Something about Wood

We have been told and we have noticed that the are some amazing woods in Costa Rica. We bought a set of samples to take home.

Wood Sampler

Everywheree there are tables made from great slabs of wood.

At Los Brisas on the beach.

Tight Shot

Condiments on the table

A Few More Days

It has been a couple days since I added a new post, but have been going back to add bits and edit bits of previous posts. Most importantly (to me), I have added a number of new birds. I think the most remarkable has been the first toucan (an aracari).

On Thursday we walked the beach again, going to the little village of Potrero. Here they had their weekly market in a covered square. There were not as many vendors as there were at the school, and some of them were the same people. We had a beer at Los Brisas Restaurant on the beach and I had a very good fish taco. Judy brought a bowl of chilli from the market. It is interesting that nobody would object to us bringing our own food into the restaurant.

Friday was another beach walk (after a substantial amount of pool time). This time we walked toward Flamingo and stopped at the Beach House for a beer. To our surprise, they had no beer. Franklin, the waiter, explained that the lawyer had allowed their license to lapse, so they couldn't sell alcohol for a few days. Oops! We did find a beer in another restaurant and then we went back to our unit to listen to Slim Dusty singing "The Pub With No Beer."

Random pictures:

The papaya tree was at Pura Aventura.

This campsite was setup on a public access road. (Squatters)

The roots and trunk of this tree served as storage space.

Just a local hut on the beach

Camping

Relaxing the the beach house

Debby showing off her tan

Local catching dinner

Wednesday Market

On Wednesday afternoons after school (3 o'clock), the students at La Paz International School organize and operate a local market. The kids and parents operate stalls and they bring in local suppliers. It takes place at the school. Extra curricular activities are happening here and there and other kids are just hanging out. The atmosphere is wonderful. The market is excellent.

The school itself makes me think of Roleystone Primary School in Perth, Australia. It has many outdoor learning areas and small classrooms. The curriculum is International Baccalaureate approved, and project based. Kid's art is all over, as is evidence of projects underway. I'm quite sure I would love working here.

Students run some of the stalls.

Others are obviously run by local producers.

This is a large Guanacaste tree, right in the middle of everything.

I did not have poutine, but I did have a cup of home made ice cream.

Zip Lining

Yesterday after we had visited the beaches, we then drove to Pura Aventura. This was because we had a booking to go zip lining in the morning and we wanted to be sure we did not get lost.

At 10:30, we arrived.

Deb was raring to go.

Calm down and let's do this thing.

The Group

This is the first platform.

Barb was the first one underway.

Then Judy

Debby had some difficulty with balance.

Judy was a pro.

So was Barb.

Altogether, there were 12 lines, some short, some long, some slow, some fast. After the first three lines, Deb found it much more comforting to go in tandem with one of the guides.

Just a picture I liked.

When we got back to the main building, they had set out some fruit and water for us. We each also had a beer and sat back to enjoy.

Break Time

Beaches, Beaches, Beaches

              

Before our day of beach research, we first stopped at Bahia Del Sol on Playa Potrero to pick their brains. Deb & Elaine monopolized the reception desk while I wandered around ad took some pictures of flowers..

In our car, the first stop was Playa Brasilito. A little stop provided some tourist shops. Jude was the only one who actually bought anything (a little turtle).

A large dead tree became a focal point.

Group Shot

Yes, it did seem a little touristy. One sign at the bar advertised adult day care.

In the foreground is Playa Brasilito. Around the point is Play Conchal (Shell Beach).

Next was Playa Grande (Big Beach). This is part of a marine National Park where sea turtles come ashore.

The rocks mark the end of Playa Grande.

A stop along the way gave us an amazing seafood pizza.

The last stop was Playa Tamarindo. This is the most crowded beach around.

Especially when you look down towards the estuary.

Happy Anniversary

45 years. Do you believe it?

Animals and Birds of Guanacaste

We have been looking forward to the birds and animals of Costa Rica, but have not yet been overwhelmed. We are on the Pacific coast, not yet near a rainforest. In fact, Wolfgang tells us that it will probably not rain here any time within the next four months. Nevertheless, there are animals around and I will try to get a few shots.

I believe this is a howler monkey which we saw coming back from the beach.

This confirms it. They are howler monkeys. I still don't have a good picture.

We continue to see iguanas most days.

The squirrels do not look like our squirrels. (I did not take this picture)

This is a great Kiskadee. We have seen them around several times.

Black buzzards (American Black Vulture) are usually seen soaring high overhead.

Pelicans do an amazing synchronized diving routine.

Long-Tailed Starling or Great-Tailed Grackle (I have found both names)

Streak-Backed Oriole

Tropical Kingbird

White-Throated Magpie-Jay

From Behind

                   

Mourning Doves

Great-Tailed Grackle (Female)

Crested Guan

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

Collared Aracari (Our first toucan)

White Ibis

Royal Tern

Magnificent Frigatebird

  Black-Headed Trogon

Finch's Parakeet or Crimson-Fronted Parakeet

This little crab scurried across the sidewalk in front of our villa.

American Oystercatcher

I expect that this page will grow exponentially once we go to the rainforest around Lake Arenal.