BACK FROM FLORIDA, RAINY SEASON STARTS, SO MUCH TO DO, PLANS FOR A US RETURN

Susan and John enjoying a glass of wine on the terrace before cooking some burgers

A SHORT TRIP BACK TO THE STATES

Wow!  what was supposed to be a 2 week return to Florida turned into a 4 week fiasco.   It started with Spirit Airlines.  It ended with Blue Cross Medicare Supplement. 

We were heading back on Monday for a Wednesday Doctor appointment.  I was concerned that the Gastrointestinal problems of 9 years ago were returning.  I was concerned and truthfully, a bit frightened.  We spent Sunday night in San Jose so we would be sure not to miss our flight.  About 9 in the morning we got an email from Spirit that our flight was cancelled due to Volcanic Ash in the air.  We were still at the B&B and I immediately got on line and scheduled the same flight for the next day.  Got the reservation.  Went to the airport as we paid for the next flight (which they charged more for) and said we were told on your web site that we could exchange at the same price if the flight was changed or cancelled.  It took several phone calls, but they finally agreed.  WE ALSO NOTICED THAT EVERY OTHER AIRLINE WAS FLYING!  Went back to the B&B for the day.

Next morning, Tuesday, decided to get to the airport very early.  4 hours before flight time.  We had gone on line and all was good,  Arriving plane was on time, flight leaving at noon.  In line with 10 others at 8 AM.  No Spirit people there.  Waited for an hour watching the signs saying all was on time.  Employees showed up at 9 as the signs changed to honor their arrival.  Flight Cancelled.  Volcanic Ash.  Susan stayed in line, I ran to an internet connection to find another flight TODAY!  Fortunately, all the other airlines were flying, but all of the others were a LOT more expensive.  I had a Doc appointment the next morning, so I had to be there.  It took two months to schedule this one. 

Our kids had taken COPA airlines from Chicago, so I checked with them.  They had a flight to Panama City, then a direct flight from Panama City to Tampa.  Arriving about midnight.  It cost about $400 more (for both of us) than Spirit, but we would get back in time. 

COPA is a wonderful Airline.  Seats are bigger, MUCH more leg room, and on both legs of the flight they served food.  They fly throughout Mexico, Central America, South America, to a limited number of destinations in the US and one in Europe.  I think they are the best airline I have flown on in many years. 

End of sales pitch. 

Start of un-sales pitch.  SPIRIT offers nothing in the way of help for cancelled flights other than your money back.  No rebooking, no meal vouchers, no help with rooms.  You are on your own.  I have enough points for a free flight sometime, and will use them, but  NEVER fly I will NEVER fly with SPIRIT again. 

Arrived in FL at midnight.  Turned on my cell phone and read an email from my doctors office.  Blue Cross had refused to pay for my Doctors visit the next morning and they cancelled my appointment.  Next opening was in a week.  Frantic calls to BCBS led to them saying that to see a specialist I had to have a referral from my primary care Doc in MI, not from the GP they had paid for several times in Florida.  Over the next 7 days, I called, Docs called, nurses exchanged, Insurance ruled, but finally they agreed to let me see the specialist.  I called them back and said that this would likely end up with a Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy.  Did I need a separate OK for them?  No, I was told...if we approved the visit, the treatment was also approved.  Saw the Doc.  His next procedure opening was in 2 months, but he agreed it was important, now, so on one of his "procedure days" he agreed to stay late and do it. 

It was at 2 PM, which required me to start the prep work the previous afternoon about 1.  At 4:30 the phone rang...Doc's office...BCBS had just said they would not pay for the procedure...They said I should drive back to MI and have it done there.  I said to hold the appointment, I would call BCBS.  then another call.  The hospital said BCBS would not pay for their end of the procedure.  I called BCBS.  Nope, no payment, but I could appeal and they would have a response in 30 days.  Something is wrong here.  BCBS had a week to let us know this, but the day before, late in the day, after starting drinking the gallon of prep stuff, they decided to cancel everything.  I decided to self pay, and all went well.  Got some new meds.  All biposies were good as well.  Only frustrated.

