A Regal Experience

Last you left Lisa and I, we were traveling from the beautiful possibilities of Thunder Bay for another road trip, this time making our way toward the city of Winnipeg (anyone hear a bear?) We got into the city (early for a change) and found the Marlborough hotel where we would be spending time in one of those attractive turn of the century palaces with all the modern conveniences Lisa and I craved…like wireless internet. Moved in and worn out, we located ourselves in the Regal Beagle (attracting me of course because of its THREE’S COMPANY reference) and enjoyed the company of Robyn- hostess, bartendress, and server goddess…needless to say, she did it all and took care of us. On top of that, she fell madly in love with the Aroma Muchacho, who was so enamored with the place that he stayed over that night. I had the chance to go out and meet some of the locals of Winnipeg as well and found they couldn’t be friendlier, asking me to join them in a karaoke competition (no, I didn’t need to compete and yet roused some more uncertain people to take the stage) while they listened to a bit of my Costa Rica rants- i.e. The Oaks.

The next day it was time for Lisa and I to again “shove off”, move on, even farther west to the province of Saskatchewan where we met some friendly young men who work for the ever present Oil Fields. They talked about all the great places they had journeyed to in Mexico but were thirsty for something different…and The Oaks in Guanacaste seemed just the drink to make their mouth water. In the end they couldn’t be more pleased or excited by the information we had to bring them and awaited their travel in the near future to the province…hopefully joining Lisa and I at The Oaks for their next adventurous visit.

Though Regina and Loydminster of Saskatchewan may not have been the most exciting places we have visited, with multiple oil wells and obviously newly purchased SUVs and HUGE trucks (signs of economic growth), the people and the conversations we had were some of the most positive and excited encountered since Thunder Bay.

Soon enough it was time we came to a familiar destination, Edmonton (only two hours or so from Loydminster), a place Lisa and I felt fairly comfortable (and better since the last time we saw it in February…brrr). All we can say is that in less time than it takes to say “do you think I will thaw” we were deep in the heart of the city at a place we knew would be great for future, potential meetings or focus groups…Hudson’s Public House. This place had it all, with beautifully designed wood-work walls and floors, including a back room that seemed to echo Independence Hall itself, we quickly realized it would be a phenomenal location for bringing people together to learn more about Costa Rica …and of course, The Oaks.

After meeting with two of our favorite Oaks Owners turned great friends, Sol and Judy F., for an incredible dinner in South Western Edmonton, we knew that we had truly made the rounds and had come full circle. It was nice to hear that “the dynamic duo” (this time I mean Sol and Judy) couldn’t be more pleased with their Oaks purchase and on top of that they couldn’t wait to get back! After being away from Costa Rica for nearly a month and a half, Lisa and I couldn’t be more understanding of that growing need but, as we broke bread and passed the potatoes, we said we would all be back soon.

Thank-you Canada for all you have taught us about your land of plenty and the people within it. We learn more everyday and, as we do, know that we couldn’t have come at a better time…nor met better people!

Check back in the next few weeks for more of Lisa and Ryan’s Excellent (if not Chilly) Adventure!

I´M A RUBBER BALL

Ah, the tale of Lisa’s balls is one that should not be forgotten, as it plays out as a metaphor for all we attempt to do. We have all heard the statement, ¨One man’s trash is another’s treasure.¨ Well sometimes people don’t know what they really want or need until it you thrust it upon them… and that’s just what happened with Lisa’s squeaky balls.

Imagine if you will three fairly unassuming rubber balls with squeaky toy inserts that came into Lisa’s possession after a trip to the now famed Auto Mercado to replace some inadequate golf balls used for juggling. Juggling comes in many forms for us all: work, play, love, life… and these newly acquired rubber balls fit the bill for Lisa’s figurative and literal needs. But, oh, the story doesn’t end there.

