Apologies to Costa Rica
Alec in the very "green" sitting room
Our first impressions of Costa Rica were very jaundiced, and we apologise. ....Costa Rica has done itself proud, and we are loving it here.
Our first hotel was pretty basic and uncomfortable, but thanks to the miracle of internet and Hotels.com we found a very comfortable, clean, affordable, centrally situated hotel called Cocoon.
Cocoon calls itself an "green" hotel, and their decor underlines this!! The furnishings are ... green, cushions on chairs .... green, all plastic chairs etc ..... green, fans in bedrooms..... green, toilet seats..... green. In fact everything that could possibly be done in green... IS! Quite overwhelming.
Costa Rica's national emblem is the beautiful blue butterfly, which can be seen everywhere in posters, photographs and on the walls of our hotel.
Our Spanish is coming on apace. We do try to use it as much as possible, and the local people are wonderfully patient with these two old gringoes who massacre their language.
We invested in a Spanish course which has been absolutely amazing. We were able to make simple communications within hours. Have a look at this HERE. It is a really fun and easy way to learn.
One thing that really stands out here is the feeling of "life is good". The Costa Rican girls are really beautiful with their long hair, perfect skins and teeth and general air of happiness and contentment. All the Costa Ricans we have met have emphasized that "this" is the best Central American country! So good to hear people really positive about their country, instead of the constant whingeing we have heard about various governments in other parts.
The eye op was 100% successful so now have 20/20 vision, and only need glasses for closeup work and reading. What is most amazing is the change in the colours I am seeing.
No more seeing through a haze of beige/brown! Will now have to learn to paint all over again!
The medical facilities in this country are absolutely world class, the most up to date equipment and clinics. The prices are extremely affordable as well. There is a booming medical tourism industry burgeoning here.
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CAPTIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WILL APPEAR IF YOU "HOVER" OVER THEM
Our first hotel was pretty basic and uncomfortable, but thanks to the miracle of internet and Hotels.com we found a very comfortable, clean, affordable, centrally situated hotel called Cocoon.
Cocoon calls itself an "green" hotel, and their decor underlines this!! The furnishings are ... green, cushions on chairs .... green, all plastic chairs etc ..... green, fans in bedrooms..... green, toilet seats..... green. In fact everything that could possibly be done in green... IS! Quite overwhelming.
Costa Rica's national emblem is the beautiful blue butterfly, which can be seen everywhere in posters, photographs and on the walls of our hotel.
Our Spanish is coming on apace. We do try to use it as much as possible, and the local people are wonderfully patient with these two old gringoes who massacre their language.
We invested in a Spanish course which has been absolutely amazing. We were able to make simple communications within hours. Have a look at this HERE. It is a really fun and easy way to learn.
One thing that really stands out here is the feeling of "life is good". The Costa Rican girls are really beautiful with their long hair, perfect skins and teeth and general air of happiness and contentment. All the Costa Ricans we have met have emphasized that "this" is the best Central American country! So good to hear people really positive about their country, instead of the constant whingeing we have heard about various governments in other parts.
The eye op was 100% successful so now have 20/20 vision, and only need glasses for closeup work and reading. What is most amazing is the change in the colours I am seeing.
No more seeing through a haze of beige/brown! Will now have to learn to paint all over again!
The medical facilities in this country are absolutely world class, the most up to date equipment and clinics. The prices are extremely affordable as well. There is a booming medical tourism industry burgeoning here.
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CAPTIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WILL APPEAR IF YOU "HOVER" OVER THEM
On to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
A lovely, easy bus ride from San Jose, up into the mountains to the Cloud Forest Reserve at MonteVerde.
Our hotel is very comfortable, Manaken Lodge, and also very reasonably priced. We can stretch out and touch the forest trees from our bedroom balcony, and watch the many animals from the comfort of an easy chair.
Fantastic walks and plenty of adventure type activities for the energetic, i.e. hiking, skytrains, ziprides, bungee jumping, rafting, horseriding etc.. Highly recommended.
In all, Costa Rica gets 5 stars from these Gypsies!
Our hotel is very comfortable, Manaken Lodge, and also very reasonably priced. We can stretch out and touch the forest trees from our bedroom balcony, and watch the many animals from the comfort of an easy chair.
Fantastic walks and plenty of adventure type activities for the energetic, i.e. hiking, skytrains, ziprides, bungee jumping, rafting, horseriding etc.. Highly recommended.
In all, Costa Rica gets 5 stars from these Gypsies!
