Ah! Costa Rica

There is another corner of Costa Rica I want to visit this trip. Time to catch the bus from San Jose to Puerto Viejo.

Waiting for Another Bus

Really Armed Security

Don't Tell God Sign on the Bus

Each bus seems to have a Christian message along with the policy info.
On this 4 1/2 hour bus ride, I realize why I always saw a bank of clouds to the east as well as to the west in the direction of Monteverde and Arenal.
As you head south and east towards the port city of Limon, you pass through a true cloud forest. The clouds were so thick and the road so twisting, i could not get any good pictures from the bus window. When the clouds momentarily cleared, I would look over the precipice that seemed to fall directly under the bus window. There was frequent light rain or mist.
When you leave the mountains, the land becomes flat and sandy. Ideal conditions for bananas and other tropical fruits.

Dole and Delmonte Country

Everything Leaves and Enters Via Ship Containers

Don't bother visiting Limon. It is an old port city and is still pretty gritty. The first time I saw any litter in Costa Rica was around Limon and it continued through the entire province.

When I got off the bus, I realized my offline map of the area had expired and I didn't have any internet access of a data plan. I flagged down a three-wheeled taxi, but he didn't know where El Jardin de Playa Negra was located. I remembered from looking at the map that it was less than 2 km, so it seemed best to walk. No one seemed to know where it was, but a woman on a bike with new bed pillows in her basket said she knew where it was and headed me down the correct road.

I Guess I Just Follow This Road

Now I Follow This Road

Only 300 Meters More

Found El Jardin de Playa Negra

Sign for My Casita

Open Air Living

Living Like a Tica

My Jungle View

Open Air Kitchen

Tambien Casas Muy Grande

After I unpacked my gear, I decided to walk along the beach into the town of Puerto Viejo. The manager said this was a nicer walk into town than along the road.

Just 300 Meters from My Gate

This Is A Quicker Way to Walk

Puerto Viejo Beach

Town Beach

No Gulls on This Beach

Tico Breakfast

My first morning, I get up around 5 AM to the doodle does of the roosters and the chirping of birds . Gosh, I'm going to miss this when I leave Costa Rica!)
I head to the beach to catch the sunrise over the Caribbean. Unfortunately, it was a really cloudy morning.

Too Cloudy to See the Sunrise

I was looking at my cloud shots on my phone. Then, I looked up and thought I would head to town. This is what I saw!

I Was Just Looking the Wrong Way

Surprise! Contacting each other through What's App, Yann and I discover we are once again near one another.

Surprise Yann and I Meet Up Again

The Coronavirus uproar has closed all borders, so Yann has some figuring out to do on where to stay so he can eventually continue his bike trip all the way to Patagonia. He spent 24 hours at my little casita getting his head around the situation.
I was partially hoping my flight home would be cancelled so that I could spend the time confined to Costa Rica. There were sure to be lots of good deals on VRBO and AirBandB!

I really just spent the days here strolling the beach into town and enjoying relaxing in my little casita. There is much to see and do around here in a relaxed and outdoor style. Here is a pretty good link. I really think I would enjoy coming back here for a couple of weeks during Colorado winter weather.

Threw Away My Walking Shoes 3 Days Too Early

Fortunately, these flip flops did not tear until my last walk on the beach on the way to the bus stop back to San Jose.

Hasta Luego Costa Rica

Now This Is Una Prada de Bus Buena

An uneventful bus ride back to San Jose where my faithful driver Katia who has ferried me back and forth between Atenas and the bus stations picked me up and took me to the hotel. I can't believe that I didn't get a photo of Katia!

Just Another Hampton Inn

It is a good thing I checked into the Monteverde Inn when I had less than 24 hours left in Monteverde.....
because I might not have ever left!

The View from My Front Patio

My Casita

Most Hotels Do the Towels Like on Cruise Ships

Had I just stayed here the entire time, I would have missed out on everything else I enjoyed!
The Inn is located down a steep driveway within its own nature preserve. There are trails where you can amble or hike for hours.

View from the Rim Path

Giant Fig Tree in the Preserve

The Hammock Garden

I Decided to Take a Little Nap

A White Nosed Coati

The view from your patio, the front yard, and the open-air dining area is spectacular.

