OUR RETIRED ADVENTURE
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qUEREMOS VIVIR AL SOL
KSha
Costa Rica is amazing! Beauty abounds.
Panama is "home" for now. Loving life!
South America is next! Columbia here we come.
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Today is our last Sunday in Costa Rica...for a bit. I find it hard to believe that we have spent 76 days here already; and yet it seems like a short lifetime. We woke to a sunny day and took another "adventure walk" into the hills and neighborhoods around town...an hour and half walk with a quick stop at the store for a few things to get us through the last week. Typical day and then to the pool...lunch and then had to check out NFL RedZone with homemade pizza and our season finale of La Casa del Dragon. It will be hard to be in the States; even for a couple of weeks. The green season is hanging in there, even though the temp is getting warmer and the rain is not as frequent...although it still comes down like gang busters... Then when we thought it might be done.. This past week was a lot of fun; lost my cribbage lead, went out to dinner a bunch of times, had an anniversary, and a few other stuff happened. Got to give NGG her props as she got the pelican diving on tape (which I failed to do), found a new beach bird, and videoed the bald guy at karaoke night (not available for the general public).  Last Monday was your typical Costa Rican day with a beach walk, pool, afternoon rain, a little cribbage and a pizza dinner. Tuesday, we took an adventure walk around the hills and neighborhoods of town, spent a nice time at the pool with our friends Norm and Karen and met some new owners that have come into the complex. We then walked into town to watch the sunset at El Ancla, a beach bar at the end of the main road of town and went to Coconutz for "Taco Tuesday" and karaoke with Lucie, Melanie and Janeen.
 Wednesday was a special day as we celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary.  Wowser!!!! That was then...this is now.  We started out the day with homemade bagels that Norm spent half the morning making. We joined him and Karen downstairs for the freshly made treats and coffee; as well as being joined by the complex's main staff members Tony and Carlos. We all enjoyed the bagels and coffee, as well as working on our espanol with our wonderful property caretakers (these two guys are always working on something and making the place look great every day). After another great afternoon at the pool, we met back up with Norm and Karen to go to Father Rooster, a beach bar/restaurant near Ocotal, a few miles to our south. Live music, a cool sunset and great companions made for a wonderful anniversary evening! Thursday we had a lazy morning, then hit the pool and I went for a walk on the beach. We again walked downtown (takes us about 10-11 minutes to get there) to watch the sunset, and about the time we arrived at the beach, the rain clouds came in and we had to take cover under some trees for a bit-- then head into El Ancla for cover from the down pour. After the rain stopped, we walk into town (200 meters) to Zi's for dinner. (that's one of my favorites, seafood soup!)  Friday, we were back to walking on the beach, hitting the pool--I even took a second walk on the beach, and walking into town for dinner. We went to Il Gusto, an Italian restaurant in town that was hidden back off the main road. Some wine and homemade pasta made for a great dining experience.
 We took a cab home ($2) and then took a beer down to the pool to cool off before hitting the hay. The Saturday routine was followed by dinner at Mar Azul, a highly touted seafood restaurant that had been closed for remodeling for the past month. We walked through the Las Palmas area (on the way to Cacique Hill-if you remember that) and arrived about 15 minutes later. Complimentary pumpkin soup started us off; and Sha had the lobster sandwich and I had a whole blackened red snapper...yum!
We again finished off the night at the pool looking at all the stars jumping out of the clear sky (for a change); with lightening flashing out over the ocean! During the week, one of the large trees by the second pool in the complex...fell down! No, really. Well, it may be our last communication from Costa Rica on this trip...we've had a great time and will continue to enjoy the beauty and wonderful people here for another week. We will look forward to seeing family and friends for the two weeks we will be back in Illinois. Then we will be off to check out Panama until the middle of February. Recap and preview to come from Chicago soon. Until then...
Pura Vida!
