Out of the snow and into the heat

I can’t believe it’s been almost three years since I posted.  2000 pictures taken, many trips across the country and into Panama, I have settled into life here in Costa Rica. I’m still here because it’s  most wild but a relatively safe country in Latin America. And I finally get the Pura Vida. I love this life.

I hate bugs and heat, two things 100% unavoidable here. The constant heat is a common reason people don’t stay. Giving tours at work in April, CR’s hottest month, fully clothed to stepping on scorpions barefoot, I’m still here. You may think that ok not so bad, one insect. I have been bitten, stung, and eaten by most bugs. I’ve come to meet the most venomous snake on three occasions, came up close and personal with crocodiles, and even been head butted into unconscienseness by a sheep but I remain. I’ve been bitten by monkeys, iguanas, turtles, birds, and rammed by a deer, but I’m still here.

So much has happened. Sold my house, bought one here, became a resident, got a cat, and now a dog. Settled in Tamarindo two years ago from Coco Beach where back in 2017 I was so unsure of doing. Did it. Best decision so far, but getting restless again.  Same thing, where. There are so many places I would live now that I’m familiar with the country, but that is the problem. Build or buy built…Building your own home is by far the cheapest, but also the most frustrating experience. Not sure I want to visit that path in my life now. It makes the most sense and cheapest, but…

Still struggling with Tico spanish, but everything else is equally frustrating living here as a gringo. Even so, this life and the challenges are worth it. To wake up everyday to the sound of the birds and monkeys amongst the daily summertime weather is a slice of paradise. There is no sound of traffic and traffic jams mostly consist of cattle or horses being herded somewhere. Oh, the modern day cowboy is often times funny. They use bicycles, motos, walking, and also by horseback, but I think this is becoming a lost tradition. Horses are valuable for the tope, transportation, and herding. I didn’t mention the horseback rental business, although big, is not one I like. The horses are cared for, as they are so valuable to the owner as are any cattle. Pigs and chickens are also cared for to extent.

 

On my last day, I had planned on taking some photos of all the animals and staff…but it didn’t quite happen that way.  We had an emergency intake, a beautiful owl, who had been picked up by my co-worker, Michaela, at the school. Had a broken wing.

Surprisingly, it is very difficult to find veterinarians who know anything about wildlife care. Surprising because Costa Rica has dedicated so much time, resources, and cash to preserving the wildlife.  Our vet at the rescue center is about 3 hours away.

Two of us drove this broken owl to Nicoya, halfway to Nosara, his practice.  We pass him off to our vet Francisco and his wife who runs an awesome sanctuary in Tamarindo. We  finally head back to work, but it’s already after 4PM and the sanctuary is closed.

Head home hoping the best for this poor awesome bird. Each day is different, but animals are the cause and mission. We will do anything for any animal.

Here’s a couple of pics from work and the stuff we do everyday.

Although, I really wanted to return to Tamarindo before I had to leave for the states, I decided against it. I’ve been exhausted working so much in the heat covering for my co-worker, I needed to relax.

But when my neighbors said they were headed for Tamarindo on the bus, picking up and meeting our friend Ryan in Brasilito Beach, I said heck, I’ll take you. I said I’d go if I could find a room at the Villa Amarillo Hotel. No luck.  I think I noted that it is now low season, but Tamarindo was full.

I always wanted to return to Playa Grande and it was just around the corner, I wanted to go. What’s 4 km? My friends were staying at the hostel In Tamarindo. Not for me, for those of you who know me. Can’t imagine sleeping with 24 strangers in one room. But it was cheap, $12 for those of you who may want to visit Tamarindo on a budget. Nice from what my friends say…and they know hostels.

Didn’t want to drive in the darkness even though I really wanted to stay and take  some sunset pictures from Playa Grand beach.  After two months in these towns, tonight was a first, driving at night. So I left just before and had to pull off-road to get this shot. It’s overlooking Playa Grande, through a field. Had to do it to the dismay of the Tico’s riding my rear end.

 

There is no beach  road to get here because if you look at the blue line in photograph, you will see a river. Yeah, looks easy enough to cross, but you’d probably end up as dinner for the crocodile infested river mouth. Boat taxis are available and a must!

Met my friends at this restaurant because it’s the absolute best views of the sunset, the beach, and the town. There are two menus available, Dinner and Bar. Both menus can be served anytime and have fabulous options. I have to say the food was excellent. For two expect to pay $30 including drinks(for one, I don’t drink). I had an entrée that was so good, coconut sauced seafood served on penne. Ahi tartare for starters. Served in the pompous French way, but the waiter was terrific. So was the chef. Maybe because the French are out and Indian is going in. Classic French will still be available, but there will be some excellent curries available and some other stuff Indian, too;

Looking at the sign for the restaurant, maybe the French do have a sense of humor, after all. But I do not get the logo. It has no representation of the restaurant. or the food 

These photos were  taken from the restaurant terrace. Don’t know why anyone would want to eat on the floor below, well, maybe if it’s raining. It’s still an open restaurant but protected from the rain.

Fantastic night and so glad I was able to go. But that night, I decided where I want to live, Coco. Not here. Yeah, now I can focus on Coco.

This is Playa Grande. It was a such a quiet town now that the high season is completely over.

As I probably said in another post that I planned to write about Playa Grande, but ended up talking about Tamarindo.

When I arrived in Playa Grande after my first run to Tamarindo to drop my friends at the hostel and make arrangements for sunset and dinner.

Playa  Grande was so quiet, I think I saw about 10 people in the whole town.

