Checking into Costa Rica

We stopped at Playa del Coco and checked into the country.  It took 1 and 1/2 days to do this including two $30 taxi rides to the customs office at Liberia airport.  They gave us the wrong paperwork the first time, and made us wait 3 hours the second time.  We were required to go to the Port Captain office, than to Immigration office, then back to the port captain, then to customs at the airport, and then back to the port captain office.  Only good aspect was there were no charges for any of this other than the taxi fares. We also had a terrific cab driver, Victor that gave us side trips to see the country side and information on the history and life of Ticos and Ticas (what they call the Costa Rican people). We went to a bar, called Coconutz, to use the internet and they had license plates from Wisconsin on all the trees.

Santa Elena

cloud formation out over the Pacific Ocean

foot print of tapir

waterfall

Santa Elena was our first anchorage in Costa Rica.  It was one of the most relaxing places we have stayed.  It is part of the Santa Rosa National Forest, so there are no houses or developments.  Instead, there are many hiking trails with lots of animals to see. We hiked to a waterfalls that was small due to the fact we are at the beginning of the rainy season. We saw big, heavy footprints that later we were told were proably from a Tapir. It had 3 toes in the print but we didn't see the critter. We saw prints from small deer and a cat like animal.

tapir

Rick fishing

huge bee or hornet nest in the tree

Passing the Nigaragua Coast

We sailed from El Salvador to Costa Rica without stopping in Nicaragua

One of the many lighting storms

This picture was taken at night

Another storm brewing

Our Radar showing a lighting storm to the right

How many attempts will it take before we leave?

We prepped the boat to leave on Friday 5/11, then the weather prediction changed showing a strong storm system in the area we needed to travel. Papagallo winds are unpredictable and can have gusts 10 knots higher than the predicted 20 knot winds, so we waited to leave. Today we actually attempted to leave but had to turn back to the marina at Bahia del Sol due to large breaking waves at the entrance to the river. We have been in this estuary since 3/29 and really are anxious to leave. But the conditions must be right. Now the storms are dissipating along the Nicaraguan coastline and the waves have increased along the El Salvadoran coastline. Great for the surfers......not us.  It may be 2 days before we can leave.......The concern is that we need to be south of latitude 10 degrees before July 1, hurricane season, causing us to hop through Costa Rica faster than originally planned. Hopefully we can leave SOON.

Repairing Talaria

Guy helping Rick replace stanchions and lifelines

The stainless is repaired and looks GREAT! Rick and Santos are busy tapping and installing it. Hopefully we will be ready to sail by Wednesday:)

Monument of Peace

The sculpture was elaborated with bullets, cast bronze and brass bushing. It was designed and assembled in honor of the peace accords by the sculptor Rubén Martínez. The hands of Christ of peace symbolize the recent reconciliation of right and left-wing politics of the country. We see this beautiful monument on the drive into San Salvador. Because it was made from melted bullets, it has a deep meaning to the people here.

For Felice

tree with thorns, och!!

Felice, grandma and grandpa are thinking of you ALWAYS. We took these picts for you. One is a tree here in El Salvador covered with thorns. We do NOT want you and Josh to climb it. The parrots live here at Bahia del Sol.