Costa Rica Day 2 (Cahuita + Manzanillo)

Costa Rica Day 2

First morning in the Caribbean. We women up Very early. Jetlag hit foth If us , and/or we were up before 7. We went bu the seafront to get some breakfast. Which we actual didn't in a places running bu a Barcelona FC fan, who had pictures of few of the Barcelona wins since 1992. We asked him, obviously, where could we see the Barcelona-Madrid Match on Monday, just in case we would still be in Puerto Viejo tomorrow.

We went to visit the Cuihita national park. We took a crazy local guide called Anthony, also called Papito or Paps. The guy was good, we were able to see poison snakes, "aulladores" monkeys, white face monkeys, "mapache", "golden" spiders and numerous types of lizards. Anthony was funny guy, he liked every girl we pass by .We has alwayss saying "pura vida, mujeres guapas, marihuana buena"

In the afternoon, we spent the afternoon in Manzanillo, (we had our swim in the Caribbean). Then at Night we went back to Maxi's, where we tried Lobsters. I have to say that I liked the dinner better the day earlier.

Filo

Un anonimo concodo

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AlberTico

Costa Rica Day 1 (Puerto Viejo)

Costa Rica Day+1 (Puerto Viejo)

First few hours in San Jose was more than enough to show that it was not good enough for expending more than few hours.

So in the morning we arranged a couple of things:

• Mobile phone: through the only phone company ICE. Alberto had a free Iphone. It is surprisingly cheap. Something less 5 cent a minute national call, and about 40c for international.
• Car rental: We've got a 4WD car.
• Thongs: Alberto got the thongs/sandals he could not buy in Miami

We then took the rent car to Puerto Viejo in the south Caribbean coast. After making three mistakes in the directions, we finally got our way to Puerto Viejo.

The road was ok until we get to Puerto Limon, and from there the next few kms were decent, but the last 30 kms where really bad, a road full of holes and bumps, we could not drive faster than 20 km/hour.

In Puerto Limon we book Hotel Pura Vida, which was a very good choice. We were in the tripple room, with two double beds, and ensuite bathroom, And room being serviced daily 40$/night. The owner, Luis, was a friendly and very useful guy that help us with our plans for the next two/three days.

For diner we went to a recommended Lonely planet restaurant el Loco Natural, a posh fusion Thai, Indian restaurant. OH MY GOOD, excellent, we took a Tandoori with coconut milk chicken, which is the best Curry I ever had. All with cocktails, a total 15 $ each. Really really, really good.

Filo

A known anonymous

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AlberTico

Costa Rica Day 1 few hours after landing.

We have arrived safely San Juan, and this time without incident. We got our shuttle bus to Hostel Toruma, which was nothing special, far better from the outside than from the inside, specially the shared bathrooms. In fact I would say that it was not a good one. It had ree internet with computers, swimming pool area was far from the busy and noisy parts of San Jose but the beds without linen, dirty barthrooms and had a guy in receptions that gave the worse explanation and directions of where to go.



We went out to have a couple of drinks and something to eat in the bars of the city center. It was corious that in every place we went there was a security guy that check us for guns.
Nothing expectacular, but beer is good and I am sure we will have a few of them in the trip. "Tic@s", very not an homogenious group. In general there are small, girls are again in general short and some of there dressed leaving not much for imagination.

Next day we are going to Puerto Viejo in the Caribbean.


Filo
Un anonimo conocido
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AlberTico

Costa Rica -4h

Costa Rica -4h.
We arrived 30-45m ahead of time to Miami international airport, then
after being digitalized all ten fingers, being photographed, being
asked if we were planning to kill Obama, having to explain where we
work, or why Alberto doesn't work, we had to pick the luggage clear
customs and check in again. It was around 3:40 pm local time when we
were finished.
We had a long connection, We looked at the flight plan and saw a 22:00 on it.

