Our lives are like islands in the sea, or like trees in the forest. The maple and the pine may whisper to each other with their leaves ... But the trees also commingle their roots in the darkness underground, and the islands also hang together through the ocean's bottom. -William James, psychologist and philosopher (11 Jan 1842-1910)
Patrick, I believe you should be getting ready to go to Costa Rica. We will be anxious to hear about your trip as we have thought of going there. Poor California has really been sufferring these past months - terrible to see what the flooding and mud have done to people and their homes and right after the devestating fires. I assume Ayn’s home is safe. Nice to live in our little pristine world of Terrace where we are buffeted by cold weather and nasty winds!!
Thanks for all your news and the photos of Alex’s graduation. My word he is a handsome man and so tall! Gerry noted that he and the other firemen were all big men. Also good to see photos of Ayn and her office etc. Corinne is like Jeff - don’t smile in their photos. Why, when they look so nice when they smile?
I have been very busy as I was appointed to sit on the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal for BC (can’t believe I was appointed being of the opposing party) and I had to do a course on the computer and write a test. The very idea of a test sends me into a tizzy and so I have been very uptight (more than usual) for the last 4 days. I just finished it tonight and got 95% on the test. What a major relief. Also have been trying to get things in order as we leave for Hawaii for a month on Saturday. We are returning to our same spot on the Big Island which we really enjoy. Life there is pretty quiet but we like to go on hikes, snorkel, swim and just relax. They have terrific markets that we go to and we plan on taking another trip to see the volcano as we haven’t done that for several years.
We planned to go skiing again after about a 10 year drought but haven’t made it up as it has been sooooo cold and I can’t fit my old boots nor can I find any in town that fit so have to wait until I get to Vancouver and hopefully get a pair down there. Gerry continues to go to pickle ball and we checked and they have a court at the complex where we are so maybe he can join some others and play in Hawaii too. That’s about it for us old folks. Enjoy your trip and we will talk when you finally return to Penticton. Cheers, Dawn
Patrick James Dunn Chloe Alexis Dunn That is simply a recipe for disaster, akin to what happened to this sailboat just off the beach beside the spot, The Lazy Mon, (Reggae music playing, dope wafting in from beach!), where we enjoyed a delicious Caribbean Cobb Salad, when we went for a walk into Puerto Viejo. Our waitress, Priscilla, originally from San Diego, was a fountain of information, giving us tips on other places to eat and day trips we can take by local bus. Found a mercado so we loaded up on white wine, cheese and crackers. Had to buy a bottle of questionable Rosé as it came with a decent corkscrew, having forgotten to bring one! When I came outside to digitate, a darling gecko was on the table but scurried away before I could snap a shot of him trying to hack into my computer! Gorgeous, quiet evening, just a gently, soft breeze, every so often, crickets or cicadas and frogs the only sounds. Almost pitch black so we'll probably need a miner's lamp when we walk a few blocks to a Soda, (apparently a Mom/Pop type of place), we found when walking back to Coco Loco! Must away as Sauvignon Blanc is now sufficiently chilled! Cheers!
This guy is hilarious! Duke zonked out I even cut his nails!!! He must be tired after playing in all the snow we got 8cm!!!
Patrizzio, I see you are having a great time cruising the continent, soon to be augmented by cruising another continent. Me is envious. My big summer trip will be a drive down the 101. then to Portland for a Whitecaps game, then a quick burn up the I5, back to my cranky dad. ANYWAY, On another note, I always say, everything I know, I heard on CBC. Well. today was no exception. I was listening to the CBC news. One who does not monitor CBC as assiduously as I do, could easily have missed this, when the reporter reading the news, used the phrase “an underwater submarine”. I had no idea, that there were submarines that did not go under water. Branko Perić
Greetings to the one and only Podmornica Podmornica Kapetan! Sorry to hear that your Dad is still kranky but perhaps you will be able to stitch together some bridge games to take your mind off things. Needless to say, we miss playing but miss your company even more, Ragin'. Almost pitch black when we left for dinner last night so we took a miner's lamp for the few blocks to the Soda we found earlier!
Greetings to one and all from the Coco Loco Lodge! [Lady Dar choose this for me, apparently. I don't know why!] Just a quick note to let you know that Olga Polga is now President, pro tem, of the Bridge Group! Do hope that you are able to stitch together some games. Needless to say, we miss playing but miss your company even more. Enjoyed a terrific four days in San Jose, now in Puerto Viejo, arriving around 1:00 pm.