FLORIDA
It was good to have Amazon as part of our lives again.  We shopped for things for Costa Rica, visited with friends, did some more shopping.  Tried to work with our new realtor in Saugatuck without much success, bought a new camera (7D mark iii).  We never made it to beach a single time in the 4 weeks we were there.  It was hot during the day, but usually pleasant at night.  We just relaxed and tried to catch up with banking, credit cards, some maintenance issues, a few gardening things. 

I forget how special it is to photograph in Florida...Big birds and bright light.  Beautiful and colorful sunsets.  Who can ask for more...well..I miss the volcano and the jungle and the quiet of Costa Rica. 

The quiet.  We both forgot about the sounds of the city.  Boats at all times of night.  Airplanes flying around.  Police sirens.  People talking.  Cars and trucks driving, and starting and stopping.  Traffic everywhere.  Huge stores, filled with people.  Malls.  Enough said.  the first week it was hard to sleep and then hard to stay awake from lack of sleep. 

While in Florida, I only took pictures from in front of our condo...never made it to any of my favorite birding places...here are a few...

 A beautiful Great White Egret reflected in the evening sun

 

 This Wood Stork is feeding on some little creatures in the bay.

 

A Skimmer, skimming...I have tried to get this shot for several years, then one evening, here it is.  This is the only bird with a lower bill substantially longer then the upper, allowing him to fly very close to the water's surface drop his lower bill into the water and scoop out his meal as he flies.

A laughing gull...plentiful this time of year in Florida

 

A black crowned Night Heron, sneaking along the shore line looking for something to eat in the grass

 

 A tern, looking for small fish in the water.  When he sees one, he dives into the water to get it...

A tri-Colored Heron in breeding colors.  The blue is something that attracts the female.

 

 Florida Sunsets are amazing

Storm clouds roll in

It will rain tonight...soon.  The storm approaches from the North

 

RAINY SEASON STARTS IN COSTA RICA
Back in Costa Rica about June 1.  You can tell that the rainy season has started as even around San Jose, things are green.  There has been a drought throughout the country, much like California.  In the Pacific Northwest, there is 95% less rain than normal.  Same in the far southwest.  Around the central valley, about 60% of the normal rainfall.  Same on the south east Caribbean coast.  As you get to the northeast Caribbean coast, they have had about 60% MORE rain than normal and in the central north, where we are, about 95% MORE rain.  It is lush here.  The great news since we got back 2 weeks ago is that the days have been beautiful.  Warm, low wind high clouds and slight overcast.  Temps in the low 80's.  Nighttime is another story...as the sun sets, the rains arrive.  One night, over 2 inches in just 4 hours.  Several other nights over an inch.  Some nights just a slow rain.  But interestingly, by sunrise, it has usually been clear.  We awaken and see the the Volcano, hidden the evening before by rain clouds.  It is good.

Sadly, we expected to return to a completed house.  Not so.  Little was done since we left a month earlier.  The reason???  It seems that Greivin, our construction person, was going boating with some friends.  The truck with the boat behind it parked on a hill first, then Greivin's car behind it a bit.  Greivin was between his car and the back of the boat trailer, when one of his friends disconnected the trailer from the truck.  He did not know Greivin was between, and he could not hold the trailer because of the slope.  It slid back and trapped his lower leg between the two.  Nothing like a month in a cast with strict orders not to put any weight on it.  No Boss, no workers.  No workers, no progress.  No progress, stuck in the same place once again.

