Day 10 - Getting to know the way to San Jose

We were up at around 6 a.m., had breakfast, a final gathering of our things and out the door to meet our arranged taxi ride. We waited in the street for a good while and finally decided to fetch another ride for the water taxi instead. We were at the dock at 7:30 a.m. and the boat was supposed to leave at 8 a.m. as scheduled and we would be able to meet our 9 a.m. bus to Changuinola. We were still sitting on the dock waiting for the boat to begin boarding at 8:25 a.m.

I was getting anxious and finally we started boarding and quickly on our way. Once in Almirante we were again quickly into a taxi for a ride to the bus station. Good news, we made it as the bus hadn't left, but as soon as we boarded the packed bus we were off for the 30 minute ride.

In Changuinola, we only had to walk around the corner and the bus to San Jose was waiting. The bus was an older styled bus and we were asked to board the bus even though it wasn't running and the air conditioning not on. Didn't matter anyway as when the engine was running there still wasn't any air conditioning. The bus had to be near 40C inside and the windows I wasn't sure opened at first but shear persistence or life endangered panic I managed to dislodge the windows for some much needed moving air.

The boarding crossing in Sixaola was something else. First we had to get our exit stamps from Panama and then pay the exit fee before walking across a foot/rail bridge to reach Costa Rica. The day before I produced a fake itinerary and used it as proof of departure from Costa Rica at the customs office. A quick glance at the iPad and the customs officer stamped our passports for entry into Costa Rica. After another 30 minutes we were again boarding the bus.

The bus only started moving when the driver in his Spanish accent warned us to close the windows. I quickly jumped to my feet and closed mine, Correen's and the kid's windows along with one behind Correen just as the bus was sprayed with some kind of insecticide or herbicide. A few people on the bus didn't react like I did and ended up get sprayed through their open window. Glad I moved quickly.

The bus was hot and sticky with its vinyl seats. We drove down the highway passing by many banana tree farms and processing plants from the common producers Dole, Del Monte and Chiquita. Reaching Limon, the bus stopped and allowed us off for 15 minutes to grab some food and a drink before taking off again. I bought a bag of sliced mangos before we boarded the bus. The bag of greenish looking mangoes came with what looked like a slice of lime and what looked like a small plastic fold of sugar. We the sugar was salt and the lime, likely it was a lime and the mango was hard and now lime tasting and salty. I managed to eat 5-6 slices before calling it quits. The kids didn't like it at all. Felt really gringo with that purchase.

As the bus climbed the mountains the temperature dipped. At the highest elevations it was even too cool to have the windows open. We saw some pretty impressive waterfalls in the mountains and the terrain was stunning. Compared to Panama, Costa Rica had far more rivers, more mountainous terrain and it was superior in cleanliness. The environment is clearly more valued in Costa Rica. Loved Panama, but feel they should get their act together.

When the bus stopped in San Jose, we were asked no less than 5 times if we needed a taxi. We already had a driver picked or he picked us. We got our bags loaded and were off to our hotel. The ride through the city was interesting and the driver shared some knowledge of the city as well as warning us of the dangers as well. It sounds more like a sales pitch than a legitimate warning; alternative to the danger is to take the taxi.

There was nothing of interest around the hotel, it was just a gated hotel complex in some neighbourhood. Everyone seemed to like the hotel though. There was a restaurant, swimming pool, jacuzzi and our room had 2 rooms with beds.

We first went for some food in the restaurant. On the TV in the next room was a Red Bull street futball competition that looked quite interesting and I told the kids they should watch the cool tricks these guys were doing with a soccer ball. The waitress also gave us a remote to turn on the TV that was above us. We were hooked on the TV and when that program ended we switched the channels and stopped on Mexican wrestling, Nacho Libre style. I don't think Correen liked it, but the kids and I enjoyed watching the drama in the square ring.

After dinner we went and got changed into swimsuits for the jacuzzi. The kids loved swimming around in the jacuzzi. It was very nice with a small waterfall that flowed into the jacuzzi and it so much warmer than the outdoor pool beside the restaurant. After our family soak in the jacuzzi we went up to our room and the kids watched some TV before bed. I instead went to get some rest as I had to wake up early to pick up our car from the rental place.