January 15, 2009

It is difficult for me to post when I am busy, and not much to post when I’m not. That, I think, is why I am so erratic. Some of the stuff we did with Howie and the crew was new to me. People are always wanting to try something new. I was very impressed with the deep sea fishing. Howie had been before, but wanted his daughter, and the other family to experience it.
There is a fleet of boats at Los Suenos Marina, at Playa Herradura, near Jaco. The cost for a boat to take six, was over $1500. A pretty good deal, and a normal price. These boats are docked, and you can board normally. The price includes lunch, beer, and soft drinks, as well as all the equipment and bait, and a guy to work the fishing rods.
Other boats anchor off the beach, and you have to get a panga off the beach to take you out. Jamie introduced me to Captain Cliff. He was worried about Howie and his wheelchair, but we weren’t. He had a very nice boat with twin outboards, coolers, shade, and all the latest rigging for fishing. He also provided lunch, beer, and soft drinks, and his partner Mike was an experienced fisherman. Working the rods, baiting the hooks, setting out lines and decoys, he was a very busy boy. When the sailfish started bothering the bait, he played it perfect, giving it lots of line before setting the hook. Then the fun started. Melissa, Stephanie, and Francoise all got tired out, and Serge finished it off. Forty minutes of high class fighting fish. It was a thrill to watch, and what a beautiful specimen once we had it to the boat. Pictures were taken, Howie filmed most of the fight, and it was released. The fish weighed about 150 pounds. We also caught a small (50lb) tuna. It was a shorter fight, and Serge brought that one in alone. The cost for this great day was only $800. One motor overheated, and we came back slow under power of 1. Cliff offered a $100 discount for this inconvenience, but Howie said it was a great day, paid full price, and tipped both Cliff and Mike.

January 9, 2009

Happy New Year. It’s been a busy time since my last post. I eventually got my paper from immigration saying I had renewed my residency. When I took the letters in, they told me they had to be in Spanish, and when I returned with those, the lady assured me that all the delays were my fault. Now I have to go back again to get my identity card.
Linda arrived on the 18th November, and we worked to get the place ready for our first company. Howie came down on 24th December with his daughter, Stephanie, and his friends Serge and Francoise with their daughter Melissa. They were here for two weeks, and to put it mildly, did a lot of stuff. The young girls enjoyed the Huevo most, I think, and we went quite often, although I never managed to stay awake for the big Saturday night dance over there. We went deep sea fishing and caught a sailfish and a tuna. We had less luck fishing from a panga in the Gulf, but enjoyed a scenic tour, including the prison on Isla San Lucas, a secluded beach on the other side of the island, and a beer in Playa Naranjo. The women all went horseback riding in the mountains near Miramar. They also had a day in Puntarenas to explore and shop, and a few visits with Jamie and her animals. Erika made ceviche for us. The fresh fish and shrimp were hard to find, as the fisherman aren’t getting many right now, and the shrimp farms are in the drying, sterilizing and restocking phase.
As they say, a good time was had by all. We have a month now before more visitors arrive, and there is lot’s to do. We are getting caught up though, and as long as there is less to repair than improve, I think we can gain on it.
Beast, my 8 month old puppy died of tetanus on New Year’s day. It’s very rare in dogs. It is a spore, and entered through the cut where I had him neutered.
There was an earthquake centered near San Jose yesterday. We felt the movement here. The little table I was sitting at bounced around, and the cracks in the floor of the old house spread a bit, but there was no damage.