Costa Rica – Coast to Coast June 2005 and August 2006

Had another great breakfast consisting of gallo pinto, eggs, tortillas, fresh fruit and juice. Collin and Roberto’s other dog, Cody, was at the veterinarian in Bribri getting spayed. Since I am a veterinary nursing student I thought it would be interesting to meet the veterinarian and see what kind of medicine is practiced there. We drove to the clinic and I got to meet the veterinarian who didn’t speak any English but we were able to communicate with the little Spanish I knew. The hospital was somewhat primitive by US standards but they make do with what they have.

After leaving the vet clinic we stopped by a roadside stand where a woman was selling some tasty frozen mango juice in plastic bags where you bite off a corner and suck the frozen juice out. Collin also bought some fresh eggs and fruit from her and we then headed back to Puerto Viejo stopping at the school in Hone Creek where Roberto is a teacher and watched the kids play drums in the soccer field.

We were a little low on gas so we went into town and bought two gallons from a local guy who sells it out of his house from cans. He only marks each gallon up a few hundred colonies so it was a pretty good deal.

We then drove up to Chahuta for lunch but the restaurant, Cha Cha Cha, which was recommended was closed. The town seemed pretty dead but there were people around the national park so we ate at the National Park Café and watched kids playing with a soccer ball on the beach.

We drove back to Banana Azul, had a swim in the ocean and then headed into town for dinner. Since it was Saturday night the town was quite packed with people walking around. We ended up eating at Café Rojo (excellent curry) and a late cocktail at El Dorado before heading back and going to bed.

I woke up early and went for a walk on the beach with their three dogs. Came back had had a good breakfast of eggs, toast, fruit, and juice. Roberto then took us to an amazing waterfall on the road to Bribri. There is a 50 foot waterfall and another smaller 15 foot fall that you can jump off of.

On the way back we stopped at a local ingenious family’s house where the mother showed us how she made chocolate from the coco bean. Very interesting! We then bought various chocolates and brownies flavored with nutmeg, mint, and clove. All were delicious!

After getting back we went into town for lunch and ended up at Amimodo, a Italian restaurant on the southern edge of town right by the water. We sat outside with a view of the ocean and had some pretty tasty antipasto and pizza. We then checked our email at the internet café and then had some drinks back at El Dorado (becoming our local watering hole). After going back to Banana Azul for a dip in the ocean we drove to Playa Chaquita with Collin, Roberto and the other guests for an awesome dinner at Jungle Love. After returning to Banana Azul, Roberto and I stayed up talking and drinking beer until pretty late.

It rained heavy during the night with thunder and lightning. Our room had good ventilation and a ceiling and portable fan so we were comfortably cool through the night. In the mornings Collin makes a giant pot of coffee available ... [Continue reading this entry]