Costa Rica 2024

I have been inspired to attempt a blog to share our Costa Rica adventure with family & friends in a different way - more personal or more intimate perhaps - than the usual social media.   The story starts a year ago when we came to Costa Rica (CR) for the first time.  We spent 10 days in 4 different hotels spread across several hundred miles.   We had a lovely time but all along we were thinking wouldn't it be interesting to stay in one place - to rent a house maybe for even a month - if we ever came back.   During the last 3 days of that trip we discovered Playa Carrillo - and sitting in a hotel bar that night looking at AirB&B's found this interesting house.   So less than a month after we returned from that trip we took the plunge and reserved Casa Que Pasa for a month.

This is installment 1 - Our Arrival & visit by Jess & Mike

Wednesday Feb 7th (Liz' Birthday); Day 1:   Long day getting from Phippsburg to Puerto Carrillo, Guanacaste, CR.  Started at 4 am with a limo to Portland Airport and two flights later landing in Liberia CR.   The usual rigamarole getting through Customs & Immigration, getting our bags - and getting our rental car (has anyone ever figured out why renting a car is so complicated?).    But finally on the way to Puerto Carrillo.   Expecting about a 2 1/2 hr drive but it turned into something more than 3 hours.  Rush hour traffic and caught behind local busses.   Arrived at the house at 8:05 pm and met David Ortega, the property manager who showed us all the locks and lights and alarms and trash, etc.  

Thursday Feb. 8th; Day 2:    Slept the night enjoying tropical breezes through the house.  Slow morning starting with eggs and toast and coffee on the deck.  Noticed a few local tourist boats all in one general area just off shore.   Realized they were out on a whale watch when suddenly all the boats converged around spumes of spray - whales!  Even with the naked eye we could see the whale's backs!   With the binoculars we could tell they were humpback whales.   Enjoyed the spectacle for several minutes - all from our deck!

Lots of birds right around the house to observe: magpies; buzzards, frigate birds, caracara  and kiskadee.   Had lunch at a local restaurant: Los Delpines and did a grocery shop at La Guaria.  Hung around at pool.  Quite and adjustment from skiing on Monday to Mid 90's on Thurday.   

Friday Feb. 9th; Day 3:   Starting to adjust to the weather.   Mid 90's but fortunately pretty dry (40% humidity).  Got up early and walked from one end of Playa Carrillo to the other a trek of 3 miles.  Flights of pelicans; snowy egret; blue heron; and tri colored hero.   Went to Samara for errands - got some Colones a the ATM.   Had lunch at Restaurant Gusto Beach (pizza, salad and Margarita).  Liz bought a sun dress.   Getting to know our way around Samara.     Spoke to Jess - She and Mike are packed and ready to fly in the morning to join us.  Exciting!

Saturday Feb. 10; Day 4:  Up early and walked the beach.  Much more humid today!  Then drove the Samara Farmers Market and were pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of local produce:  lemons; snap peas, cucumber; water melon strawberries, pineapple, watermelon and fish.   Got back to car to discover text message from Mike saying Jess was sick all night and they had missed their flight.   Oh No!   We are so sad for them - and for us!   Later found that they were rebooked to come down on same flights Monday.   Turns out Mike also had issues and they suspect the leftovers they had for dinner .  

Back to house for late brunch.  In the afternoon alternated between the pool or running down to Playa Carrillo for a swim.  What a treat to be able to escape the heat by dipping in the water.   Back at the house we again saw whales - this time breaching.  We realize how fortunate this house offers so much.  Super humid & no breeze as we went to bed so we ran the A/C for the first time.

Sunday Feb 11th; Day 5:   Yoga on the deck. Were entertained by 4 Black Headed Trogons in the tree right over the us.  

\

 Then off to  10 am breakfast with Jim and Carole Levin at their house in Playa Berrigona.  They hosted a gathering of some 20 people followed by a swim at their beach.   Nice group of gregarious people and a fun day.    Heard from Jess - they are packed and ready to try again.     

Monday Feb 12th; Day 6:   Morning walk on the beach -  bumped into Rob Hernandez and Gretchen whom we had met at Jim & Carole's house and had a lovely discussion.   He graduated from college in 74 - worked in Africa as an ornithologist - then went to work for Linblad Cruise lines, then Natural Geographic.   Hummingbirds in the trees around the house.  Five Howler monkeys in the trees above the driveway eating some fruit.  

Jess and Mike arrived about 6:20 pm.   Swordfish for dinner

Tuesday Feb 13th; Day 7:   6 AM Male Howler monkeys making their morning territorial statements.  One entourage (male and at least one female and infant) right above the car park - and hear another group down at the end of the driveway.   Walked on beach with Jess & Mike - ran into Rob and Gretchen again.   In the afternoon went to rocky beach nearest Casa Que Pasa.   Almost high tide.  Very cool spot.   On way back to house encountered another family of Howler monkeys and a family of Black Trogons.  While watching who should drive up along side us but Rob & Gretchen again.   We brought them up to the house for a quick tour - and right away spotted more whales!   Smash burgers on the grille for dinner.      

Wednesday Feb 14th (Valentines Day);  Day 8: - Up at 7 for a dip in the pool and spotted more whales spouting while in the pool.   Liz thinks 3 or 4 whales.

The four of us off to Wing Nuts to do the zip line at 8:30.   That was an exciting morning riding 9 different zip lines and 2 rappels.  Freddie & Marco guiding us through the tree tops!   Glad we did it early in the day.  By the time we got done (about 1 pm) it was very warm and very humid.    Saw a gray fox on the road at dusk.  Reservations for Valentines Day dinner at Colibri Steak House - Argentinian food.   A very lively place with great atmosphere and food.   

 

Thursday Feb 15th;  Day 9:  Out of the house by 8 am to get to Samara Adventures for the Dolphin/Snorkeling boat adventure.   Meet them at Samara beach where we loaded into a small skiff and were ferried out to Numa ("Sunshine") a 10 m catamaran with dual 200 hp Yamaha's.  Captain George and a couple of other crew members gave us a very nice day.   Saw plenty of dolphins, a sea turtle, but no whales  - Ah well.   Brought us back to Isla Chora where we snorkeled for about 45 minutes.  Homemade Pizza for dinner.  Played a round of 5 crowns.   Liz won but Mike had the most fun.

Friday Feb 16th; Day 10:  Up and on the beach for a 3 mile walk by 8 AM.    Back for breakfast of eggs and bacon and cinnamon buns.   Hung around the pool for the day.   Went to Pescadereria Matapalo where we got Mahi Mahi and Langosta for dinner.   Had a nice video call with Nate.  He was wearing two Patagonia fleeces, and base layer and his black Carhart vest - we were in bathing suits!    

Sunset at Mirador El Sur - a point of land a short walk from the house.  Incredible sunset!

Saturday Feb 17th; Day 11: - Quiet morning hanging out at the pool waiting for Jess & Mike's van to show up at 10 AM.   Sad to see them go and we miss them already.  Just after midnight got a text with a picture of Leroy greeting.    I think a long day for Jess & Mike.