Well, final destination? Perhaps, but to get back "home" to THE OAKS one needs get out of the States. And the most popular route? Miami.Now, don't think I have anything against The Sin City of the South, but I will tell you one thing: after the journey Lisa and I have been on, it is an aquired taste.[Honking horns and back to back traffic was soon to greet Lisa and I.] Note to travelers: The La Quinta chain of hotels may be an economical choice but not a good one. Lisa and I had to climb three flights of stairs, heavy bags in hand, to reach our mold infested room with all the ammenities of an outhouse or Law & Order murder scene. Needless to say we peeled the comforters (which in hindsight is an awfully kind word for the potato-pancake flat, possibly flea infested covers on our beds) to lay awake all night in our clothes, breathing in fungi. Yum. But with all of our recent trips, one must make a fall. Onto Miami!
We enjoyed a rainy but pleasurable 80s rock radio serenade toward our Miami hotel, neatly nestled in some of the most terrible construction this side of Boston's Big Dig! I know I may sound negative, but trust me friends this is simply a report from my memory. Finally, we had made it to the Windham Hotel of Miami Airport- checking in, moving in, thanks to the aid of some very helpful Porters (Yes, Virginia, there is a God), and enjoyed some much needed relaxation.
The next morning Lisa and I made the best of our final hours in The States, scurrying hither and thither for gifts for those in CR that would be a bit more pricey otherwise. Thanks to the guys at Radio Shack for aiding us with "the great iPod touch screen hunt of 2008"! We returned to the hotel only to discover that I, yes, I, king of organization had seemingly lost my passport. Now, I am man enough to tell you that I was near the edge of tears thinking how I would have to delay my trip to The Oaks ("The Golden Destination") and stay in my favorite of all U.S. towns, Miami. Well, Irish luck and a bit of hound-dog hunting later, the passport was found and Lisa and I made it to the airport laiden with all we could carry... and then some (ie. a 32 inch television). Luggage loaded and tickets in hand, Lisa and I waited as our "Pura Vida" flight made its way into Miami 2 hours late and set off for The Oaks and the Pacific Northwest of Costa Rica.
If yo
u have never been on "the big planes" into Costa Rica, you will be in for a treat (when you come to see The Oaks, of course!) becuase these flights are larger, more luxurious, and accomdating than any Lisa and I enjoyed the whole trip. They even had TVs! Two hours later we were in final descent into San Jose and I can tell you, as one who has never seen the grandeur of Costa Rica with my own eyes before, it was a pleasure! Lush rolling hills and white clouded volcanoes, shimmering rivers and village rooftops awaited my camera lense as our ears started to pop. Note to travelers: when entering San Jose, which is a beautiful valley metropolis surrounded by mountains, be aware that the winds will give some turbulence and re-entry may feel a bit like a carnival ride, but this is all routine and your landing will be a soft and pleasant one. Lisa and I "deplaned" and made our way expediantly through customs... although with our friend, "the 32 inch beast", Lisa had to [EDITED FOR CONTENT] to get it into the country without reciept in hand and into a "Tourismo" (taxi). This is the fun part!
We enjoyed a leasiurely drive through the Costa Rican countryside, stopping at small stores
on the way for sodas and munchies, to see some of the most amazing natural sights my little camera could capture. Five and a half hours* later, we were at La Colina Hotel and truly exhausted, aided by the Tourismo driver and a "helpful local" with our bags, and settled in for a relaxing evening overlooking the sea. Ah, what a trip (and there is more to come)! Wish you were here.
*Why, oh why, Lisa did you have to be so economical to not fly us into Liberia!
Join Lisa and Ryan in a few days for more about their "Awesome (and no longer CHILLY) Adventure"!
We enjoyed a rainy but pleasurable 80s rock radio serenade toward our Miami hotel, neatly nestled in some of the most terrible construction this side of Boston's Big Dig! I know I may sound negative, but trust me friends this is simply a report from my memory. Finally, we had made it to the Windham Hotel of Miami Airport- checking in, moving in, thanks to the aid of some very helpful Porters (Yes, Virginia, there is a God), and enjoyed some much needed relaxation.
The next morning Lisa and I made the best of our final hours in The States, scurrying hither and thither for gifts for those in CR that would be a bit more pricey otherwise. Thanks to the guys at Radio Shack for aiding us with "the great iPod touch screen hunt of 2008"! We returned to the hotel only to discover that I, yes, I, king of organization had seemingly lost my passport. Now, I am man enough to tell you that I was near the edge of tears thinking how I would have to delay my trip to The Oaks ("The Golden Destination") and stay in my favorite of all U.S. towns, Miami. Well, Irish luck and a bit of hound-dog hunting later, the passport was found and Lisa and I made it to the airport laiden with all we could carry... and then some (ie. a 32 inch television). Luggage loaded and tickets in hand, Lisa and I waited as our "Pura Vida" flight made its way into Miami 2 hours late and set off for The Oaks and the Pacific Northwest of Costa Rica.
If yo
u have never been on "the big planes" into Costa Rica, you will be in for a treat (when you come to see The Oaks, of course!) becuase these flights are larger, more luxurious, and accomdating than any Lisa and I enjoyed the whole trip. They even had TVs! Two hours later we were in final descent into San Jose and I can tell you, as one who has never seen the grandeur of Costa Rica with my own eyes before, it was a pleasure! Lush rolling hills and white clouded volcanoes, shimmering rivers and village rooftops awaited my camera lense as our ears started to pop. Note to travelers: when entering San Jose, which is a beautiful valley metropolis surrounded by mountains, be aware that the winds will give some turbulence and re-entry may feel a bit like a carnival ride, but this is all routine and your landing will be a soft and pleasant one. Lisa and I "deplaned" and made our way expediantly through customs... although with our friend, "the 32 inch beast", Lisa had to [EDITED FOR CONTENT] to get it into the country without reciept in hand and into a "Tourismo" (taxi). This is the fun part!We enjoyed a leasiurely drive through the Costa Rican countryside, stopping at small stores
on the way for sodas and munchies, to see some of the most amazing natural sights my little camera could capture. Five and a half hours* later, we were at La Colina Hotel and truly exhausted, aided by the Tourismo driver and a "helpful local" with our bags, and settled in for a relaxing evening overlooking the sea. Ah, what a trip (and there is more to come)! Wish you were here.*Why, oh why, Lisa did you have to be so economical to not fly us into Liberia!
Join Lisa and Ryan in a few days for more about their "Awesome (and no longer CHILLY) Adventure"!
Armed with a paper arsenal of fantastic (if not weighty) fliers and postcards, Lisa and Ryan arrived in beautiful Lakeland, Florida after an incredible two day stint in lovely Vero Beach, Florida. If you haven't been to Vero Beach (on your way to Costa Rica, of course) we suggest visiting the Ocean Grill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Waldo's at the Driftwood Resort (built entirely of...you guessed it) both imagined and engineered by Vero Beach's own Walt Disney, Waldo Sexton.
