Category Archives: Activities

Things we have done during our travels.

The Drive to Heredia

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We were up early yet again this morning, doing all the last minute get ready stuff for today’s big trip inland. We had a large, eclectic breakfast made up of the odds and ends that were still left in the refrigerator when we shut it off.

At 0830, Tim arrived. We showed him how to run the generator and what the normal water level is in the bilge. He took us to shore. Our car was supposed to be delivered to us at Land and Sea at 0900. At 0940, the car finally arrived and by 1000 the paperwork was done and we were on the road. Our rental car is a little Suzuki Alto, powered by what we are sure is two hamsters on a wheel under the hood. We have our doubts it can make it up Costa Rica’s mountainous landscape.

We checked at two different places for maps, and neither had one. Sigh. We had to work off the maps in Lonely Planet, which are small and only have details for selected areas. Today’s plan was to drive to Heredia, just north of the capital city, San Jose. Judging from the map, we had estimated it would be a 4 hour drive. Katie and Tim told it would be closer to 6. It actually took 8.

To get out of Golfito, you can take an unpaved road over the mountains, or you can take a nicely paved road south to the end of the mountain range, then head inland and back north. We opted for Continue reading →

The Dinghy Ride and Costa Rican Cuisine

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We were excited about today’s trip to the animal sanctuary. The local we had talked to made it sound super great. Most of the animals were illegally poached and domesticated, then confiscated and brought to the sanctuary for reintroduction into the wild. Some were legally domesticated and voluntarily turned in by people who realized the animals would be happier in the wild. Some were sick or injured and brought there for care. Since most of the animals were once domesticated, they will run up and play with visitors.

We were told not to wear any kind of sunscreen or bug spray or lotions or perfumes because Continue reading →

Finishing the Costa Rican Check In Process

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It was another roasting hot morning. Christi started the day with a huge breakfast. We hadn’t read any reports that indicated the quarantine person would confiscate food, but we have had it happen enough times in other places that she is now a little paranoid about it. It was her mission to use up all the eggs and produce that were the most likely confiscation targets, and we succeeded in eating most of it up before we were so full we felt like we were going to explode.

We were at Land & Sea waiting for Continue reading →

Welcome to Golfito, Costa Rica

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Since the seas had been so calm on this passage, we pulled into Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) at around 0230, hours earlier than we anticipated when we plotted the course. Going in at night was of zero concern, though, because the visibility was like daylight. We could see the land on both sides of us clearly, as well as floating obstacles like tree trunks. And yes, we did see a few tree trunks in there! The aroma in the bay was so strong that it was almost overwhelming rich, fertile soil and sweet tropical plants. It smelled so good. The wind picked up and the water got a touch of wind chop, but it was still a great ride. Here is a shot of the moon after the wind picked up. Note how clear the mountain is.

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We meandered Continue reading →

Passage from Panama City to Golfito, Costa Rica

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The nice, smooth ride lasted until around noon yesterday. Then we turned a corner, so the wind and waves were coming from our starboard (right) side rather than the rear. The comfort level was only modestly affected and it was still an overall pleasant ride. Throughout the afternoon, the wind speed climbed quite a bit. The wind was coming from the shore, and since we were paralleling the shoreline, there wasn’t enough fetch for the waves to pick up too much, but it did get lumpier. The dual stabilization probably helped. The day was sunny, bright and clear, which was a nice change of pace. Pretty much the whole time we have been in Panama, it has been gray, overcast and gloomy, so we were appreciating the sunshine. We enjoyed looking at Panama’s scenic mountain coastline while we motored along. As the day wore on, we saw less and less traffic.

We ran our generator almost all day, making water, doing laundry, and enjoying the AC. It is really hot out today, probably because it is so sunny. Eric checked the fan and shaft temperature several times, concerned that they had been running hot in Gatun Lake. The fan seems to be working great. The shaft temperature is actually lower than normal, and we assume it is because the water temperature is about 15 degrees cooler than it was in the Atlantic.

At about sunset, a big school of dolphins came to play with the boat. Usually they only play on the bow, but this set also played with the paravanes. They are a different species to what we are used to seeing. According to a flier we had picked up somewhere, they are called Continue reading →