Our plan is to rent the house (without the master suite and office) between the 10th of July and the 20th of January.  We have worked out a plan with Charlie and his son to meet and greet visitors. Lillian and her husband Adan (and 3 year old daughter Dianna), will be in charge of the house and grounds while we are gone.  Lillian will clean the house for guests and cook breakfasts.  Adan will be in charge of the grounds.  It is not the main season for rentals, but we hope this is a good way to at least pay our expenses for the Costa Rica house.  We are now listed on Air B&B and will find another place or two to list as well.  We only plan to rent during the time we are not in Costa Rica.

On July 9th when we head back to the states for the Summer, fall and holidays.  John is performing a wedding for the son of a dear friend in Chicago.  John was so honored to be asked.  We will visit Susan's daughter and family for a few days after the ceremony.  Then to Milwaukee for a few days to see Johns family and some friends.  From there to visit to friends in Saugatuck for a week or so, then  to New Jersey to see Susan's brother Ted and his family.  Heading somewhat south again, we hope to see Susan's Aunt (now well into her 90's) on the border between West Virginia and Ohio.  The timing is such that as we continue driving we should be able to stop by the youth track Nationals where Grandson Lewis should be running in 4 different National track races again this year.  And we hope to join Lewis and his family in DC for two days as well.  (Hard to believe, but neither Susan or I have spent any time in DC.)  From there to Mississippi to see Susan's daughter Heidi and her family, and finally, back to Florida by late August. I am exhausted just writing all this down.  We did the trip on Google Maps and it is about 3000 miles, assuming we never drive anywhere while we are visiting. 

But, back to Costa Rica...  Wish I could show you pictures of the completed home, but that is not to be just yet.  Guess the best thing is to simply show you a picture commentary of what has happened at The Home of The White Hawk in the two weeks we have been here.

 The upstairs bedroom is almost completed.  Still a bit of terrace painting and a new floor drain and a screen on the bathroom window.  Then it will be ready!

 We built a web site for AirBnB for fall and early winter rentals.  Thought I would show some updated photos that are on that site.  

The house as seen from the driveway

 The kitchen

 The dining room looks great.  Everyone loves the table and chairs

 Living room with floor to ceiling glass wall and chairs that swivel to either watch TV or look outside

The terrace garden continues to grow and to bloom.   This is the jungle side.  Just outside of the photo are 30 coffee plants, a dozen pineapple plants, a big row of edible Hibiscus, 

hot peppers mango trees grown from seeds, Papaya from seeds, orange trees and more banana trees.

The other side of the terrace garden.  A bit more infant, but lots of potential within the next year.  Some Ginger, Helliconia, eucalyptus, orchids, big flowered hibiscus, bougainvillea and more.

And the ever changing faces of the Volcano. 

All pictures from the Terrace

One of the beautiful things here is the cloud forest.  As the temperature of the air changes, pockets of clouds appear from the jungle floor and move across the landscape.

 

At times they get dense, obliterating everything in sight. 

Then they move on...

Changing the landscape in moments, painting a new canvas soon to be repainted again...

and again...and again

Last night a huge lightning and Rain storm.  Captured this beauty showing 2 ground hits on 

different distant mountain ridges and multiple side bolts as well. 

Of course we have to share some new garden flowers...This one was cut from a small tree along a road.  Someday it will be a beautiful tree that blooms almost year 'round.

The smallest of the large bloom hibiscus.  This bloom is just over 5 inches across

Susan selected this beautiful blue flowering shrub.  It will grow to about 5 feet 

and be covered in blossoms year round

One of our favorite Orchids.  They grow in clumps that grow ever larger, 

often reaching 8 to 10 feet tall with 50 or more stalks.  These are just starting.  

Only a single stalk 6 months ago.  Today, there are already 6.

The Spider Monkeys paid a visit today.  In the trees only a short distance behind the house.  

It was a real treat.  

This guy was concentrating on what path to take to catch up with his traveling family.

Apparently the big bean-like fruits in this tree taste pretty good

Contemplation and concentration.  Not sure if he is thinking about food or staring me down

And the birds...there are always new birds flying around.

