Hola! I can't get over the beauty of this Central American jewel. Whether it is climbing a snaky mountain roadway, traversing a flowing river bed or driving the coastal beaches and cliffs, the rugged and unspoiled panoramas are breathtaking and spellbinding. The people are genuinely friendly and the litter is minimal or non existent. The potential for tourism is without question, enormous. But as long as the government resists road improvements, we will be able to enjoy the untouched beauty for many years to come. Without a proper infrastructure in place, there is no need to worry that the multinational corporations will come in and destroy it with high rise hotel complexes and fast food dribble.
This past week took us to some of the untamed regions of the Nicoya peninsula. Samura and it's wonderful Carrillo Playa (see video below or click on the following link) Playa Carrillo
and a drive along the coast to a tiny little hamlet by the name of Corozalito where our daughter in law Rachel spent a number of months researching marine life a few years back. Onto Paquera near the southern point, where we lucked out on the most wonderful hideaway. Overlooking the Gulf of Nicoya from high above, watching birds fly below us, was pure poetry. The infinity pool and mojitos certainly had some influence but the location was pure self indulgence, as we gorged on the vistas and panoramas. See video below or click on the following link Vista Las Islas
Then there are the funky little towns like Montezuma, Tambor, Cobano and Curu which remind us of a simpler, slower and more traditional lifestyle.
I remind myself of the saying "there is a silver lining to every cloud" as I ponder one slight disappointment. After all, why would one go to Denali National Park in Alaska during 24 hour darkness in January to see bears? The same answer applies to the question, why would one go to Costa Rica during dry season in March to see waterfalls? Because there aren't any to be seen. But on the other hand, had it not been dry season here, then we would not have been able to take the road detour across a river with about 18 inches of water flowing through. It seemed like we were back in Africa on safari with much discussion of whether or not to turn back or leave fate to decide the outcome. Thankfully, fate and skilled driving skills and everything worked out in the end
Much of our time has been spent walking the beaches, as we have probably been to about 10 by now. Daily outings in the car have been insightful, informative and a true tonic for the vitreous humor. A good read by novelist Wilbur Smith has kept me in my beach lounge for hours on end and the swimming and bobbing up and down in the surf has been both exhilarating and relaxing depending on high or low tide. Wild horses running up and down the beach in search of food and companionship capture our imagination while cowboys on horseback driving the cattle on the road to the next grazing pasture spike our curiosity. Dinosaur sounding Howler monkeys, screaming from the treetops and tame but prehistoric looking iguanas gracing us with their ever presence. We have been blessed with perfectly setting red suns nearly every evening and the predictable non existent rain in the forecast reminds us of a sailor's delight for the following day. Seeing is believing and it goes without saying that this destination should be a serious consideration for anyone looking to get away from the throngs and embrace nature in it's purest form as well as a culture that is warm, friendly and inviting. Onto Panama and the canal. Pura vida. Hasta luego.
This past week took us to some of the untamed regions of the Nicoya peninsula. Samura and it's wonderful Carrillo Playa (see video below or click on the following link) Playa Carrillo
and a drive along the coast to a tiny little hamlet by the name of Corozalito where our daughter in law Rachel spent a number of months researching marine life a few years back. Onto Paquera near the southern point, where we lucked out on the most wonderful hideaway. Overlooking the Gulf of Nicoya from high above, watching birds fly below us, was pure poetry. The infinity pool and mojitos certainly had some influence but the location was pure self indulgence, as we gorged on the vistas and panoramas. See video below or click on the following link Vista Las Islas
Then there are the funky little towns like Montezuma, Tambor, Cobano and Curu which remind us of a simpler, slower and more traditional lifestyle.
I remind myself of the saying "there is a silver lining to every cloud" as I ponder one slight disappointment. After all, why would one go to Denali National Park in Alaska during 24 hour darkness in January to see bears? The same answer applies to the question, why would one go to Costa Rica during dry season in March to see waterfalls? Because there aren't any to be seen. But on the other hand, had it not been dry season here, then we would not have been able to take the road detour across a river with about 18 inches of water flowing through. It seemed like we were back in Africa on safari with much discussion of whether or not to turn back or leave fate to decide the outcome. Thankfully, fate and skilled driving skills and everything worked out in the end
Much of our time has been spent walking the beaches, as we have probably been to about 10 by now. Daily outings in the car have been insightful, informative and a true tonic for the vitreous humor. A good read by novelist Wilbur Smith has kept me in my beach lounge for hours on end and the swimming and bobbing up and down in the surf has been both exhilarating and relaxing depending on high or low tide. Wild horses running up and down the beach in search of food and companionship capture our imagination while cowboys on horseback driving the cattle on the road to the next grazing pasture spike our curiosity. Dinosaur sounding Howler monkeys, screaming from the treetops and tame but prehistoric looking iguanas gracing us with their ever presence. We have been blessed with perfectly setting red suns nearly every evening and the predictable non existent rain in the forecast reminds us of a sailor's delight for the following day. Seeing is believing and it goes without saying that this destination should be a serious consideration for anyone looking to get away from the throngs and embrace nature in it's purest form as well as a culture that is warm, friendly and inviting. Onto Panama and the canal. Pura vida. Hasta luego.
Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteProbably the best South American country to visit? No ?
;-)