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Well, everything is green for a reason! We've (mainly me) found a need to change our daily routines due to the considerably more rain that has been falling lately. With the sun rising at about 5:30 AM; Sha is still up and ready around 6ish... but the slumberer cannot afford to hit the snooze button anymore if we are to have some time at the pool. Coffee and tea can't afford to be lingered over for a slow easy morning--the morning walk needs to be addressed in a timely manner. If the sun is shining, we are off on our walk, usually an hour after the day has been greeted. Last week Tuesday we walked around the Las Palmas neighborhood near us, that I've mentioned before. The neighborhood has individual condo unit groups with their own pools and areas. We saw a condo in one of these areas for sale online and made a special side trip to walk by it and take a look at the outside. We really liked the look of it and inquired at the realty office after the walk--but it was not for sale...(listing hadn't been updated I guess). We were able to get some pool time before lunch and chatted with Norm and Karen; as well as a little afternoon pool time before the rain clouds came in. Afternoon cribbage was on as the rain came down in earnest. Sha made a lovely spaghetti dinner for us that night. We were on the beach early Wednesday morning for the hour, ten minute walk to the south end of our beach. The pelicans diving into the water for their breakfast is always entertaining to watch (I tried to get a video...but it's harder than I thought to pick the right time and keep them in the shot!). The pool came after a quick breakfast and a couple hours later lunch was followed by a couple of rain showers. Wednesday night at the Palms, a hotel just off the main road in "downtown" Coco, is Trivia night. Norm and Karen had gone last week and had a wonderful time and were going again and invited us to join them. We joined Karen's brother Martin and partner Cody, and two new friends that Martin scuba dives with for our team of 8. Sha and I shared a Cobb salad and a BLAT...bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato sandwich, both of them delicious! We did our best and came in in second place, winning a $10 certificate that we used to have a celebratory shot before heading home.  Thursday we "didn't have time" for a walk and headed straight for the pool at about 9AM. An hour and a half later we came up to the condo to watch the J6 hearing on TV. Afternoon rain showers activated the CRCT, followed by a quiet dinner and a relaxing evening. Friday morning appeared as if it would be raining soon, so our walk was cancelled and we enjoyed lingering over coffee and tea and a nice breakfast. Not long after breakfast the skies cleared up a bit so we headed for the pool to enjoy the sun while it was out. An hour later we were back upstairs as the clouds came back. We had made plans to go to one of our favorite places for dinner tonight, the Buzzed Monkey, because they were closing for two weeks and we wouldn't get another chance to go before we had to go back to the States. [You may have noticed I didn't say "home" here.] As with many places at this time of year, they close before the "high season" starts in November to remodel or take a break before the tourists and snowbirds arrive; November is the "end" of the Green season (rainy season). Per standard operating procedure, the cribbage board came along to the Buzzed Monkey and NGG took 3 out of five games, despite my best efforts. The tally after 100 cribbage games is BB-51, NGG-49. Sha celebrated her come back and had the nachos and I got the last order of smoked ribs! We made it home again before the evening rains began. Gonna miss the Buzzed...  NGG was back in true form as she spotted howler monkeys in the trees just off the beach Saturday morning as we were starting our walk!
The early morning moon was pretty cool as well!   We even encountered a new bird we hadn't seen before on the beach as well. We didn't get a chance to go to the pool on Saturday as the clouds packed in and the rains started before anyone could even lotion up. The "techno genius" found us the good college football games to watch on YouTube, so we had an at home day with leftover spaghetti for dinner. NGG needed a different adventure for our Sunday morning walk, so we headed back into the hills and neighborhoods southeast of town. We even got to do a little "jungle" hiking along the way!     As Sha was making lunch, an iguana was climbing up the tree outside our kitchen window to take a peek.  Our lunch was worth taking a peek at...cheese quesadillas with jalapeno peppers (me only) and black bean soup with onions, cheese and avocado!  Rain was on and off most of the afternoon and evening as we watched NFL RedZone (in english again!), had homemade chili for dinner and caught episode 9 of La Casa del Dragon to end our weekend.
Didn't want you to forget we are just across the street from the beach! Food for thought...if Fred gets this guy, he'll be set for awhile!
We are under two weeks for our return...and no one here is happy about that!
We heard the first official snowfall at O'hare happened...crap, and I don't have a thing to wear. Pura Vida! As I begin this episode it's pouring...and a bit earlier we walked to the store for supplies and had to stop under some trees for about 20 minutes to keep from getting soaked prior to reaching the store. Had to send a shout out to the U.S. last Tuesday for Mrs. Lowe's birthday, Nancy that is;...29 or so as I recall! We still needed to "rest" the toe according to CB's instructions, but enjoyed another gorgeous day at our pool. We later met up with Lucie, and her golf cart for the short ride into town with Janeen and settled in at Coconutz Bar for karaoke night. I cannot confirm nor deny that the blog boy sang a song to his beautiful bride--although there may be evidence if one knows where to look. CB still had the toe locked down on Wednesday to ensure BB didn't get an infection, so damn, had to go to the pool again. I do enjoy the scenery!
 Our wonderful friends on the first floor, Norm and Karen, had graciously invited us to ride with them to see a condo development in the valley southeast of town. We also went to see the Lookout, a restaurant on the top floor of a hotel at the top of a hill nearby to the condo.  Restaurant was closed, but here's a look through the back door to the bay.
This is the walk up to the back door of the Lookout. Norm on the left, Karen and Sha on the right. I was in the middle and took a shot down to Norm and up to the girls. We came home and played 3 games of cribbage with Sha taking 2 out of 3. We were a little low on options at home for dinner so we walk 400 meters to the north of our condo to eat at Sabor a Mexico and ate outside. We split what could be one of the biggest burritos either of us has seen!
 Came back from the burrito adventure and readied the cards for Shanghai with Lucie and a new friend staying near her named Melanie. We taught Melanie the game and had a fun evening playing. Thursday had good news for BB as CB cleared him off of the DL/IR; so we took the toe for a walk on the beach. Not to worry, there was plenty of protection for the injured digit that involved antibiotic cream, a bandage, saran wrap and duct tape. You may notice the aforementioned digit in the left photo of the cool pink clam we found while walking.
