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Published: June 10th 2007
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It’s been a busy June already and doesn’t get any slower for the remainder of the month! This month I’ve already had friends Seth, Susan and their kids visit. Then there’s another “Boomers” tour, then my cousin and his wife visit, then yet another Boomers tour. Phew! Luckily, July will be more relaxed (with a two-week trip to Thailand—more about that in a future blog), and August is fairly relaxed as well. That is how it is here! One month it is crazy-busy and the next month it is calm and peaceful. I seem to need more of the latter, but lately, I just cannot seem to get it!
Visitors from Houston, TX....
Seth, Susan, and their kids Paige and Ethan spent a few days with me. It was great to see Seth and Susan after an eight-year hiatus! Seth and I worked together a long time ago at one of my many consulting stints. It’s great to keep in touch after so many years. It was a quite a busy two days as we packed in a rainforest visit, tram ride near the Arenal Volcano, several relaxing hours at the Baldi Hot Springs near Arenal, a look
at some huge crocodiles, a trip to the beach near Punta Leona, some rough dirt roads in between, and some great meals.
It’s fun playing tour guide for people who have never been to Costa Rica and it’s even more fun watching kids see new things. For me, the highlight of the trip was our day at the beach. That’s the nice thing about living in San Ramon. In less than two hours we were at a stunning white-sand beach wading in nearly perfect water. There is a big resort, Punta Leona, just above Jaco. However, if you pass the resort, the next right off the road to Jaco takes you down a windy dirt road through a “sort of” gated community—no gates just a few security guards mostly asleep! After passing through the gated community, you find a narrow dirt road. Just park on the side of the road, walk a short distance through the woods, and this incredible beach with hills and palm trees all around is there, and with very few people on it!
While the beach is my highlight, I have to say our afternoon at the Baldi Hot Springs near Arenal comes pretty
close! There are a couple of major hot springs near Arenal, the other being the world famous Tabacon resort. Tabacon is very nice, however, Tabacon costs $40 to get in for the afternoon, while Baldi is only $25, and in my opinion, it is just as nice. I especially like the large pool that faces the volcano. All day more than half of the volcano had been covered in clouds but by the time we reached the Baldi Hot Springs, the volcano had cleared and we had a perfect view of it.
The ride back from the beach takes you through the mountains and eventually to the quaint town of Atenas, home to many ex-pats but more importantly, home to my favorite Italian restaurant, Alida’s, and one cannot go through Atenas without stopping there. If you are ever in Atenas, you must eat there—without fail!
By the way, we completely lucked out with the weather while they visited with only some minor rains whiel there were here, and usually at times we weren’t touring around and seeing things. I guess my praying paid off! I don’t think five days was enough for Susan and Seth to visit but
hopefully that means they’ll be back soon!
Perhaps some good news….
It looks as though high-speed Internet may soon arrive in the little hamlet of Los Angeles Sur and our growing community of Angel Valley/Rancho Lobo. Fortunately, a couple of neighbors who, like me, are also craving the wonders of bits and bytes zinging through the air at very high speeds, are now actively looking into “wiring” the entire community (or at least though of us willing to pay for it!). For me, it’s a necessity. While I’ve managed to survive over two years without it, it would just make my life more efficient and help me better manage the three growing businesses that I now have. At a minimum, not tying up my main phone line just to use the Internet would be great! I’m just really glad a couple of my neighbors are really doing some due diligence on our Internet options and are committed to getting it here soon! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Good rainy season so far….
After my last blog, “Mad a Mud,” and my very straight-forward discussion about my dislike for the rainy season, I have to admit
the past few weeks have not been all that bad. We’ve had a few afternoon showers but then it’s been clearing up by evening. Now, that’s the kind of rainy season I don’t mind! Lets just hope it stays this way, though September and October are usually the worst months (can anyone say, “Road trip!”).
Fussing with the car….
I still seem to be doing something with my old Izusu Trooper (1991 model—not a great year for this car) almost every week. I finally broke down and bought new tires as they had been replaced about four years ago (before I bought the car) and the tires were, well, just plain bad. It’s amazing how much better the handling is now! Now if I can only fix a few minor problems so I can actually get a front-end alignment, I’ll be all set!
The laptop issue….
I mentioned in my last blog that my laptop had some issues and that I thought I had “lost it” for a while there, but luckily that issue has been resolved, but not exactly the way I had hoped for. I was finally able to talk with the computer repair
guy, after a week of trying to find the laptop as well as the right computer repair guy. The good news is that the laptop can be fixed. The bad news is that it’ll cost $1200! I’m getting a new laptop obviously! Either way, it’s costing me a small fortune!
Thanks for reading and for your comments. More soon!
Pura Vida!
Andrew
andrew4cr@gmail.com
www.CRCommunities.com (real estate and more!)
www.BoomersInCostaRica.com (4-day/3 night relocation/retirement/real estate tour!)
www.CostaRicaRealEstate.typepad.com (Boomers’ Real Estate & More Blog!)
www.AngelValleyFarmBandB.com (the B&B!)
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Mary Sharpe
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Question
I read in one of your blog's that you and a friend were making t-shirts...how did that finally turn out? Do you still have any? I will buy one. I enjoy reading about yours and Terry's adventures. Terry is my husband's cousin. You guys are living the life...we envy you. Our days are the same ...day after day.....So, GOOD FOR YOU! Enjoy!