Monteverde Inn Front Yard

How About This View with Your Guacamole

Sunset with Gulf and Peninsula

Sunset Reflecting on Clouds in the East

They also offered a guided night tour. I had signed up, but cancelled after I had spent a couple hours walking the trails in the daytime. I knew I would feel unsure of my balance on some of those steps and the rim in the dark. No need to look for another sleeping sloth. Instead, I enjoyed a pizza while I listened to the frogs in the pond within about 10 steps.

Costa Rican Kitchen Speciality is Wood-Fired Greek Pizza

Night Frogs

The "green mountain" of Monteverde is rather steep. The walk into town, which is actually St Elena, is downhill. The return to the hotel is, of course, uphill as I discovered on my first day here.
Future trips did not seem so difficult.

I could also walk in the other direction which was not quite so steep.

A Walk with a View

The Roadway Has Paths but Sometimes High Narrow and Steep

Sometimes Others Walking

Had I not been looking for the Quaker Cemetery suggested as a place to walk to by the hotel manager, I would not have known the interesting history of Quakers coming from the US in the 1950s in protest of our involvement in the Korean war. They were quite instrumental in the ecological efforts that surfaced in Costa Rica and the ecotourism in Monteverde today.

Quakers from USA Came to This Area in 1950s

The Friends School

The Friends Cemetery

Finally a Place to Buy Souvenirs

They Say It's the Best Ice Cream in the World....But.....

There is a nice restaurant called Stella's across from the women's co-op gift shop. In back is a tiny little jungle with bird feeders. Many people come to this area to birdwatch. Two watchers with packs of camera gear sat on the deck closely watching the area and feeders. They were there when I arrived and stayed for at least 30 minutes more. Only a big black crow hopped around the area. As soon as they left, so did the crow. Soon at least 6 different species of birds came to the feeders and sang in the trees. Of course, my camera and skills were not enough for good shots.

After the Birdwatchers Left Stella's

First thing on Day 2, I boarded the shuttle bus to the Sky Adventures to ride the Tram. Had Bazil been on this trip, we would have done the more adventurous zip lines.
It was so windy and I was the only person reserved that they would not run. They told me to wait for the next scheduled run to see if it could go.

Eat a Panini Instead

It was so cold and rainy that I went into the gift shop and spent $150 USD (84,817 CR) on a hoodie, sweatshirt, and rain poncho with a free cap. I could have probably found something cheaper without all the Costa Rican promo printing on it, but that's what I get for not coming prepared.

I'm in Love with a Big Amarillo Frog

After an hour, they asked if I wanted to wait for the next ride. Ten people had reserved that time and it would probably be enough wait to keep the tram from blowing around.

The Tramway That Never Went

I opted for a refund and took the shuttle back to town.
There were some shops where I could have purchased clothing, but warm enough in my Pura Vida garb I didn't even go in.

Clever Repurposing

About 10 years ago, I had wanted to bring Bazil to Costa Rica, but his parents didn't approve. So I decided to do some of the things we would have done together. So, I visited the Herpetarium.

It's An Adventure, All Right

Daniel Will Take 2 Plus Hours to Tell You Way Too Much

True or False....This Is a Poisonous Viper...Explain Your Answer

They Even Shed the Covering Over Eyes

I Kept Taking Photos to Keep from Yawning

I, of course found my way to the local cemetery.

Now I See How They Use the Plots Again and Again

Building a New Crypt

On the whole, I won't put Monteverde - or St Elena - on my list of places to visit again.
I had a great time and enjoyed myself, but fulfilled my interests.
But I really encourage everyone to put it on their list of places to visit. Mark it as a place to be ACTIVE .....and be sure to bring clothes for cool weather and a misty rain. After all, it is in the cloud forest and the mountains!

If you are not an experienced bird watcher or in the know on flora and fauna, you need to get a good guide.
My friend Mary Kelley recommended Andres the guide she had used when she and her daughters visited the area over Christmas and I am glad she did.

Andreas Sets the Scope

The first tour I took was the Kinkajou night tour. Andres arranged for the shuttle to pick me up. There were at least three groups on the tour that night, but he made sure I was on his tour.

Moonlight Walk

I stayed at the end of the group so as to not slow down the progress of others. I have to admit, I was a bit surprised that I struggled a bit walking in the dark without anything to aid my balance. Guess that six days in the Pilates retreat didn't improve my performance to withstand three weeks of not practicing!
Andres made sure I could always see and hear when the group stopped to see what he had found for us.

