Coasting to Rica

My grandson calls it Rica Rica. However you pronounce it, I recommend going. Beautiful country and very nice people. It may have started off a little inauspiciously for me but still it was good.

The group consisted of Linda and me, Brian and Lela and their kids, Bryla and Blue, along with Mary Lynne. A family friend, Brandon, joined us as well. Jeremy had something interfere which made it that he couldn’t go. Mary Lynne wished he were with us but had fun anyway.

We knew that there were restrictions about COVID and traveling but we kept appraised of the requirements and restrictions and felt comfortable about the trip. Lots of paperwork needed to be transmitted to the Costa Rican government via email but by the night before we left we had it all done.

Flights Phoenix to Dallas, then Dallas to San Jose Costa Rica were relatively effortless. I say that because I didn’t have a 7 year old Bryla and a 3 year old Jeremiah (Blue) to deal with on the plane. Lela and Brian did the hard part.

We landed in San Jose around 7pm and headed to customs and immigration. We had our paperwork with us and felt that there shouldn’t be a problem. As usual I was lagging behind so I watched as the others had their QPR code on their phone and sailed right through. I had my phone with the QPR code ready to go. When I flashed it at the immigration officer he said my name out loud and told me to go with a young lady standing at the side. Evidently they were waiting for me; my reputation preceded me.

Linda became alarmed when the young lady looked at her, pointed in the direction of the exit and escorted me in the opposite direction. She led me to an area a few yards away which was cordoned off from the rest of the area and told me to wait. I glanced in Linda’s direction and she was visibly concerned about my welfare. The authorities kept telling Linda to move along which increased her concern.

Shortly a bus pulled up and the young lady indicated that I should get on and go with the driver, wherever he was going. As Linda watched me board the bus, as the only passenger by the way, her look of apprehension increased. I’ll admit that my apprehension was beginning to increase as well. But not having any choice or say in the matter, I sat down while the bus drove me to my next destination.

That turned out to be a large area in a different part of the airport with a few people working at desks behind screens. One of them caught my eye and motioned me over. She asked to see the paperwork I had, looked it over, stamped one of them and sent me on my way. I read the one she stamped and saw it was the affidavit that I’d needed to bring stating that I wouldn’t be seen on the beach or other public places while wearing shorts.

Of course there wasn’t a bus to take me back but at least I felt relief that I wasn’t going to a dungeon in Costa Rica for 20 years because I didn’t have proper paperwork. I trekked the 27 miles back to the main part of the airport, went through customs and caught up with Linda. At first I thought she was really happy to see me but then I realized that I had the reservations to the hotel with me. Still, it was good to be needed.

After meeting several nice Costa Ricans, some of whom got us transportation to the hotel where we were spending the night before continuing to the town of Uvita the next morning. We had lots of luggage and there were 6 adults (assuming you count me as an adult) and 2 children. It needed to be a big van. The van sent by the hotel was sufficient but barely. After stuffing ourselves in the van we set off. It was dark so we didn’t get to see much of the city but we enjoyed the trip. The van driver was also the front desk clerk. He told us that the restaurant normally closed at 8 but they had agreed to stay open for us. Oh gosh, what a treat! Everything each of us ordered was very good. I had some fish, the best fried fish I’ve ever had. We thanked the chefs and waitstaff profusely then went to our respective rooms and settled for the night.

We (Linda) had arranged for a driver to pick us up at the hotel and take us on the 3 hour journey to Uvita. Gilberth was fantastic, filled with knowledge of the area and up for what ever adventure we had in mind. He stopped at a souvenir shop/coffee shop for us. We took advantage and bought shirts and Cokes. There were lots of sights to see on the way to Uvita and Gilberth answered many questions.

The place we’d chosen to stay was absolutely beautiful. Closeted in trees and shrubbery. It was hidden behind them so that when we turned the corner up the driveway it sprang into view in a spectacular way. It literally took our breath away. A number of common rooms in the downstairs area and 4 bedrooms upstairs. Large rooms, each nicely appointed. The backyard was dominated by a large pool and several lounge areas. Lots of nice seating and shade areas in which to relax. We settled into our home for the next few days and began to explore. The kids of course, wanted in the pool immediately. Brian had Gilbreath take him to a car rental agency to get the car he’d reserved and the rest of us relaxed.

The next morning the rest of the gang chose to go to a national park for hiking and other exploring which fit into my master plan nicely. While they were gone I put on a pair of shorts and laid out on a lounger with a Coke and a book. I laid there long enough that the tops of my legs and feet began to turn red. I knew that was long enough for my plan to work.

See, I figured that if I got burned enough, I could wear shorts because long pants would rub on the sunburn and cause too much pain. On the several times that a local resident complained and called the Fuerza Publica, I was able to worm my way out of jail time by pointing to my inflamed legs and raising my palms upward and shrugging. The officials scolded me but let me off each time; my plan worked.

We had activities for several of the days and spent lots of time relaxing by the pool and in the cool of the house. We went whale watching, horseback riding, saw sloths and monkeys, much fauna among the flora. One afternoon, several of the gang hiked to a nice waterfall and went swimming. One evening the house caretaker came out with handfuls of bananas and put them on the roof a shed. In just a few minutes there were a dozen little white faced monkeys grabbing pieces of banana and scrambling back up in the trees. They would put a piece in their mouth and one in each hand, then struggle to climb the tree back to shelter. Such a treat to see.

One nice thing was that the local roosters didn’t start crowing until about 8:30 or so. However, the monkeys begin chattering at around 4 and the cicadas started up around 6 to make sure we were awake. We got used to it and learned to enjoy it. Another noise that was fun was the howler monkeys in the evenings. Those things are loud! Rumor has it that if you walk near them they will find coconuts and sticks to hurl at you. Fortunately I didn’t get close enough to find out, but it was interesting to hear them.

The rest of our stay was mostly uneventful but always pleasant. We needed to show proof of negative COVID tests before we could get on the return flight and Brian arranged for us all to get tested at a clinic in Uvita. We had several nice experiences in local restaurants but Lela prepared most of our meals in the kitchen at the house. She used local ingredients and turned out some fabulous entrees. I’ll admit to almost daily treks to the local supermarket. Seems that I always needed something, usually chocolate or Coca Cola. Sometimes both.

The return trip was free from being searched or detained by immigration authorities from either country. The only surly encounters were with US officials but we’ve become accustomed to that. Our folk seem to be to most rude. Even my experience when landing in San Jose was done in a pleasant manner, no rudeness involved.

One thing to point out is that both Bryla and Blue were absolute troopers during both long flights. Long walks from terminal to terminal were not made unpleasant by cranky children. Not sure we can say the same about the oldest member of the group.

But having said that, it should be noted that the entire group that traveled together was pleasant and accommodating at every juncture. I’d go most anywhere with the same group again. Thanks to all involved.

We enjoyed our stay very much and would go back in a heartbeat.