Costa Rica - 2004
This year Bonnie and I tested our friendship with Steve and Evelyn Inlow (Bonnie's sister), Larry and Nancy Poffenbarger, and Jeff and Jane Porter. We have been doing things together for 11 years but a week's vacation? In a place that would be very difficult to leave? This is a true test. But we went into with the right attitude and the agreement that if we got on each others nerves, we were allowed to pout.
We planned and planned then made hotel and flight reservations and waited for May 29. On that day we got up at 2:00 AM to leave home by 3 to be at the Tampa airport by 4 for a 7 o'clock flight. We flew on American Airlines to Miami and caught a flight to Liberia, Costa Rica. Up until a couple years ago, the only international airport in CR was in San Jose, the capital. But the province, Guanacaste, was looking to improve its tourism and opened its own airport. Compared to the Miaimi airport we had just left it was a bit on the rough side. Only one airstrip and rolling stairways to board and deplane. It worked fine, just not what Norte Americanos are used to. The terminal was also open air. (Air conditioning is pretty much unknown in CR excepting tourist hotel rooms.)
We then were transferred by van to our Hotel (Jardin del Eden) in Tamarindo.
We had a wonderful time. The hotel staff was great. We highly recommend Liberia Tours. We went on three day trips with them. Jorge, our guide, was with use all three days. He was absolutely the best. We had different drivers each day. Andres drove us to and from the airport. They were all great. Here are several pages of photos we took while there.
Page 3 - Palo Verde NP and Rio Tempisque
Page 4 - Rincon de la Vieja and Canopy Tour
About to leave -
Chap, Jeff, Bonnie, Jane, Jorge, Evelyn, Steve, Nancy, and Larry.
 |
Andres and Jorge with our coach. Farewell. |
Just after takeoff |
A half hour to landing - The Florida Keys |