Quite muscle sore after the hike down Chirripó, so yesterday afternoon seemed a good time to explore an area west of S.Isidro. I left the Barrio Boston area of town and headed N x NW towards Villa Nueva. I love the small town / country soccer fields: Lots of signs reminding one of the eco this and that, keeping the environment clean. My translations: "The trash you throw away shows what you're made of" Or "...what you're about" Back in 1988, I was on a bus in S.José and there was a sign inside the bus that said "mantenga el aseo, hay ventanas" = "keep the bus clean, there are windows"....:huh Easter is coming soon, so it seems appropriate to include a few photos, small town style: In Mexico, stone is the material of choice for the iglesias / catedrales. In CR, cement block and wood...real wood paneling looks good, but for some homes in really makes in look dark inside. El Cristo A few more shots of the countryside before heading back to S.Isidro. The green sometimes is simply ridiculous.
I've been here over 5 weeks and haven't really included any shots of S.Isidro itself. I don't really know of any beautiful towns in CR (sin ofender). I'd make a special trip to see Antigua, the -tenangos in Guatemala; I'd put a number of cities in MX on a short list. But for me, CR is all about the mountains, rivers, jungles, animals, beaches...and of course, ♥¡la gente! But some walk arounds would be in order the last few days... Main plaza area of S.Isidro...the "chalecos reflectivos" (safety reflector thingys) are required. A few months ago, a CNN article stated that Ticos were found to be the "happiest people" in the world..... The more off road bike I could have bought for about a grand more. I think someone didn't get the message. I think that palmera in the left corner above didn't ask for this. La Catedral...I like stain glass windows, but I'm not sure of the design here: This is the first time that I've seen electric candles for this. On my way home, someone shouts out my name...it's Olga...inside this lady's home I find Cris, time for a hair cut...
Just a few days left in CR...decided to go back to the lote and Eduardo, the guard / groundskeeper agreed to take me to see the rest of the 7 acres that I haven't even seen yet. Eduardo hacking out a path with his machete Cocoa tree The lote used to be part of a huge farm that was subdivided into 36 parcels. The farmer used to harvest cocoa beans until the international price dropped to through the floor due to increased production in other countries. Bejucos The thorn trees Cedar Cocao pod...all the squirrels get to them now. Butterfly cacoon Time to go to the beaches one more time...
My wife and I spent three weeks in OCT. of '12 traveling around CR. What an amazing place. I envy you for you obvious fluency and comfort with the area (and for your lote!). I enjoyed our trip immensely and your pictures are making me nostalgic already! Thanks for the insightful posts. I have learned more about the people and culture of CR reading this thread than I did in all my prep for our trip. If you go again this year be sure to keep us up to date. We are day dreaming of going for a month or more "someday" to do an immersion spanish class so any new info I can glean in the mean time will be a big help. Safe travels Jesse
Eduardo hacking out a path with his machete Is that a huge root on the ground or a fallen tree? This are cool photos. I'm seeing some Indiana Jones posiblities there. What are you allowed to do on the other parts of the property? Obviously you can build on the three levels...but could you build a tree house in the jungle area for grandkids some day or is that a no-no? How excited would they be if you made a motorcycle track to practice some offroading skills? Probably offlimits and no reason to do it. Soak up all the CR you can...La lluvia te espera!
Puravida, Jessepitt...thanks for the comments and glad you're enjoying the report. When I return I'll revive this RR if I do more exploring on Perlita. If you want more info about SEPA, they have a website. The instructors are pretty good, I think they do very well with individuals and small groups. Buena suerte with your plans to visit...there are many hidden gems here still.
It's fun to see an ADVRider follower down here in my home country. Loved the pochote tree shots and the visit to Bahía Ballena. Since your down there in San Isidro, I recommend a short ride to San Ramón. Nice 45-minute ride with awesome scenery and nice winding roads. Although I would go at it alone on your "chanchilla"... hills might be a little much for going 2up. Saludos.
