It
was very windy on deck six so I walked just one mile before meeting Phil for
breakfast. The Statendam arrives in
Costa Rica about 8:00 am.
We
are going on a tour with the American Express Mariners group -- the same group
that had the cocktail party last Sunday.
Our destination is Pura Vida -- named the #1 garden in Central America.
We
meet our group of twenty on the dock at 8:30 am -- where all the buses are
waiting. Our Guide is Minor and our
Driver is Caleb. The bus is nice, big
and air-conditioned. Minor tells us all
about Costa Rica on our 75 minute ride up a narrow, winding dirt road to Pura
Vida which is 1500 feet above sea level -- luckily Caleb is an excellent
driver.
 | |
| Phil with Pacific Ocian in Distance! |
Costa
Rica's population is 4.2 million with 60% in the middle class-- 20% each in the
upper and lower classes. It is a very
literate society. In 1949 their army was
abolished and the money was added to education which is obligatory for all
citizens country-wide.
 | |
| See the "Fan" Palm! |
We
arrive at Pura Vida which is an area of nature with flora, foliage and
waterfalls like no other place. The
views of the Pacific are spectacular and the lushness and variety of plantings
is outstanding. The Cicadas are
deafening and the air is hot and humid even at this elevation. Minor takes us on two walks: the first is through the forest pointing out
the varieties of plantings -- the second
is a more open space to see the waterfall which is more like a trickle because
it is the dry season.
 |
| Minor Demonstratng a "banana" plant! |
After
our walks we enjoy, in the restaurant, water, cold drinks and delicious fresh
fruit: pineapple, mango, papaya,
watermelon, banana -- the best I've ever tasted.
We
are back on board the Statendam by 2:00 pm --- so Phil and I are able to grab a
quick bite before going back out to see what's doing at the marketplace near the
dock. We don't find much but it is fun
to see what these folks are selling --- it's probably all made in China.
Back
on board for good --- we spend the afternoon reading and downloading photos
before dinner at eight!
 | |
| Pat in Pura Vida! |
 | |
| Bird of Paradise! |
During
dinner we were approached by the Sommelier -- dressed in a tuxedo with a silver
"wine taster" around his neck -- he looked like Don Cheadle, the
actor. He said he was in the middle of
a wine pairing dinner in the Pinnacle (their steak house) but wanted to discuss
what happened in Canaleto --- he was under the impression they were out of one
wine -- we corrected him. He said he
would stop by our table tomorrow evening to discuss the issue -- then he was
gone.
We'll
see what happens tomorrow.
Thanks
for Reading!
Pat
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