Previous page
...
When I had seen enough, I returned to the car and headed for Punto Moreno. I still hadn't decided whether to take the ferry from here, across the estuary, or to take the one at the mouth of Golfo de Nicoya. Seeing the other side so close helped me decide to continue on to Playa Naranjo (not the same one). From there I would take a ferry to Puntarenas and east to La Guacima.
...
..
The trip south was uneventful. I passed through a few small towns and lots of agricultural areas. Clouds were building for an afternoon shower. About 10 miles from Playa Naranjo, I spotted a troupe of howler monkeys lounging in a dead tree near the side of the road. I stopped for photos, trying out my telephoto lens for the first time. Only two dominant males paid me much attention. They made the usual howler monkey noise which I answered back sufficiently well enough to get a reaction and continued dialogue as I took pictures. They are a bit soft but you will easily recognize them as monkeys.
...
.
..
The road met up with the coast and followed it for a couple of miles until it came to an end at the ferry pier. The rusting boat laying in the bay was at first a concern. Since it wasn't a ferry I figured all would go well. I had an hour to kill before the ferry arrived so I parked my car in line and wandered around looking at shops, cafes and people on the beach. My timing was good. With luck I would have a nice sunset over the water.
..
..
As it turned out, the clouds were too heavy for a spectacular sunset but riding across the gulf on the upper deck was nice. There were about eight of us who preferred the wind and light sprinkle to the crowded room with televisions blaring below. I watched a group of frigate birds following a fishing boat headed home. One broke from the group to join us for a while. While she was hovering above us I was able to get a few shots. It was nearly dark when we docked in Puntarenas.
..
.
I drove the beachfront road twice looking for a hotel and a place to eat. I saw some of each but none called to me. Even though it was getting late, I decided to get further down the road, into familiar territory. I knew a restaurant on the highway just west of San Ramon from my evening there with Sergio and Viviana.
.
After enjoying a broiled fish dinner, I looked for a hotel in San Ramon. A billboard on the highway directed me to Hotel La Posada, a bed and breakfast that couldn't have been nicer. With the late hour, only a night clerk was up. She showed me to a very nice room that could sleep and bathe six people.
.

Cattaleya skinneri

 In the morning I had my choice of three breakfasts; Typical, American and Continental. Because I had eaten a large meal not long ago, I just had fruit and coffee. Other guests also gathered and it seemed we all enjoyed the ambiance of the dining room and the classical music. Terrific—and for only fifteen bucks!
.
On the way out of town I took a few shots of the church I had seen many times before. I tried to count in my mind the number of times I had been in San Ramon during these months but couldn't come up with a firm number. For sure I was here more times than in any other community except La Guacima.
.
I still had a few gifts to buy so pointed the car to Sarchi, an artisan community. I got lost trying to get through Grecia. The road just didn't feel right but since it was taking me to a higher elevation overlooking the Valle Central, I really didn't mind. These photos show the west end of the valley. Eventually I ended up in Sarchi and quickly found what I was looking for.
.
From here it was a bee-line back to the airport. I had just enough time to wait an hour for a very good car wash, gas up and get the car returned by noon. All went smoothly with returning the car. A cab was called and I arrived just in time to join Joris for a late lunch Lola had prepared. Joris and I discussed our plans to go blacklighting that afternoon so without much delay, I got to unpacking and preparing to leave again in two hours.

It had been a whirlwind trip but it was good. I had traveled 932 kilometers, most of which was through country I had not previously seen. I met some interesting characters, saw some terrific plants and animals and I took 750 pictures to help me remember it all. Whew!
..
..