TUESDAY 31st JULY 2012.
Following one and a half days from Panama sailing through the Pacific
Ocean in calm seas we reached the small sea port of Puntarenas on the western
coast of the Central American country of
Costa Rica. The day was hot and humid with cloudy skies of about 28 degrees.
Puntarenas is basically a small fishing village in a large bay on the
coast which is used as a gateway for cruise ships for entry to Costa Rica. It
has long unattractive brown sandy beaches and the village was grotty and needed
a good clean up to make it attractive to tourists.
Costa Rica is a small emerging and developing third world country of
about four and a half million people which fronts both the Pacific Ocean and
the Caribbean Sea. It is pretty laid back tropical country and it’s main
industries are growing coffee, tropical fruits and tourism. It is trying very
hard to improve its tourist industry, but it has a long way to go.
We had a full day excursion arranged to visit the 8,500 ft active Poas
volcano some three hours drive from Puntarenas and the surrounding countryside,
including lunch at a local restaurant.
The county experiences around 300 inches of rain a year and it rains
some 250 days of the year. Because of this, the countryside is green as green
can be with the interior mountainous and volcanic. We experienced one of the
country’s typical days with the visit to the volcano resulting in heavy rain
and a complete whiteout with fog on the top of the mountain. As a result, we
were not able to see a thing, but we had a good look at the countryside and
fantastic scenery. We had a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant on the slopes
of the volcano and tasted their great coffee. On the way back to the ship we
stopped at a local village of Sachi to look around and do some shopping and
check out the local handicrafts.
It was disappointing to miss seeing the volcano, but it was a very
interesting day with a good look at the countryside and worth the visit.
We now have five relaxing sea days before reaching Los Angeles
Hi Marilyn & Warwick,
ReplyDeleteSaw you at the volcano Warwick and was wondering what the "glad wrap" for on for. After reading your note about the rainfall was wondeing if it kept you dry. There have been many outstanding photos of places you have been but judging by the ones at Puntarenas, it was not one of them. Hard to visualise that much rain. Glad we don't live there eh? LA in 5 days, that will be good after as you say a relaxing few days at sea.
Trudi rang Sonia the other day to see if she received your flowers. Sonia was wondering how you organised such a lovely surprise. We did send you an email with a picture of Sonia with the flowers, hope you received it. Off on Thursday. Sonia is flying to Melbourne on Friday /back saturday with her sister. Her last aunt is not well and they want to see her. Small hiccup but no real dramas. Hope you got the itinerary you asked for. It was a copy of one I had done before. We have a spate of lovely weather here at the moment with beautiful days and cold evenings. Take care and as I said, will not have access to a computer when away. Don't know whether I told you we are staying at the Holiday Inn now in Darwin. The other place was not available on re-booking. Should be nice. Love & best wishes, Sonia & Bob