Evening of Saturday, Feb. 3

Francine
Today, Saturday was snorkeling day to a very remote area, north of Golfito. Two of Susan’s staff took us by speed boat along with a couple from Maine, a man from Ohio and a couple from Toronto. At 8 a.m. sharp, we were picked up in an old beat up jeep (with Vermont plates inside) and driven to the dock area. Then after some quick introductions, off we went for a super boat ride, past Golfito, to a place unknown. We were told there were no roads leading there. Of course, many wealthy Americans have set up their humble mansions here. To our delight, we spotted about four wild dolphins and stopped for a few minutes, trying to cajole them to come to the boat.. Of course, they’re no fools but curious, moving in a bit to catch a glimpse of us. From a safe distance Then the boys took us to two coral reefs to snorkel. But because of the volcanic ash in the water, it is not as clear as in the Caribbean . But we managed to see some schools of neat looking fish. One of the boys caught a good size yellow fish with a harpoon. He brought it home to his family. Supper.

The water was so warm….with some rare cool currents passing through to refresh us and to remind us how it‘s the opposite at Lake Bernard! On our way back, we spotted two gigantic turtles swimming across the bay, but they dipped in deeper when they saw us approaching. When we came back at about 2 p.m., we ate some of last night’s leftover coconut and papaya rice with chicken. After my snooze, went boogie boarding with Tim and Rosie with the waves rolling high. What fun! Then after a couple of card games, we went to the local hangout called Sol Y Mar for dinner, a few doors down. What a place. The owners are a couple -- she is from Saskatchewan and he from California. Tim had chicken, Rosie had Pasta Carbonara and I had ceviche -- raw fish cooked solely by the lime juice marinade, with coriander, spices and onions -- not cooked at all by heat . Light and tasty. Doesn’t have that fishy taste or smell. Tender and delightful. Now, we’re sitting on the porch, listening to the waves and to the Beatles on this laptop….
(Because the connection to the Internet is a dial-up, it takes forever to load up pix….will wait until we get home or when the connection is stronger since it varies from day to day)

Tim
As Francine mentioned we went for a boat ride to get to where we snorkelled. We rode for about an hour and a quarter. The ocean was calm on the way out but was rougher coming home. I always enjoy snorkelling so today was fun for me.

We stopped a one of the guides houses, it was literally cut out of the bush miles from anywhere. He had 3 dogs a weimereimer, a mutt and a golden that had just had 10 puppies. Of course the girls wanted to adopt one of the goldens.

The restaurant we ate at tonight was right out of a Jimmy Buffet song. All sorts of people who seem to be living here full time or for most of the winter. It will be interesting to find out their stories and what brought them here. A word of advice for anyone ever thinking of coming here, cash is king. Places are reluctant to cash travellers cheques. No debit or credit cards.

It was also cooler today, probably because of some cloud cover, the first we have seen all week. I wore a shirt snorkelling but Francine got a sunburn on her back from snorkelling.

Rosie
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(passed out on the couch)