Aloha everyone,
Costa Rica, English translation is rich coast. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502 on his fourth and final voyage to the New World. Despite the alluring name, no gold or other precious minerals were discovered in Costa Rica.After decades of turmoil after gaining independence from Spain in 1821, civil war & political conflicts followed. Today Costa Rica is viewed as one of the safest countries in Latin America. Country’s economy is led by tourism, coffee, sugar, tabaco and cocoa.
The last time J.J. and I visited Puntarenas, we joined a small private tour with a guide and spent a day visiting its highlights. My most vivid memories include volcanos in a lake including Arenal and watched a sloe climb up a tree. Yes, it would’ve been fun to wait for him to climb down but our tour guide said it might take another day. Scarlet macaws of different colors were flying in the cloud forest, ferns and vines, orchids and other floras.
However, our desire to see them again was not as strong as staying in the comfort of Emerald Princess. Heat and humidity dissuaded us from spending a day outdoors in a tropical island in August.
After a leisurely breakfast, J.J. and I walked on the indoor area of the Promenade Deck occasionally checking on the television about the landfall of Hurricane Idalia in Florida.
Here are my breakfast and lunch plates, and Pavlova and cream puff desserts.
Princess Theater was only 70% full. Kevin Jordan’s comedy had several very funny skits all related to his childhood, his children and grandchildren. Personally, I prefer comedy with general audiences in mind. A woman seated in front of us started to laugh aloud and kept on laughing. We suspect that a large cocktail glass she had in hand may have contributed her continuous and extraordinary “happiness”.
I am happy to write down today just walking on board I was able to accomplish 14,387 steps or 5.2 miles.
Aloha -- Cathi