I think this is an Osprey, a surprise visitor

This American Swallow-tailed Kite has returned to our area.  They spend about 6 months a year here. A big graceful bird, always a beautiful sight to see as they soar across the valley...

Our garden is filled with these Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds.  They are around from morning till night, and the purple foxtail you see in this shot is their favorite food.  We have planted many.

 Mother and child.  These gray-capped Flycatchers are either practicing flying in place, or the baby is asking for food and mom is saying "sorry...I have none."

Similar looks but a different size.  This Tropical Kingbird is a fixture around here.

 This Blue-gray Tanager is nesting in one of the palm trees in front of the house.

This tiny female smashed into our terrace window.  We picked her up and held her cupped in our hands for about 10 minutes as she recovered.  Then she sat on one of our terrace plants for another 10 minutes before flying off.  Cannot find her in any of my books. 

That's it for today.  Thanks for spending some time with us.  Will try to write again soon...and to all of you who follow our Blog, thanks so much.

Susan and John

Nicaragua, friends, Visitors, The Springs, The Beach, Short trip back to Florida

NICARAGUA CALLED US

Actually, we waited a bit too long to renew our Visas.  When you come to Costa Rica, almost everyone receives a visa good for 90 days.  But if you want to stay in country beyond that time, you must leave the country for 3 days, then re-enter and receive another 90 day visa.  Somehow our timing with visitors (that is just an excuse...we just did not pay attention to what needed doing) had us to the point where we had to leave the country and re-enter only a few weeks before we had to leave anyway to return to Florida.  Our favorite way to do this is to drive to Los Chiles, do the paperwork, hop on a boat for a two hour river trip to Nicaragua, pay some fees, and get on the 4PM boat back to Costa Rica.  The only problem with this plan is that when you get back, it is almost dark, and the road back is one I do not care to drive at night.  So, we needed a place to stay.  There is only one good hotel in Los Chiles, and amazingly, all 35 rooms were full.  But a friend of a friend took us under her wing and let us stay at her home.  We're constantly amazed at the generosity and compassion of the people of  Costa Rica.

Here a few pictures of the boat trip...

 

And a few from San Carlos, Nicaragua

 Canons still show from an old fort guarding the harbor.

 

Northern Jacana.  

Look at his feet.  His toes are so long he can walk on top of lily pads without sinking. 

We photographed him on the Caribbean coast last year.

A Magnificent Purple Gallinule 

Same general family, with similar feet...a treasure to see and photograph

 

WITH NEW VISAS IN HAND, WE HEADED HOME

Bougainvillea...everywhere in Costa Rica these amazing trees have been planted...the flowers are bright and colorful and light up the landscape. This plant is very close to our house and makes a wonderful greeting as we approach

Our volcano was waiting...

 

And the terrace was inviting and peaceful as well

DEPARTING FRIENDS

Ryan and Rebecca were the operators of Tres Cabras, a restaurant within walking distance of us who started as an unknown and quickly became the number one eating place within 20 miles of us.  They had that fast rise because they were great people who cooked amazing food at a reasonable and fair price.  But they decided it was time to move on.  Back to Canada, then back to travel, probably someplace in Europe.  For some reason they kind of adopted Susan and I (think Grandpa and Grandma) and we all became good friends.  They stopped by with another friend, Nick, just before they left.  Not sure where or when, but we feel sure our paths will cross again.

Left to right...John, Ryan, Rebecca and Nick in our garden

The main visitors season is almost gone.  Next starts the "Green" season, a pleasant way of saying more rain.  Not yet the time of all day and all night rains...that will wait mostly  till October.  Now much of the rain will come at night, or for a small part of the day.  The world that surrounds us is green and beautiful.  Plants begin to show the results of several months of building roots.  They thrive.  We now have three banana trees building beautiful bananas.  Others are not far behind.  The bougainvillea we planted a few months ago that seemed to be doing nothing, but in reality were building powerful root systems, are now showing what they have been doing by sprouting new growth and starting to bloom.  (Did you know that bougainvillea is not a vine, but a tree?  I did not, but it is true.)  The daily winds are calmer now, the temperatures a bit warmer...days in high 70's and low 80's, evenings  high 60's to low 70's.  Still magnificent playing and sleeping weather.   But this is Costa Rica...Pura Vida!