Really the Scorpion is Brown

Andres texted me shortly after I returned that he had another group I could join the next morning in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. That was another morning well spent.
Once again, Andres made sure everyone was well taken care of and able to see everything he could find.

Tourists Meeting Up with Guides

There was much to see and experience on both these tours. The guides cooperated with one another. If one saw something, instead of trying to keep it a secret they contacted the other guides. They wanted everyone to enjoy their tours. They knew that everyone had spent a great deal of time and money to get here and that trying to prove they were the only guide who could spot things would not really benefit anyone.

A Walk in the Woods with Andreas

Nothing In Here I Just Liked the Way It Looked

Little Tent Bats Sleeping During the Day

Is There a Sloth in That Tree

In the Cloud Forest

Can You Spy the Baby Hummingbird's Beak

Andreas Will Take Photos through the Scope Whenever You Ask

Three Days Later I Can't Remember the Name But Andreas Knows

Andres took many more pictures or gave me the opportunity to do so through his scope than I have included here. If you go to Monteverde, contact Andres via What's App at +506 8595 6245.
If he is not available, you should be able to be part of a small group for only about $30 a person. Of course, if you want a private guide for half a day, plan to spend at least $150.

I am on the bus headed to the places we most often see in the tourist brochures and web sites.

Another One Rides the Bus

4 Hours through This Type of Countryside

Midway Stop

Then Back on the Bus

I Had No Idea What to Expect

2 More Hours of Countryside

Google Maps Indicatetes We Are Getting Closer

I had really not done my homework. As a matter of fact, all I did was book some hotels and didn't even read anything about Monteverde.
I live in Colorado ...... I should have been smart enough to prepare for the change in altitude.
I wasn't!
I hadn't stopped sweating in the 95 degree weather for the entire past month. I hadn't even brought a sweater.
When I stepped off the bus, the wind almost knocked me over.
And, Surprise! Monteverde is in a Cloud Forest. That means frequent drizzles and mist.

According to Google Maps, my first hotel was less than two miles away. I decided to walk instead of looking for a taxi

It Seemed Like a Long Walk It WAS a Steep Hill

The "less than 2 miles" was straight up hill

I'm Glad I Don't Have to Walk Up Those Steps

USA Not Listed

My friend says EE UU is for Estados Unidos, but we don't understand the double initials

All Around Monteverde Are National Reserves

I Have Arrived

Here is the Hotel Montana Monteverde

My Room Has a Huge Stone Balcony

Beautiful View from My Balcony

I Traveled with Only the Essentials

They sell small bottles of vodka in Costa Rica. Don't take up any room in my knapsack.

Because I didn't read the guidebook, I wasn't aware of the famous statue on the outskirts of Atenas until the owner of my house-sit mentioned it on my last day in town.

On the Old Ox Wagon Route

The drivers with their ox wagons were as vital to commerce and industry throughout Costa Rica as the mule teams and wagons were to the westward settlement of the US. Today, the painted carettas are an important symbol of the country.

Although sometimes the streets are filled with traffic and it is difficult to get across the street. Often the main intersection looks like this.

Ave 0 at Calle Central

Recently Made One Way Streets

I have not seen one piece of litter on any street or highway in my travels in Costa Rica.

This Is Why There Is No Litter in the Streets

Oh yeah, I did see a bit in San Jose!

Cathedral in Atenas

Atenas has the ugliest of any central plaza or park in any Spanish-speaking country I have visited. Apparently, they recently cut down most of the trees and began a rebuilding and beautification project. Hmmmmm. Seems like few of the locals are cheering about the changes.

Playground in the Park

School Band Practicing in the Plaza

The Library Like the Plaza Is Very Nondescript

Gringo Sits Here Almost Every Day

Pink Shorts Today

I asked about him. For some reason even I was hesitant about striking up a conversation him. No one I knew had talked to him but I was told that he is a Canadian who lives here six months for many years and is "very nice." He just seemed like a throwback to 1970 to me.

I lived just across the street from the cemetery. It is certainly different than any of those in Mexico or the Southwest US.

Atenas Cemetery

Very Few Monuments

Rather Austere

Families use a plot for all members of their family, so I assumed there was an easy way to lift the tiles and bury grandpa over great-greatgrandpa.

