FOTO FRIDAY:PAINT & SIP

FOTO FRIDAY: PAINT & SIP provided by Máximo was a fun hour and a half as 12 of us were given local wildlife to paint: frog, butterfly, the toucan and different birds, turtle, racoon and sloth. I got my favorite...

TBT: SOCIALISM

TBT: SOCIALISM 

MIDWEEK MUSINGS:JUST PARK IT

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: It's nothing new to U.S. citizens that we are a country totally dependent upon our cars and as a result we don't have a great public bus system but I have been privy to a good bus system here in Quepos which can have me at my teaching job in less than half an hour. Small residential and main streets leave little room for parking in the beachside towns. The hills winding down the beaches are tight pin curves and narrow. 

I definitely wouldn't want to be renting a car here!

But I actually want to talk about another kind of park'ing, the Manual Antonio National Park, a must, especially with a guide otherwise you will miss out seeing many of the park's residents.

The park covers about 7 miles which is managed by the National System of Conservation and the Ministryof Environment and Energy which take care of maintenance, protection and visitor rules creating an eco-friendly environs. Backpacks and bags are searched for food which is not allowed. No handouts to leave along the trail nor plastic water bottles. And with no food the monkeys won't be compromised by eatinfghuman food.

 A long line awaits entrance to the park which see 2500 guests per day. Tickets must be bought ahead. Non-residents cost ~$18, 5.65 for kids under 12. Residents about $2 .

Our senior Tico tour guide in his 60's has had this job since he was 22 and he was a font of information. 

His high power binoculars took us into the canopy above us to spot a sloth mommy and her baby and howling monkeys chilling. 

And to the foliage with dragonflies,  tiny frogs/ 

spiders on the leaves and gorgeous butterflies. 

Lizards abound hugging the shade.

Can  you find the lizard?

and even a red crab!

My Facebook friend Kathy and I really had a terrific visit and it was definitely worth the tour to enjoy some of the residents of the park. We didn't partake in the waters of the park's beautiful public beach; mia culpa as we had frequented one of Manuel Antonio's other 2 beaches the previous day and yours truly had too much sun that day... but the park is a must see.

tUSDAY tUNES: I'VE GOT SUNSHINE IN MY POCKET

tUESDAY tUNES: Bossa Nova was the background to another late afternoon cocktail by the ocean.  An ocean breeze, Ceviche and a Sangria Diablo all spoke to me ... 

May this warm your bones as well -

BOSSA NOVA & Cocktails

MONDAY MUSINGS: ANOTHER WOMAN LEADER

 MONDAY MUSINGS have me a bit surprised this am in Costa Rica as I walked by a couple of schools yesterday where voters were lining up for voting. Yes, on a Sunday, no less to ensure citizens could cast their vote for one of the 40 presidential candidates. In my mind I had no doubt there would be a runoff with so many contenders but I was not alone as many Ticos were surprised to learn differently too..

For the last 2 weeks I have heard the political candidate's cars with flashing lights and blaring political jargon ambling through our INVU neighborhood here in Quepos at all times of the day. How could there not be a runoff with so many political contenders?

Yet, the voters have spoken and it was a big win (48-50% ) for the right-wing Sovereign People's party candidate, Laura Fernandez, a hand-picked successor to outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves. I had seen her a couple times speaking on tv interviews with her mere 39 years young, she is well spoken, attractive and spoke to the issues that TICOS are concerned about, the rising drug-related crime and violence.

Cocaine trafficking is on the rise here and she promised to be tough. She also promised to work on security for their economy. One thing voters were worried about if she will work towards allowing consecutive terms for Presidents. Interesting as the U.S.'s present President wants to discontinue our 2-term policy to unlimited whereas Costa Rica has only ever allowed one term. We shall see, won't we?

MIDWEEK MUSINGS:A WHALE OF A TALE ....

Never too late for  MUSINGS  as the 3 Musketeers joined the Ocean King catamaran sunset outing... It did not disappoint...

We had mixed reports regarding upper-level chair availability, so after the itinerary and rules were given in both English and Spanish re: moving chairs and jumping in the water before the appropriate time, we rushed to the upper deck to secure front-row seating. 

The company was fun, music was great, tropical drinks didn't hurt as we were equipped with our wrist bands for 4 drinks, fruit appetizers, a traditional fish dinner in addition to a gorgeous afternoon filled with possible whale/ dolphin watching, a dip in the ocean/ snorkeling and, of course, another spectacular Costa Rican sunset.

Just last June I had gone on a smaller boat to whale watch in southern California but all I saw was a dark form and I was thrilled then to even have had a sighting.

We hit the jackpot Monday since actually whale watching takes place in two other past months, not January. Awaiting us about 15 miles out was a pod of 5 humpback whales. Unbelievable!

Imagine the boat's passengers' glee to not only witness spouting and fins but also heads and tails...

  There was clapping and cheering as the engines idled while the whales circled our catamaran.  

I got my exercise running around the deck trying to capture it all.

At one point the whales were so close to the boat, one could almost touch them. Thrilling. 

I have so many video clips  but below is my favorite photo of the day which really makes this musing a whale of a 'tale'...

What a sight to behold...

FOTO FRIDAY: MY 1st VISIT to MANUEL ANTONIO

 

FOTO FRIDAY: Favorite shot in Manuel Antonio 

 Last week's WINDOW VIEW