PURA VIDA!

 PURA VIDA!

Well, our extended stay in beautiful Costa Rica has just expired. Although our  visit was pretty well limited to the region of Guanacaste, it sure was a great introduction to this small rugged rain forested Central American Country with coastlines on both Pacific and Caribbean side. Costa Rica is known for its black sand beaches, volcanoes and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of this country is protected. Of all its five National Parks, we only got to visit Palo Verde and it is in our near future plans, to visit all of them on our next visit. Our stay here, was more than pleasant. On our arrival here, right at the very end of the rain season, I was pleasantly surprised to see all its lushed greenery. As I look today, two months later, the surrounding mountains have sure changed to its dry season colours of browns and yellows. Although the grounds here of our condo are manually watered by the gardener, some of the trees on this beautiful property are slowly becoming leafless. The condominium complex we are in, is very well designed, multiple little Spaniard villas of all sizes and shapes, blending together in its own unique way,  perfectly perched on a mountains edge, overlooking Coco Bay. Everywhere you look, is "eye candy". Flowers, palms, cascading pools, exotic birds, a vacationers tropical paradise. For those with a roof top or baconny unit, every sunsets brings a well mixed palette of fire colours. For us on ground level, the later afternoons, would bring a parade of swallows, swooping and skimming the water's surface of the pristine pool, just a few feet from our door. As the sun was getting ready to set, other little birds of paradise, would come to the edge of the whirl pool, to actually duck in and bathe. A pure delight to watch. As for the evenings it would bring my favourite sounds, crickets, waves crashing from the adjescent bay, a sonata of pure summer sounds. As for the mornings, other then the cry of the white winged doves, were the Howler Monkeys, parakeets, making their own presence heard. As early as five in the morning the sunrise would bring the sounds of human life. Ground keepers, gardeners, pool cleaners and the night security guards doing their final rounds. As you layed in bed, you could sometimes hear them chattering in Spanish. They all seem happy to be there, living the "Pura, Vida". 

For us, the beach was a short five minute walk down the hill, shopping, an other twenty to thirty minutes or so further.  The little town of Coco Beach offered many amenities. A large and most modern grocery store, restaurants that became bars at night time, a casino, lots of coffee and Tico souvenir shops, a pharmacy, spas and an abundance of touring companies, plus much more. Last but not least, what I immensely enjoyed, was the fresh organic fruits and vegetables locally grown, taking in extra exercise by getting around by foot, and above all, the people. Everyone, Ticos, Expats, visitors, all so kind, friendly and relaxed.  No wonder,  life expectancy here is ninety years of age. I am now leaving Costa Rica feeling great and rejuvenated. Pura Vida!  Viva Costa Rica!

Here, are my favourite photos collected, enjoy!