“Travels to a Different Time” : 15March2004: Welcome to Costa Rica

There are few advantages of having been victimized with a seat at the extreme back end of the plane next to the WC. However with those vacuum powered flushes ringing in my ear goodness me the plane deplaned at the rear making for my quick escape. The airport at Liberia is tiny with only two customs officials who were in no hurry. Bags were simply deposited on the floor at the airport for pick up. We were on the bus to our resort at Puntarenas and during our 40 minute trip I was surprised just how dry the vegetation was. Lots of long brown grasses with intermittent patches of green. I was told when rainy season arrives in a month or so the whole area explodes with green. The terrain s hilly. There were several cattle ranches, a catfish farm, rice paddies, ramshackle concrete homes and a few very basic restaurants and cafes. Our property is called Fiesta Resort and Spa set up in the hills overlooking the Gulf of Papagayo. The pool is the main centre of activity with of course the mandatory swim up bar. There is also a thatched bar near the pool with a snack bar. The buffet restaurant La Consecha has about 70 tables and adjacent to that is the restaurant with a Mediterranean theme. Upon arrival the family left me behind in the reception while they inspected the rooms. After they did not return to pick me up I figured I had been abandoned so asked for an extra key and took the golf cart shuttle up to the room. The rooms are comfortable all with an ocean view. Nice not having to bicker and bitch to get an ocean view room.