So we had to try to something. We were advised there was a Mall near
by, and today was Thanks Giving shopping day. So we thought in going
to the Mall to see the atmosphere, and then go to South Beach. But we
couldn't make it,... Destiny had something else planned for us......

This was day when we were going to start understanding how women feel
when they cross the revolving doors of a shooping mall, and transform
themself. We could blame the heat, the humidity, the lights, the crowd
of people everywhere, the good € vs $ rate, the extra 25-40% discounts
over already discounted Outlet prices, the lack of sleep, the jetlag,
the contagious american way of life, or feeling like home where
everyone speaks spanish except for few speaking english. Could be one
of those things or all of them, but for 1.5h we didn't know we were on
a backpackers trip to Costa Rica.

We arrived to the with the plan of looking, and maybe buying a pair
of thongs, and we end up with 3 pairs of Levis 501s, 3 Polo shirts, 6
pairs of socks, a RL cup, a swimming short, a magneto and a postcard,
and of course no thongs, And when we were waiting in the Tommy
Hilfiger queue with a coat and a couple of scarves, we realized that
it was 6 pm, and we mislooked the departure time, 22:00 was the
arrival time , and we were departuring in 2 hours, so for the second
time in 24 hours, we had to rush to catch the plane.....

Filo
A known anonymous
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AlberTico

Costa Rica DD -18 hours

Costa Rica is calling, and it is calling NOW.

Alberto and me are about to start our trip. We are starting our flight with a connection in Miami.

Flight number.... AAL 69, !!! Yeah right, I like that number!!!! Would it be a sign from the sky? Hope so.

Then in Miami, a 5 h connection , and then San Jose. So plenty of time to start deciding and planing where to go tomorrow.

But it has not gone smoothly. The ESTA application was wrong. So we had to use the bloody internet system to resubmit, with a horrible mouse and worse keyboard, and when we complete it we were told the flight was closed. But we used our George Clooney charm, i.e. That is cry and beg, and the girls let us go.
So we are now running through the bloody long Barajas Terminal 4s

Filo a known anonymous,
And Pehuen

Costa Rica DD-1D

Last day at work HURRA..

Time for me to leave soon, and start packing that I have many thing to pack and so little time to.

I have found a good tip. Apparently in Puerto Viejo de Limón there is a possibility to see Baula turtles. Apparently there are night incursions into a protected area in a small boat, and you have a 20 minute trip at night, with NO LIGHTS AT ALL in order not to disturb the turtles.



Apparently you need guts, to you it..... but I don´t think that would be a problem for Alberto and me, we have lots to spare, and you know.... you only need one of us saying "No hay huevos"..... which if you tell any Spanish man if is a compulsory obligation for him. If he says no,,,, either he is not Spanish, or he is not a man. ......


If we cannot find it in Limón then in playa grande I have news that there are there already, so we will have 2 opportunities.

http://www.nacion.com/2010-11-06/AldeaGlobal/NotaPrincipal/AldeaGlobal2544950.aspx

Filo.
A known anonymous, ..... with guts. :)

Rosta Rica DD-2D

Nothing to report today.

A known anonymous

Costa Rica DD -3D

No much progress today. Today has been one of those days at work when you end up with more things to do than when you started.

The only thing I was able to do was to have my anual scuba diving insurance renewed for one year, and I had a chat with my diving instructors.

Stay tuned

Un anónimo conocido

Costa Rica DD-4

Costa Rica is Calling, count down started.

There is no turning back. All trip plans are starting to form.
Last saturday I booked the first night at Hostal Toruma in San Jose and the shuttle bus from airport. If I have to believe what the web says the place will be good. And if we like it the owners have hostels all over the Rosta Rica, so we can ask them for advise and book a few of the activities.

Monday Alberto got the 4X4WD car rental completed. I personally spent some time with my licenses, that is the international driving license, a duplicate of my PADI scuba dive license (the original one i cannot find it) and Tuesday I hope to have the scuba insurance.