We then spent a wonderful afternoon at the pool with Norm and Karen having an engaging conversation in the sun. Afternoon cribbage saw BB rebound taking 2 of 2 games. The late afternoon sky over the ocean looked primed for a nice sunset, so we grabbed a drink and walked down to the beach. NGG's phone seems to yank the colors out of the sky...what do you think? (16 pics in the slideshow) After enjoying the beautiful sunset, we walked back to our favorite Italian restaurant and had some pizza and wine for dinner. Friday saw the BB taking a day off on the couch for a movie day (it was cloudy in the morning and I thought it would rain). Sha was the only one moving that day as she walked on the beach alone and was on the balcony checking out the frequent rains during the day. Sha was able to find the Nebraska game on YouTube, so we were able to see the 5:30 PM game against Indiana and Mickey's second win! Saturday, we walked to the south end of the beach and then had about an hour at the pool before the clouds came in. We decided to hit the Buzzed Monkey for some cribbage and see the afternoon college games. There was a colassol power shift in the CRCT as the "cribbage gods" were looking favorably on BB this day. The day's tally came in at 6 to 1 games for the BB. For the first time since August, BB has regained the lead with the overall score being BB-45, NGG-43. We ate there as well with Sha having the Royale burger with grilled onions and cheese, and I had a pile of smoked ribs that were so fantastic I forgot to take a pic. We got home from the Buzzed Monkey about a half hour before the rain started to come down (about 7 PM). Movie night ended with the rain still coming down. 
I was hard to beat on Saturday getting a crib having 4 aces, and hands with a double, double run for 24! It rained all night and was still raining when we got up Sunday morning. A breakfast of fried potatoes and eggs, and it was still raining. We tuned into NFL Redzone and would you believe that we had the english version back this week! And it was still raining! Episode 8 of La Casa del Dragone and Sunday night football ended our weekend with the rain finally letting up! Before I leave you, I have to share a pic of my balcony friend who has been in the same spot since the day we arrived. Rain or shine he is there, on the same palm branch and makes his web in the same spot. NGG, (of course!) spotted him in the afternoon sunlight while we were playing cribbage.    He's almost too cool to give him a name! I'm mulling over Fred; but not sure if it fits...
We hope you all are well! Pura Vida! As September slides away and we welcome October into Costa Rica; it was hard to hear one morning last week that there was a frost advisory for one of the evenings on the WGN news. We, like many of you I'm sure, were glued to the TV and watched hurricane Ian tear through Florida and leave such devastation behind. T & Ps... Our weather here has been very nice and consistent, with highs around 28-29 degrees Celsius (83-85 F) and sunny for a good portion of most days. We enjoyed morning walks on the beach for most days last week; but detoured one morning into the next door neighborhood where our friend Lucie is buying a place to walk the rolling hills and look at the houses. We also did a double walk to town one morning to restock our supplies and take advantage of the sales that were at all of our stores we like. Our wonderful pool was the next order of our daily routine to float and enjoy the warm sunshine before we break for lunch. If the clouds (or rain) don't come in, we headed back to the pool to work on the tan lines. Sha made some great home-cooked meals since we last talked; including tacos, burgers (I grilled those) and spaghetti that was awesome! Thursday night we went around the corner to the Garden Bar to hear some live music with the Gringo Garage Band. The band had one gringo and three other musicians from Nicaragua (and these guys were really good!). The Nicaraguans send money home to their families and maybe get to see them every month or so. The "gringo" also told everyone that none of them speak English, but they memorized the words to all the songs they sing...pretty amazing listening to them after hearing that!  I'll share my "dance party" from that night; although the audio may not reflect the great sound this band had. Sha's dance party video is too long to send to the computer...just WhatsApp me and I can show you! Friday night we went back to our favorite Italian restaurant, La Dolce Vita, for another amazing home-made pasta dinner. Saturday evening the Huskers' homecoming game was on versus Indiana; so we headed over to the Buzzed Monkey to catch the game. Pregame saw the CRCT renewed where my comeback was stalled as we each won two games before we had some dinner.  Getting ready for the game!
It's hard to beat her when she keeps getting hands like this! So I have to work hard to keep pace! The Huskers grabbed the win 35-21, giving interim head coach Mickey Jones his first victory! Happiness in Huskerland!! Sunday was a pool day, mainly for Sha, as I watch NFL Redzone which, for some reason this week came in with Spanish commentators on the show. By late afternoon I joined Sha and our downstairs neighbors Norm & Karen, along with Norm's brother Adam and Karen's brother Martin and his partner Cody for cocktails at the pool. Later, during the conversation, I adamantly made a point and jabbed my toe under a lounge chair in front of me and cut my big toe requiring Cody (an ex nurse) to tend to my bleeding appendage. All is good, but I was put on the DL for Monday's morning walk. Later that night we enjoyed a great stroganoff dinner Sha put together! I'll share the sunset from our balcony since I couldn't make it to the beach with my bad toe...
Today is laundry day and without a walk we were at the pool by 10 AM. The sun was out all day so we were back after lunch. Chatted with Norm and another neighbor Janeen before heading upstairs to ready the marinating chicken for dinner. Had to pause the writing to enjoy a great dinner of BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes and corn! Just like home...if we had one.
Hope you all are well! Pura Vida! |
Kevin & Sharon SeibelBeginning our next big adventure! Archives
December 2023
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