I didn't mean to let the blog slip again, honest. But the daily workload I manage is onerous enough on its own terms; factor in an impending vacation, and it was clear that something had to give.
But that vacation, around nine days in Costa Rica from April 30 to May 8, did what it was supposed to do, happily. As indicated by the photo above -- taken by a patient dive supervisor near Caño Island, around 20 kilometers off the coast of the Peninsula de Osa -- I finally realized one of my lifetime aspirations with a first-ever dive. A depth of 40 to 50 feet is child's play for a seasoned diver, but for a first-timer it was revelatory. We had some beautiful company...
... some of which preferred to ignore our no-doubt blundering presence.
We were also ourselves observed, intently and at close quarters.
Happily, these silent watchers were also interested in maintaining a healthy distance.
That landmark event aside, Costa Rica was as gorgeous, warm and inviting as everyone has always claimed. In particular our accommodations in Osa, La Paloma Lodge at Bahia Drake, walking distance from Corcovado National Park, were extraordinary: an experience I would recommend enthusiastically to anyone with a taste for unadulterated nature. Geckos patrolled the nighttime walls, scarlet macaws and toucans visited the pool, a three-toed sloth took full days to move from one branch to the next and curious capuchin monkeys snuck into our bedroom on our final morning.
Truthfully, who wouldn't be inspired facing this view at breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Seriously, this photo, which I took with my iPhone from the porch of the main lodge at La Paloma, is now the desktop on my home and work computers.
Standard blogging to resume. Presently.
Welcome back...
Posted by: Karen | June 01, 2011 at 10:23 PM