Quepos, Costa Rica

I’m looking out the window of the Sansa flight from San Jose to Quepos. It’s a tiny airplane three rows of three seats. Two pilots in the front.

The landscape is more mountainous than I imaged. I take some pictures of the ground below including the plane wing and wheels that look similar to the ones on my wheelbarrow.

We head into a cloud.. water steams across the window we are suspended in white. I’m thinking if I can’t see the mountain how does the pilot avoid smacking into one?

I shift my view to look into the cockpit each pilot has a screen, one is multiple colored topography/ elevation, the other a clear map of area. Since it’s out of my hands, I let them fly..it’s only 20 minutes and we are on the ground.

A humid warmth wraps around me as I retrieve my suitcase. I was allowed 25lbs..it weighted in at 24.5lb. Pure luck I didn’t check it a head of time.

I roll it down the path and, a man with grey hair and a smile looks at me. He say,” Hola, Kelly?” I nod, reaching out to grasp his outstretched hand. “Yes I am Kelly”

He looks at my bag and around me says “where are the rest?”

I look at my bag, “just this I’m here alone”. ” He say “I though it was a group coming”

I’m here by invitation. A dear long time friend of mine is arriving on 18th. She and her husband own the villa I’m staying in.

Jose puts my bag in the trunk of the vehicle and we head out. I say “José it’s hot I need some groceries, some beer a ready made meal so I don’t have to cook tonight.”

He drives through Quepos explains the roads, ” to the right is towards Manuel Antonio park, we go to the left into Quepos.” I had been calling it quep us, but the airport guy that checked my bag explained it sounds like Key pus.

Jose pulls into a grocery store. I have put together a mental list of items I’ll need till Carol arrives three days from now: Bread peanut butter, pasta and sauce, lettuce Tomato cucumber, carrots mushrooms broccoli tofu, fruit, beer some Preseco for my reunion with Carol.

Jose recommendes water. ” The water is good I drink it but not everyone likes it..” I take his advice and grab a package.

I have brought my own mesh bags for this very moment to carry my groceries.

When I’m finished loading groceries in the vehicle Jose waves at me from across the street. A restaurant with a buffet. I think they are called Sodas, inexpensive simple Costa Rican dishes to go. The man holds a container and a laddle, he points at the black beans in a sauce with onions and peppers. I nod “Si” again he points to white rice?

“Si” and another rice dish. I ask “No Carne, no Leche, ?” I turn to Jose and say “I don’t eat meat.” He nods says something to the man, who fills my dishes. One more dish filled with fried plantain and we are off to Tucan Gardens Villa.

I watch the roads and signs. Jose points out directions we pass an intersection he says, ” That road is our main road thru the country”

I’ve been studying maps of the country doing research for months. I’m somewhat familiar with the main road so I say,

“It goes down the coast towards Uvita onward to Drake Bay” ” yes” He replies.

We drive on a single lane dirt road out of Londres, passing a bus with very little room to spare. I Ask about the bus. “Its local transportation runs three times a day.” ” So, I can use it?” I ask. He says “yes, but you can use this car.” A Motorcycle passes us on the turn and I ponder the likely hood of me navigate the no room, no rules driving … not likely.

We come to a large wooden decoratively carved gate with Tucan Garden Villa written. It’s an Impressive entrance for sure. Jose holds up a remote and the gate opens. We drive down a steep palm-lined lane to the house and park. I joke “That must be a trick drive in the snow” Jose gives a belly laugh. I like him he’s got a good sense of humor.

He gives me a tour of the house. I’m gobsmacked. Pure luxury I’m not familiar with this lifestyle but I am going do my best. He shows all the light switches air conditioning, then says “I’m just up the way if I need anything message him on whatsapp.” He departs.

I put my groceries away. Change into my swim suit and grab a beer..it’s pool time.

I messaged my friends family let them know I’m ok. In fact I’m way more than ok. Pura Vida is real.

My beans rice plantain was delicious. I watched a thunderstorms roll across the sky till 8 pm. Then I went to bed. Day 1 was awesome.

Please join me on my trip of Costa Rica .happy traveling from Maritimemac.