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Published: February 10th 2012
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We're glad to find that Costa Rica is just as wonderful as we found it to be the last two years. We left home Friday, January 27 in below freezing weather and drove to Jim's parent’s house in IL. The next morning we were on the road with our car and theirs (again it was below freezing) and made it to Birmingham, AL where we stayed with Jim's cousin. After a nice visit, we left the next morning (again below freezing) and drove to Fort Walton Beach, FL. We stayed in a motel but had dinner at friend's house (Karen and Jack)--another nice visit. We left the next morning and yes, it was still below freezing but by the time we stopped for lunch (heading to Orange City--north of Orlando) we were able to leave jackets in the car. We stayed for a few days near another cousin of Jim's in Orange City FL in a house that Jim's parents are renting for the month of February. Thursday, February 2 we flew out of Orlando on COPA Airlines. After a stop and plane change in Panama City, we landed in Costa Rica. We have had such good luck with COPA both years that we have flown on this airline. It is the Panama national airline affiliated with Continental but not corrupted by the United-Continental issues. They treat the passengers like the old days with nice new clean airplanes, decent complimentary food on both legs and (for us scotch drinkers) a complimentary beverage.
After enduring the usual issues with the outside locals trying to “help” us, we took a taxi to Margarita's, our favorite Bed and Breakfast near the airport, where we had reservations for two nights. We have found here that just giving in and spending $5.00 for someone to hail a cab for us is the best and fastest solution to transportation. We spent the next day, Friday, getting our rental car and going to the grocery story for necessary things to have for the next month. Our friends, Marsha and Ken, were supposed to arrive Friday morning - HOWEVER. The plan was to take the midnight flight from Denver and arrive about 6:00 AM but mother nature and a missing pilot intervened and that flight was canceled while a blizzard was happening outside. They were VERY lucky to get on a flight with another airline leaving very early the next morning because right after they left the whole airport was closed. They were very happy to arrive that evening!
On Saturday we drove about two hours to Playa Bejuco where we had rented a house. We love the house--especially the pool in the back and the short walk to a fabulous beach where we can walk for hours in the warm water and firm sand. Sunday was a day of rest and exploring. We drove to the little town of Parrita about 20 minutes south where we found an ATM and bought more groceries. Monday, we drove to Jaco (about a 30 min. drive north) to see the town, do some more shopping--we needed more Tequila and cerveza and other things to eat and drink. The grocery – Mas X Menos (more for less), a chain of stores in Costa Rica, is owned by Walmart. Not sure if our purchases were bargains but their selection was good. We have to buy water for drinking/coffee/tea so we're going through large big bottles frequently. We can wash dishes and brush teeth but we were told not to drink the water. Even more frequently than vino and cerveza.
While in Jaco--a beach town with lots of shops and restaurants, we found The Tacobar. The best fish tacos we've ever eaten! I took a picture of the menu and cute swing chairs. We could choose from many different kinds of fish, then chose whether we wanted the fish batter fried or grilled and if grilled, choose one of three ways it's seasoned. Then there was a salad bar where we could add whatever tasted good to our taco and have a side salad. Tuesday we drove to Manuel Antonia Park. I'll write about that (with animal pictures) the next time I write.
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Britton
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Looks like fun!
Enjoyed the update! Supposed to snow here tomorrow so Jim's snowblower is not doing it's job :-) See you soon, have fun!