Limerence Update #25
Costa Rica--Marina Retreat
Gulf of Nicoya 9º 39’N – 84º 39’W Air temperature 88º – Humidity 85%
May 28, 2001
We have been docked in the Los Sueños Marina, Herradura, in the Gulf
of Nicoya - for over three weeks. It is the finest Marina in Central America. The Marina is adjacent to a five star Marriott
Hotel and golf course, surrounded by many beautiful villas, condos, and private homes. The
Los Sueños Marina opened several months ago and offers many services to yachts. We have
contracted for a slip for a minimum of three months, and rented a car long-term. The
nearby town of Jaco, is a funky surfing resort that is in contrast to upscale Herradura.
Jaco has become famous for international surfing contests. The beach is definitely not a
family swimming beach – the surf is huge and riptides abound.
Linda and Roy Longworth
Earlier this month our friends from Milwaukee/Florida/Michigan, Roy
and Linda Longworth visited us. We explored the area around Herradura and took a memorable
trip to the Arenal Volcano. It is one of the
most active volcanoes in the world. It erupts constantly . . . day after day. We drove
five hours northwest to the town of Fortuna, and stayed the night at the tropical Tabacon
Resort at the foot of the Volcano. The resort features beautiful natural pools of
thermo-mineral water in a lush tropical garden setting. We tiptoed from hot pool, to water
cascade, to another hot pool, until we were wrinkled and pink. It is a unique experience
to soak in a natural hot tub, while watching a volcano belch and spew a few miles away.
The show becomes more spectacular at night when you can see the glowing red-hot rocks and
lava cascading down the mountain, and see the sparks shooting from the top like fireworks.
Arenal Volcano at Night
Driving west from Fortuna, we took a rugged national park road
in the primary forest toward the small town of Tilaran. We passed a dam that marks the
beginning of a man-made lake called Laguna de Arenal. There are many lodges, shops, and
small restaurants dotting the lakeshore, with splendid views of the volcano at every turn.
The lake was formed in 1973 and supplies water and hydroelectricity for the region.
This country is very environmentally friendly, and we observed huge
wind generators dotting the hillside around the lake.
Because the winds are so strong – especially in the winter – The
Laguna de Arenal has become a world-class windsurfing lake.
Toad Hall Shop
We are amazed at the diversity of Costa Rica. As we travel around
this small country the topography changes within a few miles. There are volcanic mountain
ranges, dry forests, lush tropical forests and cloud forests, pasture land, and beaches.
One moment you feel like you are in the mountains of Switzerland, and the next moment, the
tropical jungles of Brazil. Everywhere are unique birds, animals, reptiles, and insects. We have even observed families of monkeys in the
trees hanging over the two-lane PanAmerican highway.
Black Howler Monkey
Our time here is not all play. Many tourists we meet exclaim that is
must be great to “be on vacation all the time”. What a misconception! We have regular boat maintenance jobs, and special
jobs like replacing the water pump on the engine, installing a new hatch window over the
v-berth, toilet pump repair, fixing the dinghy engine, and many little jobs that pile up
daily. We go to the Laundromat every other day with a bag of damp towels and clothes,
grocery shop every few days because our fridge is tiny, and make frequent stops at the
small hardware store. It has been a real pleasure to be at a dock making all these tasks
just a bit easier. We really love the cruising life and many of the things we have done
and seen would never have occurred on a regular vacation.
We plan to leave Limerence and go to San Diego for a week, then onto
Washington DC to the Energy Efficiency Forum on June 13th. Johnson Controls is throwing a retirement dinner
for Doug to celebrate his 40 years with JCI. We will return to Costa Rica in time to host
a visit from son, Jake, late in June.
We appreciate the positive comments many of you have made about these
newsletters, and encourage you to sign our guestbook on the website. We enjoy the
communication from friends and interested cruisers . . . If you would like to visit Costa
Rica, we will be happy to provide information on hotels, tours, and offer our opinions to
you! This time of year is considered “winter”, the green season, and prices are
lower. The weather is warm and sunny every morning, then it rains for several hours in the
afternoon.
Fair winds friends, Captain Doug and Judy
PS. How about those Milwaukee Bucks?
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