Patrick, I believe you should be getting ready to go to Costa Rica. We will be anxious to hear about your trip as we have thought of going there. Poor California has really been sufferring these past months - terrible to see what the flooding and mud have done to people and their homes and right after the devestating fires. I assume Ayn’s home is safe. Nice to live in our little pristine world of Terrace where we are buffeted by cold weather and nasty winds!!
Thanks for all your news and the photos of Alex’s graduation. My word he is a handsome man and so tall! Gerry noted that he and the other firemen were all big men. Also good to see photos of Ayn and her office etc. Corinne is like Jeff - don’t smile in their photos. Why, when they look so nice when they smile?
I have been very busy as I was appointed to sit on the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal for BC (can’t believe I was appointed being of the opposing party) and I had to do a course on the computer and write a test. The very idea of a test sends me into a tizzy and so I have been very uptight (more than usual) for the last 4 days. I just finished it tonight and got 95% on the test. What a major relief. Also have been trying to get things in order as we leave for Hawaii for a month on Saturday. We are returning to our same spot on the Big Island which we really enjoy. Life there is pretty quiet but we like to go on hikes, snorkel, swim and just relax. They have terrific markets that we go to and we plan on taking another trip to see the volcano as we haven’t done that for several years.
We planned to go skiing again after about a 10 year drought but haven’t made it up as it has been sooooo cold and I can’t fit my old boots nor can I find any in town that fit so have to wait until I get to Vancouver and hopefully get a pair down there. Gerry continues to go to pickle ball and we checked and they have a court at the complex where we are so maybe he can join some others and play in Hawaii too. That’s about it for us old folks. Enjoy your trip and we will talk when you finally return to Penticton. Cheers, Dawn
Greetings to Donna Maria and Heraldo from the Coco Loco Lodge! [Lady Dar choose this for me, apparently. I don't know why!] Just a quick note to congratulate the newly minted Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal Commissioner! Hip Hip Hooray! Lady Dar would like to appeal to you for financial assistance, [Please forward cheque to Coco Loco Lodge!], but you can skip the employment part! You tizzy weasel! 95%! We dream of scraping by with a D-! Too, too bad your head is bigger than your feet! Anyway, I'm sure you will discharge your duties with nothing but the same care and concern and competency that has always characterized your way of doing things, in all matters except a couple of UBC School Library courses, if I'm not mistaken!!!
Enjoy Hawaii and travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Ayn is fine but devastation, bot from fire and flood, is not all that far from her and where we were travelling. Thanks for compliments on Alex. In fact, he was tallest in his class and so was last to graduate as people were arranged by height!
Greetings to one and all from the Coco Loco Lodge! [Lady Dar choose this for me, apparently. I don't know why!] We left our hotel shortly after 7:00 pm to collect another couple, Maggie and Kevin, at a nearbye hotel and were leaving San Jose by about 7:30 am. Started to climb into the mountains almost as soon as we were out of the city, mist enshrouding us. Didn't take long to reach the top but the descent went on forever, and I do mean forever. Very good road but little to see with light rain/mist and the fact that the road is bounded on both sides by dense forest/jungle. One break was crossing a large bridge over two impressive rivers.
We stopped around 9:30 am to change vehicles and go to the bathroom. Heidi, our driver, said we would be there for twenty minutes so I had a juice and Lady Dar ordered an empanada as she didn't have any scrambled eggs, slatherered in sauce piquante, before we left The Don Carlos, as did I. When our new driver arrived, about 9:50, he apologized for the delay but a semi had toppled over, further down the highway and traffic was a nightmare. He said we needed to wait until 10:30 am to let the backlog dissipate. I didn't mind as I pulled out my book, Michael Kerr's The One From The Other, another Bernie Gunther novel, and before I knew it, we were called to climb aboard.
I let Kevin sit in front with the driver as I'd been shotgun when we first left. Vans are very comfortable so no complaints at all. By this time we had reached a valley bottom and sun was shining so had good views of the almost endless pineapple and banana plantations we drove past for much of the rest of the way to Puerto Limón, crossing numerous rivers, from time to time. On the outskirts of this large port city we encountered numerous container depots, (Chiquita being one of many, as well as Delmonte!), so I was quite curious o see the port facilities themselves. No such luck as we turned off before we reached the city, taking an excellent, though quite winding road south. More banana plantations and rivers until just before noon we caught our first sight of the Caribbean! From then on the road paralleled the water, more or less, and as we approached Puerto Viejo there were more and more people walking on the beach and in the water.
