2014 - Day 21 - Third USA Trip - Costa Rica

We woke up today to see our Prime Minister being ridiculed on the satellite US NEWS.  We might be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean however one of the NEWS channels that broadcast on the boat headlined with Tony Abbott having problems trying to do a three-way arm/hand connection with 2 others at the G20 summit.  How embarrassing. Not so much with what Tony did, but with how America is presenting Australians. 

Just while I am at it, I want to make mention of something that is in our bathroom here.  We have a shower over a bathtub in our stateroom.  It is small but adequate.  I am confused by something in it however.  Like all showers it has a shower rose, and like all bath tubs it has a faucet/tap.  But unlike anything I have seen before, it has a third option for running water and it is through a pointy prong thing.  I haven’t the faintest idea what it’s for so can only presume it’s for DIY colonic irrigations.  The mention of politics just reminded me of other things that give people the shits therefore reminding me of the prong.   If anyone has any other ideas I sure would be glad to hear them because I can’t take my damned eyes of the thing. *insert puzzled look here*

We docked this morning at Puntarenas, Costa Rica and fortunately it looked to be a lot better that Nicaragua yesterday.  The beaches were lined with gorgeous coconut palms and reasonably clean sand.  It was darker than we have at home however given that we are in a highly active volcanic region of the world the sand is a little different.  I knew my day was going to be a little better than yesterday when it started with one of the locals saying I looked as “good as candy”.  This may have meant he was partial to gobstoppers but I don’t care.  I was quite thrilled with the reference.

We were dreading going on our chosen tour after yesterdays mess however were surprised to find this a little more organised and with the coaches clean, smelling nice, and without water pouring from anywhere.  Our tour guide, Maria, was very fluent in English and I marvelled at how she swung from Spanish to English without hesitation.  I have picked up a few words since travelling through these countries however what little vocabulary I have just would lead the locals to thinking I was polite.  Those who know me know better! Si?

Like Nicaragua, Costa Rica is a poor country although is in better shape due to pure and utter commitment.  Its ethics should have Australia hanging its head in shame.    They work to earn every cent they have.  You don’t work, you don’t eat.  Education is placed above everything.  If you score above 90% in your final exams you get a free…..yes FREE…pass to University where you don’t have to pay a cent.  They believe that this is incentive to try hard at school and make something of yourself.  They do not have an army as they do not believe in war.  If there is something to be fought over, they prefer to settle it over a cup of coffee.  Your taxes go into preserving the environment, saving endangered species and keeping the place clean.  I could go on and on but it just depresses me about Australia.  Their motto is “Pura Vida” which means Pure Life.  Hats off to them.

In Costa Rica we chose to visit a Macaw Sanctuary where they are preserving this precious species and trying to reproduce the ones that are down to critical levels.  These gorgeous birds come in many brilliant colours.  You cannot touch the birds, photograph them with flashes, touch the cages (although several old farts did their level best to ignore ALL of the rules), or even talk to the birds (this drove the Bear absolutely mental).  There were multiple sorts of monkeys (in addition to the Bear) and a couple of “Tapir” which would have to be one of the most bizarre looking animals (besides myself) that I have ever seen.  I was privileged enough to be allowed to feed one a carrot as I had no trace of insect repellent or sunscreen (yeah I know….naughty) on my skin.    This beautiful sanctuary is up in the hills behind Puntarenas in a landscape that was very similar to that of Cairns.  We loved it. 

The people of Costa Rica were beautiful.  I would definitely visit there again.

Back on board the ship we had to pass through security as we do every time we leave.  Each port is a different country and although we don’t get our passports stamped (this sucks!) we still have to go through the usual protocol when departing.   We also have to have our ship card barcode registered with a machine as that tells the Captain when all are on board.  The machine makes a zip and a beep with each card it scans.  Imagine the fun we have, lined up single file (if you don’t include the many old folk, trying to overtake and merge illegally as though we are on the Warrego) with the same old folk imitating the noises of the machine.  *rolls eyes* I mean GROW UP PEOPLE!!!

We still haven’t been for a swim on the ship.  At first this was because I was self conscious of myself in my togs.  That flew out the window when I saw the first bearded clam with teeth, hanging from an old dears bathers and the matted hair on her husbands back.  Road kill was a prettier sight. We are at sea all day again tomorrow, on route to the Panama Canal the following day, so perhaps we might try to get up on deck whilst the oldies are still having their morning prunes.  By the smell of it, there is enough chlorine to kill off most bacteria in everyone’s wrinkly bits so we might see if tomorrow is ago. 

I am desperately looking out to sea every day asking “Are we there yet?”  I know that we are very blessed to be where we are, and most of my comments are tongue in cheek….but I am really missing my bed, my kids and especially my dogs on this trip….although with each day, my big operation is getting closer.  Shit.  There is just no pleasing me eh?! Si!