Santa Ana, San José Province, Costa Ricaa long way home via Santa Ana and Seattle
A long Drive
towards the Central Island
today we have one of
the longest drives ahead of us with over 200 km back towards San
Jose. As always we get up a bit before 7 am (here in the tropics the
days always start early)... and then we are on the road by 8 am. Paul
is still not one-hundred percent, so it will be a long day. And with
the Highway being built most of it was a normal road with a lot and
lot of trucks.
And the perfect day
to drive back and being the last day: it was overcast and slightly
rainy.
Braulio Carillo NP:
interestingly the Hwy goes right through the NP, near the road all
you can see is green rainforest. At one time on the other side of the
road (lucky for us) a car broke down and with the single lanes, the
traffic was backed up forever (really if they wait until there is no
cars from out side coming they will wait forever). A few times we
could get a glimpse on the mountains – and then once you go over
them you will enter the dry and sunny Central Valley.
the Cemetery of
San Jose
we nearly drive by,
so Gine who loves to go on Cemeteries said we should stop there –
driving around the block we didn’t really discovered parking, but
then when we already thought there is none, we saw one – Paul still
tired decided to wait in the car – so Gine went by herself to
explore. That is when she discovered that there are actually two of
them side by side (and they are not connected):
Cementerio de
Obreros: the entrance was right where we parked – so going in, it
was a typical Costa Rican: all above the ground graves covered in
tiles with nice mountain background.
Cementerio General:
right after coming in, Gine got told that she is not allowed to take
pictures of the plague – only of the monuments. There is no
question this cemetery has some amazing tombs. In one section each
grave had a huge angel on top.
at the Yoga and
horse farm in Santa Ana
our last airbnb is
in Santa Ana – a short drive from the airport. What we really liked
was the amazing view of the Central Valley and San Jose and the huge
pool – so now it would have been perfect if we are nice and healthy
and totally could enjoy it. Also the horses are super nice...
only downside: as
cute as those little walkways around the property are – they are
not really suitcase wheel friendly – that means a lot of walking up
and down the hill and carrying everything, since we have to do the
final packing!!! our little apartment was cute with kitchen and I
think one of the most comfortable beds we had: Paul enjoyed it a lot
– because after 4.5 hour driving and not feeling well he needed a
Siesta. For a break we decided to drive to the amfitheatre for ice
cream: ok this is a really weird place with italian figures and
fountains all alongside the mountain, since we didn’t go in and
check it out (Paul was too tired) – we had an expensive boring
icecream: guess we are both not that fit if only 5 Minutes away is
the Pops with better and cheaper icecream!!!!
Back Gine packs and
Paul sleeps, we relaxed at the pool and for supper we had some warmed
up pastries so that we don’t have to go out again. Guess it is time
to go home!!!
excitement at the
last minute
after all the suitcases are packed and in the car Paul says where is
my phone? Gine said when did you use it – Paul: I’m to tired I
guess I left it in the shorts. Ok we checked everywhere in the room
it is not there so it must be in the suitcase. We dropped off the car
and during Paul does the inspections Gine checks and no phone in the
shorts. So where is the phone? We had it to call Chaca before we came
to the finca? As soon as we were in the airport – checked in, when
through the going-out immigration – and check in: Gine texted Chaca
and already the message is there you forgot a phone.
Chaca organized an Uber driver – Paul took Gine’s phone to be
into the conversation – Gine took the Acer: Chaca checked with the
Uberdriver and us – Paul was not able to go back out – after
talking to a lot of people someone brought him to the United Airlines
check-in: and then a police guy called the Uber driver and see there
an hour later we had the phone back!!! Thanks to Chaca and a lot of
messages!!
Flying over
Belize
We left San Jose and
flying out of the Central Valley – and then it was kind of boring
until Paul said: looks like we fly over Belize maybe that should be
over next vacation let’s have a look: and yes this was amazing we
had some breathtaking views on the coral reefs and islands of Belize,
this is definitely on our list as a go to place: next winter???? We
recognized Merida and Progresso in Mexico (yes been there done that)
and then we fly into Houston. American Custom – buying a sandwich
and we are back in the next plane: did I mention we were both flights
super lucky that we had a 3-seater for only us – but the downside
was both flights were super bumpy!!!
Will they let us
back to Canada??
and we arrive back
in the winter – got picked up and all we did was, fall into bed.
Next morning we go up early: stop at McDonald for a wake-up coffee
and then drive for an hour to enjoy supper yummy IHOP breakfast –
that will keep us full the whole day!!
Now the big question
will be: will they give us trouble at the border, because the
permanent residence card is expired? When we were at the San Jose
airport the guy at the check-in said you card is expired – I said:
yes that’s why we fly into the US and he says in that case it is
not a problem.
The Border guy took
the passports and the permanent residence card: and had only one
question: did you already apply for a new one? Gine: yes in
September. And the Border guy says: they are very slow and there are
too many immigrants, it always takes forever that’s why I don’t
work there. And then we got waved through and are happy back in
Canada a little bit after 12 pm.
the Ferry is
full!!
one in Canada Gine
checked to make sure at what time the ferry leaves and it says: Ferry
is 98% full and we still have 30 Minutes to drive.... Paul said you
are sure you checked the right ferry so Gine checked again and this
time it says: Ferry full and cars waiting!!! great – guess we can
only hope that they do a great job in loading and we can squeeze in,
otherwise we will sit around the ferry station and will have a super
long day. At the ferry station it says “Nanaimo possible wait”
and lucky for us, 15 Minutes later we are driving on the ferry...
finally we are on the way home. But then we push the coffee over
Paul’s pants: that means we should go to bed early today!!
Travel Day 3 is
over and we are tired
finally we arrive in
the Comox Valley – stop at Superstore – home and we nearly get
stuck in the snow when Paul tries to drive up the driveway!!
PURA VIDA =
pure life
they
say Costa Rica is the happiest place on earth and you can find
yourself in nature.
We
had an amazing vacation – met wonderful people... it was pura vida
2025-05-23