Travel: Costa Rica - August 2008

First of all, before I start, this is not a trip on my expense. This is actually a biz trip to train a colleague for TWO whole weeks! And so with that, let's get it on with the stories =) !


Of course, as with any other travel stories, not everything went right! From the very first time I booked my plane tickets, I knew instantly it's not gonna be easy. Imagine my shock when I saw how many stopovers I will have to go through =(. It's like this, Manila-->Hongkong-->Los Angeles-->Texas-->Costa Rica. It was a loooooooong way to go before I set my foot for the first time in Central America. That is, not including the delays I encountered all through out the trip. My body was actually giving up with all the exhaustion coz I'm your traveller who doesn't sleep much on airplane rides.


Ok, so after forever in the airport, in the planes and after a LOOONGG line in Costa Rica's immigration desks, I finally went out of Costa Rica's airport. There, my colleague and a good friend, Mauro, was already waiting for me. It was really very refreshing seeing a familiar face amidst the crowd of vacationers around me. It was actually very kind of him to welcome me instead of letting me get a cab to bring me to the hotel. Hahaha! Well, he insisted on fetching me telling me that cab drivers tend to take advantage of tourists and considering it's my first time so.... :P I'm just trying to say that I AM NOT a spoiled brat! =) Anyway,the first words I uttered him were "Next time you want training, please, let's do it in the Phils!". Hahaha!


So, after loading my luggage in his 4x4, we went to McDo's drive thru for food and then proceeded to drop me to the hotel and later on, said our goodbyes. After checking in, I immediately took a shower and slept fitfully for hours.


The following day, a Saturday, he fetched me again and together with his family, we went to visit Volcan Poas National Park. It was really an experience to remember! 'Twas my first time to see an actual crater of a volcano and with smoke coming out of it to boot! We did a little hiking and then afterwards, went to their family-owned restaurant, the ever-famous Chicharronera Cacique Acseri which until now makes my mouth water. I was actually kidding him the other day to send me some over here coz I'm craving for it =).


On a Sunday, we were supposed to go to the beach which is ~3 hours away. I actually begged off considering how long the drive is plus the weather is uncooperative. So, I just spent the rest of the day.. well.. resting inside the hotel room. I didn't feel like going out since not all Ticas and Ticos can speak English so conversation will be really hard. Although admittedly, I can understand some of their language coz it's Spanish =). I have this thing in me that always makes me afraid of places where language is a barrier........................ I know, what a stupid excuse! Hahaha! The real reason is that I am just lazy and besides, my bed is inviting me to sleep! =D


We spent the two weeks there, training, mostly at their house where I am met with open arms by the whole family and at the restaurant (think WI-FI=) ) where I get a free refill of Chicharones!!! =) We did have some time spent souvenir shopping and having dinner with other colleagues. Speaking of souvenirs, I can't get enough of their products. It's mostly wood and to all those who know me, i really LOVE wood products =).

After two weeks were up, it was time for me to go. The following week will now be spent over at my Aunt's place in Fresno. I was SAD considering that it maybe the last time I will be meeting friends from Costa Rica personally due to the pending factory shutdown of the Big Blue here in the Phils, hence, no more biz travels. And most likely, I will not be able to go there on my account since it is really expensive =(. But I did have a very WONDERFUL experience over there, oh ok, enough to compensate the travel nightmares I encountered =P. I guess, it was part of my highlights at my career in the Big Blue. An experience I will never forget =).

Oh btw! I did expect Costa Rica to be a tropical hot country but it did have a Baguio-like weather when I was there. It was actually pretty cold and I was not expecting that. As for the food, except for the Chicharronera Cacique Acseri , which was A-W-E-S-O-M-E, the rest are actually pretty ok. They are fond of using wansuy (cilantro) in many of their dishes which a herb I dislike coz of the after taste. I usually request my food to be wansuy-free =).

Anyway, enough with this novel, let my pictures do the talking =).