They Have Been Chipping Away All Week

I couldn't figure it out by looking at this project that was going on during my stay.
I tried online research, but only learned that burial sites are at a premium throughout the nation. Some folks "rent a crypt" for a few years and then the remains are moved to a mass or community grave. I think relocating is fairly common in other countries, but am not sure I have heard about renting.

Lunch at the Coopeatenas Soda Cafe

Grown Up Nina Pequena

One Lane Bridges in Town and Throughout the Countryside

All over Costa Rica, the bridges are only wide enough for a single car. Even on the busy highways, there is a sign indicating which side should yield if two cars approach at the same time. Often the bridges are passes between peaks or ravines instead of crossing a river. This one in town has a pedestrian bridge. Because of the rainy season for six months, these are always open steel mesh or cross bars. Of course, they make me shaky and fearful.

It is time to leave Atenas. I am sure I had more photos, but any will just have to remain hidden on one of my four pieces of equipment or floating around on Google.

You Can Buy Spices in Manageable Amounts

My favorite thing about shopping in Costa Rica: You DON'T have to buy more than you need. Look at these perfect-sized spices! And this is the rack in the supermercado.

In the town of Atenas, you can shop for anything or service that you need.

Everything You Need in Atenas

Where to Go If You Forgot a USB Cord

One Day I Caught a Whiff

Where to Go for Colonnes

Wait Your Turn at the PO and the Bank

There are Handicap spots available in most lots and in some places on the street. However, there is always a barrier in them so you have to be able to move the barrier before you can drive your car into the designated spot!

Be Able to Move the Barrier to Park in Handicap Spot

There are supermercados in every town. The Pali is owned by Walmart. When they offer more than groceries, it is called the Maxi Pali. Don't forget and call it the Maxi Pad.

Owned by Walmart

When you buy fresh-baked bread and pastries at the Maxi Pali, you use tongs and put your selections on a pretty metal tray. Then the server enters the code in the system and prints out a label, puts the items in a bag, and attaches a label with the price. I had to have instructions the first time.

How to Buy Pan at the Maxi Pali

They have recently implemented a self-serve checkout aisle. You use the scanner for all the items with bar codes - including the bread from the silver tray. However, there is no way to ring up the items sold by weight - including eggs. So, you have to print your receipt and then continue to the cashier to complete the transaction and accept your payment.

No One Will Use the Self Checkout

All this takes so long and is so confusing that no one will use it. Instead the self-service line is long with no one at the individual counters but waiting for the single cashier to do it all. If you do it on your own, the register might be out of paper so the transaction is not completed or you have to go and find the cashier.

I preferred to do my shopping at the central mercado at the bus terminal.

Beautiful Spot in the Center of the Mercado

Deli and Housewares Aisle

Meat Vendors at the Mercado

Fruit Aisle and Walking Toy Vendor on Friday

Zanahorias y Papas

Postcards are the only thing you can't buy in Atenas - maybe all of Costa Rica!

No Postales at the Libreria or Don Juan Farmacia

I was told the Don Juan Farmacia sold postales. However, they were very puzzled and told me to go to the libreria (bookstore). I could find it on Google Maps, but couldn't find my way there. I asked many folks, but no one could understand my accent. Finally a lady from the US married to a Tico understood me and directed me.
In the libreria, the clerk said "No postales. Go to Don Juan Farmacia."
No one is getting any postcards from me this trip. Too bad I bought 5 mil colones worth of stamps before I looked for postales.

Mani-Pedi

Although we never met again, I really felt that I could have had a friend with this woman who gave me a mani-pedi.

Across from the nail salon was a wonderful little coffee shop on the river.

I Meet Marile

Jhomalu Coffeeshop

My Almost-Daily Stop

Marile and Her Amiga

I am sure she would cal me her amiga also.

Johnmalu Closes

Unfortunately, the local Ticos could not support this coffee shop and she closed on March 1. I was glad to stop there almost daily before she closed.

Miguel gave me a good haircut and this lady spent a good deal of time styling my short hair. I never did get her name. Can I really count these as friends?

My Haircut in Costa Rica

At least twice each day, I walked Avenida 0 and spoke to all the vendors. When you only meet a few folks, you call them friends also.

Buenas Dias and Hola at Least Twice a Day

The first time I stopped at his tienda, I bought three lemons which cost 30 cents (local currency). I only had 20, but he let me take the lemons when I told him I would return promptly - or whatever I was able to convey in Spanish. He was quite surprised when I returned in just a few minutes with the extra money.