Close to 1:00 pm our driver dropped us off at the driveway to Coco Loco Lodge and we said our goodbyes to Maggie and Kevin. Heat hit us a soon as we stepped out of the van, only 28º C but quite humid. Sabina, from Austria, the owner, checked us in and gave us a small, fresh pineapple to drink while Lady Dar completed all the necessary forms. Delish! Lovely, lovely setting with about eleven or so cabins. We are in #2. Small veranda with a hammock, two chairs and a table, at which I'm digitating. Room is very nicely appointed, spare but more than comfortable. Beds have mosquito netting but not sure we'll use it as we found it too hot in India. Have a small bar fridge so that will be great for soft drinks and white wine! Also a kettle and coffee maker so who could ask for more!
Lady Dar is quizzing Sabina as I scribe and when she is back we'll take a stroll into town and to beach to see what we shall see. Although it is warm there is a refreshing breeze so it feels like paradise. Must away as Lady Dar beckons! Fondestos to one and all. Love and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio! Pics: Drive, overturned semi, and Coco Loco!
I let Kevin sit in front with the driver as I'd been shotgun when we first left. Vans are very comfortable so no complaints at all. By this time we had reached a valley bottom and sun was shining so had good views of the almost endless pineapple and banana plantations we drove past for much of the rest of the way to Puerto Limón, crossing numerous rivers, from time to time. On the outskirts of this large port city we encountered numerous container depots, (Chiquita being one of many, as well as Delmonte!), so I was quite curious o see the port facilities themselves. No such luck as we turned off before we reached the city, taking an excellent, though quite winding road south. More banana plantations and rivers until just before noon we caught our first sight of the Caribbean! From then on the road paralleled the water, more or less, and as we approached Puerto Viejo there were more and more people walking on the beach and in the water.
Close to 1:00 pm our driver dropped us off at the driveway to Coco Loco Lodge and we said our goodbyes to Maggie and Kevin. Heat hit us a soon as we stepped out of the van, only 28º C but quite humid. Sabina, from Austria, the owner, checked us in and gave us a small, fresh pineapple to drink while Lady Dar completed all the necessary forms. Delish! Lovely, lovely setting with about eleven or so cabins. We are in #2. Small veranda with a hammock, two chairs and a table, at which I'm digitating. Room is very nicely appointed, spare but more than comfortable. Beds have mosquito netting but not sure we'll use it as we found it too hot in India. Have a small bar fridge so that will be great for soft drinks and white wine! Also a kettle and coffee maker so who could ask for more!
Lady Dar is quizzing Sabina as I scribe and when she is back we'll take a stroll into town and to beach to see what we shall see. Although it is warm there is a refreshing breeze so it feels like paradise. Must away as Lady Dar beckons! Fondestos to one and all. Love and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio! Pics: Drive, overturned semi, and Coco Loco!
Patrick James Dunn Chloe Alexis Dunn That is simply a recipe for disaster, akin to what happened to this sailboat just off the beach beside the spot, The Lazy Mon, (Reggae music playing, dope wafting in from beach!), where we enjoyed a delicious Caribbean Cobb Salad, when we went for a walk into Puerto Viejo. Our waitress, Priscilla, originally from San Diego, was a fountain of information, giving us tips on other places to eat and day trips we can take by local bus. Found a mercado so we loaded up on white wine, cheese and crackers. Had to buy a bottle of questionable Rosé as it came with a decent corkscrew, having forgotten to bring one! When I came outside to digitate, a darling gecko was on the table but scurried away before I could snap a shot of him trying to hack into my computer! Gorgeous, quiet evening, just a gently, soft breeze, every so often, crickets or cicadas and frogs the only sounds. Almost pitch black so we'll probably need a miner's lamp when we walk a few blocks to a Soda, (apparently a Mom/Pop type of place), we found when walking back to Coco Loco! Must away as Sauvignon Blanc is now sufficiently chilled! Cheers!
This guy is hilarious! Duke zonked out I even cut his nails!!! He must be tired after playing in all the snow we got 8cm!!!
Greetings to the one and only Podmornica Podmornica Kapetan! Sorry to hear that your Dad is still kranky but perhaps you will be able to stitch together some bridge games to take your mind off things. Needless to say, we miss playing but miss your company even more, Ragin'. Almost pitch black when we left for dinner last night so we took a miner's lamp for the few blocks to the Soda we found earlier!
Had a lovely meal and met a fascinating couple from London, Natasha, from Russia, Giovanni, from Italy and their two sons George, 4, and Luca 7. They own a small fresh pasta business: <www.seriouslyitalian.com> but will be re-branding to SPICCO in the next little while. They had enjoyed a full day at the beach so Giorgio was already asleep, at the table, so we said goodbye. Paid our bill and strolled back to the Coco Loco, holding hands and gazing at the starry, starry sky like young lovers do!