The highlight of the last few weeks was a visit by dear Saugatuck friends, Dawn and George.  We had a wonderful time...hearing of their new home in Florida and of showing them what we have spent the last year creating here.  After arriving in Costa Rica, they spent a few days at Peace Lodge and gardens, one of the premier luxury spots for Costa Rica visitors.  That was followed by a few more days at The Springs between our home and La Fortuna.  We visited them at The Springs several times, ate together, explored together, enjoyed friendships together.  From there, they stayed with us for 3 days.   and then we all went to the pacific coast for three days as the last leg of their Costa Rica adventure.  Lets see some of the highlights.

THE SPRINGS

An amazing place.  Rooms out of a dream world with a private warm water small pool for each room.  Spas and pools, hot water springs, over 130 acres of trails through the Jungle, professional plantings beyond belief, lots of wildlife, wonderful restaurants, a staff that is friendly and helpful beyond belief, golf carts to transport guests around the property and so much more.
Here are photos form just a few hours of walking around the grounds while Dawn, George and Susan were having what was described as an amazing massage...

   A few photos that give an idea of the floral treats that surround things at The Springs

 Yes, these bananas are pink...and eatable...and sweet

 Notice how they grow opposite of the green bananas...this stalk and the bananas point up...the traditional yellow ones point down...fascinating

Just as impressive are the various springs and waterfalls within the complex.  

Guest can have their choice of many places, each more unique than the last.  And these are just three of the very small ponds, all with natural heated water from the Volcano.

Other views from around the complex.

And of course some birds...
Another treat...The female Great Corassow...

And on the branch near by...the male Great Curassow.

This chestnut Mandibled Toucan came over to check me out

Always perky...always a joy to see.

BACK TO OUR HOUSE

After leaving the Springs, we spent several days at our house.  We ate home made Costa Rica Tamales wrapped in Banana leaves for dinner on the day they arrived, ate at Kelly's Little Window, still one of our favorite places to eat in this area, had another meal at the local "soda", cooked some meals at home, visited the Butterfly Conservancy, relaxed on the terrace, and talked a lot.  It was one of those special times with special friends.  No pressure, no agenda, no need to have an activity every moment.  We also prepared for our up coming trip to the Pacific coast.

One of the most fascinating creatures at the Butterfly Conservancy 
are the clear winged butterflies.

 Each has wings that are absolutely transparent allowing them to blend in with their surroundings and making them almost invisable to potential prey.

As with many places here, the grounds are covered with beautiful plants and flowers, 
all of which are propagated in their own nursery.

 The butterflies come in all sizes and shapes and colors, 
and each species seems to have something in their shape or color that provides safety

This vine, once established, seems to grow ever larger 
with these beautiful orchid-like blooms covering the vine year-round.

Take a guess...the answer is in the final paragraph...

THE PACIFIC COAST

We started the 4 hour drive to the Pacific coast as Dawn and George's last stop before heading back to Michigan, as well as our return to Florida for a few weeks.  We had beautiful weather for a drive, minimal traffic and headed to Tamarindo, one of the first tourist developments in this part of Costa Rica.  Known for surfing, it is also a tourist town.  Lots of resturants, shops, surf board rentals, and pretty much anything else one could want is there.  We stayed at Cala Loma, a beautiful resort that Dawn had booked for all of us to stay.  We shared a beautiful 2 bedroom 2 bath Villa, with a private heated pool in the back yard, and only a short walk to the beach.  There was also a large heated pool, with a hot tub and several outdoor bars and great dining.  A special place.

