Pura Vida Costa Rica

 We have been looking forward to and talking about being in Costa Rica for almost a year now. Everyone keeps asking us when we will be there and for how long and as boaters this was a difficult question to answer. But finally our arrival day was about to come. On April 2nd 2024 Jeff and Kurtis (our friend on Summer Breeze) checked out at the office in Puesta Del Sol and we all readied ourselves for our overnight passage the next day. At 0837am we threw lines and set out for our 187.5 mile journey south to Playa Del Coco, Costa Rica. The moon wasn't with us until 2am that evening but otherwise the seas and wind were very cooperative. Summer Breeze was having some battery issues and every three hours when we checked in Kurtis informed us of it's depletion all the way down to 0%. Fortunately he later found it it was a problem with the gage and not the battery but nevertheless they had us worried. We made good time and at 0646am we were dropping the hook in Playa Del Coco. Since this is our first port in Costa Rica we had to check in with the harbourmaster and customs and immigration. Kurtis launched his dink and picked up Jeff and the two of them set out to begin this process while I laid down to nap. We had been warned this this could be a long and arduous process that could take all day. Luck must have been on our side because by 1pm we were pulling anchor and making our way to Marina Papagayo. There were many Panama Posse boats already here (Long Windid, Que Vendra, Brigadoon 3 and Pause) and we were anxious to reconnect with our old friends. After saying hello and grabbing dinner at the marina I was fast asleep by 7:30pm. Those overnighters really take a toll the next day. 

                 

Check Out with Juanita 

Fishing Boat We Passed 

Into The Night We Go

Moon Rise 

Kurtis Picking Jeff Up 

Tidings Of Joy Anchored in Playa Del Coco

Securing Summer's Dink On Shore 

Playa De Coco

Waiting For Customs 

Ran Into Splinters On Shore 

Heading to Marina Papagayo 

Mega Yacht Anchored Outside of Papagayo 

Marina Papagayo 

The next morning we woke up super refreshed and ready to go. It's a good thing because it was a very special day. April 5th 2024 marked our 25th anniversary. 25 years of non-marital bliss as we like to say. The day itself couldn't have been nicer. First thing the marina delivered a gift bag with a nice note wishing us happy anniversary with a bottle of red wine and some water bottles with the marina's name on them. It was so kind of them. We took a very hot stroll to the Andaz resort next door and scoped out the pool and a facilities for future use. After lunch on board we ventured up to the marina pool where we ran into Brigadoon 3 and met new friends on Perception. Later that night we returned to the Andaz for anniversary dinner. The resort was lit with lots of lights and it felt charming and magical. Couldn't have planned a better anniversary if we had tried. 

                                                     

Anniversary Note From Marina Papagayo 

Iguana On Our Walk 

Marina Papagayo 

Hot Walk to Andaz 

Andaz At Night 

Andaz Lobby 

Path To Dinner 

The Ostra  Restaurant 

25th Anniversary Dinner At The Andaz Resort- Ostra  

We were definitely on a high - we were in Costa Rica at an amazing marina with lots of friends, we just had our 25th anniversary and there was nothing but exploring and adventure to come. The day after our anniversary we did some catch up on the boat and later that night the boaters all got together in the boaters lounge at the marina and did some catching up as well. 

Panama Posse Boaters Get Together- Remedy, Brigadoon, Long Windid, Summer Breeze. Pause & Us

Still riding our high the next day would just perpetuate that. My gift to Jeff was a private cabana at the Andaz Resort. We could arrive anytime after 8am and stay until 5. The resort even sent a shuttle to pick us up. About 10:30ish we hopped in the shuttle and our day began. We were welcomed and shown to our cabana where a welcome bag (one each) was waiting full of sunscreen and lotion. We then were given a welcome drink of something fruity along with a fully stocked mini bar. At some point a massive fruit plate showed up with so many fruits, some we didn't know what they were. We snacked on that and enjoyed the view of the infinity pool and the beach. We had the cabana section all to ourselves. Next came champaign and a variety of juices and berries in order to make mimosas. We tried to drink slowly and we laid on our lounges soaking up the pampering. Sometime after the champaign we were given a snack. Jeff got tuna and avocado tostadas and I got mushroom and avocado tostadas. We spent the afternoon swimming and staring working our way through the mini bar. Around 3pm our masseuse showed up and gave us each at 20 minute massage right at the cabana. The day was finished with a refreshing mojito popsicle before we left the cabana. With our day pass we were entitled to use the spa as well so we made our way into our separate gender locker rooms and enjoyed the jacuzzi, cold plunge, sauna and shower. It felt like being in another world. Jeff loved his gift and so did I. But the day didn't end there. Later that evening we would return to the Andaz with our friends on Pause and try the smoking cocktails and tapas in another restaurant. Perfect day. 

