So we are winding down here, the ocean has taken an ugly turn. Red flags as far as the eye can see. Or at least all the beaches we went past that had flags.
Emily did want to try this afternoon just down the way from us but she opted to not be a statistic. We came back and hung out in the cold small pool at the hotel. I am surprised at the design of the pool. It has a large amount of seating even though there is not a large amount of guest space in general. It has a “swim up” bar seating that we’ve seen at the larger hotels where it is mostly partying and all inclusive. Those pools are not what I would recommend swimming in, this one though is not used a lot so I’m hoping that the users do not use it as a lavatory as well.
The big deal for today was going to the Indigenous area and visiting a homestead where they make chocolate for the tourists. We got a brief education on the Bribri culture and a tour of the property followed by a chocolate making experience. We got to see how it was dried, roasted and ground into paste. Per the usual at multiple steps the chocolate was made available for everyone to stick their hands in and get a taste. After our guide made a hot drink with the chocolate. He said it is best to drink with just water but he added sugar and milk for some and just sugar for others. I have heard while here a few times that straight cacao will repel mosquitos.
After the tour and communal chocolate drink we got to go swim at another waterfall. I do have to say the La leona waterfall was a better hike. This was mostly rudimentary stairs taking you down to the river behind some guys house.
River water is cold but it was a good waterfall and I enjoyed the time there. There were a number of other people there. We were told that all the rivers are down at this time. There was a guy who jumped from the cliff into the pool below but he only did it once. As I was considering it is when I was informed that the water was down. Maybe if we come this way again.
As for coming this way again, that remains to be seen. There are a few nice things about this area, the snorkeling at Punta Uva and for me shore diving, and it is about an hour from Bocas del Toro Panama. I would like to visit there, we had planned on it when covid had hit and canceled our trip there. We could go though Panama to get there and that may be the best way, but I am thinking it was going to be a very long ride. Getting here during the day wasn’t too bad as far as I am concerned. It would be another hour on that and it would mean the loss of two days off our fun times. We will have to research it.
Neither of us feel very strongly about staying at Caribe Town again. Someplace in Punta Uva would be a better choice. The hotel in general is nice enough. The furniture isn’t the most comfortable, the chairs in the sitting area are not that comfortable. The espresso machine only does espresso, a coffee maker or even a electric kettle would be a better option. Our room has experienced some issues, the A/C stopped working, the temperature hasn’t been too bad with the extra fan, but the air is moist. Our suits and towels don’t dry hanging up inside or out. This is not optimal. There is nothing to set luggage on in the room to make it easy to access suitcases and off the floor. They had just painted and there is a tv mount on the wall that I have used to hang shirts and swimsuits since there is not tv. We don’t usually watch tv but occasionally we will if the weather is bad or we need an easy day, I will put on a movie. I am unclear is there had been a small refrigerator in our room that went bad or if the owners were just going to put one in, they are in Panama picking one up according to the word around the bar. That will be a nice addition.
Tico time is not one of my favorite things about Costa Rica, this morning it was easy and faster to have peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast so we could make our ride. They have coffee on at 7 but you can’t get breakfast at the hotel until they are ready and that is sometimes after 7:30. Then you have cook time and we had been scheduled to go at 7:45. We also have to clean up after and brush our teeth before going so, pb&j it was. Restaurants here though in general I think cook meals one table at a time before they start the next order. It takes forever to get your bill to pay it. That is a culture thing that is nice for those who want slow as molasses in winter time, not so much for anyone who has a schedule to follow.
Be safe!
Traveling with Emily! 