This guy was not even planned. He was a Mexican roving minstrel. The first anyone say of him, he was just walking out of the water onto the beach. But he was happy to play Happy Birthday and a whole complement of other music. He really made the party.
We even ended up with some of the locals dropping in for the festivities.
After a couple of hours of partying and dancing it was time to hit the beach to make our way across the gulf.
The boat can't quite make it to shore, so wear shorts and have your water shoes ready. You will have to carry whatever you brought out to the boat.
On our way... a short way out we're joined by a school of dolphins ready to escort us across. These guys can really be hams, showing off for us tourists!
That`s right! A full size cruise ship. Golfo Dulce IS famous... and there are plenty of sights for the cruisers to see; like the dolphins, huge manta rays and beautiful scenery. Note how calm the water is in the gulf.
After about 30 osa009.jpg" height=240 width=320 align=right>After about 30 minutes we are across, and pulling up to the house -- yep, it IS of the treehouse variety.
Hey look! There are no walls on the first floor!
And the second floor only has railings -- There is no glass, no screens; just lots and lots of VIEW!
The first floor (and it is only a floor), is the main living area; or should I say LOUNGING area!
Here is the fully equipped kitchen. The refrigerator and stove both run on propane that has to be hauled in. The fluorescent lights are run off of batteries from solar cells on the roof.
This is the upstairs din is the upstairs dining area. Normally meals are eaten on the first floor, but in rainy, I mean GREEN season, this table comes in handy.
There is also a second floor living area; a great (safe) place to watch the nocturnal animals come out of the forest at night. You have to duck occasionally for bats winging their way through!
One of two bedrooms. Here are two queen size beds, and the closet on the left. Just sit up in bed for a spectacular view. There is also a bathroom on this floor with a toilet and sink.
This is the SHOWER! A maze of bushes leads in to the shower area. The only hot water is solar heated; after sundown it cools quickly!
Looking down into the shower. Yep, ya gotta go outside to take a shower. That means that when it is rainy outside, you might get wet while taking your shower! (Leave your towel inside!)
Now we will just wander around the grounds a bit and take in the beauty.
Yes, they grow their own pineapple here, as well as bananas, lemons, limes, avocado s, and more, including their own spices and herbs! If you are hungry just grab something off a tree or bush.
Fish are on = "/osa/images/osa037.jpg" height=240 width=320 align=right>Fish are only a cast or two away. That is David cleaning a Red Snapper. They abound here. From shore I caught 4 in 8 casts with a plastic minnow. You can also use a trident spear in chest deep water to get your fresh lobster dinner!
Flowers also grow everywhere...
These flowers are on the bushes that make up the shower.
The next morning we were up at dawn for a boat ride around the point where we proceeded up the Esquinas River
This is a true jungle river and mangrove with every kind of wildlife imaginable
Most people come to fish here -- but today we`re on a photo safari for crocodiles along the banks.
Unfortunately, they were not cooperating. But as you can see, just the scenic beauty was worth the trip.
Back at Saladero (Linda/'s place), we decided to take a hike into the forest.
The forest can get dense, but I/`ve got my trusty GPS to help find the way back. Even being the president of the World Ecological Society, I've got a local guide along.
This afternoon we are going to go to the neighbor`s, two beaches down for a visit.
This is Cana Blanca, much like Saladero where we are staying, but here they already have 2 treehouse cabins for guests. YOU could stay here with your hosts Earl and Carol.
Here is a view up to the main 'treehouse' with the kitchen and dining room
David is also working on 2 guest houses that should be ready by November of this year (98). While we're already receiving booking requests for there, you can stay with Earl and Carol RIGHT NOW!
Look at their web page in TravNet! Costa Rica under Hotels - Cana Blanca. E-Mail us (eric@comdinet.com) if you would like to make arrangements to stay here. We can help set it up, because obviously they have no phone.
This is one ign=right>This is one of the guest bungalows.
As evening arrives (about 5:45 p.m.) we settle in for a fabulous meal that Carol fixed for us
We bid them farewell in the evening darkness and board the boat for the trip back to Saladero.
Where the faithful watchdog stands by.... (I told him I'd work his picture in somehow!)
As we boat back we encounter one of the beautiful marvels of Gulfo Dulce - Phosphorescent Plankton!
As the boat moves through the water, it glows a bright green, streaming a wake for over 50 meters. The bow wave casts a magnificent glow.
As the boat approaches, fish just beneath the surface dart away in zig-zag fashion, creating their own light show in every direction
Unfortunately, all I have with me is the digital camera, and there is not sufficient brightness to capture an image.
You will have to come here to see this for yourself. It is absolutely breathtaking. In the meantime, you will have to settle for these images of the sunset.
Well, one day we took the boat over to browse through Puerto Jimenez, and on another down to Golfito to get a TV and Microwave for our San Jose Condo at the duty-free facility there. (The last two pictures were from Golfito, and David Corella's restaurant, directly in front of the pier. Stop in there if you need directions, or just want to chat with Dave and his wife. Their food and company are great, and he can tell you just about anything concerning the entire region.
Watch for Rosie's next slide show from Montezuma on the Nicoya Peninsula -- Next weeks adventure.
BACK
WWW Page by
A TravNet! Company
A TravNet! Company