Anniversary trip to Costa Rica

Tired of seeing Helen wear earmuffs and winter coats during our past anniversary trips to Florida, and further inspired by last year's trip to The Bahamas, this year we ventured even farther south to Costa Rica.  We took along our friend Virginia so she could visit her daughter, Nancy, who lives there.  Interestingly, we soon learned that Nancy and her husband are both alumni of Topeka High School (Nancy is class of 1971 - Helen and I are class of 1970).  Big school - small world.  

We stayed with them in their historically intriguing home, a residence on the former Sanchez Coffee Plantation, in Alejuela which is just outside the capital city of San Jose.

While there, we enjoyed tremendous hospitality, fabulous views of the coffee plantation, the city of San Jose and several active volcanoes.

The next day, we traveled to Tamarindo Beach ... a 5 hour "white knuckle" road trip via Turismo van across hill and dale, washed-out bridges and every kind of "road" known to mankind.  (Please note that the word "road" is in quotes as I use it generously.)  The experience was memorable and will cause me to pause before again criticizing the potholes of Topeka.  Sorry, no pictures.  It took both hands to hold on.

Lucky for us, the destination was worth it.  While Tamarindo Beach is the quintessential tourist destination (think "Souvenirs for Sale"), the Villa Alegre Bed & Breakfast is the essence of tranquil.  

Barry and Suzye provide a peaceful environment that entices one to gently exhale.  Combined with a 5-star breakfast, it is pure bliss. With the Pacific Ocean a mere 9-iron (make that a sand-wedge) away and the infinity pool in our backyard ...

the temptation to nap-test every hammock was irresistible. 

Sure, there were tons of typical resort activities available and the beach-front restaurants were really nice

but we preferred to gaze at the sunsets ...

and eat at the funky locally owned huts downtown.

OK ... so I did brave the Howler Monkeys to experience the Monkey Jungle Canopy Zip Line Tour where one of the guides borrowed my camera and made this video.

Actually, the road trip there was an adventure in itself:

I also ventured to the Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course where I saw beautiful houses off the fairways

and encountered snooty iguanas on the fairways.  

I also saw a breath-taking view of the blue Pacific

and smelled a breath-taking cow pie on the 18th tee.

Otherwise, for several days we mostly did .... nothing.  

It was sad to leave but even that was an adventure.  Not willing to endure the 5 hour drive back to San Jose, we decided to fly.  Unfortunately, the bridge to the local airport was out.  Fortunately, the river was low enough to allow our taxi to drive across the river.  Had the river been up, our taxi ride would have been extended 2 hours resulting in our ultimate arrival via the runway itself.  

The airport itself was amazing.  Open-air lobby

and washrooms

with an adjacent convenience store 

provided us all the necessary amenities without the hassle of any airport security clearance.  I loved it.  The 45 minute flight to San Jose on the single engine Cessna was both scenic and flawless.

Goodbye to Costa Rica and to all of our new friends.  Thank you for providing a friendly and warm destination where earmuffs were not required.  

Happy 36th Anniversary to Helen.