The beach by the hotel is not really a swimming beach, although some people did.  it is more of a Volcanic rock, deserted wild beach.  It is a great place to take pictures, watch the tide, see birds, and relax kind of place.  The surfing is really a few miles back in Tamarindo or a half mile in the other direction to a place where a river runs into the Pacific.  But the waves and surf are combine in a sensory collision of peace, crashing waves, and visual mind painting.  

Pounding Surf is a part of the Pacific scene.

A high tide hides much of the volcanic lava formations

But at low tide, the extent of the lava  becomes apparent.
This is taken from almost the same spot

 

 Storm clouds move in

A couple watches a peaceful sunset on a deserted beach.

Constant wind and hot temperatures make even beach front trees fight for survival

An Oyster catcher peeks from behind a volcanic rock formation.

 A beautiful Wimbrel...I think...it must be migrating.

Desolate beauty creates a special place.

The Geckos  lead a hard life here with many predators looking for them constantly.

There are many Geckos of every imaginable size on the beach.

A Great White Heron joined us as he ate lunch.  Bad manners...he did not offer to share.

The resort is beautiful.  Amazing rooms, beautiful grounds, plenty of space to do most anything, close to town...

The dining facilities as well as the grounds are beautiful, 
the staff amazing, the experience special.  

A perfect place for breakfast...and lunch...and dinner.  every meal was delicious.

 

This White Breasted Magpie Jay was constantly at someone's table.  A pest, but you have to admire how strong his survival instincts are...notice that his left foot is missing.  He is surviving quite well.  If you turn your back when he is near your table, he will fly in, grab a piece of food and fly off.  But he did not eat the food...he had a place nearby that he could stash it.  He dropped it off, and immediately came back to the restaurant.   He learned that there was food there for only a limited time, so he did not take the time to eat...just to steal...knowing he could eat his plunder later. 

We ate most of our meals at Cala Luna, first because the food was very good, and breakfast was included.  And it was hot outside as the coast always is...all the restaurants were outdoors.  We could have room service and eat in Air conditioned comfort while the world around us was sweltering.  

We did, however, eat one evening meal out, and had amazingly good food at the Langosta Beach Club.  Great service, interesting food, fun place.  Had hoped for a table at the beach, but as fate dealt the cards, there was a wedding there that evening and the beach front seating was not available. 

 We were blessed with a large family of Howler Monkeys that passed through our "neighborhood" daily.  Once in the morning and again in the late afternoon.  One afternoon, we all got out our cameras and spend 30 minutes taking monkey pictures.  Somehow, no matter how often you see them, they are still a treat.  And this family had three very small and young babies making the event even more special.  Look at the titles for the pictures...remind you of your kids when they were just discovering life?

OBSERVATION

Mom watching, protecting from behind

Short attention span

"I have an Awesome Mom!"

 
 "What's out there mom?"

The grass is always greener

BACK IN FLORIDA 

Shortly after Dawn and George headed back to the states, Susan and I came back to Florida for a bit of R&R.  Had some shopping to do, some meds to pick up a doc visit, new eye glasses, a restock of Chocolate and a few other things to take care of. 

Florida presents many great photo ops, so we will close today with a few Florida birds...

 A Tri-colored Heron in Breeding colors...

A Skimmer...skimming as only they can do.  These birds feed by flying close to the water and dropping their lower beak into the water as they fly, scooping up small 'things' near the surface.  The only bird that has a massive underbite.  The only way this would be possible.

Here he is with his beak out of the water so you can see the underbite.

A stork dropped by last evening, just before sunset.

A beautiful Great White Egret, also at sunset.

 A Laughing Gull flies by...

 

This small diver is fun to watch, and right now abundant.  But I have not yet found out what he is...help appreciated...

That's it for now.  We will be back in CR soon and will write next from there.  Our first few days in Florid were wonderful, but suddenly the temperature rose and we both longed for the cool evenings and pleasant days of our new home....

Susan and John