 

I took  walk to the beach the following morning and what  a difference. Where did all these surfers come from? The beach had  a lot of spectators, but there were a much larger numbers of surfers. This was about 5:45-6:00AM

This is also one of the very few homes to the Leather back turtle. I hear it’s fascinating. They will come ashore in October and November and hatch early spring. I understand that folks come here just to help the babies to the water. I missed the season this time. But won’t this year.

I will be showing a video of a baby turtle hatching, my last day. (I have lots of pictures and videos.  BTW, I noticed if you click on the picture, you’ll see the whole I was attempting to catch.

This turtle is an endangered species and the Foundation is totally committed to education and tours when season begins. It’s a very well put together place to learn about these turtles are so special.

Very nice boutique hotel, and very inexpensive, especially now.  Being the only guest was very strange, but I felt totally safe. I don’t think anyone is in town at this point.

I recommend this hotel, great staff, tastefully, pretty rooms, and a full at request breakfast included.

Very cool Place. It looks deserted now because I took this pic before 6AM.  The afternoon before, it was full and a whole lotta fun. Most folks were American, from Jersey and New York.

Playa Grande should be on all lists if visiting Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Really incredible beach and town.  In an earlier post I wrote my first impressions of this surf town, before staying here.

 

 

I have so many pictures and things for you all, but I’ve not had the time to post.  I will, but it may not be until I get  back.  So, everything will have already happened.

I fly tomorrow to the states. I really do not want to leave, so I incorporated myself today, got the immigration residency in process, and made an offer on a home. Crazy? Maybe, but I”ve lived in foreign countries before, and I just love it here.

This day was a work day for me. It was pretty quiet and not much to report. I didn’t see the churches filled, but I saw more of a mass exodus from the beaches to home in the city.  I did see one incredible site as I was heading home from work.  In the back of a pickup this 6-7 feet tall Jesus statue being taken somewhere. It was huge, so religion may not be lost here, after all.

Another hot day, but pretty easy.

We were blessed with six new bunnies being born on this day.  All we need, more bunnies. They were born in with the chickens and moved to a safe holding cage. Since we don’t know who the mother is, all four adult bunnies were moved with the babies.

I stepped into the pen with the bunnies and the chickens and was totally attacked by this monster rooster.  He bit me and wouldn’t let up. I was just trying to feed them, but I’m not going back in there, ever. He scared the you know what out of me and it hurt, drew blood on my calf. Crazy dude. The size of these chickens are like chickens on steroids compared to the ones I’ve ever seen in the states.

 

I was so excited to go to RioCeleste and see the amazing blue waterfall.  I never made it.  Oh, I tried and gave my best effort. The drive took 5 1/2 hours on a road not suitable for my little Suzuki car.  It took a beating. I can only hope that the damage sustained is less than the vehicle is worth.  I don’t want to buy this car.  A 4×4 is the only practical vehicle to own if you’re planning on venturing out of the town in which you’r living.  There is no road, contrary to what tour operators told me and others who have been able to get there.

I have spoken to many people and they don’t even leave the playas.  It’s crazy to me as there is so much to see and do outside and around the Guanacaste region and beyond.  I was able to get a few pics of the blue water, but never could get to the waterfall.  The road to the Tenorio National Park and volcano has been destroyed by the only hurricane to hit Costa Rica in over 100 years.  This was the place hardest hit.

I’m posting some pics that show as far as I made it, and the mountain lodge I stayed in.  It was the one and only bad experience I encountered, so far.  I see why many locals don’t go there and rely on the pictures to see the waterfall.  The flora and fauna of this region was incredible, but I only used my iphone. Next time I come in June, I will bring my good camera and rent a 4×4 for the day.  It would’ve made my trip so much easier.

I stayed in the mountain lodge on the hillside of the Tenorio Volcano.  I was impressed when I arrived, but that  didn’t last long.  Asking directions because of course I got lost several times got me nowhere this time.  No english is spoken in this area of Costa Ria and I believe the tico’s found pleasure in my lack of Spanish.  I was told by five different people which way to go, but I got so many mixed up directions.  Anyway, I made it to the lodge because of Norberto, a local tour operator out of  Coco.  He spoke great english and could see how frustrated I was.  I couldn’t post anything as there was no service up here.

So here’s some pics, not very good because of the iphone, but none the less, I did get pictures of the blue river.

 

 

I love this place. It’s busy, it’s crowded, it’s touristy, but it’s also home of some of the best people. It’s really truly about the vibe of it’s people.  It’s a small surfing town, somewhere I can actually get up, smaller waves for days.  It’s also such a huge, beautiful beach.  I miss it already and I was there just yesterday.

Although, it’s an hour from the airport, I just might have to call this place home once all is said and done.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Coco, too, a bit quieter, a few less tourists, but Ahhh, Tamarindo.

I stayed here last year at a fancy resort with Josh and it was really nice, but while I was at the Diria, I saw this quirky little hotel, that had me curious from the moment I saw it. The Villa de

Totally awesome day today.  Only about an hour from me ,hidden, really hidden, that I got lost so much finding them.  Worth it even though an hour trip took two.  I got to meet lots of Tico’s along the way, getting cold coconuts, watermelon and even some gas. If you smile and say Hola, the Costa Rican people are so genuinely nice.  It’s been my experience anyway.

Back to the falls, Llanos de Cortes falls are not to be missed. Absolutely refreshed the mind and soul. I went today and there were people coming and going, and some stayed as I did. I’m told if you go during the week you may have the whole place to yourself, but what’s the fun in that if you are a solo traveler?

Reflecting on my life, what do I do with it from here?  It’s something I think about constantly so to be at the falls today was just what I needed.

If you go, it’s so easy to miss the very bumpy rough road cutoff the main highway out of Liberia just before Begaces.  When it says turn just beyond the bridge, do it!!

Downtown Playas del Coco there is even a Louisiana style restaurant.