After brushing and flossing, watched more of CNN's endless analysis of The Malignant, Bigoted Leader of the Free World, actually clapping for the three panelists who shredded a radio talk show host who supports Trump's racist policies, claiming it is only economics that are at play! Turned out the lights after reading a few chapters of Bernie and did, in fact, sleep under the netting as it was quite comfortable. Fondestos from Lady Dar, Ragin'. Cheers, Il Conduttore/Patrizzio! Pic: From the Jade Museo in San Jose: Olga Polga and Judy Blue after going down, doubled and redoubled by Ragin' Bull and Patrizzio! [Lady Dar said this, not me!]
Greetings to one and all from the Coco Loco Lodge! [Lady Dar choose this for me, apparently. I don't know why!] Just a quick note to let you know that Olga Polga is now President, pro tem, of the Bridge Group! Do hope that you are able to stitch together some games. Needless to say, we miss playing but miss your company even more. Enjoyed a terrific four days in San Jose, now in Puerto Viejo, arriving around 1:00 pm.
After we had unpacked some of our things Lady Dar went to quizz Sabina about tours and such and I scribed until she was back and we took a stroll into town and to beach to see what we could see. Although it was warm there was a refreshing breeze so it feels like paradise. Lady Dar had learned which was cheapest mercado so we scoped it out, looking to see what their wine selection might be. Nothing to knock your socks off, coming from The Okanagan, but decent enough so decided we'd see if other places had anything better before buying. As well, we didn't really want to carry bottles around until we were homeward bound.
Place has the feel for some of the great little towns in Mexico, south and north of Guayabitos, Sayulito, in particular as there is quite a surfing culture here as well. Lots of board shops, etc., as you might expect. Nice feel, laid back Mon! Scoped out a number of possible restaurants as we made our way along road which parallels the beach, keeping Lady Dar from veering into any of the boutiques and clothing stores along the way. She can explore these when I'm composing the Costa Rican Diaries! Found the place called Mopri that Sabina had recommended but they didn't serve tacos so we went across the road to The Lazy Mon with a lovely patio overlooking the beach and cooled by breeze off the ocean.
Reggae music was playing, dope wafting in from beach so we knew we were in the right spot! After we had ordered I took a short walk to snap a sailboat, with broken mast, beached on the coral just off the sandy beach beside the restaurant. [Later learned, from our waitress, Priscilla, originally from San Diego, that it had been dragged from its mooring, just around the inlet, in a severe tropical storm a month or so ago. Restaurant was closed for two days as water came over patio onto ground level!] At any rate, we enjoyed a delicious Caribbean Cobb Salad and a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade with mint. Over the course of our late lunch, we chatted with Priscilla who turned out to be a fountain of information, giving us tips on other places to eat and day trips we could take by local bus.
Thanking her we headed off to another mercado, with a greater selezzione of vino, so we loaded up on white wine, cheese and crackers. Had to buy a bottle of questionable Rosé, from the first mercado, as it came with a decent corkscrew, having forgotten to bring one! Back to Coco Loco to have showers as we were sticky from the heat and humidity of the day. When I came outside to digitate, a darling gecko was on the table but scurried away before I could snap a shot of him trying to hack into my computer! Gorgeous, quiet evening, just a gently, soft breeze, every so often, crickets or cicadas and frogs the only sounds. Almost pitch black so we'll probably need a miner's lamp when we walk a few blocks to a Soda, (apparently, according to Priscilla, a Mom/Pop type of place that doesn't add a service fee, as distinct from tip, to bill, as is customary in most other places), we found when walking back to Coco Loco! Must away as Sauvignon Blanc is now sufficiently chilled and mosquito coil is keeping the pesky critters at bay! Fondestos from Lady Dar, reading in a comfy Adirondack armchair, sipping Sauvignon with each turn of her digital page. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Drive, overturned semi, caught in passing, and Chiquita container depot; Coco Loco and bustling downtown Puerto Viejo! My feet or an octopus, at beach in front of restaurant? From the Jade Museo in San Jose: Olga Polga and Judy Blue after going down, doubled and redoubled by Michael and Patrizzio! [Lady Dar said this, not me, The Sisterhood!] Great pictures! Great story. Just left in time you two. Another white dump to shovel tonight here in Summerland. Cheers and enjoy. Jos and Aart
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