Cabana at the Andaz 

Our View 

Welcome Drinks 

Mimosas 

Fruit Plate 

Tostadas 

Monkeys at the Pool 

Mojito Popsicles 

Our Pool 

Jacuzzi 

Dinner With Pause 

The next few days we got ourselves ready to fly out to Tampa for my cousin Tyler's wedding. Our friends on Long Windid were going to be setting sail soon so we had a nice farewell dinner with them and on April 10th we flew to Tampa. 

Farewell Long Windid 

Adios El Salvador Vamos A Nicaragua

 Our first day back at Bahia Del Sol Marina in El Salvador and all thoughts turned towards departing and crossing the notorious bar. After reaching out to Bill he advised us the bar would be closed for at least another week for more sounding and to wait for a higher tide. Since we had lots of friends around this was no matter to us. We're not in a hurry so what's another week. Immediately we were invited to go with 8 other boaters to lunch at a restaurant that's on stilts and I have no idea what it's called. As we approached I had no idea how this was going to work. We tied the dink up to some old wood log steps we had to climb and traverse in order to even get to the restaurant. My fear of heights immediately kicked in and I was watched carefully with lots of snickers and pictures. Needless to say we all made it and had memorable lunch. 

The following days were spent doing boat chores, fuelling the boat and right before we left we had a driver take us and our friend Kurtis on Summer Breeze into San Salvador where we went to the anthropology museum, to Relajo for lunch and finally to Super Selecto for some provisions. It was an eventful day but glad we got to see the capital a little bit. 

We couldn't leave without have a final dinner with our good friends on Long Winidid. We took a chicken bus (which I've always wanted to do) down the road a few miles to La Pampa this gorgeous restaurant which sits over the water. It was a great way to cap off our time in El Salvador and say goodbye to our friends. 

Dingy Caravan to Lunch 

Arriving with Kurtis (Summer Breeze) at Lunch 

Climbing For Food 

Gangway to Lunch 

Lunch with Splinters, Long Windid, Ana & Summer Breeze 

Anthropology Museum with Kurtis - Summer Breeze 

Grounds of Anthropology Museum 

Lunch with Kurtis - Summer Breeze 

Chicken Bus Ride with Marla - Long Windid 

Dinner with Long Windid 

La Pampa Dinner with Long Windid 

Nerves were high and thoughts of Rum Truffle lingered on our minds as we departed Bahia Del Sol at 2pm on March 24th 2024. Fortunately for us our exit was uneventful and with Summer Breeze in tow we escaped and made our way into the overnight for Nicaragua. The 119 mile/ 16hr passage went smooth and we even had a nice full moon illuminating our passage. At 6a.m. we arrived at Puesto Del Sol Marina in Nicaragua. We were all exhausted having not slept much during the overnight. Customs and immigration came to the boat and made themselves at home and completed our paperwork and almost as soon as they left we laid down for a much needed nap. Later we met Kurtis at the pool for what we hoped would be a refreshing dip in the pool except the pool was like a sauna baking in the sun day after day. Oh well it was nice to come together and celebrate our first day in Nicaragua. 

Saying Goodbye Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador 

Friends Saying Goodbye 

Heading to the Bar

The Bar

Tidings of Joy Crossing El Salvador Bar

Sunset 

Full Moon Passage 

Approaching Puesto Del Sol, Nicaragua 

Summer Breeze Approaching Marina 

Puesta Del Sol Marina 

Pool Puesta Del Sol Marina

 Nicaragua Customs and Immigration

Docked at Puesta Del Sol 

After a goodnights sleep and a slow morning we did some work around the boat before venturing out in the afternoon with Kurtis. We decided to take a walk around the marina/resort grounds and then a little ways up the road to see what a our new neighbourhood was all about. The marina grounds are green and lush and had a very peaceful feeling that I felt right at home at. Strangely the resort didn't accept guests and the entire hotel was empty except for the restaurant which opened on weekends only. Kinda weird but nice and quiet for us. Up the road we passed several tiendas and a couple restaurants. Many people we were on the streets socialising and kids playing it was a very tranquil halmark kinda feeling. It felt quaint and sweet and simple. I loved it and wanted to soak up the feeling. At some point we decided cold beers were necessary and stopped into a hostel called Bada Boom which played gringo music and had nice cold beers and an american diner style menu. We had some local Tona beers and ordered some french fries to share. 

