Again, this computer will not take an SD card. However, I am drinking the best coffee I've ever had while writing this so it's mas-o-menos. (good and bad)
We were only able to spend the one night in Bocas del Toro because we made reservations at a specific hotel in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica and they only let you cancel if the can rebook. Thus, for the third day in a row we were on the move. That is really exhausting so I'm glad we are in one place for at least three days now.
It took us about five hours to get here from Bocas. We first had to get a water taxi to get back to mainland. They were very busy that day so we had to wait an hour for that. Then I splurged and paid for us to get a direct minibus to the border. Otherwise that would have been a taxi then two different busses to get there. Then we spent 30 minutes getting visas and stamped out of Panama. After that we walked across a rickety, rusted bridge into Costa Rica. From there another office for customs and an entry stamp. When we walked up to the window the guy said "one hour for lunch." I had read that this can happen so cried out "oh, no! But I have children with me!" (all of this in Spanish) so he relented and let us through! The people behind us he told would have to wait but then we saw them on the road later so he must have a soft heart. Why they don't have another person take over for the lunch break is beyond me.
After the border crossing another 90 minutes on a bus (not direct so it stopped to pick up and drop about every 5 minutes!) then a last taxi to our hotel. Exhausting.
The La Costa de Pepita is very nice. We have a bungalow with five beds (heaven when you are used to a king and everything here is full size) and a porch with a hammock. This is by far the nicest place we have ever stayed when traveling in central America.
Our hotel is directly across from a really nice beach so Cora is very happy. She really does come alive at the beach. It's like she's drawn to them. She skips around and dives in and out of waves like a mermaid.
The one bad thing is that we are so far from the town and all of the food and water is very expensive out here. I did rent a bicycle and ride in twice for water and snacks. Many people ride bikes here. Big beach cruisers with no lights or helmets. The road is pocked with pothole and is very dusty so the riding was not entirely pleasant, but it did feel great to be on a bike again.
After dinner we went to the beach and it was deserted. The moon was behind a cloud so it was very dark but then the nearly full moon, which was large and a dark yellow last night, came out and lit up a streak of the lightly rolling ocean. It was magical. I stood there transfixed and trying to burn the image in my brain. Then the moon went behind the clouds again.
The day was long and difficult for many reasons, but that moment on the beach restored my faith in why we travel and that the problems we encounter are always worth it in the end.
We were only able to spend the one night in Bocas del Toro because we made reservations at a specific hotel in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica and they only let you cancel if the can rebook. Thus, for the third day in a row we were on the move. That is really exhausting so I'm glad we are in one place for at least three days now.
It took us about five hours to get here from Bocas. We first had to get a water taxi to get back to mainland. They were very busy that day so we had to wait an hour for that. Then I splurged and paid for us to get a direct minibus to the border. Otherwise that would have been a taxi then two different busses to get there. Then we spent 30 minutes getting visas and stamped out of Panama. After that we walked across a rickety, rusted bridge into Costa Rica. From there another office for customs and an entry stamp. When we walked up to the window the guy said "one hour for lunch." I had read that this can happen so cried out "oh, no! But I have children with me!" (all of this in Spanish) so he relented and let us through! The people behind us he told would have to wait but then we saw them on the road later so he must have a soft heart. Why they don't have another person take over for the lunch break is beyond me.
After the border crossing another 90 minutes on a bus (not direct so it stopped to pick up and drop about every 5 minutes!) then a last taxi to our hotel. Exhausting.
The La Costa de Pepita is very nice. We have a bungalow with five beds (heaven when you are used to a king and everything here is full size) and a porch with a hammock. This is by far the nicest place we have ever stayed when traveling in central America.
Our hotel is directly across from a really nice beach so Cora is very happy. She really does come alive at the beach. It's like she's drawn to them. She skips around and dives in and out of waves like a mermaid.
The one bad thing is that we are so far from the town and all of the food and water is very expensive out here. I did rent a bicycle and ride in twice for water and snacks. Many people ride bikes here. Big beach cruisers with no lights or helmets. The road is pocked with pothole and is very dusty so the riding was not entirely pleasant, but it did feel great to be on a bike again.
After dinner we went to the beach and it was deserted. The moon was behind a cloud so it was very dark but then the nearly full moon, which was large and a dark yellow last night, came out and lit up a streak of the lightly rolling ocean. It was magical. I stood there transfixed and trying to burn the image in my brain. Then the moon went behind the clouds again.
The day was long and difficult for many reasons, but that moment on the beach restored my faith in why we travel and that the problems we encounter are always worth it in the end.
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PURA VIDA RIDE
+(506) 8708-9908Costa Rica
+1(949) 281-7567USA
info@puravidaride.com
http://www.puravidaride.com/
We are located on Playa Danta in the Las Catalinas community 4 kilometers north of Playa Potrero in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Love to all
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beach cruiser bike
Tea Party
Lead Generation
bicycle
rear bike rack
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