Dominical to Osa

(Delayed posting.. just got internet.. back in civilization .. Aug, 2)

OK.. so it turns out we have no internet or phone down here
in southern Osa.. no wonder on that.. there aren’t many humans down here. I can’t
say that I’m disappointed.. I’ll just have to blog offline and uploaded it
later.. It’s kind of nice to be off-line completely again. ..

So where was I .. literally ?

Ahh.. Domincal.. We woke today at Costa Pariso.. a really
nice place about 2km south of Dominical.. a favorite surfer destination.. The
grounds were beautiful .. and it was right on the Pacific.. We all went out
for a morning swim

Diane and I went for a run up and down the deserted 2KM
beach..

On the beach we came across a flock of vultures drying
themselves after yesterdays rain…

We admired how the mangroves came right out to the sea.. you
could see them vying

For the best beach placement..

Diane and I headed back and woke the kids for breakfast..

The folks at the hotel were quiet and nice.. which was a funny
contrast to the Surfer ethos the place gave off

We had fruit smoothies while w contemplated our day.. I
found I’d picked up a hitchhiker..

We decided our first order of business was to plant a
SamStone on the highest point

Of the rocks in the water.. There was a little island (at
high tide) with trees on top. Sam would have been up there in a minute.. so… we
would be too.

It was a little freeky.. high steep and crumbly.. with huge
crashing waves on the cliff facing the ocean..

Max placed the stone… we all sat there with our thoughts for
a bit.. We’d been to Costa Rica twice with the three boys It felt both good
and sad to be here now.. We all miss Sam.. he’s very much along for the trip in
our hearts.

We had another long drive ahead of us so we decided to spend
a few hours at the bech. The surf was great.. and the water was warm..
paradise..

We met a sweet beach dog

We went back to the hotel, checked out and headed south.. Right
away we saw this anteater crossing the road.. a good sign (why did the
anteater cross the road ? !,. because his Aunt lived on the other side)

The first half of the drive was easy.. good paved roads.. We
stopped for lunch

At the turn off to Osa.. A nice place… we had Casada.. (which
means ’married’).. it’s rice, beans, plantains and something else.. this time
the something else was eggs.

I couldn’t help laughing when I noticed the motif for their
restrooms..

Pretty sure that Frosty never makes it down this way

The last 70 KM (42 miles) took about 3 hours to drive.. We
had rickety bridges,

Huge potholes, dirt roads.. wow..
Even 6 small rivers to cross… some almost came up to the
doors of the car !

We sent Gabe out to check the depth on one..

S we got near our destination we started to see more
animals, Vultures, Parrots

And finally.. we were here !!!!

We’re at Casa Linda, the newer cousin of Casa Bambu. They’re
both made out of Bambu, up on stilts.. Thy have solar power, well water, real
bathrooms..and a 2 way radio.. All the windows are open.. no screens.. you don’
treally need them (though there is a bird in the house now..