In addition to Marile, Xiomara and Christian were new friends that I was able to spend time with. They work for the owners of my house every Tuesday. I cooked lunch for them, so I was able to practice my Spanish! Xiomara is from Nicaragua, but has lived here for many years and has learned to speak excellent English working for Gringos.

Mis Amigas Xiomara y Christian

Hamburgers for Our First Lunch

Second Lunch Roast Chicken and Corn on the Cob

Christian Is Glad the Painting Is Almost Done

They might only be birds, but I saw them and talked to them every day around 3 PM when they came to the pool to bathe.

Two Birds Came to Bathe Every Day

Best Photo I Got

Through the Couchsurfing app, I have hosted or stayed with about 50 members. Yann stayed with me at the end of June 2019. He is biking all the way to Argentina. Would you believe it, we were in Costa Rica at the same time and he was able to get to Atenas to so I could host him again.

My Couchsurfing Friend from Canada to Argentina

Miles Spies Company for Dinner

I met him in the plaza. We walked home as he pushed his bike. Later we went to the mercado to shop for dinner. I know all the vendors who I had passed every day and either shopped with or said "Hola!" were very puzzled how, where, and why I had picked up this young man who could speak passable Spanish but looked a wee bit vagrant.

My first day here, I had met a young woman on the bus named Dianne. I had asked her if she would like to meet a nice young man from Israel riding a bike all the way through the Americas.
"I certainly would," she replied.
Unfortunately, we were never able to meet up and even though Dianne and I had lunch and communicated a few times, I failed to get her photo.

And, of course, the whole reason I was invited to stay at this place was to be good friends with Miles and Chuchne.

Chuchne Just a Bit Cross-Eyed

Chuchene en la Sala

Why the Upstairs Patio Is Enclosed

I'd Really Like to Eat What's on the Table

Miles Ama Tia Paula

I headed up Avenida 0 to the parada de autobus de los barrios.
We rode along mountain roads through the pueblo of San Isidora where many of the riders got off the bus. I think they were going to mass because the Catholic school was on my side of the bus.

It looked like this might be a pleasant pueblo and I spied a nice restaurant overlooking the valley shortly after the church. Not sure I still have enough days left to return.

More bends and one lane bridges in the road for at least 30 minutes when the bus had to make a sharp right and then back up a narrow road next to a small store.
This was the end of the ride.

This is the Town of Altos de Naranja

The Other Side of Altos de Naranja

I walked about 1/10 of a mile to see what was in the town of Altos de Naranja.

A Casa in las Plantas

Homes on the Mountainside

Without Plastic Bags Please

I decided to return to Tucson Arizona. I could hear loud music from the center of the street, but decided it was my only option.

Bar and Restaurant Tucson Arizona

Only Other Restaurant Patrons

View from the Window

Servicio Sanitario

Flag of Costa Rica

Quesedilla with Vodka and Tonic

I certainly should not have been hesitant about entering. The food was good and the atmosphere perfect. No one spoke any English, but there were a lot of smiles and the waiter and I were able to converse pleasantly about the name of the restaurant.
The next bus left in 45 minutes and the last bus of the day did not leave for more than three hours. As picturesque as this spot was, I knew I wanted to be on the one in 45 minutes!

This is definitely a local and familiar route to the driver. We drove about 20 feet when he stopped and began tooting the horn. Soon a man came running out calling "Gracias! Gracias!"
The driver knew he needed be on this particular bus and was not going to leave without him.

I knew the Toledo Coffee Tour was near and on the way back to Atenas and it was a recommended place to visit. In "perfect Spanish" I asked the driver to stop there for me. He didn't know what I was asking for. I showed him the name of the place on Google Translate and on Google Maps. He still did not know.

No Conoce

A passenger sitting in one of the front seats told him she knew where it was.
I am really puzzled. This man has driven past it at least twice a day for X number of years. I even saw the roadside sign when we stopped there about 2 hours ago to let off a young boy whose mother was waiting for him and who obviously got off at this spot every weekend when he returned from his week in town at school.
Regardless, the nice lady who spoke no English rang for the appropriate stop for me and then rapped on the window to point me in the direction a bit down the mountainside to the correct driveway.

