To travel that distance in Canada, it would have taken about 2-3 hours. It took us 8, if I remember correctly (we stopped for lunch, but still...). However, we saw a lot and got a chance to visit with one another. It took so long because the roads were often narrow and curvy and demanded a slow speed.
I chose to stay on the Osa because I wanted to be in a place that was not all built up and touristy, and we got exactly that on the Osa. It is in a remote area in the far south of Costa Rica that is largely a nature preserve and therefore, pretty much untouched. It is covered in rainforest and surrounded by warm water and lovely beaches and is one of the most biologically dense places on earth.
We rented a house (http://www.costaricaosahome.com/costa-rica-osa-peninsula-sombra/home-rental.php) which was in the jungle as opposed to a place on the beach because I read in several places that, on the Osa, it was actually cooler in the jungle than on the water. Turns out, that is true. It was a completely fantastic place. The house is completely open except for the bedrooms which had screens on the windows. We kept the doors closed all the time and, that way, no one had to fight bugs, frogs, spiders or (potentially) snakes at bedtime. Otherwise, we were livin' with the jungle creatures in total comfort under a great big roof. We went to bed with the sounds of the jungle in our ears and woke up to the sounds of monkeys as they passed by. I loved it and so did everyone else, or so they said.
Anyhow, when we arrived, Alex took us into the local town, Puerto Jimenez (PJ), where Mike & left the group. Alex took everyone to the house while Mike & I rented a car and stocked up at the local grocery store. Top three items on the list: rum, coke & coffee. With those essentials in the cart, we added things like milk, fruit & vegetables for the kids.
Once done, we left PJ and, armed with rudimentary instructions, tried to find the house. We knew we'd left the highway at the right point (a really nice one, by the way, provided to Costa Rica by China), but then we started to get a bit spooked as the road, which started out as a decent, albeit bumpy, gravel road, turned into a 2 track rocky path that seemed to be climbing & winding its way farther into the jungle than we (or, I, in any event) were prepared for. And it was getting dark. Dark on the Osa is dark. However, we persevered and found ourselves on a property with some housing and, at the end of the road, a lovely house that was to be ours for the next two weeks. This was confirmed when I opened the car door and could hear Sasha & Owen hooting with joy in the pool. Apparently, when they had arrived, it didn't take them long before they were naked & splashing around. We spent the rest of the evening getting settled and figuring out were everything was and just adjusting to being so exposed.
More to come...
On the way to the Osa, we stopped at a resort overlooking the Pacific. Owen got himself into a hammock without an exit strategy and was then forced to beg to be rescued (we relented...eventually).
One of the many bridges we crossed on the Osa. Everyone held their breaths and I even tried to assist my sucking in my stomach. It worked.
Drinks around the pool. Welcome to the jungle.
The front of the house.
Bliss is a swim followed by potato chips.
When you're in the jungle and have your own pool, swimsuits are superfluous.
Had I known, I'd have packed only underwear and swim cover ups for S&O 'cause that's all they wore...when they weren't naked.
0 comments:
Post a Comment