Marina/Resort Grounds 

Walking Up the Road 

At Bada Boom with Kurtis - Summer Breeze 

Tienda On Our Street 

Pig Along The Way 

Thanks once again to our friends on S/V Bisou we were given the name of the tour guide they used while staying in Nicaragua and on March 27 at 8a.m. Luis arrived at the marina to pick us up and start our tour. The first day was very busy and we saw the Leon Viejo ruins then onto Chinandega and then finally to Leon. The day was extremely hot but very interesting and worth the effort. 

                                          

                                                                            Tour Guide Luis 

Viejo Leon 

Town Square

Cathedral

Alter for Holy Week Parade 

Indoor Market 

Making Traditional Nicaraguan Cookies 

Cow Crossing the Road 

Active Volcanic Site 

Sulfer Boiling Out of the Ground 

Cathedral In Leon 

Still Using Horse Wagons For Transportation 

Viejo Leon Ruins 

With Luis 

Once again Luis was at our hotel in Leon to pick us up at 8a.m. and we took a walking tour of Leon. We saw an old cathedral which we were able to access the roof and walk all around. It was absolutely sweltering and at one point I had to sit down because I thought I was going to pass out from the heat. Finally after some time we proceeded around the city while Luis gave us the history and showed us more buildings. Later in the day we met up with a panga who took us on a tour through the mangroves where we were able to spot lots of beautiful birds. It too was hot but at least the mangroves provided a lot of shade. Luis dropped us off at our hotel and we made our way to a nice dinner in the old convent. All in all a very nice day. 

Starting Walking Tour 

Carpets for Holy Week 

Cathedral 

Climbing to the Roof 

On the Cathedral Roof 

The Roof 

View From the Roof 

Outside of Cathedral 

Shops in Town 

Old Building

Our Panga 

The following day we left Leon and made our way to a small community in the mountains where we learned all about pottery making from family who has been making and selling it around the community for years. First the woman was the main owner and pottery maker but since her son has taken over and after he showed us how to make bowls and various pots. I tried it and failed miserably. He made it look so easy but mine kept falling apart. From the little community we drove to Granada. We had lunch at a garden cafe and went to the anthropology museum and then drove to the lake. Around dinner time we said goodbye to Luis for the night and swam at our pool at the hotel and walked into town for dinner at a place called Pita Pita. 

Procession for Holy Week 

A Lot of Poverty 

Pottery Wheel 

The Kiln

My Attempt 

Fail 

The Lake

Alter for Holy Week 

Anthropology Museum 

Dinner at Pita Pita 

The next morning Luis took us on a walking tour of Granada and then a coffee tour at Las Flores. We went with one guide from the coffee plantation who walked us around and explained about the plants and process. At this point we were becoming experts in the coffee making process. After another long hot day we took advantage of the pool at the hotel before returning again to Pita Pita for dinner. This is the only restaurant in town that had any vegan options for me so we returned. As we were walking back to the hotel we heard loud music being played and a variety of Nirvana and old 90's grunge songs so we stopped in to the bar it was coming from and sat down. We had a very sweet waiter and started a tab while the band proceeded to play a ton of Green Day music. It was so much fun. 

Walking Tour 

Downtown Granada 

Cathedral 

Climbing the Bell Tower 

View From the Bell Tower 

New Cathedral 

Coffee Tour 

Coffee Processing Plant 

Funeral Procession 

Dinner at Pita Pita 

90s Grunge Band

After way too much fiesta the night before we woke up tired and Luis picked us up for our final day and a tour of Managua. For being the capital city it was very charmless and had a empty and eerie feeling about it. We saw some government buildings and learned about the history before Luis dropped us off at the marina and we said our goodbyes. We packed in a lot during our tour and felt like we got a good overall picture of Nicaragua. 

Downtown Managua 

                               

Government Buildings 

Downtown Park 

Contaminated Lake 

Buying Watermelons