After visiting the lote for the last time, I wanted to visit the beaches once again as well. I had hear good things about Matapalo, about 15 kilometers north of Dominical and so I decided to take a quick look before heading to my favorite beach. Wow! Matapalo is a huge, long beach...I was alone. It looked good for surfing, so my son and I will return in July when we come back together. Time was running short, so I headed back south to one of my favorite beaches...no, I don't know what it's called...it's south of Dominical, it's not Hermosa, not Ventanas nor Uvita. I've been there about 10 times and have seen 3 gringos there during that time, a few CR families on weekends...every time I've gone midweek....just me and my kids if they're along..... This one's for my daughter...two years ago, we were body surfing when she was about 11. It was time to go and she said one more wave. The tide was a lot higher and covering this rock. We knew it was there, but forgot about it. The wave carried her right over this rock and scraped her stomach and leg up pretty good. My son got a slight jelly fish sting the same day...they call it "cursed beach"... I know it's been done many-a-time, but maybe not here... Maybe this angle is better? Find Perlita I dropped my mc key momentarily in the water...:eek1...found it. Even the guy above got in on the act What would tropical beaches be without these guys? Can't get the photo to turn sideways, but you get the idea. Last night, Wednesday, it was time for the "despedida", a chance for the students and families to formally say goodbye after 6 weeks. Lots of heart-felt moments, good to see how the families took the students in and how much the students appreciated their families. Makes it all worthwhile. ¡Muchas gracias cuñada! This morning...Getting my bike ready to be stored. A friend of Olga will take Perlita out for a spin every week or two so that I don't have to prepare it too much. Took off the side cover to find the tool packet that comes with the bike and found this black cover: Hmmmm...curious....the tool packet is housed behind a cover that is fastened tight with two 10mm screws....so.....just be sure to pack a wrench to get to your wrenches?...I have my own that I prefer to use, but still am I missing something? Installed the battery tender: This afternoon she's due for a washing and then it'll be time to put her away till July. I'll post a few last photos of S.Isidro when I get back to OR, but nearly time to put this report to bed.
Thanks for following along! Looks like you're from Alajuela...¿Liguista? Ojalá que sí... Will have to leave that ride for the next time, but thanks for the recommendation.
Excellent adventure! My cousin just bought 52 acres in CR with a house and pool and waterfall. So now my wife is even more interested in visiting and riding around 2 up to see what CR is all about. I have tried and failed to convince her to consider moving to one of the few towns on your / my MX short list. But the stability of CR appeals to her very slightly more pampered ways. I've forwarded your write-up to her email and (hopefully) planted another seed. I am just starting constructing a "beach" house in El Porvenir, El Salvador being built by a former employee of mine who returned home. Simple, 2 bedroom, block and thatch, cheap. My plan is to stash two of the CG150 style bikes there year round and visit maybe 2-3 weeks a year. I wanted to do this in Monterrey Mexico, but that area is definitely on hold right now. Sadly, it never happened for me. http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36740&highlight=mexico As far as storage of your fine little scoot...it is essentially the same bike as a CRF150F, and I have 3 f them. Turning off the gas, draining the bowl, putting a cap full of fuel stabilizer in the tank, and hooking a tender to the ***removed*** battery is all that is needed to assure your bike is ready to go in 6 months or 6 years. I'd trust that method over letting anyone chance a mishap on my bike when I'm not around. That said, I'm the first to offer up my 1000cc supersport to a new acquaintance and not really care about the outcome. But a bike stashed in CR, and developing mechanical issues just when you need it least is whole other can of worms. Congrats on your life adventures. I hope I can be so brave soon. Peter in Houston, TX
Battery chargers, if not plugged in, Run Batteries DOWN !!!! THe cheap diodes leak. My friend in ALaska lost 4 batteries by doing that. Mine survived bu disconnecting it. Don
We do get course credits for following along don't we? Sorry to see you heading home. I really enjoy your reports and learning more about CR. Can't wait to get back down there again. It's an easy place to get hooked on.
Wow! 52 acres...that's quite a spread! RE your plans, I think trial runs are always a good way to find out what you want to do long term. You could rent a bike and do the 2up thing with esposa for a couple of weeks and that might give you an idea. Sounds like a wonderful plan in El Salvador--that's the only CA country I haven't visited yet....hmmmm, when's that house going to be done? I thought about leaving the bike prepped as you pointed out, but I've got a neighbor and some family members who likely will use it, and I'd rather have it ready for them. Hope your plans work for CR / ES!
By "battery chargers" do you mean the pig-tail, or the charger itself? It will be connected most of the time, but I might just bring a sealed battery down the next time so I don't have to deal with the maintenance.
Jajajajaaa................................. I'll ask the admins....I know what they'll say.....pay the tuition, sure we'll give you credits Thanks for following along.
Well, we leave shortly. About every other morning Olga leaves me a smiley faced breakfast. She made tortillas and this one needed a little work, but it was close. Then this morning, my last with her for awhile, she left me this one...kind of sad to leave. A few shots of the students in action at SEPA school. If you want to do a language study on your own, I think they do a great job: http://www.spanish-school-costarica.com/ Perlita, waiting for the next ride...
Thanks for the RR, pdedse....especially your friends synopsis of the CR political condition. Would your 125 have benefited from a little lower gear ratio?
Mike's views were his, not sure what to make of them. My sis in law kind of blew it off when I told her, saying something to the effect that he's always talking crazy, but maybe that's what frustrates him, that the CR government has the same attitude. The 125 pulled me up some rocky/dirty inclines that I wasn't sure about...it really surprised me, just kept climbing away in first, so I'd say it's gearing was good. Sometimes wanted a bit more power on the pavement, going up hill. Did lots of shifting, but it responded much as I was hoping. Top speed was around 80-85 kilometers ph, so it did all right. On a long flat, I'm sure it would hit 100kph, but it's CR, so what's the hurry?