A Day at the Beach!

After two years of living in Costa Rica and being kept very busy with the designing and redesigning our house to fit our budget and learning about growing coffee, we finally were able to spend a day at the beach thanks to our friends Guy and Maryse.  They promised that they knew of a wonderful beach just before Jaco and we needed to take a trip!!  On the way we passed over the Tarcoles River and had to stop to see the Crocks.  This one particular spot is know for a large population and we were not disappointed.  Fortunately, we were viewing them from a very high bridge!  They were huge and many and we hoped they didn't know the beach we were heading to not far away!

Having 4 wheel drive we drove and Maryse packed a feast including Pina Coladas, wine, salad and sandwiches.  Maryse and Guy lived in the U.S. for 30 years but are French. Since meeting them, we have enjoyed some wonderful French cuisine thanks to Maryse and her generous offers to feed us.

Don & Guy enjoying their Pina Coladas and the spectacular beach.  The road in is a bit rough but that also makes for a very private location with few other sunbathers.  Because of high tide we were able to sit under the wonderful shade just off the shore and relax, eat and chat.  There were waves just big enough for body surfing and it was delightful to float and surf in perfect temperatures.

We had a natural clothes rack along with our natural shade and could not have asked for anything better.  The water was clean and warm!  The beach was sandy and clean and the temperature perfect!  It was a beautiful day although, not without the usual "unusual experience."  Maryse & Guy have a GPS which we plugged into our old car to help us navigate as Costa Rica is known for no road signs!  Shortly after getting on the road, we noticed that our electric windows stopped working and all were down except for Guy's.  That was fine with us as on the way down it became warmer and the breeze was refreshing.  However, upon arriving we realized that we could not lock our car!!  Surprise, there was a man there parking cars (about 5 at this point) and he said he would keep a close watch on our car!  Feeling o.k. with this to some extent, we took everything of value out of the car to the beach with us and decided to worry about the problem later!  

We set up our blanket and this was the view of our canopy.  

It was a beautiful, warm sunny day and the picnic was to die for.  We did a little shell and coral hunting, lots of swimming and eating and just enjoyed the day with our friends.  As we are in the rainy season, the inevitable happened--it started thundering and lightening and threatening rain.  Don & Guy were down the beach exploring one of the coves as the tide had receded.  Maryse and I were wondering where to go to avoid the lightening--not under a tree, not in the water.....

Don & Guy finally returned and we packed up and ran to the car in a downpour!  Oh, yes, remember the problem with the car--the windows are down!!  Yes, the windows were still down and the rain was pouring in but with no option, we all got in and headed home.  Guy, who had no fresh air on the way down was thrilled not to be drenched with rain like the rest of us on the way home.  Maryse and I tried hanging towels up to lessen the damage which helped some.  About half way home, we stopped at a gas station and were able to have the problem of our windows fixed.  A smart young man came up with just the right fuse and we were on the road again!   All in all it was a great day and the little window problem only made it more memorable.  Looking forward to our next visit--soon I hope!!

Puntarenas With Friends to Buy Fish!

One day in July we were invited to visit Puntarenas with friends to do a little exploring and buy some fresh off the boat fish!  We arrived at the docks and wandered around seeing the sites before deciding where to purchase our catch.

There are boats of all sizes.

Guy adjusting his sandal and Don taking in the view!

O.K. Maryse what do you see?  Beyond Maryse is a ferry that crosses the Nicoyan Bay to the Peninsula.  

 

This part of Puntarenas is very different from the area we visited on our first trip.  It is very much a fishing village with all the usual trappings.  These are just a few of the different boats moored to the docks and floating in the water.

Huge docks, large enough for parking. After a snack at a local restaurant and the exploring of the stores on the main street, we purchased lots of fish and headed home!   By the way, the fish has been a wonderful treat that we are still enjoying.  I'm sure there is another trip to Puntarenas for more fish!

A "New" Rental for the Roses

It has been awhile since I've blogged.  Moving was part of the reason but the big one was that we lost Skeeter!  We have such a big hole in our hearts it has been difficult for me to write.  I miss him terribly on my walks and we miss having him in our lives.  Losing him for the second time and knowing there is no return has been difficult.  RIP Skeeter, we love you!

It was the end of June this year when we moved about 100 meters to a new rental which includes 2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, a garage, security, view, "sewing room" (which I have put to good use) and the usual living, dining (with table and chairs) and kitchen.  Just before our move here, we took a trip to Turrubares to visit our builder friend, as we needed a bed at our new home.  We met at his house and visited there awhile.  Then to his parent's house where we spent a good part of the day eating and visiting with new friends and old.  In the afternoon, with clouds rolling in, the sound of thunder and an hour or so of downpour, we decided it was time to head home.  Our last trip to Turrubares it was necessary to pass through the rio (river) to get to our friends home.  Fortunately, this trip we were able to use the new bridge to cross some very deep and turbulent waters.  Unfortunately, the little tributary, which we also had to cross, had no bridge and was a little more difficult!

As we approached what we thought was a small stream, the water was rising and flowing. Not only was the water in the stream bed, but creeping onto the road we were traveling.  Our friends were ahead of us driving a little Toyota Echo and halted behind another car causing us to stop also!

We all got out of the car and

watched as the water continued to rise and come closer and closer to where we had parked.  On the other side, we watched as others sat waiting for the situation to improve.

The first car to stop was our gauge for how high the water was rising.

But one look at the white caps and the speed of the flow convinced us that we needed to be patient before crossing, even with our 4 x 4.  Both sides of the river were now backing up with vehicles waiting to cross.

This was about the high point.  From here the water slowly began to recede. After about a little more than an hours delay, and watching the first brave souls pass through, we were headed home.

The 4 wheelers went first.

Then some horses.

And, finally it was safe enough for the little Toyota Echo to pass and we followed behind.  All in all, a fun adventure and a pretty common experience in Costa Rica in the rainy season.

The result of our trip to Turrubares is our new bed!  Don made a trip down to pick it up and carefully drove it home.  Part on top and part inside our new bed arrived in perfect condition and we have truly enjoyed sleeping on it since our move!

Good job Don!!

Although our rental came with a refrigerator we purchased a larger one--we do like to eat.  Errol offered his truck to pick the refrigerator up for which we were grateful.  The men loaded the refrigerator while the ladies watched, and we headed out the door of the owners garage---almost!

Unfortunately, the refrigerator was too tall to go through the doorway!  If nothing else, Costa Ricans are resourceful and having encountered a similar problem, air was removed from Errol's tires and we were soon on our way!!

The view we have is similar to the one from the other house and from our property.  All though we look at the same area, because of angles, hills and other things, we always get a little different scene!

The first week here, while walking up our hill to the main road I came across this beautiful double rainbow and had to share it!