Laura and Steve's hopefully sloth-full Costa Rica Adventure
Mar 24th, 2022, 05:44 AM
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It wasn't quite over yet...
Thanks Volcano Girl, yes, the Hanging Bridges were quite the growth edge.
So by day 11 we were quite prepared to return to our regular sloth-less life but it wasn't quite to be. We got a notice from United that nasty weather was tearing across the US and would we please change our travel plans. We checked to see if we could stay another night at Nayara but sadly they were full up. We hustled to get a room back at the Mariotte Hacienda Belen and to change ride and covid test plans. That part went well, the Hacienda Belen had a doctor set up in a little room and after checking in we just stopped by the room (we did have an appointment) and the test took 5 minutes. We had a bit of a scare when the results came in and we couldn't open doc but it turned out to be just the receipt. We were negative and could go home! hurray. The hotel was more crowded this time, and obnoxious party from a state I won't embarrass by naming were super loud at the next table at dinner garnering nasty looks from all surrounding tables, but the food at the steakhouse was very good.
Our plane was at 2:45 so lots of time to get organized and to the airport. then the glitches began. plane was half an hour late arriving. then mechanical difficulties made it an hour later. I was pulled out of line for a random check (really, a purple haired almost grandma like me....), finally, all loaded and comfortable. then captain comes on to say he is having trouble loading flight plan and can't take off until he does, he will keep us posted. another hour later, he tells us the whole airports system is down. will keep us posted. Plane is getting hot, people getting grumpy, one guy wants off. Finally they say they will take us all off (good because it won't be hot, bad because uh oh, does that mean we aren't going home after all. what to do?) Getting off people were awful, pushing and shoving, yelling at each other. Really? we were all going to the same place - but I do understand, it was pretty hot by then.
Back in the terminal they say that they need to get a new flight crew as this one is now over its legal time limit.. They give out vouchers for food for $10, but here is where it gets really funny. there is no food for less than $10 and the restaurants wouldn't let people supplement the vouchers with their own cash. the same thing happened to everyone (we just went and bought food, but it was a pretty stupid system). Finally 5 hours later with new crew the plane takes off. Big relief, we don't need to find new flight, hotel, covid test whew. Landed at 3 am instead of 10 pm as planned, home by 5 am, exhausted but safe. Oh and we had figured mid march we wouldn't need heavy jackets landing - hah - we skated over driveway ice getting in.
but it was a wonderful amazing, beautiful trip. Thanks all for advice - happy travels - hopefully we can return some day.
beach at Arenas del Mar
Toucan
So by day 11 we were quite prepared to return to our regular sloth-less life but it wasn't quite to be. We got a notice from United that nasty weather was tearing across the US and would we please change our travel plans. We checked to see if we could stay another night at Nayara but sadly they were full up. We hustled to get a room back at the Mariotte Hacienda Belen and to change ride and covid test plans. That part went well, the Hacienda Belen had a doctor set up in a little room and after checking in we just stopped by the room (we did have an appointment) and the test took 5 minutes. We had a bit of a scare when the results came in and we couldn't open doc but it turned out to be just the receipt. We were negative and could go home! hurray. The hotel was more crowded this time, and obnoxious party from a state I won't embarrass by naming were super loud at the next table at dinner garnering nasty looks from all surrounding tables, but the food at the steakhouse was very good.
Our plane was at 2:45 so lots of time to get organized and to the airport. then the glitches began. plane was half an hour late arriving. then mechanical difficulties made it an hour later. I was pulled out of line for a random check (really, a purple haired almost grandma like me....), finally, all loaded and comfortable. then captain comes on to say he is having trouble loading flight plan and can't take off until he does, he will keep us posted. another hour later, he tells us the whole airports system is down. will keep us posted. Plane is getting hot, people getting grumpy, one guy wants off. Finally they say they will take us all off (good because it won't be hot, bad because uh oh, does that mean we aren't going home after all. what to do?) Getting off people were awful, pushing and shoving, yelling at each other. Really? we were all going to the same place - but I do understand, it was pretty hot by then.
Back in the terminal they say that they need to get a new flight crew as this one is now over its legal time limit.. They give out vouchers for food for $10, but here is where it gets really funny. there is no food for less than $10 and the restaurants wouldn't let people supplement the vouchers with their own cash. the same thing happened to everyone (we just went and bought food, but it was a pretty stupid system). Finally 5 hours later with new crew the plane takes off. Big relief, we don't need to find new flight, hotel, covid test whew. Landed at 3 am instead of 10 pm as planned, home by 5 am, exhausted but safe. Oh and we had figured mid march we wouldn't need heavy jackets landing - hah - we skated over driveway ice getting in.
but it was a wonderful amazing, beautiful trip. Thanks all for advice - happy travels - hopefully we can return some day.
beach at Arenas del Mar
Toucan
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