As we savored our time at La Colina, the balls found a new purpose in the hands of our friends Ken, Duffy and later Mario and the boys from Milwaukee. Yes, in a pinch a handful of rubber balls makes for hours of fun, fun, fun. As I attempted to explain to anyone within earshot, the sounds issuing forth from the pool ¨slap, swoosh, slap, swoosh¨ were music to our ears of the fun enjoyed by all.

This is but a small moment in our adventures, one that may seem a tame remembrance in the memoirs I have added for all to read, but as I stated before, the story of the balls is one that speaks of what life in Costa Rica can really become… as charming and simple, relaxed and poignant as moments drift by into incredible memories. To paraphrase The Bard a bit for my own end: ¨If Rubber balls be food of life, Play on, boys! Play on!¨

PURA VIDA EH?

When last you left Lisa and I, we had arrived in Costa Rica after an incredible flight and into Tamarindo after an exciting Tourismo (taxi) ride from the airport. After a pot of coffee and a good long look at the bright sunshiney Costa Rican morning, we went down to the La Colina reception area to meet our new friends: Lady Flora, Ken Shue & his friend Jenn, buddy Duff, and La Colina proprieter- Hans Wulf.

Hans was truly gracious and took Lisa and I to the AMAZINGLY modern and convenient AutoMercado (or super market) just outside of Tamarindo. What a pleasure it was to see that even here in the "Wilds of the Costa Rican Frontier" there are places being created that rival even the best that the US (or Canada) has to offer. The foods, fruits, and meats were fresh and well packaged / prepared, while the staff was friendly and attentive to our needs.

"Donde..umm..es..Ojo (garlic powder)?" and there it was.

It was at this time Lisa waxed poetic with the comparison that Costa Rica is like the native (and tasty) banana. Conveniant, attractive, compact, safe, flavorful, healthful, enriching, and appealing (pun intended). Costa Rica even LOOKS like a banana with the Nicoya area being a banana leaf...okay, work with me here people.

Anyway, it was Valentine's Day and we "made a party" as Lady Flora would say, going to The Lazy Wave international fare restaurant in the heart of Tamarindo. This magnificently designed outdoor patio establishment seems pulled straight from the most romantic of movies with paper lanterns, rich wood finishes, and a natural canopy roof. The Prix-Fixe Valentine's menu spanned the globe with native and international courses, each more delicious than the last. There we joined The Oaks' Robert Irvin (our fearless leader), Melanie Frei (number one) and her husband Nick. Many laughs and multi-language conversations ensued, lasting all the way back to our hotel room. I thought to myself, "If this is Costa Rica, I think I'm in love"...and I bet you would be too.

Fast forward a few days to the 16th, my 30th birthday, and WHAT a blowout! The La Colina girls (Flora, Sophie, Maritta), The Oaks' LOVELY and gracious Anna Lorena, & Lisa and I made our way to Playa Langosta's swanky Bistro Langosta for the big night. Only my second dinner in CR and so far I couldn't be more pleased. The wide variety of tasty tapas temptations tantilzed everyones tongues...yeah, and the wine was great too. Of course my favorite course was the surprize birthday desert that came to the table along with a multi-accented "Happy Birthday" song from the restaurant staff and patrons. When you get here (and you know you will) drop on by Thursday's for incredible music from a talented local trio.

The next morning I wanted to explore some of the world around me and made my way down to Playa Tamarindo, mere minutes from The Oaks and a quick walk from La Colina. Taking the shortcut through the famed Witch's Rock Surf Camp & Joe's Beachside Eats which leads out on to the sand you will immediately see happy people from all over the globe enjoying the sunning and surfing or just a relaxing walk. Make sure to look for the now famous "PIPA MAN" (or coconut milk salesman) who sells his tasty and healthy drink to tourists and locals alike and "Pot People" with their attractive, decorative wares. Head South (past the small make shift marina) to walk the volcanic ridge of Playa Langosta where small tidal pools, exotically colored fish, and the occational crashing wave bridge your way from sandy Tamarindo to shell covered Langosta...but remember (unlike me) wear LOTS of sunscreen!

Check back in a few days for more of Lisa and Ryan's Excellent (no longer CHILLY) Adventure!