Costa Rica - January 2012


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Published: February 29th 2012
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After investigating the places we wanted to see, and examining the layout of the country, we decided to deviate from our normal traveling methods and rent a car. Our Ticabus ticket would give us a ride from Granada all the way to San Jose, Cost Rica's capital but that was 3 hours past the turn off towards the Costa Rican Gold Coast. We didn't really want to have to backtrack that far if we... Read Full Entry



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The Restaurant MascotThe Restaurant Mascot
The Restaurant Mascot

The waitress kept scolding him to leave the guests alone. But Maurice liked this parakeet. The waitress spoke to the bird like it was human.... But in Spanish.
ABC Another Bloody ChurchABC Another Bloody Church
ABC Another Bloody Church

A beautiful church in the Centro of La Fortuna. Locals use the grounds for a meeting place to visit.
Another beach! Jaco, Costa RicaAnother beach! Jaco, Costa Rica
Another beach! Jaco, Costa Rica

Beaches in Costa Rica are various colors. They are all used by EVERYONE for everything from a soccer pitch, a party place, a tanning place, a reading place and so much more .... and of course for swimming and surfing.
Jaco BeachJaco Beach
Jaco Beach

There was not a lot of visible liquor here on the beach. The beach was patrolled regularly to be sure no one got out of control in public. Off for a beer break ourselves!
Bikes in JacoBikes in Jaco
Bikes in Jaco

Quite a happening beach town only an hour bus ride from the capital, San Jose. Several bike groups were showing off their extravagant bikes and encouraging us to take pictures.
Driving into the Cloud Forest near San Jose, Costa RicaDriving into the Cloud Forest near San Jose, Costa Rica
Driving into the Cloud Forest near San Jose, Costa Rica

Winding highways through fog and tunnels to take us up to Volcan Poas. When we got to the gate we were turned back because the mountain/volcano was fogged in.
Butterfly AveryButterfly Avery
Butterfly Avery

They were hatching as we watched! It takes about 45 minutes for their wings to dry and their abdomens to shrink enough for them to fly.
Blue ButterfliesBlue Butterflies
Blue Butterflies

They have a scientific name but I don't know it. There were hundreds of them in the this Avery.
As Big as Your HandAs Big as Your Hand
As Big as Your Hand

We watched butterflies eating banana nector. They were as big as 2 of Linda's hands.
Lunch on the RoadLunch on the Road
Lunch on the Road

Can it get any better than fresh fruit for lunch? We had the fruit cut up and ate it at our leisure: pineapple, mango, bnanas and mandarins the size of your hand.
River Flowing out of the MountainsRiver Flowing out of the Mountains
River Flowing out of the Mountains

We stopped and asked a work crew why the river was so yellow. Answer, the minerals from the volcano! Not pollution.
Beautiful SceneryBeautiful Scenery
Beautiful Scenery

From up on the mountains overlooking fertile valleys just outside of San Jose, Costa Rica.
Coffee Farm TourCoffee Farm Tour
Coffee Farm Tour

They pay $2 to pickers for these 25 pound baskets full. A good picker picks between 8 and 12 baskets a day.
Bananas BananasBananas Bananas
Bananas Bananas

Various fruits trees are planted in the rows of coffee plants to encourage pollination.
Hydrangeas Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas

These flowers grow everywhere here. They are the size of a human head. I'd love a hedge of these at home.
Coffee BeansCoffee Beans
Coffee Beans

They sun dry for 5 days, then are dried in bags for 6 months before being shipped out to Tim Horton's or Starbucks. The workers must hand turn then hourly to ensure they dry evenly.
Different BlendsDifferent Blends
Different Blends

Did you know that more roasting as in Espresso has less caffeine that light roast?
Our Hotel in Alajuela, Casa AntiguaOur Hotel in Alajuela, Casa Antigua
Our Hotel in Alajuela, Casa Antigua

Near the airport, we enjoyed this Persian hotel complete persian carpets, menu and hooka pipes. Delightful!
Leaving with LuggageLeaving with Luggage
Leaving with Luggage

This is the total luggage we took for 4 weeks. Three backpacks and a purse. One backpack was Maurice's version of a purse (a murse, a man purse). 4AM



29th February 2012

Awesome pictures, as ever!
After hearing from you about Costa Rica, it was great to see the pictures! Those horses look kinda small, don't they? Thank you!
1st March 2012

wow, such a beautiful holiday, you should of kidnapped me!
1st March 2012

Wow!!
fantastic blog and pictures. What an adventure!! Some Someday will travel there. Really enjoying Negril. What is you next plan??

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