We don’t usually do our blog from our “R&R”
vacations, but this time we figured what the heck? I’d want to send my mother
daily updates anyway…
vacations, but this time we figured what the heck? I’d want to send my mother
daily updates anyway…
Our re-arranged flights got us into Costa Rica at about 7:30 pm, and amazingly, our golf clubs arrived too. Our driver was there as scheduled. And he and his daughter brought us to Andaz Papagayo.
Arriving at night may have been a little better than
getting here midday. There was no pressure (self-imposed) to take advantage of
the property. Instead, we sat on our balcony and enjoyed the ‘amenities’
provided by the hotel – a decent bottle of Italian red wine (dolcetto d’alba, light,
as appropriate in a hot climate), chocolates and granadilla, a fruit that takes
some practice to eat, but which I’ve now mastered. It’s totally delicious, but
absolutely disgusting-looking. You crack off the top of it and spoon
out the gloppy fruit/seeds. The guys that checked us in said it was kind of like
passion fruit.
getting here midday. There was no pressure (self-imposed) to take advantage of
the property. Instead, we sat on our balcony and enjoyed the ‘amenities’
provided by the hotel – a decent bottle of Italian red wine (dolcetto d’alba, light,
as appropriate in a hot climate), chocolates and granadilla, a fruit that takes
some practice to eat, but which I’ve now mastered. It’s totally delicious, but
absolutely disgusting-looking. You crack off the top of it and spoon
out the gloppy fruit/seeds. The guys that checked us in said it was kind of like
passion fruit.
We awoke to see howler monkeys in the trees (not howling) and spent the morning checking out the resort – we visited the two
beaches, one black, volcanic sand, the other white. Very small and somewhat
rugged, but still, it’s wonderful to be near the water. As advertised, the
property is gorgeous. Very organic and natural, with artful touches everywhere.
It’s similar in approach to Tierra Atacama in Chile, but newer and much larger.
(This appears to be our year for nature touring. I’m guessing our next vacation
will involve a city.)
From our bay-view room we can see the small marina, which
is overwhelmed by Steve Jobs’ yacht. Apparently his family has been hanging out
here for about a week. We always compare waterfront rooms with our beloved Ocho
Cascadas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This is less dramatic and expansive, but
still beautiful. The shower might be even better than the open air shower in
Ocho – it has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay, with a regular and rain
shower – and plenty of hot water, unlike Ocho. Open air showers also appear to be part of our MO.
is overwhelmed by Steve Jobs’ yacht. Apparently his family has been hanging out
here for about a week. We always compare waterfront rooms with our beloved Ocho
Cascadas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This is less dramatic and expansive, but
still beautiful. The shower might be even better than the open air shower in
Ocho – it has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay, with a regular and rain
shower – and plenty of hot water, unlike Ocho. Open air showers also appear to be part of our MO.
The big difference here is that we’re in the middle of
nowhere, which we expected. We can walk to the marina, otherwise it’s the hotel and
the adjacent Four Seasons resort, about 15 minutes away by car. Kind of like a land cruise. Tomorrow we’ll add some activity with a round
of golf at what is supposed to be a pretty spectacular course. I expect many
golf balls will be lost. Some photos follow.
nowhere, which we expected. We can walk to the marina, otherwise it’s the hotel and
the adjacent Four Seasons resort, about 15 minutes away by car. Kind of like a land cruise. Tomorrow we’ll add some activity with a round
of golf at what is supposed to be a pretty spectacular course. I expect many
golf balls will be lost. Some photos follow.
It's What We Do 