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Published: April 11th 2015
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Sunset from the Air
Clo took this out the window of the plane. Another sunny, warm day in Costa Rica. We had peaceful night’s sleep. Not a peep from the adolescents. I guess they are not a sports team of some sort. The birds started chirping before dawn. No monkey sounds though. I thought I heard thunder but I think it was the first plane of the day taking off from the airport some ten kilometres away.
Coffee was served around the pool shortly after six and breakfast started around seven. I was one of the first in so there was lots of everything. Once the kids arrived, the waiters were kept busy refilling jugs and platters. I am sure they ran out of milk.
We lazed around the pool until checkout time and then hung around the reception waiting for our taxi. He arrived early, having brought a family in from the airport. I wasn’t ready to leave the ambiance of the hotel for the airport but Clo felt sorry for the taxi driver, not wanting to make him wait another hour. Of we went. Not as hectic as Toronto, so we had time to check out the duty free shops and grab a bite to eat. Not much choose from the later (KFC, Quisnos) and a fast food franchise called Smashburgers. Not bad as far as this type of burger goes. Still, airport prices, $34US for 2 burgers, 2 pops and a fries! Good way to get rid of the last of our local currency.
Upon check-in, we were offered a $400 voucher to take a later flight that stopped in Houston. Forget it, I already paid more for the ticket in the first place so as to avoid that place. Still, there were empty seats on the plane when it took off. Maybe they were overweight.
It is a small plane so loading was quick. Only problem is that this is a cheapie flight AC (Rouge) so there is little leg room, the seats don’t go back much and are thin on padding. Half way through the flight my tailbone began to feel the metal frame. Time to stand for a while. The little girl in the next row stared at me for a moment and then whispered a question to her mother about the surgical mask I was wearing.
I always wear a mask on the plane. Nothing ruins a vacation more than falling sick with some bug picked up from the regurgitated air inside the plane. The Chinese and Japanese have figured this out long ago. Wear a mask if you are sick and go out in public so as not to infect the masses. Maybe western businesses could learn from this. If they insist that workers come in to work when sick, supply them with a mask. It would certainly improve efficiency.
We landed on-time in Toronto but no shuttle to the hotel. Phoned the hotel and got an automatic number giving the schedule. Bus every half hour. Five minute wait. Forty minutes later, we began to see the same buses come around again. Called the hotel again. Got a real person this time. They sent the shuttle which arrived ten minutes later. Apparently, clients must call after they are finished with airport security for a shuttle. I don’t remember seeing that on the confirmation!
Thus, we got to bed an hour later than planned. Almost not worth getting a room. Once settled in though, it was well worth it. I highly recommend the Best Western Plus near the airport. It is clean, refurbished and serves an excellent complimentary buffet breakfast. Staff were polite and efficient.
Home tomorrow. Hoorah. I think.
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