Fun in the Sun ~ Jaco, Costa RIca ~ Jan. 2012

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It was not a hard decision to leave Fairbanks, Alaska - while it was experiencing yet another cold snap (-45F on Tuesday morning) and to head south - really south! So the wisdom of EIC's and my decision that going somewhere warm in January after the holiday seemed just short of devine intervention!

We left Fairbanks at 10am, and flew to Anchorage (going from -45F to -5F). From Anchorage we flew into Seattle, only to learn that a major snow storm was right on our tails! We were VERY anxious to "get out of there" before flights started getting cancelled. Our flight left Seattle at 10:40pm, and the snow hit sometime around midnight! Whew! When we arrived in Miami the temperature was 68F. Miami airport felt like a foreign country - English is definately not the first language used! Then on to San Jose, Costa Rica, when we landed at noon it was a hot, humid 80F. Of course the temperature in our van that we took from San Jose to Jaco (about 60 miles, but takes 2 hours to get here) was more than 80F - seeing as AA had managed to leave EIC's suitcase in Miami!

EIC was more than a bit irratated - seeing as we had a 2.5 hour layover in Miami AND seeing as MY suitcase got on the flight! But off in the van we went - I took anti-nausea meds and tried to sleep - EIC watched every corner and curve and every whip lash stop and squeek of the breaks!

But then we got to Jaco, Costa Rica, and all seemed right with the world! Temperatures in the 90's, the Pacific ocean out our doorstep, and so very very warm, large expanse of sandy beaches and an inviting hot tub and pool! It seems like the perfect place that people just disappear to and ride off in the sunset to drink beer, built grass huts and live a life of leasure! It is beautiful!

We managed to find a tiny Supermarket (supermercado), don't call it a grocery store if you expect to be understood at all! But tiny it was - we got milk and bread and not much else. We will explore further tomorrow for a larger market. Then we wandered down the beach to a great little "dive" that is open 24 hours/day and had a great dinner sitting watching the sunset over the sandy beach. The local hangout is called Clarita's - and there are even people there that are Bears Fans! Hard to believe. The food was great and was a good way to try to stay awake before crashing from our 6,815 miles and 23 hours.

Tomorrow we will plan out all our fun activities and catch the rays! Let the real fun begin!

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Photos

Fairbanks, AK
My interior/exterior themometer in the kitchen the day we left.

Low to no sun, and ice fog
You can just FEEL the frigid cold!

Plane and noon sun
We are ready to leave the low sun angle and the frigid temperatures of Fairbanks!

Anchorage
A bit more sun, and a little warmer - but going south!

"Our" Condo!
First floor, corner unit, right by the pool and looks out at the ocean!

Our dinner menu!
Good thing the exchange rate is 512 Colons = $1 USD!

Sunset and palm trees
We must be in Central America!

Comments

[Jerry]

Good Start...
Pic look good. Obviously sun block tomorrow !!

[Sue]

Beautiful pictures
Do enjoy - and yes, the cold continues.

[KARI]

wow
Hard to believe you are in paradise! I know there is lots to do in Jaco and the weather is perfect. Enoy the beach, shopping and Pools! Don't forget sunscreen, as from personal experience, a sunburn puts a damper on the vacation. Wish I were there. The pics are amazing! and we love the blog. Have fun and I want pics if you are doing the Segway. Wish I had more time to explore when I was there, maybe another time... enjoy and keep us posted on your many advendtures!