep tracking in, I can hear the ocean from my bed (along with a damn rooster which insists on waking me at 4:45 am). It’s fantastic all natural, lacquered wood interior gives it a cabin feel, except for the television.
Monday, I spent on the beach and enjoying the tidepools with sculpins, sea slugs and urchins while Jana took an advanced dive course.
Tuesday, I dove. Nothing eventful in either dive. The visibility was poor, but I wanted to dive. The previous day they had seen huge manta rays at the same location. Unfortnately the visibiliy just turned.
Dinner was all about the plantains. I love plantains. They were delicious.
Wednesday we dove. We even saw a shark which was the highlight. My bcd sprung a minor air leak (a little sand in the wrong place... common enough), and seeing as I have not dove for years, I was very proud of not freaking out. I stayed down until the boys went low on air. I still did not use up as much air as the boys, even with the leak.
The diving visibility wasn’t great so we decided we, Jana and I would use the next day to take a break from diving. It was too bad the visibility turned. All reports from all the divers we ran into raved about the previous week's diving.
This is a picture of some frisky turtles we came up Wednesday.
Wednesday night, we had the most incredible fresh swordfish, prepared beyond perfection, with a tantalizing red pepper sauce. Any swordfish I have from now until the day I die will no doubt be a disappointment in comparison. All together the food has been so good, I salivate at just the thought.
Today we went white water river rafting and then for a canopy tour of the upper elevations of forest. Or so I expected. Actually we went zipping through the canopy. This is the ludicrous act of wrapping some nylon around your legs, strapping it to a pulley and riding the pulley down along a cable strung 250 feet above a ravine at speeds around 30 miles per hour.
I lived.
And by the end, I was no longer terrified. I am glad Jana was with me. She went first. I would have been really sad to loose her.
Cable info:
Me over a ravine:
Me close up:
Jana upsidedown on a zip line.
Traveling with Jana has made the trip. She is so fun to hang out with and talk to. It is important to travel with a pal, mostly for company. But finding the right pal can be difficult. She comes up with great ideas, makes wonderful arrangements for activities, and is just a great pal. It is hard to find a travel partner who is willing to travel on the same budget, wants to do the same things, is willing to try new activities and can go with the flow.
After zipping through the canopy, we then went white water rafting, which had one hysterical element.
Here we are, in the middle of a Costa Rican jungle, an area frequented by white water rafters. There is no sign of any human touch, with one hilarious exception. Every kilometer or so, we would pass a rickety wooden sign on the side of the river, reading, “Emergency Exit.” We didn’t bring the camera, but boy I wish I had a picture of that scene.
The river was great. It was a great starter water set. It was a bit cool, but it was refreshing in the heat.
I lost my guide over one of the rapids. How funny is that! (By lost I mean he feel out of our little double kayak.)
My guide didn’t speak English at all, until we got to a spot with a bunch of iguanas enjoying the sun. He said, “Tastes like chicken.” I suppose that is an important three words of English to know.
And the one little thing I love about Jana, is this funny noise she makes when I bring her coffee in the morning. I can’t seem to sleep past the roosters. So I venture for coffee rather early and bring her back a cup. You would think I was bringing her back the most adorable puppy in the world. She gets so happy. She never expects it, she always appreciates it and that makes bringing it worthwhile.
A plug for Summer Salt Dive shop: We spent a lot of time at the Summer Salt dive. Asside from being a good dive shop, they were a great group of people. We went out for dinner with them a couple of times. I want to thank Lucia again for being a spectacular teacher, Doug for being a hysterical comedian and Juan Carlos for being so exceptionally helpful. They not only provided for safe dives, but a fun and friendly atmosphere. http://www.summer-salt.com/
This is a candid shot Juan Carlos, Doug and Lucia from Summer Salt dive shop:
And me on the dive boat:
Stupid: Leaving, and paying the departure tax to do it. (Yes, that is right, you have to pay tax to leave!) Despite being in Costa Rica, the tax was expected to be paid in American dollars. Don't have American dollars? Then there were atms dispensing American dollars, in Costa Rica, for your easy withdraw. American dollars are the currency of the world.
Cool: The great and friendly people we met. Thank you Lucia, Doug, Juan Carlos and Mauricio.
Cool: Costa Rica. If you are outdoorsy, try it. It was a blast.