El Toledo Coffee

Waiting for Me at the Tour de Cafe

I had toured an organic, family-owned coffee farm on my South America cruise a year ago, so I thought I did not really need to do another visit to one. Just wanted to find something to do for the afternoon.
Well, this just goes to show you that you can't visit two too many coffee farms. Although similar, the experiences were different and both were delightful.

Some Nice Tropical Plantings

There was a couple from Austria waiting to take the tour. Soon local Gringos appeared with guests in tow. Seems all the local ex-pats bring all their guests here. Since it is not a "drop them off" kind of location, these Gringos were well-known to the farmers.
The tour lasted about two hours and included:

A Very Interesting Presentation

Brother Tells Us About the Drying

Padre Tends to the Roaster

Paula Cools the Roasted Beans

Altos de Naranja in the Distance

All Coffee Beans Handpicked

Family Has Made Their Farm a Pleasant Place to Tour

4000 Kilos Produced a Year

Pairings Just Like a Wine Tasting

A Painting of Padre

Shade-Covered Coffee Plants

This Tree Will Have Leaves After the Dry Season

View form the 9 Hectare Finca

They Are Also Experimenting with Coffee Wine

BTW, the wine is not very tasty, but the tea made from coffee bean shells is!

I had missed the last bus to Atenas, so the couple from Austria gave me a lift to town. They were headed to San Jose to take a 10 PM flight home. I told them to go to the San Jose Central Mercado after they drove through Atenas and felt they had seen enough.

Another Day Another Bus Stop

The Atenas bus systems serve many of the smaller communities and barrios in the province. Today, I chose to go to Palmares.

I couldn't find much online about the town, but decided it would at least be a little drive through the country.

On the Road to Palmares

Men Everywhere Look at Girls Walk By

Nothing to Watch Now

No Rain for 6 Month Dry Season

Palmares is a nice little town with a lovely central plaza.

Now THIS Is a Central Park

Palmares Central Park

Ninos de Escuela of All Ages on Lunch Hour

Next to the plaza is the cathedral. Most structures and churches in Costa Rica are stucco or cement, so this stone is quite unusual for the area.

Rare Stone Cathedral in Costa Rica

Beautiful Tile Floor in the Cathedral

A Lady Performing Lenten Penance

Just before I entered the cathedral, I was talking with another gringa about religion in Costa Rica. I had commented on how the Catholic influence seemed less profound here than in Mexico and where I had visited in South America. Then, I was sitting in the cathedral when I felt something pass beside me. There was this woman walking on her knees the entire length of the center aisle to the altar. The day before had been Ash Wednesday, so I assume she was doing her Lenten penance.

Speaking of the gringa - She was from Canada and had visited here in 1989. She had met a Tico and returned the next year to get married. She had lived here that long, but this was the first time she had been on the bus and the first time she had been in Palmeras even though it is less than 30 miles from where she lives in Atenas. Sometimes people puzzle me. She moved all the way from Alberta, Canada yet stayed in her own backyard. She had, however, gained citizenship and spoke very good Spanish.

Walking around town, I found the library.

Aha The Library

Entrance to La Biblioteca

I went in the children's section to look at some books and practice reading my Spanish. A father was teaching his daughter world geography by studying maps. We kept glancing at each other and finally began trying to talk together about where I was from.

You Always Meet Nice People at the Library

Using Google translate, we were able to have some conversations about how nice the people were in our countries.
I didn't need Google to understand that they were fascinated with my blue eyes! I was reminded about the little Sioux children who wanted to touch them and how their parents were embarrassed because a common threat from grandmothers is to "Behave or old blue eyes will get you!"

Friendly Librarian

The librarian spoke at length about discrimination she has received when visiting Louisiana and some rather racists comments about African Americans. She was quite nice, however, and there was no way I was going to educate her any differently with our way of communicating. Eventually, her coworker told her to return to her desk!

My next errand was to find a place to have lunch.

I Am Not Going to Eat at a Soda

There were the usual sodas and mercado. The town also has some shops that I think have nicer quality than in Atenas.
I finally saw a little ceviche shop.

I Will Eat Some Marlin Ceviche

At the Ceviche Shop

After chatting with these folks - one who knew fairly good English - it was time to take the bus back to Atenas.

This Bus Stop Was Easy to Find

Palmares in the Distance

The lady from Canada was also on this bus and we enjoyed conversation and looking at the view the entire ride back to Atenas.