A working holiday

Posted by on February 16, 2012

Two weeks from today, we will be flying back to Canada. We have now been in Costa Rica for 23 days. Each day unfolds with a great deal of fun and laughter but we are also on a ‘working holiday’ as we help Gary with his new B&B. “Angel Valley Farm B&B” has truly become our home and Gary is such a generous friend. We have met many of his neighbours and friends to whom he has already endeared himself.

After the earthquake

We had quite an experience last Monday (Feb 13). At 5am, I thought Marilyn was having a dream and moving around in the bed. She thought I was doing the same thing. Turns out we were experiencing a 5.6 earthquake which was occurring off the southern coast of Costa Rica. Huge rocks came flying down from the mountain and barely missed our bedroom.

Okay, that didn’t happen but the entire bed was shaking (more like a rolling waterbed). The light over our bed was also rolling, the clothes in the closet were rocking back and forth and we could hear the dishes rattling in the kitchen cupboards. We all got up and went outside and a few minutes later all the lights went out on the mountains. Fortunately, Costa Rica didn’t suffer any damage and no one was injured. Very cool experience though.

A Peruvian Dinner

We got invited to Chris and Luisa’s house for a lovely dinner last weekend. Luisa is Peruvian (and vegetarian) and we had the most delicious dinner with them and some other friends. Chris and Luisa also run a B&B in San Ramon. Chris worked with Habitat for Humanity for many years before settling in Costa Rica. After dinner, Marilyn played guitar (rather well, I might add).

Albert dropped over with a ‘promised’ bottle of home-made Guaro. It reminded me of Raki from Greece although it is made from sugar cane rather than distilled grape mulch. Ohhhhh so good.

Bob and Albert sharing a drink

The work continues at Gary’s and we are all chipping in. We sputtered out of energy on Tuesday but were back at it today.

Workers completing the outdoor fire place

Kelly painting the window sills

Ernesto and Danny working on the outdoor pizza oven

When we first arrived at Gary’s, we all hiked down through the sugar cane fields looking for a river where we had been told we can swim. We didn’t find it and each time we tried we were stopped by steep cliffs or thick vegetation. On Monday, a couple from New York stayed over at Gary’s and on Tuesday I took them for a hike in search of a path to the river. We hiked through some thick jungle creating a path as we went and following a small creek.

Paul and Lauren on our 'search for the river"

We found it

Finally, we came to the most beautiful area with a fast flowing river running over huge rocks and creating amazing whirlpools. We also hiked up the river and found the most spectacular swimming hole about 10 feet deep. I’m thinking of starting walking tours to “my” river and for a small fee will take Marilyn and Gary and Kelly.

Gary also invited Bill and Levi down to his house last week. Bill is a great guitar player and he and Marilyn sang together while the rest of us enjoyed the music.

Bill and Marilyn playing together

Valentine’s day was fun. We had some great food and went to Villa Blanca for drinks. Gary really upstaged me though. First he cooked breakfast and gave Marilyn and Kelly a basket full of chocolates. Then he took them shopping and bought them new tops to wear. I have some catching up to do.

Villa Blanca is a 5 star resort about 12 km from Gary’s. It caters to a high-end clientele but we wanted to see it and have a special valentines drink together. Gary also wanted to meet Joscin, the manager, which we did. Joscin  spent a fair bit of time talking with Gary and afterwards invited all of us to come for dinner at the resort as his guests. We said yes.

Marilyn and Kelly at Villa Blanca

Villa Blanca

On Tuesday of next week we are invited to a house party with a Mardi-Gras Theme. We picked up some masks at a store in San Ramon. Should be fun.

 

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