Took the early bus into Puerto Viejo all by myself this morning! This may not seem like a big deal, but to me it's an impressive accomplishment-capable, acclimated, integrating. The 12:45 bus from Manzanillo we know from experience comes sometime before 1:10... so it would only stand to reason the 8:30 bus should come sometime before 9:00... There are no real bus stops from here to Puerto Viejo...you just stand on the road and indicate you want the bus to stop. At 8:50 I was beginning to wonder if there was a bus coming today, debated going home to get my bike, and decided to trust the "system". So...I started walking...was halfway to Cocles when the bus came around the bend. Whew! Flagged it down and hopped on. I told the driver, in Spanish, where I wanted to go (had lots of time to practise), and gave him exact change for my fare. That was easy....
I went by myself this morning so I could spend some time at the Jungle Internet (Calle 215, by the flea market). Finally, Internet that is mostly reliable. Immersed myself for hours in typing out the blog pages we've already written. Oh well, I won't keep complaining about ee pad issues-it's a great little piece of equipment but doesn't suit the purposes we thought it would....Michael and the kids came in by later bus-I begged for one more hour! Feels like a huge load off my shoulders to get this onto the blog.
Michael and the kids went off shopping for new bike locks (we lost them the other night at the Concrete Jungle), a few more groceries-you have to replenish often when you shop by bicycle- and a BLANKET!! Ah, the little things...maybe now we will sleep!
At this point we were all starving so went to the Flip Flop Diner for "burgers"-wouldn't order that, if I were you...neat place though, we will go back, just order something a little more "authentic"...
I went back to the Jungle Internet for an hour while Michael and the kids went to DeeLite gellato parlour-Yum! Home-made Italian icecream and yogurts! This place is always packed, and that speaks for itself!
Back at the bus terminal, Mikaira called from Canada. We got to talk to Cadence, our granddaughter, who is house sitting for us with her parents. Cadence likes "Grandma's potty" and uses it most of the time. We all know she is capable-shades of her mother's "rebellion" at the same age...Her little sister, Aria, has cut her first tooth! How wonderful to talk to them! Miss you guys!
We zoomed home on the 4:15 bus (I call it the 4:30 bus and plan accordingly, haven't missed it yet...) to meet Doug and Sybille and their girls for appetizers before going for supper at Pura Gula Restaurante (the one we love so much). We raced home to change and grab our flashlights.Gabriel stopped to watch, in awe, as an entire league of army ants paraded by- they stretched on for about 3 metres! We, of course, warned him to be careful not to get too close,as little platoons broke away and simulaneously attacked Allie's, Michael's and my sandaled feet, leaving his face, which was pretty close, completely intact. It was an incredible sight to behold-next time we could take Gabriel's lead and wear runners.
We had a beutiful time at our Canadian friends with appetiizers, candlelight, windows opened to the beautiful jungle foliage and good conversation before going to the restaurante. We call it the "star" restaurante in honour of the Ikea lights hanging from the rafters.
Having recommended this restaurant for it's early menu which we have eaten-good and reasonably priced, about 6000 colones per meal-we were surprised to find the after 6 menu much expanded-very gourmet-but with a heftier price tag attached. The Pura Gula ("pure gluttony") is owned by a fellow from Argentina (who has a new baby girl, three weeks old!) and a fellow from Spain. WOW!! They can cook! Doug, Sybille, and Allie ordered the beef tenderloin. Sarah and Rebecca shared the Gnocchi and Gabriel shared with everyone. There were a number of flambe'd items on the menu, and since none of the kids had seen this done, I ordered it and we were all invited to the kitchen when it was time!
What a lovely meal and a lovely time with truly wonderful people!!! (who, by the way, picked up the tab-unnecessary but greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!!!) We are sad to see them go and hope the rest of their adventure is abundantly blessed!!
I went by myself this morning so I could spend some time at the Jungle Internet (Calle 215, by the flea market). Finally, Internet that is mostly reliable. Immersed myself for hours in typing out the blog pages we've already written. Oh well, I won't keep complaining about ee pad issues-it's a great little piece of equipment but doesn't suit the purposes we thought it would....Michael and the kids came in by later bus-I begged for one more hour! Feels like a huge load off my shoulders to get this onto the blog.
Michael and the kids went off shopping for new bike locks (we lost them the other night at the Concrete Jungle), a few more groceries-you have to replenish often when you shop by bicycle- and a BLANKET!! Ah, the little things...maybe now we will sleep!
At this point we were all starving so went to the Flip Flop Diner for "burgers"-wouldn't order that, if I were you...neat place though, we will go back, just order something a little more "authentic"...
I went back to the Jungle Internet for an hour while Michael and the kids went to DeeLite gellato parlour-Yum! Home-made Italian icecream and yogurts! This place is always packed, and that speaks for itself!
Back at the bus terminal, Mikaira called from Canada. We got to talk to Cadence, our granddaughter, who is house sitting for us with her parents. Cadence likes "Grandma's potty" and uses it most of the time. We all know she is capable-shades of her mother's "rebellion" at the same age...Her little sister, Aria, has cut her first tooth! How wonderful to talk to them! Miss you guys!
We zoomed home on the 4:15 bus (I call it the 4:30 bus and plan accordingly, haven't missed it yet...) to meet Doug and Sybille and their girls for appetizers before going for supper at Pura Gula Restaurante (the one we love so much). We raced home to change and grab our flashlights.Gabriel stopped to watch, in awe, as an entire league of army ants paraded by- they stretched on for about 3 metres! We, of course, warned him to be careful not to get too close,as little platoons broke away and simulaneously attacked Allie's, Michael's and my sandaled feet, leaving his face, which was pretty close, completely intact. It was an incredible sight to behold-next time we could take Gabriel's lead and wear runners.
We had a beutiful time at our Canadian friends with appetiizers, candlelight, windows opened to the beautiful jungle foliage and good conversation before going to the restaurante. We call it the "star" restaurante in honour of the Ikea lights hanging from the rafters.
Having recommended this restaurant for it's early menu which we have eaten-good and reasonably priced, about 6000 colones per meal-we were surprised to find the after 6 menu much expanded-very gourmet-but with a heftier price tag attached. The Pura Gula ("pure gluttony") is owned by a fellow from Argentina (who has a new baby girl, three weeks old!) and a fellow from Spain. WOW!! They can cook! Doug, Sybille, and Allie ordered the beef tenderloin. Sarah and Rebecca shared the Gnocchi and Gabriel shared with everyone. There were a number of flambe'd items on the menu, and since none of the kids had seen this done, I ordered it and we were all invited to the kitchen when it was time!
What a lovely meal and a lovely time with truly wonderful people!!! (who, by the way, picked up the tab-unnecessary but greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!!!) We are sad to see them go and hope the rest of their adventure is abundantly blessed!!
mmm sounds so good, oh the greatness of well cooked food! :) And yes beware of the burgers! lol they do not make them the same in that part of the world. When in Bolivia I had one there... it was huge and bulky, the sauces didn't really go and it fell apart every time u tried to eat it :) oh well at least they tried :)
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